Traveler’s choice and it’s free! A cherished place of respite and inspiration for more than 55 years, Birmingham Botanical Gardens is open to all, and we look forward to your visit. Fall/winter hours (Nov. 1–March 13) are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the week. Visitors are encouraged to practice social distancing. Face masks are required when interacting with others in the Gardens and for entering the Garden Center.
One of the state’s most popular attractions, the Birmingham Zoo, is an ever-evolving adventure. Guests come from around the Southeast to see animals such as red pandas, lions, giraffes, orangutans, rhinos, bears, elephants, sea lions, zebras, a jaguar, a hippo and many more. The Birmingham Zoo is open and operating with reduced hours and at limited capacity. Due to an increase of COVID-19 cases in our community, we have made significant changes to our daily operations. For the health and safety of our staff, guests, and animals, all visitors over the age of six (6) are required to wear face coverings in accordance with State of Alabama ordinance.
Both large and small groups can join the fun and book one or more party bikes for their celebrations in downtown Birmingham! If you have a group of four to six people, our mini party bike is the perfect fit for your outing. If you have more than six people in your group, our 14-passenger party bike is the best choice for your festivities. Have more than 14 people in your party? No worries, you can rent out more than one bike to host your celebrations! Our downtown party bike is perfect to celebrate weddings, birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette parties, corporate events, or just because you can! Take a two-hour tour to Birmingham’s best watering holes, led by one of our friendly and enthusiastic guides. Whether you’re a local or new to our city, our pedal bike tour will be sure to leave you smiling and having a great time!
With 19 acres of green space in the middle of downtown Birmingham, including nine acres of open lawn, Railroad Park is the ideal place to have a little lunch, throw a little Frisbee, take a little jog. More than 600 trees are planted onsite: a mixture of hardwoods, evergreens, and flowering trees. There are 50 Princeton elms, alone. The luxurious landscaping is punctuated with masses of annual, biennial and perennial flowers, making this oasis not only lovely, but a cool escape in the center of a bustling urban environment.
The Civil Rights District is home to landmarks like the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, offering exhibits on segregation and the civil rights struggle. Kelly Ingram Park has sculptures of scenes from the movement, while the 16th Street Baptist Church is the site of an infamous 1963 bombing. Eateries along 4th Avenue North serve soul food and BBQ, and the Carver Theatre houses the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.