Birmingham, Alabama, is a city with a rich cultural heritage. It was born out of the
iron and steel industry, and remnants of those humble beginnings are carefully preserved
at places like Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark and Vulcan Park & Museum.
Birmingham is also notable for its prominent role in America's Civil Rights Movement in
the mid-20th century. History buffs might benefit from a visit to the Birmingham Civil
Rights Institute, which gives visitors an intimate look at that momentous time in American
History.
These days, Birmingham features a vibrant and bustling arts and entertainment scene.
Birmingham's nightlife is lively, and outdoor recreational facilities and top-tier restaurants
are a dime a dozen.
If, for some reason, you think that Birmingham is just about BBQ and fried pies, remember
that the city is home to what's been called the 'Oscars of Dining' with James Beard Foundation
Award Winners and nominees.
If you're planning a visit to this city, you'll also want to check out its many live music
venues, where historically, some of the greatest contributors to the world's of jazz, blues,
and rock 'n roll music have played.
Birmingham is also host to dozens of antique shops which have been featured in high-end
lifestyle magazines all across the nation. Numerous art galleries and museums such as
The Birmingham Museum of Art house an impressive collection of artistic works from diverse
cultures around the globe.
With its mild climate, Birmingham draws in lovers of the great outdoors to play golf
on the states' Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Other outdoor activities such as biking, hiking,
and mountain climbing are also quite popular.
There is no better time than now to get out and explore the Birmingham area. In this video,
you'll learn what we believe to be are the best sights and attractions to experience
next time you're visiting what's been called 'The Magic City'.
Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
On August 14, 1967, this 33,000 square foot facility first opened its doors. Since then,
over 5,000 sports artifacts and pieces of memorabilia have been added to its collection.
Over the past 50+ years, the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame has honored some of the greatest
sports figures in the nation. Some of these celebrated athletes include Jesse Owens, Bart
Start, Mia Hamm, Willie Mays, Bo Jackson, and Alice Coachman Davis.
The museum is opened from 9 to 5 Monday through Friday and is closed on the weekends. Tickets
are fairly inexpensive, starting at $5 for adults with discounts being offered to senior
citizens, students, and groups of 10 or more.
Sixteenth Street Baptist And The Civil Rights District
On Sunday, September 15, 1963, the unthinkable happened when the Sixteenth Street Baptist
Church in Birmingham was bombed by the Ku Klux Klan. Sadly, the blast resulted in the
deaths of four young girls. This heinous act of hate helped bring a nation together and
ultimately played a significant role in ensuring the passage of the Civil Rights Act in 1964.
The church was subsequently rebuilt and reopened in 1964 with the help of generous donors from
all around the world. Today it is an integral part of the Birmingham Civil Rights story
and is a major tourist destination.
A guided tour of Birmingham's most significant Civil Rights Landmarks in the city's Civil
Rights District is perhaps the best way to see Birmingham's major sites while learning
all about the crucial role that it played in the fight for equal rights. A few of the
most visited sites on this tour are the Sixteenth Street Church, Boutwell Auditorium, Kelly
Ingram Park, and the site where the Freedom Riders were attacked in 1961.
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Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
Here we have a beautifully maintained museum featuring a top-notch collection of motorcycles
of all shapes and varieties. On the lower floor, you'll find a collection of automobiles
which you can view from above, but that section is accessible by invite only.
The museum is situated on a vast, well-manicured, and beautifully landscaped property that features
a world-class motorcycle racing track complete with an observation bridge and decks. Even
if you aren't the biggest motorcycle fan, the building and experience of moving through
time and space will likely give you a newfound appreciation of the design, engineering, and
beauty of these fantastic machines.
Birmingham Civil Rights Museum
Tracing its roots back to the Civil Rights era of the late 1950s and 60s, this historic
museum documents the fearless advocates for justice and equality that played a part in
changing the course of American History.
The long, violent, and emotional struggle for equality for Black Americans is chronicled
within these walls. From the oppressive Jim Crow Laws of the 1800s to the Freedom Riders,
sit-ins, and demonstrations of the 60s, The Birmingham Civil Rights Museum leaves no stone
left unturned.
McWane Science Center
Visitors to this Science Center and museum are given the chance to experience the world
through adventures in science and interactive exhibits suitable for guests of all ages.
It's one of Birmingham's top family attractions both for locals and tourists alike. You'll
get a chance to learn all about a wide range of topics from the dinosaurs to the age of
space exploration. Hands-on exhibits feature motion, light, and sound, and guests both
young and young at heart will find many exciting things to see and experience.
The top floor of the science center is where traveling and seasonal exhibits from other
museums are put on display. Special events are also held here from time to time and there
is also a fascinating exhibit that demonstrates the relationship between art and technology.
The lower floor features a fun and engaging interactive aquarium exhibit with living aquatic
creatures. Visitors can also experiment with what happens when they make waves on an eroding
shoreline, learn about salt marsh organisms, and explore the riveting tale of water and
what it means to all life on Earth.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
The Birmingham Botanical Gardens are contained within a park that spans an area of 67 acres.
Here you will also find a center for horticultural education. Immediately after arriving through
the Queen's Gates, visitors will come face to face with the glass conservatory which
sits behind the Formal Garden.
Most of the gardens are divided up into different categories based upon plant type. These segmented
regions are referred to as the Gardens of Collections. One of these is dedicated solely
to rhododendrons, another to roses, and still, yet another contains a variety of lilies,
irises, and hostas.
The Gardens of Nature features specimens of local plant life. The Garden of Culture, on
the other hand, is home to a broad range of flora, each of which represents various styles
of designs.
Railroad Park
Located in the middle of downtown, The Railroad Park is practically an oasis of green space
and sparkling water features. If you're tired of the hustle and bustle of the city or if
you just want to escape the heat for a bit, this is a perfect spot to go have a picnic.
The park spans an area of 19 acres and includes plenty of lawn space, towering trees casting
shade, fragrant flowers, and a handful of streams and ponds. Railroad Park also has
a small lake and several trails perfect for walking or running. The ¾ mile Rail-Trail
offers some phenomenal views of the city as well.
Younger visitors will appreciate the fact that Railroad Park is home to two playgrounds.
There is also a skate park where teenagers can often be found. Make sure you check the
park's website to see if any events or concerts are planned during your visit, as they often
are during the warmer months.
Birmingham Zoo
The Birmingham Zoo is home to 950 different animals – of those represented here are
numerous endangered species. During the day, guests can catch a variety of live shows and
events, including the sea lion show and reptile feedings.
Meet a giraffe up close and personal before taking a ride on the Red Diamond Express,
And if you want to see the behind-the-scenes operations of the zoom and meet some of its
resident animals and keepers, visitors can purchase an animal encounter pass.
Hundreds of butterflies representing more than 20 local species can be seen at the zoo's
botanical exhibit. And for guests with younger children, the Hugh Kaul Children's Zoo is
dedicated to the urban and rural animals found in Alabama.
Southern Museum Of Flight
This museum features a variety of exhibits and numerous examples of historic aircraft.
The indoor part of the museum makes use of giant life-sized dioramas to illustrate various
topics. Quite a few of these are related to the history of aviation in the armed forces.
Some of the most notable exhibits include one that features Korean War Jets and another
that chronicles the history of the Tuskegee Airmen. Children can enjoy some educational
playtime in the Little Pilots Playroom, and older kids will appreciate the Experimental
Aviation Association Classroom, where young, aspiring engineers can test out their ideas
using Legos, Mega Blox, and Knex.
For teens and adults, the museum offers fully functional flight simulators where you can
learn to fly with the help of a real flight instructor.
The outdoors section of the museums gives visitors a chance to walk amidst planes including
an early-model commercial plane that was once used by Delta. The Alabama Aviation Hall of
Fame can also be found here.
Pepper Place Market
Every Saturday from 7 am to noon, more than a hundred vendors converge at Pepper Place
to offer up their handmade goods and fresh, homegrown produce. The market is the perfect
place to shop for a unique art piece or a hand-crafted jewelry item. Guests will find
a wide range of in-season produce and animal products as well as baked goods, canned items,
and specialty treats like chocolate.
Iron City
This is a general admission standing room venue that allows you to upgrade your admission
by reserving a table in the mezzanine. Their schedule of events, shows, and concerts is
constantly changing – as are the ticket prices – so you'll want to check out upcoming
events on their website before venturing out. Iron City was the winner of the 2018 Nightclub
& Bar’s “Live Music Venue of the Year” in the United States and was rated as the
"Best Music Venue in Birmingham" 5 years in a row.
Well, that wraps up our rundown of the top sights and attractions to be found in Birmingham,
Alabama. What did you think about our list? Disagree with anything or think that maybe
we missed something critical? Let us know in the comments.
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travel advice and recommendations.
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