Birmingham

Birmingham, Alabama is classic southern charm and hospitality. This vibrant, beautiful city is nestled in the rolling foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and serves up nationally recognized dining, shopping and entertainment, world-class attractions, events and other things to see and do.

With affordable airfare and accommodations, this centrally-located southeastern city is easy to get to. Once you arrive you’ll wish your time here was longer.

Birmingham is home to exciting attractions, fantastic, one-of-a-kind restaurants and a stock of year ’round entertainment. Golf anyone? From the world-class Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail to unique shopping and nightlife, Birmingham has it all.

Birmingham Zoo

Alabama’s Number one tourist attraction! See more than 700 wild animals in the heart of Birmingham at the Birmingham Zoo! Visit the Alligator Swamp. Feed the lorikeets in an interactive aviary where colorful parrots will land gently on your arm and sip nectar from your cup. The new Savannah brings Africa to Alabama in a naturalistic exhibit featuring giraffes, greater kudu, gazelles, and ostriches. Food, gift shop, train, and picnic areas. Phase I of the new Junior League of Birmingham- Hugh Kaul Children’s Zoo now open! Take Zoo-Gardens exit off Highway 280. Open 7 days a week from 9 to 5. (Extended summer hours from Memorial Day through Labor Day: Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, 9 to 7.) Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Admission is $11 for adults; $6 for children (2-12); $6 for seniors, 65+. Children under 2 are free. 1/2 price Tuesdays (March 1- October 31). Members get in free everyday! Group rates available with prior reservations. Accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association.

Vulcan Park and Museum

Vulcan Park and Museum is home to the world’s largest cast iron statue and features spectacular panoramic views of Birmingham. Located atop Red Mountain, Vulcan Park and Museum tells the story of Birmingham’s past, present and promise for the future. Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and forge, was originally built in 1904 and has stood as a symbol of Birmingham for over 100 years. A 10-acre urban green space surrounds the 56′ high statue and observation balcony that sits upon a 124′ pedestal. Visitors to Vulcan Center find interactive exhibits and displays that give insight into the region’s history and industrial growth. Vulcan Park and Museum Vulcan Park is open 7 days a week from 7 am – 10 pm. Vulcan Center and Tower Observation Balcony is open Monday- Saturday, 10 am- 6 pm and Sunday 1-6 pm. Evening hours for Vulcan Tower Observation Balcony are daily 6-10 pm.

Alabama Adventure

The New Name for Fun! Formerly Visionland, the park features a theme park and water park. In addition to new rides in the existing theme and water park, the plan calls for the following amenities: an animal park, a hotel with an indoor water park, a sports complex, RV park, interactive water play area, stock car racing zone and many more exciting attractions.

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

The institute captures the spirit and drama of the countless individuals–both well known and unsung–who dared to confront racial discrimination and bigotry. This is a “living institution” which views the lessons of the past in a positive way to chart new direction for the future. The institute’s permanent exhibitions are a self-directed journey through the Civil Rights Movement and human rights struggles of today. Located in the historic Civil Rights District surrounded by the 16th Street Baptist Church, Kelly Ingram Park, and the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.

Birmingham Museum of Art

The Birmingham Museum of Art is the largest municipal museum in the Southeast and one of the finest regional museums in the country. In 1993, it completed a major expansion/ renovation by renowned architect Edward Larrabee Barnes of New York. The Museum has a nationally- recognized permanent collection of over 21,000 works of art dating from ancient to modern times, from cultures across the globe. Of particular interest are: The Charles W. Ireland Sculpture Garden, American Art Collection, Asian Art Collection , Beeson Collection of Wedgwood, Contemporary Art Collection, Hitt Collection of 18th Century French Painting and Decorative Arts, Kress Collection of Renaissance Art, Native American Art Collection and the BMA’s nationally-recognized Visually-Impaired Program.

McWane Science Center

Adventures in learning surround you at the McWane Science Center. The museum offers a hands-on, creative examination of the worlds around us in a renovated department store housing 150,000 square feet of educational science equipment and a 42,000-square-foot IMAX theater. The energy that fuels the McWane Science Center is as exciting and engaging as the human imagination. Come see the wonders of our world in action, and leave with new-found perspectives.

Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

Approximately 10 miles from downtown Birmingham. Sculpted from the peaks and valleys of the Appalachians, the courses at Oxmoor Valley offer scenic forest, challenging layouts and a memorable day of golf. The Oxmoor Valley Golf Club is a public, 54-hole golf course that is part of Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, which has become one of the state’s top tourist attractions. The eight courses on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail span the state of Alabama and include Hampton Cove (Huntsville), Silver Lakes (Anniston/Gadsden), Oxmoor Valley (Birmingham), Grand National (Auburn/Opelika), Cambrian Ridge (Greenville), Highland Oaks (Dothan), Magnolia Grove (Mobile) and Capitol Hill (Prattville). With 324 holes the Trail is the largest golf course project ever attempted. Easily accessible by major interstates and highways, each course is within two hours of the next site.

Barber Motorsports Park

The Barber Motorsports Park is also the home of a World-Class 2.3 mile Road Course, which has been built to FIA and FIM standards. Find a new breed of racing here for both motorcycles and cars!

Riverchase Galleria

Riverchase Galleria is Alabama’s number one free tourist attraction, boasting one of the largest skylights in North America. Anchor stores include Belk, Macy’s, Sears, JCPenney with a four-star, four-diamond preferred Wynfrey Hotel and a 17-story class-A office tower attached to the two-level shopping mall. Other retailers include: Banana Republic, Aldo, Cache, bebe, Arden B and more.

Talladega Superspeedway

Talladega Superspeedway is the biggest, fastest, most competitive motorsports facility in the world. Records for both speed and competition have been established at Talladega. The Superspeedway can accommodate more than 143,000-seated guests and thousands more in the 212-acre infield. The track offers van tours to visitors daily during working hours except on weeks around events. Adjacent to the track is the International Motorsports Hall of Fame and Museum, which is also open daily.

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