Having a Ball ya’ll in B’ham!

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 works of arts spanning over many centuries and periods and have a very impressive Wedgwood Collection. They will soon be only one of a handful of places to offer Pompeii..Tales from an Eruption .

For one of the most spectacular views of downtown Birmingham and the surrounding area, day or night, stop in at Vulcan Park and take a ride up over 100 feet in the air. A 56’ statue of Vulcan is above the observation deck. You can walk around the deck for an unprecedented view of the area.

If you love historical houses, then Arlington will amaze you. The home was built for Judge William S. Mudd around 1842. This opulent Greek Revival antebellum home sits prominently up on a hill still as elegant and graceful as the day she was built.

I don’t know if it was the fact that I was recovering from food poising when I arrived or what, but the food here left much to be desired. The best meal I had was at Hamburger Heaven. I ate at the legendary Rays and didn’t find anything legendary about it. Barnhill’s is a great buffet alternative. John’s City Dinner certainly didn’t garner a recommendation from me. Both the food and service left much to be desired.

Quick Tips:

You know me and my first suggestion is to go to the CVB and request a visitor’s guide. You can go to www.thediversecity.org or www.birminghamal.org and obtain one. Call me old fashion, but I still love curling up with my visitor’s guide and thumbing through the glossy pages full of information and pictures. But this time I didn’t have time to get one so I just got my information from the website.

You can pick up on of their visitor's guides when you arrive in town. You can pick up one at the airport or downtown at the visitors center on 9th Ave.

Also pick up a copy of Birmingham Travel Host available also at the airport, visitor center, many attractions, and your hotel. It is also chocked full of great things to do while in town.

Make your travel plans well in advanced, if possible. When I was here there was the Home and Garden show going on, a cheerleader championship, a concert, and the women’s basketball playoffs.

Just walk around downtown. One the first day of the show I had to set up and then had more than an hour to kill before I had to be back. So I just took off with camera in hand and enjoyed the beautiful downtown area. Linn Park located in the middle of the city is amazing. There are historical buildings, statues, and historical markers all over the place. I spotted a beautiful gold statue atop a building and made my way towards the building. It is the current home of the power company and what a building. Make sure to go to the door and look up and the beautiful mosaic tile on the roof.

When looking to stay somewhere look just outside of the city. I stayed in an area known as Homewood. I had an amazing view of the Red Mountains and it was only about 15 minutes from downtown and easy to find my way around (thanks to map quest).

Best Way To Get Around:

If flying you arrive at Birmingham International Airport (BHM) which is served by more than 160 flights daily. They are the largest airport in Alabama. They are located only about 5 miles from downtown. They are served by 9 carriers including most major carriers and low-cost carrier, SouthWest. Their website is www.bhamintlairport.com.

You will need transportation if you plan to go outside of the downtown area. You should know most attractions lie just outside the downtown area. You can pick up a rental car at the airport. Most rental car companies can be found here, including Enterprise, who I went with. Once I got past the moron at the front desk they were a dream to work with and included most major driving directions and a list of the most popular radio stations.

The downtown and Southside area is served by the popular DART trolley. They run all through the downtown area and stop at many of the tourist attractions in the area. You can find them at www.bjcta.com.

There is plenty of parking to be found in the downtown area. Just most of it isn’t free. All the areas surrounding the BJCC Complex where the show was held were - per day and no in and out privileges. Some attractions in the downtown area do have free parking, but you must provide proof you were indeed in the attraction or be prepared to pay. Parking outside of the downtown area at major attractions was plentiful and free.

Likewise most downtown hotels charge for parking for guests. My hotel in Homewood had all the free parking I wanted.

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.

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 were just starting to bloom, yet it was still a spectacular place to be. My favorite was the Japanese Gardens, which were just incredible. What a place to walk around and just relax and get that Zen feeling. In April they of course host their annual cherry blossom festival, which I imagine must be beyond beautiful. They have striking sculptures, a peaceful pond, and lovely bridges. I could have spent hours here. I also loved their Southern Living garden which hosts plants and flowers from the south. You also need to get here when the conservatory is open. There is a walk way which is just incredible. And the flowers in here, Oh my!

They do have indoor facilities for meetings, lectures, weddings, and any other special events. Weddings in the garden can also be arranged with advanced notice. They have a library on the premises, which is the largest free lending horticulture library in the southeast. They host a number of events through out the year including Earth Day holiday celebrations, and Family Fun Day. They also have a number of lectures, workshops, and offer plant sales twice a year. They do have Café de France for dining. There is a gift shop on the premises, but it is currently closed for renovations until October of 2007. They do have limited handicapped accessibility.

Hours/admission/information

The gardens are open 365 days a year from dusk to dawn.

Library: Mon-Fri 9am to 4pm
Sat. 10am to 4pm
Sun. 2-4 pm

Conservatory: daily 8am to 5pm.

Both the library and conservatory are closed on holidays.

Admission: Free! Though some special events, lectures, and classes may carry a fee.

Website: www.bbgardens.org.

There is plenty of parking and it is also free.

When you want to get away from the city sprawl, I can’t think of a better place in Birmingham to just sit and relax and while away a few hours in such beautiful and peaceful surroundings. They are right next to the incredible Birmingham Zoo. So make a day of it. Bring the family and see both the gardens and zoo.

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 city known as Elyton. The judge, his wife, and nine children enjoyed life here at "The Grove" (the original name of Arlington). In 1871 a new city was started 3 miles east of Elyton and the founders named it Birmingham after yes, Birmingham England. It was hoped that like its name sake it would also become a steel producing entity. Birmingham lived up to its name sake and due to an explosion of growth in the 1880s it was known as "The Magic City". In 1886 Franklin H. Whitney of Iowa purchased the home. He divided the property into several lots and named it "Arlington Survey" and the Arlington stayed.

During the Civil War the home was used by Yankee (i.e. Union to be P.C. to our northern neighbors) General James Wilson as his headquarters. It was here that Wilson ordered the burning of the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa and to destroy the local iron furnaces.

Like many southern homes, Arlington went through a secession of owners. The last owner was Texan Robert S. Munger. It was Munger who restored the house and added the Colonial Revival touches to the home. This was used as the family’s summer home until 1924 when they moved in permanently.

In 1953 a local group of citizens started acquiring the funds to purchase the house and restore it to its antebellum splendor. The city matched their funds and the home was purchased to be used for a house museum.

Today visitors will be enchanted with this spectacular home. The home is noted for its collection southern made pieces as its decorative arts collection. They also have an impressive collection of silver, textiles, and art. Most of the pieces are not original to the family but are of the time period.

After touring the home you can enjoy several out buildings on the property, the gardens, and the lawn. They do have a gift shop on the premises and restrooms. Due to the nature of the home it is not handicapped accessible. They host a number of events during the year including holiday celebrations and summer lunches on Thursday in the historic garden room. The home does offer rentals for your next big affair and you can get married on the lawn here. How Scarlet O’Hara is that?

Normally you are given a guided tour of the home. When I arrived at 10am on the dot this Friday morning, they seemed shocked to see me. I am assuming people don’t start arriving until later in the off season (I was here the first of March). I paid for my ticket and was given instructions to go to the front of the house and knock and the security guard would let me in. When I arrived the security guard, who looked an awful lot like actor Thom Barry (Will Jeffries on CSB’S Cold Case ) let me in. The home is just delightful. The rooms are beautifully decorated to give you an idea of how the richer half lived in the pre-civil war South. Normally it takes you about 45 minutes to see the home. But I only spent a total of about 45 minutes total. I hate I didn’t get a guided tour, but maybe some other time. I was just happy to visit this amazing beauty.

Hours/admission/info

Hours:

Tuesday-Saturday 10am to 4pm
Sunday 1pm until 4pm

Admission:
$5 (a)
$3 (c)

Website: www.informationbirmingham.com/arlington/index.htm.

As always these are the best guide for southern mansion hunting:

Bob Vila’s Guide to Historic Homes of the South by of course Bob Vila . It is an older book so you need to get it from a used book shop or Amazon.

Marvelous Old Mansions by Sylvia Higginbotham. You can purchase the book from your favorite store or directly at www.blairpub.com.

Now I must warn you, if you are driving in from downtown Birmingham, you will not be driving through the best neighborhood around. But don’t let that scare you off. Once you pull into the street and see this glorious mansion sitting ever so gracefully on the hill, you know all is right with the world. This is a must stop when in Birmingham.

Very highly recommended

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 started to cause it to become a safety hazard. The park was shut down and work on the statue began. It was rededicated to the public once again in 2004. Today this Roman god keeps his watchful eye on the city and the surrounding areas of the Red Mountains.

The statue is the world’s largest cast iron statue and the largest metal statue in the US. In 2006 it was awarded the National Trust for Historic Preservation's highest honor-the Honor Award.

The park sits on 10 acres in the Red Mountains just out side of Birmingham. Before you go up the observation tower take the time to come inside and enjoy the museum. The museum has numerous displays and several interactive displays. Guests take a tour through history as you see displays and information of the building of this monumental statue as well as the history of Birmingham. You can even stand by a huge replica of Vulcan’s foot.

For the adventurous, step outside and get a bird’s eye view of the surrounding area high atop the observation tower. You can either take the steps up to the tower or take the elevator, which will whisk you up in a matter of seconds and deposit you 124’ feet in the air. There is an observation deck that sits under the statue and gives you spectacular views of Birmingham and the surrounding area. Prefer keeping your feet on the ground? There is an overlook right outside of the park office that also give guests great views. And make sure to look down and check out the large scale ground map of the area.

The park does offer rental facilities for your next meeting, workshop, or social event. They have both the indoor meeting room as well as a platform at the city overlook. Throughout the year the parks hosts a number of workshops and events including the upcoming Birthday Bash for Vulcan, which is held in June. The facility always welcomes groups. There is a gift shop on the premises as well as restrooms. The park is handicapped accessible.

Hours/admission/info

Museum: Monday-Saturday 10am to 6pm, Sunday 1 to 6pm

Grounds: 7am to 10pm daily

Observation tower: Monday through Saturday 10am to 10pm, Sunday 1 to 10pm.

Admission (museum/observation tower):

$6 (a)
$5 (s)
$4 (c)
$3 (nighttime observation tower)

Your day time admission allows you to come back to the observation tower in the evening on the same day for free.

There is no admission to simply enjoy the grounds. They are closed Christmas Eve and Christmas. The observation tower may have to close during inclement weather.

Website: www.visitvulcan.com

You can see the statue from all over Birmingham. And with the Red Mountains as his backdrop, it is truly amazing. If you’re in Birmingham you must stop in. The views here will leave you speechless. This place is one of the best bargains around and defiantly one of my picks of things do in Birmingham.

Very highly recommended

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 Wright. They also have a massive Wedgwood collection. The collection is a feast for the eyes as it shows Wedgwood comes in more than just blue and includes more than just china. It is also the largest special collection devoted to Wedgwood in the world. You can even see what an Oscar looks like up close.

Their paintings include American, Modern, and European. Their American brings to life the beauty of the southwest. Their European includes masters such as Fragonard, Drouais, Courbet, and my favorite…Monet.

Their impressive photography collection shows of the skills of Alfred Stieglitzz, Gordon Parks, Cindy Sherman, and Daine Arbus. She was recently portrayed by Nicole Kidman in the move Fur .

Step outside the museum and enjoy the divine Charles W. Ireland Sculpture Gardens. The gardens offer three levels (Red Mountains Garden, Lower Gallery, and Upper Plaza) and cover over 30,000 sq. ft. The gardens were done in 1993 by Elyn Zimmerman and architect, Edward Larrabee Barnes. The works include Rodin, Botero, Lipchitz, and Caro.

The museum is just incredible offering visitors a multitude of paintings, sculptures, masks, costumes, statues of deities, pottery, and so on. One of my favorites was the Asian display which showed the renowned Ming vases as well as the exquisite and ornate work of the kimono. Once inside the building your eyes will be immediately to the Chihuly glass display jut beyond the visitor’s desk. I asked the volunteer at the desk if they had been lucky enough to have the Chihuly exhibition when it was touring. The very pleasant lady told me that they had commissioned Chihuly to do the Birmingham Persian Wall and Dale had come in specifically to oversee the installation.

You can hold your corporate meeting in their auditorium, have your wedding in their sculpture garden, or host your anniversary dinner as the Persian Wall illuminates at night. The staff is glad to help you with your next corporate or social gathering. In fact when I was here, they were hosting a high school senior party.

The Clarence B. Hanson Jr. Library is one of the largest art research libraries in the Southeast. The library works closely with over 250 other art museums to provide reference material, artist’s files, collection catalogs, auction catalogs, indexes, and periodicals. They also offer online and CD references. They are open from 10am to 4pm during the week.

They have the Terrace Café which over looks the sculpture gardens for when you need to refuel before enjoying the rest of the museum. They do have a gift shop. They are fully handicapped accessible. They do host groups, especially school groups. They do offer free parking. You can pick up a stroller at the visitor's desk. Photography and hand held camcorders are permitted. You have to check in at the security guard desk first though. They also have a number of lectures, classes, and workshops for the public. They also offer several really amazing travel trips.

Hours/admission/info

Hours:

Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday noon-5 pm

Closed Monday, New Years, Christmas, and Thanksgiving.

Admission: Free! But please be nice and make a donation. Some events may carry a separate admission.

From October 14th through January 27, 2008, Birmingham Art Museum will be proudly hosting Pompeii: Tales from the Eruption . There are only a handful of museums lucky enough to host this exhibit. Of course admission will be charged for this and you can go on line to purchase tickets. If you like fascinating art exhibits like I do check out www.artknowledgenews.com for information on art exhibits all over the country.

Website: www.artsbma.org.

The Birmingham Museum of art is a real treat for the visitor to Birmingham. You can spend hours in here and never get bored. The people of Birmingham truly have a special place here indeed. Now make sure you visit when in town.

Very highly recommended