Attractions at the park include a nine-story drop slide, an 800,000 wave pool, tube slides, toddler water play area, a 216-foot flume, and a lazy river. Experienced golfers preferred the diversity at the Ross Bridge course and said that it's in great shape, while some described the Oxmoor Valley course as "tired." On those sizzling summer days, if youre craving a little cooling-off, look no further than Alabama Adventure! We played the zombie game. Lush grounds and impressive architecture aside, the Arlington Antebellum Home & Gardens also serves as a museum for some of the best decorative arts pieces from the 19th Century and offers a locally-led tour to learn more about the space, its history, and its rare decorative pieces. Of course, please set a limit and gamble responsibly. 20 minutes east of Downtown, the Park features calming walking trails, powerful memorial statues, and the Hall of Honor temple, which displays over 11,000 names of 11,000 Alabamians whove sacrificed their lives in battle. When youre fed up with slow-paced walking tours and run-of-the-mills tourist attractions and are looking for something off-beat to do together with the family, try your hand at an Amazing-Race-style scavenger game! 12 Fun Things to Do in Alabama with Kids (for 2023) I recommend this for families, couples, or anyone with a bored teenager. Most visitors call this museum a moving experience and a wonderful way to learn about the civil rights movement and its impact on our nation. With countless fun and adventures to get up to in The Magic City we hope that you spotted your next activity on our list of the best things to do in Birmingham! Put your heads together to solve the riddles at the award-winning Locked In: The Birmingham Escape Game. Attractions at the park include a nine-story drop slide, an 800,000 wave pool, tube slides, toddler water play area, a 216-foot flume, and a lazy river. 2.4 Miles 23% 48 votes 5 Legion Field At DeSoto Caverns Park, a stunning slice of Mother Nature is tucked away in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, visitors can explore a labyrinth of caves with names like the Onyx Column Room and Cathedral Room.. The jazz movement was more than music, it was about humanity, and the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame sets out to remember and personify that through fascinating exhibits on some of Jazzs all-time greatest musicians. Undeniably one of the finest theatres for live performing arts in Alabama (and, as expected, located in Birminghams Theatre District). Use the airline's app or make an international call if your flight has been canceled. Exhibits detail some of the most significant events in Birmingham's history, including the tragic loss of life at the 16th Street Baptist Church during a bombing orchestrated by the Ku Klux Klan. An integral part of the revitalization of downtown Birmingham, the center is located in the historic Loveman's department store building. Once a vacant railroad track that was gathering dust, the RotaryClub has since transformed the eyesore into a marvelous greenspace trail for the locals and tourists to bike, walk, or run! THE 5 BEST Birmingham Adventure Activities, Best Adventurous Things to Do in Birmingham, Wear sturdy shoes, a sun hat and your water to walk the site after checking into the. Definitely coming back soon! Laced in mystery and folklore, these eerie excursions pass by churches, hotels, and graveyards, sure to conjure up some goosebumps for even the bravest souls out there. And top it off with a tipple at the rooftop terrace for good measure. Turkey Creek Nature Preserve and Waterfalls. The historic stadium is home to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Blazers football team: its where they play their games and practice all season round. Barber started collecting sports cars that later expanded into motorcycles and these days, the collection has grown so vast that its notched up the official Guinness World Record for the largest motorcycle collection in the world. Surprisingly, Birmingham is home to some of the Souths most beloved and underrated breweries. At 56 feet tall and weighing in at over 100,000 pounds, this colossal figure has been overlooking the city for over a century, serving as a longstanding iconic landmark of the city. No matter what time of year, if youre in Birmingham and looking for fun things to do or even just a day trip make sure you check out Legion Field Stadium. It is also the largest of the state parks in Alabama, boasting of 9,940 acres. Grab the popcorn! Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum. or take the wheel yourself. Either way, youre in for a wild ride. This attraction is great for all ages, with something to see at every turn (including a rhino habitat, an aviary featuring hundreds of colorful birds, and even a petting zoo). We booked the party room before our climb, which was a great space, and then had a 1.5 hour climb. The exhibits displayed at the Southern Museum of Flight pertain to both the military and the civil domain. Clearly, the city has a thing for statues, as the 36-foot replica is one of three enormous statues in the area. Dont miss this tour during your stay in Birmingham! Parents noted that their kids loved watching the trains go by at the adjacent railroad yard. However, its far from the only notable watering hole. There are interactive exhibits, thought-provoking lectures a large collection of artifacts, and guided tours that escort visitors through the halls, telling the stories of the many brilliant baseball players who graduated from the league. These lush, colorful gardens offer far more than just thousands of blooming flowers and two dozen themed zones (as well as outdoor fountains and winding pathways). Then test your luck at the Birmingham Race Course Casino, where visitors can throw a few bucks down casino games, horses, greyhounds, or live sports! Most agreed that the museum is interesting, and noted this is a good attraction to visit on Sunday mornings, when most other attractions are closed. And, as the name suggests, its also home to the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum. Oak Mountain State Park. Covering 19 acres, Birmingham's Railroad Park has playgrounds, skate parks, an outdoor gym, a history wall, picnic areas, and a ranger's house. Birmingham Civil Rights Institute 1,300 History Museums Open now By sydsel Great museum with a prime location in Birmingham, right next to Kelly Ingram Park and the 16th Street Baptist Church. Logic suggests grabbing your first drink at the TrimTab Brewing Company, a beloved staple that was awarded Birminghams Best Brewery as well as Best Brewery in Alabama (Thrillist). This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Recently cracked opened a positive-sounding fortune cookie? Despite being far more tiring than it looks, theres nothing better than jumping on a trampoline if youre looking to burn a few calories and tire out the youngsters. Definitely doing this again in the fall when it starts to cool down and when there is football on. Hot tip: rather than worry about having a designated driver, consider booking a pre-organized tour that includes transport to and from your hotel! You can take a self-led walking tour through the park to learn about the notable protesters and the significant incidents of this turbulent time in the city's history, detailed by markers along the Freedom Walk route. Not to mention, its the largest replica around and therefore definitely worth taking a look at, if only for a few minutes as a quick stop exploring the eastern suburbs. We hope so! Amongst others, it has a collection of dinosaurs and an aquarium. Located 15 miles north of Birmingham is the quaint Turkey Creek Nature Preserve and Waterfalls, overflowing with natural abundance and beauty. The largest cast iron statue in the world, Vulcan is a reminder of the city's iron mining roots. 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Find the best travel insurance for you with these U.S. News ratings, which factor in expert and consumer recommendations. Covering over 1000 acres, this urban nature preserve is home to a wide variety of plant and animal life, as well as almost 12 miles of hiking and biking trails. wants to go to When you return, unwind from your sightseeing at The Pavilion Lounge, and order a signature cocktail. In 1911 this intersection was called "the heaviest corner in the South," and outlandish claim that only grew wilder over the years. 25 Best Things to Do in Alabama (2023) Fun Activities! Courtesy of SeanPavonePhoto/Getty Images/iStockphoto, Once an industrial hub of the South and ground zero for the civil rights movement, Birmingham is now a vibrant and diverse metropolis, known for its. So whether youre bringing the family or catching up with friends over a cheeky beer, youll be grinning ear to ear before nights end. Scary, exhilarating and sweaty! The Highland Park Golf Course, which holds its own as the oldest golf course in the state of Alabama (opened in 1903), has 18-holes just a 5-minute drive from downtown. Whats better than getting a beer with friends? Great time celebrating my lads 18th with a Grand Prix session. Things I've never seen in any other Escape rooms. The Ave Maria Grotto, made from concrete and donated stones, showcases no less than 125 detailed reproductions of some of the worlds most renowned religious buildings and structures. Very friendly and helpful staff. If you get hungry at any time throughout the day, there are a handful of fine-dining restaurants, or, for something quicker, its hard to go past the easy eats of Shake Shack or The Cheesecake Factory! Splash Adventure, formerly Alabama Adventure, is a water park. To learn more about Birmingham's role in the civil rights movement, plan a visit to the . With tasty burgers, 20 Beers on Tap, and a full handcrafted cocktail menu, its time to grab some pals and sink into an evening of nostalgia at Birminghams most beloved barcade. 67 Fun & Unusual Things to Do in Birmingham, Alabama It was interesting, challenging, and great fun! What a gem. Birmingham Museum of Art - Take the entire family and set off on an interesting adventure through history together. If you're a gearhead, you won't want to miss George Barber's collection of motorcycles the largest in the world, according to Guinness featuring more than 1,400 bikes from 200 different manufacturers. Red Ore Zip Tour 14 Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks By G9958CPdanielw The guides were all very friendly and cool. From the awe-inspiring aquarium (dont miss the Shark & Ray Tank) to the giant IMAX theater, hands-on displays, and expert-led workshops, theres something for the whole family. Then head on over to the open-air drive-in for an evening of classic cinema. Go wild at Bear Grylls Adventure Birmingham If you're looking for an adrenaline rush, you'll be sure to find it at Bear Grylls' action-packed adventure experience, one of the best indoor activities in Birmingham. We also had fun with our guide, Clover . With entertainment often provided by local musicians, the market doubles as a fun shopping experience with family-friendly activities on offer too. Bankhead National Forest is truly one of the most adventurous attractions in Alabama. And theyre every bit as awe-inspiring as you might imagine. Visit Website. Great experience and driver. Parking is available in its 3 parking lots. 11 Best Things to Do in Birmingham | U.S. News Travel Top Things to Do in Birmingham, Alabama: See Tripadvisor's 89,221 traveller reviews and photos of Birmingham tourist attractions. Well, at the Barber Motorsports Park, passions come to life in the form of the 880-acre, multipurpose racing track! With a savvy guide, this tour will take you to the most important civil rights sites, including Dynamite Hill. With 4 floors of interactive exhibits, the McWane Science Center aims at acquainting children with everything that means science and natural life. Lastly, take in the small and beautiful waterfalls, and feel the misty breeze right before leaving. Whats even better? East Lake Park - Birmingham, Alabama - A great place to visit! A charming institution in Pepper Place, the Saturday Market is a true community event, held every week from 7am to 12pm (rain or shine) in the Lakeside District. Ask any local and theyll agree: Rickwood Field is a Birmingham treasure. They really reassured the children who were a little more nervous and made it such a fun experience. They really reassured the children who were a little more nervous and made it such a, I would definitely recommend Matrix VR with kids and/or adults, especially in groups as it's, time with their friends and I would recommend Cannon Park for anyone considering a laser tag party -, and an amazing jolly host, (Iza) took great care off us all and made it reall fun, It was amazing so fun had a great time with the. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark. Their attention to detail was wonderful and we owe it all to the fantastic team! With 4 floors of interactive exhibits, the McWane Science Center aims at acquainting children with everything that means science and natural life. From regular track days where you can sit front row in the bleachers to the Honda Indy Grand Prix which draws in crowds of thousands, several racing events take place at the park. This is so much more We thoroughly enjoyed our night out with Brum Tours and Prof. Carl Chinn. Tony-winning singer and actress from Wicked, Glee, and Disneys Frozen wows audiences with the pipes that made Let It Go a smash hit. And to better understand the history that shaped present-day Birmingham, plan a visit to the Civil Rights Institute followed by a walk through the Civil Rights District. At the turn of the 20th Century, the city decided to erect several different skyscrapers all in the same area: the intersection of 1st Avenue, North Street, and 20th Street. There are multiple self-guided scavenger hunts available in Birmingham; most of them dont even require you to do more than download an app! Set up to honor all those who have fallen from the 20th century to today while serving the country, the Alabama Veterans Memorial park is a somber but peaceful place to visit, especially if youre looking for some time away from the hustle and bustle of downtown. Every city has a dark side, one that only comes out among the shadows of the night. If tours and art arent exactly your thing, maybe one of their special events will be! Especially relevant to all your summer travelers, if youre craving a cold and refreshing, then Birminghams multiple brewing companies are calling. A Mecca for sports fans, the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame is filled to the brim with stories and over 6,000 pieces of memorabilia from all kinds of Alabama athletes, past and present. THE 10 BEST Adventurous Things to Do in Birmingham (2023) - Tripadvisor Most hikes are rated medium, as some have hills and some dont. Youve excelled yourselves. Tours & Sightseeing in Birmingham It's never been easier to travel around and explore our city. The September 15, 1963 tragedy galvanized Birmingham into action, with protests popping up throughout the city and state as people demanded racial reform. 1. Dont have too much time to get a full treatment at the spa? After youre exhausted with all the activity, you can head on over to the picnic area, enjoy a nice meal, and, if youre up for it, set up camp for the night! There are 40 buildings on the site and 2 blast-furnaces.