Things to Do in Birmingham

16th Street Baptist Church

A National Historic Landmark and active congregation central to the civil rights movement, offering guided tours Tuesday through Saturday.

Alabama Theatre

Historic 1927-era movie palace seating 2,176, hosting around 250 events a year from concerts to classic films.

Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum

A motorsports museum at Barber Motorsports Park in Leeds displaying vintage motorcycles and race cars.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

A free public garden with 25 themed gardens, outdoor sculpture, and several miles of walking paths.

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

A Smithsonian-affiliated museum in the Civil Rights District documenting Birmingham's role in the civil rights movement.

Birmingham Museum of Art

A downtown art museum whose galleries feature art from cultures around the world.

Birmingham Zoo

Alabama's most visited not-for-profit attraction, home to roughly 250 species with a lorikeet aviary, splash pad, and zip line.

McWane Science Center

Hands-on science museum in the historic Loveman's department store building downtown, with an aquarium and a 250-seat IMAX Dome Theater.

Oak Mountain State Park

A state park in Pelham with hiking and mountain biking trails, lakes, a beach, and cabins.

Railroad Park

A 19-acre green space in downtown Birmingham with open lawns, walking paths, and free admission.

Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark

Preserved blast furnace site and National Historic Landmark with free admission and a visitor center covering Birmingham's iron-making history.

Vulcan Park and Museum

Home of the world's largest cast iron statue, built for the 1904 World's Fair, with a museum and an observation deck overlooking the city.

Alabama Adventure & Splash Adventure

A family-owned amusement and water park in Bessemer with rides, waterslides, and a wave pool.

Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center

UAB's performing arts center with four venues, including the 1,330-seat Jemison Concert Hall.

Avondale Park

A 36.5-acre city park in the Avondale neighborhood with a duck pond, rose garden, amphitheatre, walking track, and ball fields.

Birmingham Boulders

Community-focused climbing gym with over 6,600 square feet of bouldering plus a 24/7-access training area.

Good People Brewing Company

Birmingham's longest-operating brewery, open since 2008 near Regions Field and the largest by volume in Alabama.

Little Professor Bookshop

Birmingham's oldest independent bookstore, located in Homewood, hosting author talks, book clubs, and story time for kids.

Lyric Theatre

A restored 1914 vaudeville theatre in downtown Birmingham that now hosts concerts and performing arts events.

Moss Rock Preserve Loop

A 5.2 mile loop through Moss Rock Preserve in Hoover that passes boulder fields, streams, and rocky outcroppings.

Overlook Trail via Quarry Trail

An easy 2.8 mile out and back at Ruffner Mountain that passes a historic limestone quarry and ends at an overlook with views of downtown Birmingham.

Peavine Falls via Green and White Trail Loop

A 1.5 mile loop hike in Oak Mountain State Park that leads to the seasonal Peavine Falls.

Red Mountain Park

More than 1,500 acres along the Red Mountain ridge with over 18 miles of hiking and biking trails, tree houses, and a popular dog park.

Ruffner Mountain

A 1,038-acre nature preserve on a reclaimed mining site with 14 miles of trails, city overlooks, and a wildlife rehabilitation center.

Stardome Comedy Club

Comedy club established in 1983, open six nights a week with a full-service restaurant and bar and a Las Vegas-style showroom.

TrimTab Brewing Company

Neighborhood brewery founded in 2013 whose taproom doubles as a gallery for local artists and a music and events venue.