Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors' Bureau
2200 9th Avenue N.
Birmingham, AL 35203-1100
205-458-8000
Population
265968
Time Zone
Central
Latitude/Longitude
33.51° /-86.80°
Today's Forecast
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HIGH: 74
LOW: 45
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Before the incorporation of Birmingham as a city in 1871, the area was well-known for its coal-industry factories, furnaces, and railroads, many of which were damaged during the Civil War. In an attempt to attract workers to the war-torn area, inexpensive lots were publicly offered, and the population grew dramatically as coal and steel industries emerged over the next 20 years. In the 1960s, Birmingham saw some of the most turbulent events of the civil rights era. Today, Birmingham is a successful and prosperous community.
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For a sweeping overview of the city, head to Vulcan Park atop Red Mountain and ascend to the observation deck of the 55-foot-tall statue of Vulcan. Made of cast-iron in 1904 for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis, this statue of the god of fire and forge symbolizes Birmingham's industrial heritage. Two other interesting stops — Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark and Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park — also showcase Birmingham's past as the foremost industrial city of the South.
The Fourth Avenue District is the historic black business area, where many of the city's most significant Civil Rights events took place. The heart of the district, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute offers exhibits depicting those turbulent times. Nearby are Kelly Ingram Park and its outdoor sculptures, the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame in the historic Carver Theatre for the Performing Arts, and the 16th Street Baptist Church, site of the tragic death of four young girls at the hands of firebombers in 1963.
The nearby Birmingham Museum of Art includes fine collections of Wedgewood, English silver and ceramics, Renaissance art, American Indian art, and a multilevel outdoor sculpture garden. The McWane Science Center has four floors of interactive exhibits and demonstrations plus a large-screen, domed theatre for showing large-format films. To turn back the clock to earlier times, visit Arlington Antebellum Home and Gardens, built in the Greek Revival style of the 1840s and furnished with period antiques.
More than 700 animals roam the wilds of the Birmingham Zoo, many of them endangered species from around the world. The zoo is located in Lane Park, which is also the site of the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. A stroll through the azaleas and rhododendrons will eventually lead you to a serene Japanese garden complete with teahouse. The Southern Museum of Flight, just east of the airport, features aircraft, engines, and artifacts of the pioneers of aviation.
Popular and classical music concerts are presented at the Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center, located on the campus of the University of Alabama. Sports fans have a rare opportunity to experience a living piece of baseball history by visiting restored Rickwood Field. Built in 1910 on the lines of Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, this diamond has seen some of baseball's all-time greats — Christy Mathewson, Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Rogers Hornsby, Babe Ruth, Sachel Paige, Stan Musial, Willie Mays and many others. Nowadays, the Chicago White Sox-affiliated Birmingham Barons play their AA Southern League rivals at Regions Park, but they travel back to Rickwood for one commemorative game each season. Sports fans can also take in the Alabama Steeldogs of Arena Football League 2 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. Before the game be sure to stop in at the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame which documents the achievements of Alabama's greatest athletes, such as Jesse Owens, Hank Aaron, Joe Louis, Joe Namath, Bart Starr, and Paul "Bear" Bryant. Many of those stars first made their names playing at Legion Field, home of the Blazers of the University of Alabama. For racing fans, the whine of high-speed engines can be found at Birmingham International Raceway and at Barber Motorsports Park or by traveling a little further afield to Talladega Superspeedway.
For family fun in the summertime, head to Alabama Adventure, a theme park with thrill rides and waterpark in suburban Bessemer. For peace and quiet, try hiking one of the trails at Ruffner Mountain Nature Center, a vast urban wilderness on the city's far northeast side.
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