School's out, the schedules have cleared, and the question every parent dreads has already started: What are we going to do? Before you start scrolling through travel sites and calculating flight costs, let me offer a different kind of adventure. An adventure that starts right here in the Magic City.
I spent a year researching my book, Secret Birmingham: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure, and I can tell you firsthand: there are layers to this city that most of us have never scratched. In all my years of living near the city, there’s so much I’ve overlooked. This summer, give your family the gift of curiosity and explore Birmingham like a tourist.
Top Birmingham Spots for Your Family Staycation
Cherith Glover Fluker
The Vulcan statue is the largest cast iron statue in the world, and is the city symbol of Birmingham, Alabama, reflecting its roots in the iron and steel industry. The 56-foot (17 m) tall statue depicts the Roman god Vulcan, god of the fire and forge. It was created as Birmingham's entry for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition (1904 World's Fair) in St. Louis, Missouri. [Wikipedia]
Vulcan Park and Museum
You've probably seen him looming over the city your entire life. But have you and your kids ever actually been up close? Vulcan is the world's largest cast-iron statue, and the stories behind him are genuinely fascinating. Plus, there are some great exhibits inside the museum worth a closer look.
Location: 1701 Valley View Dr, Birmingham, AL 35209
Price: Adults $6, Children (5–12) $4, Under 5 free
Pro Tip: Head up to the observation deck for a view of the city that hits differently when you know the history beneath it.
Cherith Glover Fluker
Birmingham Botanical Gardens - 1
Japanese Garden at Birmingham Botanical Gardens
This peaceful retreat feels worlds away from the hustle of summer break. It honors Birmingham's relationship with its sister city, Hitachi, Japan and serves as a beautiful reminder that our city has global connections most people don't know about.
Location: 2612 Lane Park Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223
Price: Free
Pro Tip: Visit on a weekday morning before the summer heat kicks in. Kids love spotting the koi fish in the garden pond.
Cherith Glover Fluker
The Rotary Trail
This walkable greenway winds through the heart of the city and is lined with public art, including Frank's Table sculpture, a tribute to James Beard Award–winning chef Frank Stitt. It's a great conversation starter about Birmingham's growing culinary identity.
Location: Starts near 1st Ave N & 20th St, Birmingham, AL 35203
Price: Free
Pro Tip: Pack a picnic and make a morning of it. The trail connects to several downtown restaurants if you want to grab lunch after your walk.
Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark
This iron-making facility dates back to 1882 and is one of the only preserved blast furnaces in the country. It's part industrial museum, part outdoor sculpture park, and kids think it looks like something out of a movie set.
Location: 20 32nd St N, Birmingham, AL 35222
Price: Free
Pro Tip: Check their event calendar before you visit. Sloss hosts outdoor concerts and family events throughout the summer.
Other Birmingham Gems to Visit
AG Gaston Motel — One of the most significant civil rights landmarks in the country, where Dr. King and movement leaders strategized during the Birmingham Campaign. Restored and open to the public, it's a visceral, important stop that goes far beyond a typical museum experience.
Birmingham Museum of Art — Free and genuinely world-class. The collection spans 6,000 years and the Asian art wing alone is worth an hour. Summer brings rotating special exhibits and family programming, and the sculpture garden is the perfect midday escape when the heat picks up outside.
Red Mountain Park — Over 1,500 acres of trails woven through Birmingham's iron ore mining history. Go early. The canopy keeps it cooler than you'd expect.
Avondale Park & Brewery District — One of Birmingham's oldest parks, complete with a swan lake. Steps from indie shops and restaurants that have made this neighborhood one of the city's most interesting. Let the kids run the green space while you explore.
Make It a Summer to Remember
The best part about being a traveler in your own backyard? You don't have to go far to feel like you've discovered something new. Birmingham is full of hidden gems and untold stories just waiting for your family to find them. Grab your curiosity, load up the car, and let the Magic City surprise you this summer.
Cherith Fluker is the author of Secret Birmingham: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure, available on Amazon and at local booksellers.