3 Interesting Local Attractions in and Around Birmingham

Birmingham, AL, is famous for many things. Our city has been a hub of iron and steel production, and over time we’ve diversified into other activities. As we’ve grown as a city, we’ve added landmarks to remember important events and to beautify our city. These are a few of our best local attractions.

Vulcan Park and Museum

The centerpiece of this park is a 56-foot high statue of the Roman god Vulcan made from cast iron. This statue was originally designed and built as Birmingham’s entry for the St. Louis, MO World Fair in 1904. It was left in pieces and even used for advertising until it found a permanent home in this park at Red Mountain.

The concert column it stands on is 123-foot tall, and you can take an elevator up to the observation deck. From this deck can see spectacular views of the city of Birmingham. There is also a small interactive museum near the statue that explains the history of the statue and the importance of the early iron and steel industry in the growth of Birmingham. The statue sits in the center of a 10-acre park scattered with trees.

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

The institute opened in October 1992, and it’s dedicated to the struggle for recognition of human rights around the world. It also specifically charts the growth of Civil Rights in the US from the Jim Crow laws passed after the Civil War, through to the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. All of the exhibits are interactive, and they help show the opposition to and eventual recognition of Civil Rights in the US.

Some of the material can be emotional for the very young, but it’s presented in a clear, easy-to-understand way. The exhibits also focus strongly on Birmingham’s contribution to, and role in, the Civil Rights Movement. The institute is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and from 1 pm to 5 pm on Sundays.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

This gorgeous garden is located at the base of Red Moutain and covers 67.5-acres. The site opened in 1963 and has now grown to encompass more than 25 unique gardens and over 12,000 plants. Some of the gardens are dedicated to particular species, for example, the Dunn Formal Rose Garden and the Hess Camellia Garden. Other gardens are dedicated to themes, like the Japanese Garden.

Two additional gardens onsite cover wildflowers and the Barber Alabama Woodlands. Several miles of walking trails criss-cross the gardens, and there are more than 30 unique outdoor sculptures on display. There is also a little cafe where you can get something to eat and a gift shop filled with decor and gifts.

After you’ve seen some of our amazing attractions, come in and see us for the best selection of vehicles in town at Royal Buick GMC.

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