Having a Ball ya’ll in B’ham!

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A March 2007 trip to Birmingham by vampirefan

Yet another Southern beauty Photo - Birmingham, Alabama

Quote: A work trip to Birmingham allowed me some extra time for just seeing the sights of this amazing city.

24 Photos

Having a Ball ya’ll in B’ham!

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Overview

Quote:

According to Lynyrd Skynyrd they love the governor in Birmingham. I am sure they do, but one trip here had me loving Birmingham. And I am sure the governor is a great guy too!The Birmingham Botanical Gardens offer 67-acres of lush and bountiful gardens including a must see Japanese Garden. The gardens are only a few miles from downtown and the zoo is close by. So as you can imagine I did go see the Birmingham Zoo. The zoo is home to more than 800 species of animals. While here I even saw an elephant getting a manicure!The Birmingham Museum of Art located in the heart of downtown, should be on the itinerary of art lovers. They have over 22,000 wo...Read More

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Birmingham Zoo

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Attraction

Keeping with the bird thing. Photo - Birmingham Zoo, Birmingham, Alabama

Quote:

For more than 50 years now the Birmingham Zoo has been welcoming visitors and locals alike to this amazing zoo. Being the animal lover that I am, I was not about to pass up this opportunity.

Almost half a million visitors pour in annually to see the approximate 800 animals and 250 species that call this place home. The zoo is home to several endangered species with one of their most magnificent animals being the very beautiful white tiger. In 2005 they completed their High Kaul Children’s Zoo to coincide with the zoo’s 50th anniversary celebration. They are members of the AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums). Over the years the zoo has been chosen to host several traveling exhibits of bats, cuddly Koalas, and Black-Footed Penguins.

Throughout the day they offer keeper talks, a sea lion show, giraffe encounter, and a wildlife show. Visitors can also step inside the enclosed lorikeet aviary and enjoy as dozens of these beautiful birds enjoy landing on you. You can even purchase nectar at $1 a cup to ensure they will pay you a visit. Defiantly one of my favorites. They have a butterfly pavilion that runs mid-April through Labor Day.

They have the usual assortment of animals you find at a zoo. They also have a collection of Komodo Dragons which seem to be a big hit for the whole family, especially little boys who seem to think they are "cool". I was able to see an elephant get a manicure and had an ostrich who followed me the whole length of his enclosure and keep making noises and riffling his feathers as to say "look at me, I am so cute". And yes he was a cutie. Animals here are kept in open and natural habitats when at all possible. They do have a special section for children that include a petting zoo, a play ground, carousal, and the children’s zoo. The only thing I wasn’t to fond of was the goat pull. For a fee children can be pulled around by a poor goat. As fat as children are today, that falls under cruelty to me.

The zoo is of course handicapped accessible. They do have a gift shop on the premises as well as a restaurant. At the gift shop you will find stroller rentals. Parking is free and abundant. You can host your child’s birthday here or next big event. They host a number of events through the year including tie in with the local baseball team. They also host several travel trips.

Hours/admission/info

Open daily from 9am to 5pm (extended hours during the summer). Closed during major holidays.

Admission: $11 (a) $6 (c/s) Tuesday is ½ day!

Website: www.birminghamzoo.com.

The zoo is a wonderful place to while away a few hours. While you’re here make sure to step next door for the breath taking Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on May 30, 2007

Birmingham Zoo
2630 Cahaba Road
Birmingham, AL 35223
(205) 879-0409

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Birmingham Botanical Gardens

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Attraction

Get that Zen feeling Photo - Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Birmingham, Alabama

Quote:

For what is truly one of the most stunning places in Birmingham, you have to stop by the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. The gardens offer up 67 acres of natural beauty and splendor to more than 300,000 visitors each year. The garden houses more than 20 different themes. The most popular and renowned is their outstanding Japanese Gardens complete with a tea house. In addition you can also find a wildflower garden, fern garden, and the Southern Living Garden. There is also a garden conservatory. All throughout the gardens you will find more than 30 outdoor sculptures. You can also find fountains, statues, and places to stop and sit a spell. When I was here in early March things we...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on May 30, 2007

Birmingham Botanical Gardens
2612 Lane Park Road
Birmingham, Alabama 35223
(205) 414-3900

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Arlington House Museum

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Story/Tip

Over 150 years old Photo - Birmingham, Alabama

Quote:

Thankfully I had my trusty historical homes guides or I would not have known about this place. I didn’t see it listed in any visitor’s guides. It is a shame as this place is certainly not to be missed. Arlington was the home of Judge William S. Mudd. Mudd went on to become one of the founding fathers of Birmingham. The exact date when the house was built remains unclear. But it is believed that the judge had the house built around 1822 but later expanded it to what you see today around 1842. When it was first built the design was strictly Greek Revival but later additions added Colonial Revival touches to the home. The home originally sat on 80 acres of land and was then in a c...Read More

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Vulcan Park

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Story/Tip

Quote:

For one of the best views of Birmingham and the surrounding area, you have to stop in at Vulcan Park and take the elevator up over 100 feet off the ground for a breathtaking view, day or night, of the Magic City. In 1904 NY sculpture, Giuseppe Moretti built the 56’ (and weights in at a hefty 101,200 pounds) cast iron statue for the World’s Fair in St. Louis. After the fair the statue just sat around and collected dust. In the 1930s the Kiwanis Club decided to purchase the statue as a symbol of Birmingham. After all Birmingham was a city of iron and Vulcan is the Roman God of fire and forge. So the club built a park around it and soon it was open to the public to enjoy. In 1999 some cracks ...Read More

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Birmingham Museum of Art

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Story/Tip

Beauty in glass Photo - Birmingham, Alabama

Quote:

Located in the heart of downtown Birmingham, you will find the very impressive Birmingham Museum of Art. The museum contains over 22,000 works of arts and is one of the largest and most comprehensive art museums in the Southeast. What started as five rooms in the city hall at the turn of the last century went on to be this remarkable art museum in 1951. Today works from ancient to modern are covered. They include European, Asian, American, African, pre-Columbian, and Native American. Their decorative arts collection includes one of the most extensive cast iron collections in the world. Here you will find the classic beauty of Tiffany and furniture made by legendary architect, Frank Lloyd W...Read More

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About the Writer

vampirefan
Charlotte, North Carolina

"I have been traveling since I was 6 months. Growing up a military brat, I got to travel often. It ha..."
123 journals
5474 photos
505 reviews

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