Local Attractions
The collection now has over 900 vintage and modern motorcycles and as well as a substantial collection of Lotus and other racecars. It is considered the largest in North American and possibly the world. There are approximately five hundred motorcycles on display at any given time. (There are over 900 in the collection.) These bikes range from 1904 to current-year production. There are bikes from 16 countries that represent 143 different marques. The common street bike is represented, as well as rare one-off Gran Prix race machinery. Bikes have been purchased from as far away as Australia, New Zealand, and Sweden, but also as close as down the street.
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Golf course architect Robert Trent Jones saw the group of public courses he designed in Alabama as his version of Michelangelo’s masterful artwork in the Sistine Chapel. The 21 courses are now called the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, a total of 378 holes at eight locations across the state. The Trail’s long list of accolades includes recognition as the best value in the world as a golf destination, according to a recent Golf Digest survey, and golfers in the same survey put the Trail among the top eight in the world for quality of golf.
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Founded in 1951, the Birmingham Museum of Art has one of the finest collections in the Southeast. More than 17,000 objects represent a rich panorama of cultures, including Asian, European, American, African, Pre-Columbian, and Native American. Highlights include the Museum’s collection of Asian art, considered the finest and most comprehensive in the Southeast, and its collection of Vietnamese ceramics, one of the finest in the world; a remarkable Kress collection of Renaissance and Baroque paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts from the late 13th century to the 1750s; the collection of 18th century European decorative arts, which includes superior examples of English ceramics and French furniture; and the Museum’s world-renowned collection of Wedgwood, the largest outside of England.
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Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is a large interpretive museum and research center in Birmingham, Alabama that depicts the struggles of the American Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s. The Institute is located in the Civil Rights District, which includes the historic 16th Street Baptist Church, Kelly Ingram Park, Fourth Avenue Business District, and the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame located in the Carver Theatre. The Institute opened in November 1992, and had more than 25,000 visitors during its first week. The Institute shows Birmingham's pride in its history and its dedication to progress and unity for the future. Read More...
Vulcan Park and Museum is home to the world's largest cast iron statue and features spectacular panoramic views of Birmingham. Located atop Red Mountain, Vulcan Park and Museum tells the story of Birmingham's past, present and promise for the future. Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and forge, was originally built in 1904 and has stood as a symbol of Birmingham for over 100 years. A 10-acre urban green space surrounds the 56' high statue and observation balcony that sits upon a 124' pedestal. Visitors to Vulcan Center find interactive exhibits and displays that give insight into the region's history and industrial growth. Read More...
Fun and learning never end at McWane Science Center, a nonprofit, hands-on museum and IMAX®
Dome Theater. Four floors of interactive exhibits celebrate science and wonder — from an amazing collection of dinosaurs to innovative environmental showcases, imaginative early childhood playgrounds, and an awe-inspiring aquarium. The energy and excitement of discovery spring to life through an extensive lineup of science demonstrations performed daily by talented educators. The adventure intensifies in the IMAX®
Dome Theater, where wide-eyed visitors experience the sights and sounds of breathtaking films on a 5-story-tall screen surrounded by 3 tons of high-intensity speakers.
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Ruffner Mountain is a 1,000-acre nature preserve, is just five miles from the city center. In this urban forest, 10 miles of hiking trails traverse the ridgetop and valleys; one trail ends at a spectacular overlook with a view of the city. The forest provides a home for native plants and animals; a small nature center houses educational exhibits and a gift shop. A covered picnic pavilion is available.
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The Alabama Theatre was built in 1927 by Paramount Studios as an Alabama showcase for Paramount films. It was used primarily as a movie palace for 55 years, with the exception of the annual Miss Alabama pagent and the weekly Mickey Mouse Club. In 1987, the owners of the facility declared bankruptcy and the theatre was purchased by Birmingham Landmarks Inc., a non-profit corporation. The new Alabama Theatre for the Performing Arts hosts many live events, as well as films. Each year the Theatre hosts over 300 events attended by a half million Birmingham area citizens. Read More...
Formerly Visionland, the park features a theme park and water park. In addition to new rides in the existing theme and water park, the plan calls for the following amenities: an animal park, a hotel with an indoor water park, a sports complex, RV park, interactive water play area, stock car racing zone and many more exciting attractions.
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The museum is located in Birmingham's historic Carver Theatre, which is part of the Birmingham Civil Rights District, along with the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, 16th Street Baptist Church and Kelly Ingram Park. The museum contains more than 2,200 square feet (200 m
2) of exhibits. The Jazz Hall of Fame also sponsors jazz performances around the city and brings jazz to many local students with school visits from musicians. Along with jazz memorabilia such as paintings, quilts, instruments, and personal effects of such artists as Ella Fitzgerald and
W.C. Handy, the tour experience itself is guided by Dr. Frank Adams.
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