Things to Do in Birmingham Alabama

Growing up in Birmingham, it was not until I left that I realized all of the fun things in the city that I never took advantage of while I was there. Now, it is rare that I have an extended period of time in order to explore the city. When I do, there are several iconic places that I have to visit to make my trip complete. Check out the things to do in Birmingham Alabama and add them to your next adventure in the city!

Birmingham is one of the major cities in Alabama and mostly known by the civil rights happenings that went down in history and are read in every history class. There are some great museums in Birmingham, but a few places that are unique to Birmingham. Below are some stops you just must make!

#1: The Vulcan Park and Museum

The iconic statue that stands on Red Mountain and is the biggest cast iron statue in the world.

The Vulcan has been made into a park of sorts and has picnic tables you can rest at and eat your lunch el fresco or wander around the park taking in the sights. The mountain also features a breathtaking view of downtown that cannot be missed.

They have a museum with the history of the Vulcan and of Birmingham that you can walk through and for a small fee, you can ride up the base of the statue for a better look and view of the city.

For a bonus exploration, you can wander down to the bottom floor of the building and out the side doors to find a cute little alcove.

There are some picturesque steps and run down areas, just be sure you know how to get back into the building. If not, you will end up like me, locked out of the building and climbing over fences as people stare at you, mouthing I had to get a picture. The Vulcan is a staple of Birmingham that cannot be missed.

Website: https://visitvulcan.com/

#2: Sloss Furnaces

This is hands down one of the coolest places you can visit in Birmingham and a perk is that it’s FREE! Sloss Furnaces used to be a working blast furnace that produced iron, hence how Birmingham got its nickname, Steel City. Today, it is a National Historic Landmark and open to the public.

Throughout the year, they hold concerts, festivals, and events in the space and it is available to weddings and personal events. It is a great place to explore and see the history in the place while having a mini photo shoot among the deep red hues of the furnace. You do not want to miss a trip to Sloss!

Website: https://www.slossfurnaces.com/

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#3: Golden Flakes Factory Tour

Yes, you can laugh, but the Golden Flakes Factory is in downtown Birmingham and they offer free tours of the factory. I did not think it would be that interesting, but I took my nephew one summer and it was actually pretty cool.

They take you all throughout the factory to see how they produce their snacks and then the best part is they give you free chips at the end of the tour!

They also have a gift shop where you can purchase flavors that are not always offered in stores. We got a kick out of this fun, quirky adventure and if you have time while in Birmingham or are looking for something out of the ordinary, go stop by and try out some chips!

Website: https://www.utzsnacks.com/pages/tour

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#4: Birmingham Barons Baseball (Regions Field)

The Birmingham Barons is the minor league baseball team located in downtown Birmingham. Growing up we would go to at least one game a year.

Tickets are very affordable and almost every game has a promotional, whether it’s fireworks, drink specials, food specials, or give always. The atmosphere is relaxed and the people are friendly.

So, grab a hotdog, buy a ticket, watch for players, and do the seventh inning stretch with the locals!

Website: https://www.milb.com/birmingham

#5: The Birmingham Mural

On 112 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N the famous “Its Nice to Have You In Birmingham” sign greets locals and visitors alike. The sign can be seen all over social media marking a visit to Steel City.

If you do not get five pictures all from different angles with the sign, did you really even visit Birmingham? Pic or it didn’t happen.

There are plenty of other murals around the city and it can be a lot of fun to hunt them all down.

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#6: RailRoad Park

Railroad park in located in the middle of the up and coming district of downtown. Filled with trails and open spaces, Railroad Park is a great place to run, walk your dog or play fetch, have a picnic, and enjoy the outdoors. It also has a skate park and wall featuring Birmingham’s history.

During the winter, a pop up skating rink can be found at the park where you can enjoy a southern winter wonderland, although it is always crowded. Railroad park is a great place to escape the busyness of the city and relax in the sun, while still being in the center of all the happenings.

Parks are one of the best places to visit in a new place to see the culture, people, and community. A trip to Birmingham would not be complete without spending time at railroad park.

Website: http://www.railroadpark.org/index.php

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#7: Rotary Trail

Opened in 2016, the Rotary Trail is a half mile trail that connects two of the cities main attractions. Starting in Railroad park, it is hard to miss with a 46ft tall sign that reads “Rotary Trail in the Magic City.” Start your day in Railroad Park and stroll down Rotary Trail and end up in Sloss Furnaces for a tour.

The trail replaced a railroad trench and therefore goes 14 feet below street level. Make sure to take a stroll down Rotary Trail as you explore Magic City.

Website: http://www.birminghamrotary.org/service/club-service/rotary-trail/

#8: The Alabama Theatre

The Alabama Theatre was built in 1927 and originally used as an extravagant movie theatre. Nowadays, it is used for a variety of events including shows, concerts, movies, tours, and pageants. My personal favorite time to go is during Christmas holidays while they are showing Christmas movies in the theatre.

It makes for a great family outing or date night to go to an elegant, timeless theatre in the heart of Birmingham. The building has been restored to its original glory and will transport you to another era by stepping through the doors. The classic sign out front is a picture perfect spot to commemorate the event.

Even if all you do is walk by the theatre to admire from the outside, the Alabama theatre is a place you do not want to skip over. Honestly, do they ever build anything that extravagant these days anyway?

Website: https://alabamatheatre.com/

#9: Red Mountain Park

So, outdoor adventures are probably one of my favorite things. Therefore, I always automatically look for parks anywhere I am going to visit. I love seeing how nature changes depending on your location and exploring new places. As a kid, I would always act like I was Pocahontas so maybe this is where my love comes from.

Anyway, Red Mountain Park is a great place that has a ton of hiking trails to explore. The best part (depending on how much you want to spend) is the zip lines.

The park has many zip lines that you can fly down over the treetops with an aerial view of all that is below. Thrilling and exciting, it is an all new way to see Birmingham. Take a ride down a zip line at red mountain to experience all Birmingham has to offer.

Website: https://redmountainpark.org/

Recommended: Zip Lining at Red Mountain Park in Birmingham, Alabama

#10: Southern Museum of Flight

Okay, so this is another one that your are probably questioning me on and I will admit that if you have limited time, this is probably not your first choice, BUT I took my nephew here one summer and he loved it.

It’s a really small museum with not a lot of visitors, so the workers take extra time with you to explain and talk. One employee made paper airplanes with my nephew and taught him how to fly them.

They have air planes that you can get in yourself and others you can explore and admire. A simple, fun trip I would say is worth the time.

Website: http://www.southernmuseumofflight.org/

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#11: Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Free to the public, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens if the perfect place to spend an afternoon outside.

Explore the many different gardens they have to offer and learn about the plants in Alabama. It is beautiful and you will often find people having photoshoots around the property.

Take your camera and pack a pinic and spend some time at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

Website: https://www.bbgardens.org/

#12: Barber Vintage Motosports Museum

The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum is a multi-level museum filled with the worlds largest collection of motorcycles.

If you love motorcycles or racing, this is the perfect place to explore. I took my nephew here as well one summer when we were looking for unique things to do in Birmingham and he got a kick out of it.

Great for adults and kids, this is something you cannot find anywhere except Birmingham, Alabama.

Website: https://www.barbermuseum.org/

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#13: Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame

The Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame is a celebration of all Jazz music. It is a non-profit organization that is so much more than a museum.

They have recently purchased the Carver Performing Arts Theatre which they will be refurbishing and displaying the museum artifacts in for visitors to see. If you are a lover of Jazz music, this is the palce to explore.

Website: https://jazzhall.com/

#14: Alabama Sports Hall of Fame

The Alabama Sports Hall of Fame is attached to the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Center located in Downtown Birmingham.

If you are a huge sports fan, especially from Alabama, add this to the list of things to do in Birmingham. Admission is inexpensive and you get to explore and learn in this museum. It is only open during the week, so plan your trip accordingly.

Wesbite: https://www.ashof.org/

#15: Birmingham Zoo

I grew up going to the Birmingham Zoo and I just love it. It is a quality zoo and you can tell they care for their animals and treat them well. Although the Jacksonville Florida Zoo (where I live now) is great, the Birmingham Zoo will always be my favorite.

Admission is affordable and it is the perfect day adventure. They also have events throughout the year like Boo at the Zoo and Zoolight Safaris. If you are looking for things to do in Birmingham with kids, add this to your list!

Website: https://www.birminghamzoo.com/

#16: Spend a Day at Oak Mountain State Park

Growing up, this was one of our favorite things to do and I spent many days with my girlfriends hiking through these woods. Oak Mountain State Park has something for everyone and is a great place to take kids.

You can go hiking on their many paths, have a nice picnic lunch on one of the lookouts, layout and swim on the “beach”, go kayaking or paddle boarding in the lake, go golfing, throw out a hook for some fish and more.

Admission is cheap and it lasts the day. If you are into camping, they also have several camp site you can reserve.

Website: https://www.alapark.com/parks/oak-mountain-state-park

Download a free packing list for your next adventure by clicking here!

Birmingham has many other great attractions besides these and a ton of great food options (hello Milo’s!), but these are all unique to Iron City!

Definitely underrated on how great of a city it is, there are a lot of things to do in Birmingham and many places to explore. I hope that your are able to visit soon and can explore all of the places I think define Birmingham.

To find more articles about Alabama adventures, CLICK HERE!

Have you been to Birmgham? What would you add to this list?

Lots of Love, Laurel McDaniel

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