We decided to visit the museum to see their 'Monet to Matisse' exhibit. I checked occasionally in…read morethe week leading up to our visit. Their website displays how many tickets are remaining for the day. I wanted to ensure this wasn't selling out for our day, in which case I'd have bought tickets in advance online. However, they still showed over 1000 tickets available the day before, so I opted to just buy them at the museum. We had issues with navigation in Birmingham already, and those continued en route to the museum. For whatever reason, the app directed us over a mile beyond downtown and then had us get off the highway, cross the overpass, and double back (?). We actually switched apps a bit later as we were sure there was an issue. We eventually found the museum, though. It wasn't obvious from the front, but apparently the museum does have its own free parking lot behind the building. We ended up parking in a deck a few blocks away, but thankfully that only ended up costing us $3. The museum is normally free for entry, I believe. Donations are encouraged. However, for special travelling exhibits, there was a charge (about $25 per person). This was handled at a kiosk just outside the exhibit. We toured the exhibit and enjoyed it. Works were arranged in 3 large rooms. It was crowded, but manageable. After seeing that, we opted to check out some of the permanent collection before leaving. On the upper level (where we were) there are several rooms devoted to Asian arts (samurai armor from Japan, jade and buddha statues from China, etc.). Korea and India were also represented. If we'd had more time, we would have explored more on this floor. We descended to the first floor and checked out some of the European galleries as well as the end of the wing that is devoted to American art. They had interesting works on all these areas. If I lived in the area, I'd likely come here to check out the permanent collection. Maybe we'll be back at some point to see more of it. This was well worth stopping by if you like art. (I will limit my photos to the permanent collection.)

I finally made my way into the Birmingham Museum of Art after driving past it for years like,…read more"Yeah, I'll get to that one day..." Well, that day finally came--and turns out, I've been sleeping on a gem this whole time. First off, free admission? That'll get your attention quicker than a "buy one get one" sign. But seriously, this place is legit. It may not be on the scale of New York City or Chicago, but it absolutely punches above its weight. Birmingham quietly flexing, and I respect it. I started out in the sculpture garden, and with it being spring, the blooming dogwood trees added a layer of nostalgia that hit just right. Between the flowers, the fresh air, and the artwork, it was one of those "slow down and take it in" moments. Not bad for a place I used to ignore at red lights--or even flying past it doing 80 on 59/20. Inside, the collections are surprisingly deep and diverse. European, American, African, Asian--you name it. I spent a good bit of time in the African galleries, which meant a lot to me having traveled to Tanzania several times. It's one thing to read about cultures, but seeing the art up close brings a whole different level of appreciation. They also had a traveling exhibit featuring Claude Monet, and I'll just say--pictures don't do that justice. The way he plays with light and color is something you've got to see in person. The Renaissance pieces were another highlight, especially the Madonna and Child panels. You can actually see the craftsmanship in the materials--it makes you realize these artists weren't just talented, they were patient... like next-level patient. There's also a really cool mix of American artwork that captures early Alabama life. One painting in particular shows a whole social scene--different classes, different backgrounds--all in one place. It's like a historical snapshot, and honestly, probably more accurate than some of the stories we've all heard growing up. Now let's talk about the staff--because that matters. Every person I interacted with was friendly, welcoming, and actually knew their stuff. I asked a few questions, and instead of getting a quick "I think so," I got detailed answers that made the experience even better. That's the kind of thing you remember. Swing by the gift shop or grab a snack on the second floor--they're ready to welcome you. What I appreciated most was how the museum connects everything. You walk through different cultures, different time periods, and somehow it all ties back to the same themes--faith, identity, daily life, legacy. Makes you realize people haven't changed all that much... we've just gotten better at Wi-Fi. Walking out, I couldn't help but laugh a little--I've passed this place for years and had no idea what I was missing. Safe to say, I won't make that mistake again. In fact, this was my second visit in less than a month. If you're local or just passing through Birmingham, this place is absolutely worth your time. Take it from someone who learned the hard way--don't wait as long as I did. Well done, Birmingham!

Whether you are from Alabama or just passing through, you need to visit the ASHOF! There are many…read morefascinating displays of items from sports icons with ties to Alabama. Hank Aaron, Mel Allen, Mia Hamm, John Heisman, Evander Holyfield, Bo Jackson and Bear Bryant are just a few of the people that are highlighted at the museum. It's only $5 to get into the museum and tickets are cheaper for Seniors 60+ ($4) and students ($3). Be sure to check out the displays of the newest members of the HOF...they are prominently placed at the entrance to the museum and change each year when a new class is inducted.

As an LSU fan, it pains me to admit that anything sports related in Alabama is great, but this…read moreplace is awesome. The number of sports legends connected to this state across every major sport is amazing. Names like: Jesse Owens, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Bo Jackson, Mia Hamm, Evander Holyfield, Charles Barkley, etc, tc, etc. There are tons more that I am not naming. Seeing all of the exhibits and HOF plaques in the 3-floor museum took about 90 mins for us. For the most part everything was great. I take away the 5th star because they let former segregationist governor George Wallace in because he won 2 Golden Glove championships when he was in high school. Really? That's the accomplishment? Someone wins that every year and he's the only one in here for doing so little. That and Geaux Tigers!

Attended a group's anniversary party at this location. It was my first time visiting this museum…read moreand it was interesting. There were different styles of planes and I saw at least 1 helicopter. The tables were spaced around the planes. I saw gift shops. Nice place to visit

Very very nice museum. We visit it with a friend who is in…read morethe Air Force so it was so nice to have our private guide who knows close to everything. Staff are very friendly. Very nice planes, nice setups.

Awesome museum. Was immediately greeted with some history on how the Birmingham Barons began and…read morehow the culture of the Negro League's started. Lots of great artifacts like the uniforms, baseball bats, balls and of course all of the amazing GREATS from Willie Mays to Hank Aaron to one of my favorites, The Big Hurt. Picked up a jacket and a tshirt on clearance.

This is one of those "Must See" places, if you care anything about the preservation of history…read more Just like most things in America, there was a division in sports between Black people and Caucasian people, which required Black people to create their avenue for baseball. This museum gives a historical account of how Negroes formed their own league in the South and how great they were at playing professionally with very little resources. I was invited to the Negro Southern League Museum's annual celebration as a guest. What a wonderful and heartfelt event. I had the opportunity to meet and admire some of the local players that played in Major League Baseball along with some of Birmingham's public and civic leaders. Although, I've toured the museum before, it was still amazing to see the old uniforms, read about the history of Negroes in baseball and how great they were at a time when they were not being recognized for their greatness! Yes, it was a struggle, but as history has taught us "Greatness" is usually born out of struggle. So, visit the museum, take your family and friends. Most of all take the children, they deserve to learn about how "Greatness" can be born out of struggle. I will continue to go back each year to celebrate America's history of Negroes in baseball.

Finally made it out to Barber Motorsports Park and we'll definitely be back as a family! We caught…read morea race and my son was thrilled. The kids' fun zone with bounce houses was a huge hit, and the atmosphere was very family-friendly and well organized. We didn't tour the museum this time, but it looked amazing and is on our list for next visit. Only regret was forgetting chairs--we would've stayed even longer! Food and drinks were easy to find, which made the day even better. Great spot for race fans and families alike--highly recommend!

There's a lot to look at, it was much larger than I expected, which was a pleasant surprise. They…read morehave some cars and bikes I've not seen anywhere else. A wide variety of vehicles.

As a resident of this great city, I love the train watching platform. It's a great way to relax on…read morea hot summer evening and if you're into trains, this is the perfect spot. There are two tracks There's an old caboose across the tracks from the platform that you can also visit. The historic Irondale Cafe (famous for their fried green tomatoes) is across the street along with other businesses as well. There are plenty of benches to sit on as you watch the trains go on their merry way to their destinations.

I was invited to the grand opening of this business and I'm super glad I went! This type of…read morebusiness is truly made for a person like me who loves to take pictures. This is a selfie museum. They are so many different rooms and staged displays for you to snap pictures and videos. My kids loved the upside down room. My husband and I enjoyed the throne room. Actually, we truly loved it all! There are so many colors and textures. It is something you have to experience. Even with the Coronavirus on the loose, we still felt very safe. The exhibits are appropriately spaced and there are so many of them so it is easy to social distance. Masks are required when you're not taking a picture. There's hand sanitizer available and they limit the number of people allowed in the venue. Of course, they also clean the rooms and props. I foresee a lot of photo shoots and parties being done here. I talked with some of the people in charge and they said the rooms will change monthly so that dope! It's an ever changing experience so you will want to come back again and again!

We hosted our quarterly business meeting at The Pixel Room! Rob was attentive to the teams need and…read morejust a joy to be around! Highly recommend you have your next business even at the Pixel Room!

What is there really to say about a relatively obscure museum that specializes in the history of a…read moreplace like Bessemer, Alabama? To start, it's free. So the value is extraordinary. It will only cost you a little bit of your time to come in and check out some unique relics that give a nice insight into how Bessemer developed over time into the place that it is, and how life was there over that span of time. It's a small museum in a historic train station and it's just a few blocks from the courthouse. If you're in the area It's worth it to kill a little time and stop in to check it out. Plenty of parking out front makes it easy to just walk right up, and the attendant inside today was more than friendly and seemed happy that someone was actually coming in. I don't think this place really gets a lot of traffic. It's quiet, and tidy and has a number of interesting things that you might not see anywhere else. Long story short, if you're in to history come by this place and check it out. You'll be glad you did.