Location: Birmingham
Top Things to do in Birmingham
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What to do and see in Birmingham, Alabama (AL): The Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day
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.
Restaurants in Birmingham
1. Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,251 reviews
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.
Reviewed By vault101_overseer - Newark, United States
The museum had interesting content. The target market seemed to be families with young children or people with less understanding of Jim Crow or the Civil Rights era. It was worthwhile though and the highlight was touching the bars of the jail cell MLK Jr was in and seeing the effects that were donated by Denise McNair's family.
2. Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,251 reviews
A motorcyclist's dream, this museum has 750 vintage and modern motorcycles displayed on walls, two-tiered platforms and just about everywhere you look. The bikes are displayed randomly, rather than by date and year, adding an element of unpredictability to the viewer's experience.
Reviewed By jwtraveller2015
If you have a love of motorcycles do not miss this. 900 on display. Wonderful day. Norton’s! Vincent’s! Broughams! Ariels! And a plethora of the usual suspects. Several mint Goldstars and some awesome sidecar setups. Plus “The Porsche Experience “.
3. Locked In: The Birmingham Escape Game
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 568 reviews
A fun and challenging real life adventure for groups of 2-8 people. Your team works together finding clues, solving puzzles, and cracking codes to escape from a locked room. You only have 60 minutes! Can you escape in time?
Reviewed By Wisemayne
I think the man who ran the game while we were there was Wesley. He was amazing, some of the best service I’ve ever received. The game was fun and challenging with a slightly different take on the game than other breakout games.
4. Avondale Antiques
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By 495reginab
This shop is a mid-century modern enthusiasts dream. Wonderful furniture, dinnerware, glassware and glass pieces along with light fixtures and a quirky garden area in the back. The owner, Fred, is only too happy to give recommendations for things to do or places to eat while visiting Birmingham. Definitely come to this store!
5. Sims Cave Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 15 reviews
SIMS CAVE PARK is home to one of America's most extreme wild cave tours. Explore the land down under as you climb,crawl, and squeeze through one of Alabama's most beautiful caves. Be prepared to get wet and dirty! Fun for all ages to attend. Take your family or a group for a unique experience you can only find here. Reserve your Wild Cave Tour today!
6. 16th Street Baptist Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 329 reviews
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.
Reviewed By charisma2015 - Wantage, United States
Very sad that four young innocent lives were lost for no reason by a bomb planted by the KKK. Unwarranted hatred. The visit was very well done with information and detail of a very disturbing event. The tour of the church was very nice and the guide very welcoming. The beautiful stained glass window donated by Wales is quite stunning. Across the street is the Kelly Ingram park which has powerful statues of the Civil Rights movement and some of the tragedies - including a beautiful statue of the four sweet young girls that lost their life in the 16th Street Baptist Church. A must if visiting this area.
7. Southern Museum of Flight
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 170 reviews
An aircraft hangar museum with exhibits of authentic old airplanes.
Reviewed By catherinen191 - Philadelphia, United States
A bit out of the way, but full of so many planes, helicopters..and stories. The staff is extremely engaged and willing to explain everything. They make you feel their enthusiasm. An incredible history unfolds over two large rooms. Don’t miss the story of the Tuskegee Airmen and the ghostly U2 spy plane!
8. Birmingham Museum of Art
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 538 reviews
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.
Reviewed By C_Athnos - Birmingham, United States
Very nice inside and provides a pretty large collection for viewing. Admission is free and it makes for a nice visit.
9. McWane Science Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 945 reviews
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.
Reviewed By M8784FQannah - Canton, United States
On a little walk sightseeing around Birm, my family happened upon the science museum and got curious, so we stepped inside and inquired if it would be entertaining to our family (2 adults, our 20 year daughter and our 17 year old son) or was it geared more for children. We got kind of a mixed answer but from how it was described inside and the little we could see from the ticket purchase area, we decided to give it a shot. It was so entertaining, WE STAYED FOR ALMOST 3 HOURS! I guess I should say I have kids that love science. As parents, we found it just as cool as our kids because it had been a while since we had channeled our inner science child. There were 3 or 4 floors to the enormous building. One floor was basically an aquarium including a ray and shark petting tank. It also had a snack/vending area with tables. Another floor was full of fun science based activities, and the top floor included fun stuff about trains, outer space, and dinosaurs/fossils. There was a working train that gave train rides to the smaller kids, a fun little zip line, and a big slide. Every area was educational AND fun! Since it was right before Christmas, there were also Christmas related activities going on all around the building. When we finally left we laughed because we were so surprised at how entertaining it was for us, and we couldn't believe we were there for so long. Definitely an unexpected interactive, educational, and fun experience for our whole family!
10. Alabama Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 213 reviews
After a complete restoration, this historic venue once again shows its 1927 grandeur.
Reviewed By herndonjeanie - Alabaster, United States
Went to see the Russian Nutcracker. This is a very beautiful building. We had ok seating. Will most likely attend another event again.
