Things to do & places to visit in Birmingham, Alabama, United States

It has been said that Birmingham is the last major Southern city in America, where a friendly "How y'all doin'," a hearty meal of country-fried steak with butter beans and a true taste of Southern hospitality await visitors. Whether you're into the history of the Civil Rights movement, a fan of jazz music or just looking for culture and a few fun activities for the family, Sweet Birmingham is the place for you. Spend the morning at the Birmingham Museum of Art, then have lunch at a traditional Southern tea room. Outdoor enthusiasts can tee off at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail or pack a lunch and spend the day hiking and enjoying the vistas at Ruffner Mountain. A world-class zoo, the innovative McWane Center and VisionLand, Alabama's first amusement park, are sure to keep families entertained and on the go. In the evening, listen to a blues show at an outdoor cafe and then spend the night at a small cozy inn or splurge for an elegant hotel.

Birmingham city in Alabama, United States. Timezone: America/Chicago, current date and time: Saturday, April 27, 2024, 2:34.

Top things to do (25)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum (1.284 reviews)
- A Massive, Stunning Collection of Beautiful Machines!
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums • Auto Racing Tracks

A motorcyclist's dream come true, this museum houses the world's largest collection of motorcycles and Lotus racecars with 1,000 vintage and modern motorcycles on display. In addition to the motorsports collection, The Museum houses the Barber Advanced Design Center. The Barber Advanced Design Center is an 11,000-square-foot hub for creation and design. See more..
4.5 Vulcan Park and Museum (1.394 reviews)
- Don't miss Vulcan for some Birmingham history
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Lookouts • Parks • History Museums

The largest cast-iron statue in the world created for the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair placed on top of Red Mountain with a beautiful view of downtown Birmingham. Also, inside Vulcan Center, is an interactive museum that contains the historical timeline of the city of Birmingham. See more..
4.5 Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (1.294 reviews)
- Civil Rights history- must see
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM History Museums

This historic museum traces the journey of the civil rights advocates of the 1950s and 60s, who changed the course of American history. The struggle for equality for Black Americans is chronicled here, from the Jim Crow laws in the 1800s to the freedom rides, sit-ins and demonstrations of the 1960s. See more..
4.5 McWane Science Center (957 reviews)
- Closed early but fun outing
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Science Museums • Aquariums • Children's Museums

Fun and learning never end at McWane Science Center, a nonprofit, hands-on museum and IMAX(R) Dome Theater. Four floors of interactive exhibits celebrate science and wonder - from an amazing collection of dinosaurs to innovative environmental showcases, imaginative early childhood playgrounds, and an awe-inspiring aquarium. The energy and excitement of discovery spring to life through an extensive lineup of science demonstrations performed daily by talented educators. The adventure intensifies in the IMAX(R) Dome Theater, where wide-eyed visitors experience the sights and sounds of breathtaking films on a 5-story-tall screen surrounded by 3 tons of high-intensity speakers. See more..
4.5 Birmingham Museum of Art (546 reviews)
- Excellent Museum
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Art Museums

This three-story museum houses an eclectic selection of art, including Wedgewood pottery, the largest collection of Asian art in the Southeast, Native American and African art, impressionism, contemporary art and American landscapes. See more..
4.5 Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark (511 reviews)
- Great place to walk around & learn some Birmingham history
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks

Historic iron manufacturing facility See more..
4.5 Birmingham Botanical Gardens (504 reviews)
- Amazing for a free stop! Beautiful!
Gardens

Wow! Great stop. Beautiful gardens. Free parking free entrance. Lots of great picture taking opportunities. We were too early for gift shop or cafe (745 arrival on a Sunday) but spent almost 2 hours meandering around and checking all the gardens including conservatory and getting pictures. See more..
4.5 Regions Field (401 reviews)
- great experience
Saturday: Arenas & Stadiums

We always have the best time when we come out to see our Birmingham Barons! My older kids enjoy walking around and checking out all the vendors, and my little guy loves to get cotton candy and watch the foul balls fly into the crowd to be caught. The facilities are always clean and there is always plenty of staff on hand to assist with any thing you might need. The fireworks display at the end of the game on Friday nights is always impressive. If you have the opportunity to get to a game, please do. You will undoubtedly enjoy it. See more..
4.5 16th Street Baptist Church (346 reviews)
- History. Educate yourself and those around you.
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Religious Sites

Four young girls were killed when a Ku Klux Klan bomb exploded in this church in 1963. The girls are remembered with a shrine in the crypt where they died, and a vibrant stained glass window donated in sympathy by the people of Wales adorns the historic church. See more..
4.5 Kelly Ingram Park (301 reviews)
- Awesome Tour Guide!
Historic Walking Areas • Parks

Home to vivid sculptures of the Children's Crusade. See more..
4.5 Birmingham's Railroad Park (294 reviews)
- Great park!
Saturday: 7:00 AM - 11:00 PM Parks

I loved this park. I drove by it during the day and I didn't think about it much. I'm not from the area but it seemed to be in the not best part of town. I went later in the evening with my mother to go for a walk and we loved it. It is very large and there was a great amount of people doing all sorts of things. Lots of people having fun with their friends. The park lights up at night in a great manner that makes it all very beautiful. See more..
4.5 Alabama Theatre (220 reviews)
- Grand Lady
Theaters

After a complete restoration, this historic venue once again shows its 1927 grandeur. See more..
4.5 Southern Museum of Flight (174 reviews)
- Nice museum good place to go
Saturday: 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM Speciality Museums

An aircraft hangar museum with exhibits of authentic old airplanes. See more..
4.5 Red Mountain Park (146 reviews)
- This was my first zip lining experience and now I am addicted - full review on blog!
Saturday: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Mountains • Parks

I went zip lining with my sister and nephew on the mega zip and highly recommend it. It was a ton of fun and totally worth the money. It is a great day or few hours adventure for locals or visitors. They have a lot fo zip lining options so grat for families of any age. For a full review and details of our experience, you can find it on my blog - Rose Colored Wandering Travel and Lifestyle blog. See more..
4.5 Civil Rights District (145 reviews)
- A.G. Gaston Motel & Churches drive
Historic Walking Areas

The neighborhood that was the center of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement is now a historic district with the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute at its center. See more..
4.5 Good People Brewing Company (124 reviews)
- Fresh Is Best
Saturday: 1:00 PM - 10:00 PM Breweries

When in Birmingham, you MUST stop for a pint or two. The laid back, non-pretentious atmosphere lends itself to a relaxing pour of a wide variety of fresh brews. If your not sure which one to have, try a flight of flavors. You'll enjoy the staff, patrins and an occasional pet. Love it!!! #begoodpeople See more..
4.5 Avondale Brewing Company (120 reviews)
- Fun atmosphere
Saturday: 11:00 AM - 12:30 AM Spent 2-3 hours Breweries

Housed in a historic building that was once a pharmacy, saloon, and brothel, Avondale Brewing is bridging the past and present together. We craft our brews with the same unique character and style as the stories that have inspired them. We are a locally owned and operated brewery that is dedicated to revitalizing our neighborhood and reviving the legacy of Avondale, Alabama. See more..
4.5 Rickwood Field Park (118 reviews)
- Historic baseball stadium
Saturday: Historic Sites • Sports Complexes • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Arenas & Stadiums

America's oldest baseball park and former home of the Birmingham Barons is a place where visitors can relive the magic of baseball's glory years. See more..
4.5 Ruffner Mountain (114 reviews)
- Solid Hike!
Saturday: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas

Ruffner Mountain is a 1,038 acre urban nature preserve in the heart of Birmingham, Alabama providing science and nature education programming, 14 miles of trails, and a protected area for thousands of species of native flora and fauna. It is a site for Citizen Science programs and an array of scientist conducted research projects, including native bat and amphibian surveys, research into the causes of American Chestnut Blight, and groves of new-growth long leaf pine. Each year, through nature education and EcoArts programming, it impacts the lives of countless students and scores of schools and universities across the state. See more..
4.5 The Summit (61 reviews)
- Great place to shop
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Shopping Malls

The Summit, which opened in October 1997, is a 1 million square foot upscale lifestyle center located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 280 and Interstate 459 in Birmingham, Alabama, United States See more..
4.5 Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and Museum (58 reviews)
- Packed full of interesting and informative exhibits
Saturday: Speciality Museums

Lance greeted us warmly and gave us some tips to start our exploration. There are three floors of exhibits which can be reached by stairs or an elevator. The exhibits are spaciously arranged, with lots of room for strollers,walkers, or wheel chairs. There something for everyone, from ice skating to football. Speaking of football, don’t bring up Auburn’s historic “kick six “ in the 2013 Iron Bowl…. Apparently Lance is ‘Bama fan…. LOL P.s. Lance was a very good sport after I brought it up! See more..
4.5 Negro Southern League Museum (51 reviews)
- Delighted to find this attraction in Birmingham, AL
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Speciality Museums • History Museums

We are doing college tour visits in & around the South and found ourselves with half of a day to further explore the city of Birmingham. We first tried to go to Birmingham Civil Rights Institute but we couldn’t buy tickets online, the last box office tickets sold at 1:45: place closed at 3. Then we tried to go to Arlington Antebellum home but it’s more of a house and garden tour vs. a true plantation so that got nixed. Then tried to go to the Birmingham Zoo but it was closed. We found ourselves at the Negro Southern League Museum which was perfect! It combined our desire to see more about civil rights in this town + our love of baseball. It’s also situated right next to Regions Field where the Birmingham Barons play and where we were headed for an evening game. We highly recommend this attraction! See more..
4.5 Trim Tab Brewing (51 reviews)
- Great Sours, Great Atmosphere
Breweries

One of us still talks about the beer here (especially the selection of sours!). We live in a state that doesn’t allow cross-state shipping but would likely pay handsomely to have it delivered to us from a caring individual. The space was great, and we spent far longer here than we anticipated. It was a fantastic experience. See more..
4.5 The Market at Pepper Place (50 reviews)
- Fresh local produce, baked goods, flowers and more!
Saturday: 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Farmers Markets

The Market at Pepper Place, in the heart of downtown Birmingham, is the largest producers' farmers market in the state, with over 200,000 visitors annually. Founded in 2000, it currently runs from mid April - mid December every Saturday. The Market offers over 100 tents during the summer months. The Market at Pepper Place is rain or shine farmers market. Alabama farmers, food vendors, makers and artisans bring their goods to the market each Saturday. Local live music is featured on multiple music stages, too! During the summer months, live cooking demonstrations and children's activities are available. A zyp bike station is nearby and on-street parking is free. See more..
4.5 Cahaba Brewing Company (50 reviews)
- You bet your Cahaba’s I like it!
Saturday: 12:00 PM - 12:00 AM Spent 2-3 hours Breweries

Located in the historic Continental Gin at 4500 5th Av. S., Birmingham, let us share our passion for craft beer in our spacious and vibrant tasting room. See more..
4.5 Back Forty Beer Co. (45 reviews)
- Great Beer and Pizza Night
Breweries

Went there on a Monday night so the service and speed of food delivery were top-notch. I could see this place being very busy on the weekend but when we went it was great! The beers were very good. I had the pizza and this was also very yummy! Had a great flavor and texture to the crust. Went great with the good beer. The staff was friendly- would totally visit again. See more..
4.5 Lyric Theatre (35 reviews)
- Amazing venue!
Spent 1-2 hours Theaters

Great location for an intimate evening with C. S. Lewis. Enjoyed the performance in this beautiful gem in downtown Birmingham! See more..
4.0 Birmingham Zoo (1.150 reviews)
- Delightful....
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Zoos

Inspiring Passion to Conserve the Natural World The Birmingham Zoo is home is a variety of animals, including lions, zebras, giraffes, sea lions, orangutans, zebras, a jaguar, African elephants, and endangered species from six continents! The Birmingham Zoo is a non-profit and is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, except during special, seasonal and extended hours. Regular admission is $19.95* for adults and $16.95* for senior citizens and military and $14.95* for children ages 2-12 (*Price not including tax). All Birmingham Zoo Members and children under two-years-old receive free admission. The Birmingham Zoo is the only AZA accredited Zoo in the state of Alabama. Regular Zoo Hours Wednesday – Sunday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Birmingham Zoo is closed Monday & Tuesday unless open for a holiday. Entry into the Zoo stops 30 minutes before closing. See more..
4.0 Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex (233 reviews)
- Beautiful architecture, clean, good restaurants nearby
Saturday: Civic Centres

I visited BJCC over the course of a few days for a convention. The complex is massive and the brutalist architecture (especially surrounding the inner-outdoor plaza really stands out. The staff are very friendly and helpful, the interior is clean, and it's easy to access from the Sheraton. See more..
4.0 Statue of Liberty Replica (96 reviews)
- Statue of Liberty replica in Birmingham
Monuments & Statues

Bronze replica measuring one-fifth the size of its sister statue located in New York City. See more..