100% worth the visit, particularly for young African Americans who are not learning about our…read morehistory in the country in school or at home. When you see what those before you had to endure in order for you to be able to walk into a restaurant LEGALLY...just go.

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute 16th St Birmingham, AL…read more I wanted to visit this museum, in fear that this history would be deleted, omitted, whitewashed or hidden from public view. As much as insensitive, out of touch people, politicians, or organizations may feel, being reminded of the atrocities committed by their fore parents, we as Americans of indigenous/african descent must endure the pain of oppression, injustice inflicted on our fore parents and threatened to repeat every day, it's a part of our reality politically and socially. These museums provide us with a baseline for freedom deferred also the intestinal fortitude and courage that sustained us.

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!

Always a great time with the family! So many things to do and see for adults and kids! No one is…read moregoing to be bored here

I enjoyed my experience here! It was my first time coming back in 10+ years so I was wondering…read moreabout the upkeep with it being so old, but you can tell they take a lot of pride in their cleanliness there. The carpet seemed in need of redoing with the amount of foot traffic it has seen. We were there for the IMAX screening of the Blue Angels documentary. It's a true IMAX dome theater. It was immaculately clean in the theater and the seats looked brand new. The movie gave me the same feeling I get whenever I have worn the 3D glasses they give you in the AMC theaters, so be forewarned I did get dizzy a few times during the movie. For 2 tickets the price came out to $21.90. I would definitely come again for the right movie, but need a break from the dizziness I got.

Movies on the mountain continues to be a fun time. Madagascar, popcorn, perfect weather. Funny…read moreenough, I still don't mind going to catch an animated movie by myself at my big age. lol Life is meant to be enjoyed and I'm taking advantage of doing so. Fun family, friend or solo event.

Vulcan Park and Museum is an excellent spot for panoramic views of Birmingham and an easy addition…read moreto any visit to the city. It's just a short drive from downtown, and one of the best perks is that parking is free and you can walk around the statue grounds without paying anything. Even if you don't go inside, the overlook alone is worth the trip for the skyline views and photo opportunities. If you're interested in the history behind the statue and its restoration, there's a museum on site that adds a lot of context. Admission is $8, and that ticket also lets you take the elevator up inside the statue to about three-quarters of the way to the top, which gives you even higher and more impressive views of the city. Overall, it's a great mix of scenery and local history. Whether you just want a quick stop for the views or a deeper dive into Birmingham's past, it's a worthwhile visit.

Very nice and interesting place. Historic Landmark with very cool architecture and even a nice…read moreplace to chill a little

I wish I could share more about this place, but unfortunately it was closed on Monday -- the only…read moreday we were in Birmingham. Since we couldn't go inside, I decided to walk across the nearby bridge to at least get a view from a distance. When it's closed, there really isn't a way to get much closer, so you're limited to exterior views only. From the photos and reviews others have posted, it looks like a really cool and educational spot, especially if you're interested in industrial history. It seems like the tours give you a great glimpse into what factory life looked like back when it was one of the biggest steel suppliers in the U.S. Knowing it operated for around 90 years before shutting down in 1971 makes it even more fascinating. Even though I didn't get the full experience, the scale of the structures and the history behind the site were still impressive from afar. I'd definitely plan to return on a day they're open to properly explore it -- it looks like a unique and worthwhile stop if you're in town.

This is such a historic facility. I love the tenacity and business acumen of Mr. Gaston. I would…read moreask that everyone in the Birmingham area travel to view and learn at the infamous Gaston hotel museum. Are you business minded? Do you want to help your community? Visit the museum, take pictures and learn about the importance of being a community advocate.

One of the significant site of civil rights activities in 1963 that served as the headquarters of…read morethe campaign to desegregate public accommodations in Birmingham. There is a small museum inside the facility. If you are in Birmingham and love history, this place is worth stopping by.

The Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail winds through downtown, marking significant locations…read morealong the 1963 Civil Rights march routes. Designed as a self-guided tour, the route directs visitors along this historic pathway by maps at each location. The trail speaks to the valor of both common people and to the spiritual leaders who spearheaded the fight against segregation and other forms of racism. Graphic photographs and dramatic cut-outs in the designs of the signs add to the rich experience. The trail begins at Kelly Ingram Park, corner of 6th Avenue North and 16th Street.

Great place where i learned alot of important history. The museum seemed to do the topic justice…read moreand was not an 'in your face place'. It let you walk around at your own pace and learn about the power and perseverance of the people involved with the civil rights movement. I recommend it to all.

I appreciate the spacial aspect of the courtyard of the Arlington. There is the inside section…read morewhere the food is served. There are inside mens and ladies room which is always a plus. The annual event is really the last reunion before the game for people that went to school with. Thank you Sheila Tyson for the annual love.

Enjoyed a magic city classic event and loved the inside and outside scenes. This is annual so will…read morereturn next or to a sooner event

The main point of our trip to Birmingham was to see an exhibit at the art museum. However, we are…read moreearly rises (especially with the 1-hour time difference from home), so we had some time in the morning to fill. My wife determined that the local botanical garden opened by 7 a.m. (!) and was also free, so we opted to stop here before the museum opened later at 10 a.m. We made it here by around 7:30 a.m. A word of caution - the highway interchange nearby was nightmarish. We missed 2 turns (even with a navigation app running). I don't think it was just me. So be careful and add a few extra minutes to get lost. Once finally off they highway and through the final roundabout, we proceeded along a road bordering the gardens. On the other side appeared to be an expensive hotel and an upscale shopping / dining plaza. The garden was having some sort of plant sale, and crowds were apparently expected. They had traffic control cones in place, but we arrived early enough so that parking was still plentiful. When we left, it seemed like the lot had mostly filled up. The gardens are quite large. They are divided up into sub-areas and there is a large map posted about 100 yards inside the main gate. No paper maps were on offer, so I guess you can take a photo of theirs and use that. We first strolled to the Japanese Garden. We had this to ourselves until almost when we left. This area is quite large by itself. They have koi ponds, a tea house, etc. It was nice. We took an alternate path back to the map pavilion. From there, we explored other areas (mostly dedicated to specific flowers). Some of the terrain is hilly. We routed through the vegetable garden and eventually ended up back at the central formal rose garden. This was being watered periodically that morning and some of the brick paths in it were flooded. They seemed to have some satellite restrooms in remote areas, in addition to the main set near the gate. We spent almost 2 hours here and probably could have spent even more time, but we wanted to drive to our prime stop. If you have any interest in botanical gardens, this is a very worthwhile stop.

One of the first things I appreciated was free parking and free entrance, which is always an…read moreattractive feature. From there, it just kept getting better. You can easily spend hours exploring the many trails that wind through beautiful flowers and plants, the serene Japanese Gardens, and even an active beehive community--which was my favorite part! We were on a bit of a time limit and didn't get to walk the entire property, but we still managed to spend about two hours covering roughly three miles, and it never felt rushed. While it's still a little early in spring for everything to be in full bloom, there were still plenty of gorgeous floral displays to enjoy. Some of the trail directions can be a bit confusing at times, and we did end up wandering off course once or twice. That said, it was never difficult to find our way back to the main trail and continue exploring. If you're looking for a place to meander, slow down, and truly enjoy nature, this is absolutely the place to do it. A peaceful and rewarding experience overall.