Birmingham Tourist Attractions

The Civil Rights Institute promotes civil and human rights worldwide through education. It contains exhibits pertaining to the Birmingham civil rights movement of the 1960s and human rights struggles through to present day.The tour begins with a 12 minute video, "Going Up to Birmingham." The Barriers Gallery features replicas of a mine entrance, segregated streetcar, newspaper office, "shotgun" house, classroom and church.The Processional Gallery has life-size figures highlighting the Walk to Freedom for many during the 1960s demonstrations. The Human Rights Gallery includes a video on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The Birmingham Museum of Art features American and European art as well as pre-Columbian, Asian, African and American Indian art and artifacts. The permanent collection features more than 21,000 pieces of art.Paintings, sculpture, graphic arts and decorative arts are on display along with European silver, porcelain and glass; Wedgewood pottery and photographs.The Charles Ireland Sculpture Garden is an outdoor display at the Birmingham Museum of Art. This multi-level garden features the Red Mountain Garden, Lower Gallery and the Upper Plaza.

McWane Science Center in Birmingham allows visitors to experience the world through science adventures and interactive exhibits. Hands-on exhibits feature motion, energy, light and sound. Exhibits from other museums around the world are constantly visiting McWane Science Center.World of Water is an interactive aquarium exhibit that features habitat tanks of aquatic creatures. Visitors can make waves on an eroding shoreline, check out salt marsh creatures and explore the story of water and what it means to us!

Birmingham Botanical Gardens began in the early 1960s as an idea for "the biggest attraction of this type in the Southeast." The 67ac garden consists of flowers, trees and shrubs as well as a conservatory and a Japanese garden. Over 230 species of birds have been recorded when sighted on the grounds.The grounds of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens are also home to a library of horticultural materials. Visitors are welcome to picnic on the grounds.

Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Birmingham began when George Barber decided to start a museum which reflected the history of motorcycles around the world. Over 900 vintage and modern motorcycles are on display at The Barber Motorsports Park.The exhibits feature bikes from 1904 to present day and from 16 different countries.

Birmingham Zoo is home to birds, reptiles and mammals - over 750 animals from around the world. There are numerous endangered species from six continents. The botanical exhibit features hundreds of butterflies from more than 20 species - all are native to Alabama.Within the Birmingham Zoo is the Hugh Kaul Children's Zoo, dedicated to children and urban/rural animals of Alabama.

The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail features 11 golf courses located throughout the state of Alabama. The locations include 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).

Ruffner Mountain Nature Center offers opportunities for hiking, bird watching and outdoor enthusiasts to explore and learn. The wildlife sanctuary is home to raptors, snakes, turtles, frogs, salamanders, and mammals.Mining sites, quarries and mining equipment remain on Ruffner Mountain from the many iron ore mines that dotted the landscape from the 1880s to the 1950s.

The Sloss Furnaces began producing pig iron in 1882 and continued for almost 90 years. Today the Sloss Furnaces in Birmingham operate as a museum of industry with the massive furnaces, web of pipes, and tall smokestacks still standing.The blast furnaces and buildings of Sloss Furnaces Historic Landmark highlight the history and industry of the area. The landmark is also surrounded by a 32ac park.

The 56-foot statue of Vulcan, Roman god of fire, was built by steel town Birmingham as an exhibit for the Palace of Mines and Metallurgy at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. Vulcan currently stands atop a 124 foot pedestal/observation deck.Visitors to Vulcan Park can enjoy a picnic on the grounds, view an art exhibit at the Linn Henley Gallery, and enjoy a panoramic view of Birmingham's skyline.

Housed in the historic Carver Theatre, the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame honors jazz artists of Alabama. The Carver Theatre was built in 1935 and designed in art-deco style. Displays include photographs, instruments, costumes and other artifacts. Jazz performances are scheduled from March through November.

The Alabama Sports Hall of Fame features various sports-related displays and films that highlight memorable sports moments. Over 5,000 sports artifacts are displayed along with athletic achievements of several sports champions including Jesse Owens, Hank Aaron, Joe Louis, Willie Mays, and Carl Lewis.

On Sunday September 15, 1963, the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, was bombed by the Ku Klux Klan bombed which resulted in the death of four girls. This act brought a nation together and played a big part in ensuring the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

Aircraft on display at the Southern Museum of Flight include memorabilia from the early days of flight, one of Delta Air Line's first planes, a Huff Daland crop duster, a 1912 Curtiss Pusher replica, an A-12 Blackbird and F- 4 jet fighter. The Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame features aviation art, photographs and murals.

Arlington is an example of Greek Revival architecture dating from the 1840s. The house was built by Judge William S. Mudd, one of the ten founders of Birmingham and furnished with a collection of 19th C decorative arts.