Top 5 Places Must See in Birmingham, Alabama

When a former Porsche racing car driver retires, what does he do? He begins to acquire and restore old bikes. George Barber won 63 races. Then he chose to channel some of his enthusiasm into creating a museum for future speed aficionados.

Instead of vehicles, he began collecting motorbikes. He founded the museum in 1995, and his stunning, restored-to-racing-condition vehicles were included in the Guggenheim The Art of the Motorcycle exhibition. They also compete in several classic motorcycle races and continue to win. This is the world's largest motorbike collection and

The museum has around 1,400 motorbikes, with approximately 650 on exhibit.

They represent 200 producers from around 20 different nations. Any motorcycle aficionado would experience goose bumps just looking at the vintage Harley-Davidson, Indian, Honda, Showa, Cagiva, and DSK motorcycles glistening on the museum floor.

The Birmingham Botanical Gardens are a must-see site for all nature, garden, and plant aficionados and are open 365 days a year. The gardens provide monthly seminars, lectures, guided field excursions, and events in an effort to promote not simply plants but a profound love and respect for plants and gardening. These lovely mature gardens have been flourishing for almost 60 years and are loaded with fantastic pleasures, including over 20 unique themed garden sections.

There is a beautiful Japanese Garden, a unique Alabama Woodland Garden, wonderful Vegetable and Herb Gardens, a Bog Garden, and a Lily Garden.

The Birmingham Zoo, which opened in 1955, is home to over 950 animals from 195 different species. Many endangered species are represented among the zoo's inhabitants.

Birmingham Zoo is a must-see attraction on any list of Alabama's greatest places to visit. For a modest cost, children may ride the animal-themed carousel or the Red Diamond Express.

Birmingham Zoo allows you to contact some of the animals! Don't miss the live entertainment, animal feedings, and kid-friendly carousel rides.

Birmingham Zoo is dedicated to Alabama's urban and rural wildlife. The Dino Discovery exhibit is one of the zoo's more recent attractions.

The Birmingham Museum of Art is an aesthete's dream. This art museum will keep any art enthusiast amused for hours, with everything from sculptures and paintings to decorative artwork, textiles, pottery, and ceremonial artifacts.

You can enjoy European, American, Asian and African art. The holdings also include a wide range of European art, including works by Dali, van Rijn, and Pissarro, as well as American and contemporary art.

The Charles W Ireland Sculpture Garden is a multi-level area on the museum grounds that include the Red Mountain Garden, Lower Gallery, and Upper Plaza.

Have you brought the kids? While you browse the galleries, your children may have a great time engaging in programs such as pottery making. Visit the gallery after 5:00 p.m. for special activities!

The Sloss Furnaces started manufacturing pig iron in 1882 and ran for over 90 years. The gigantic furnaces, a labyrinth of pipes, and lofty smokestacks of the Sloss Furnaces in Birmingham still survive today as a industry museum. Sloss Furnaces Historic Landmark's blast furnaces and structures illustrate the area's history and activity.

Tourists should start at the visitor center, where they may get a self-guided tour booklet and learn about the site's history through a brief video and display. On weekends and upon request, guided tours are offered. This is also the location of many fantastic photo opportunities; however, individuals using professional photography equipment must acquire permission before shooting.