Why Birmingham Is The Entertainment Capital Of Alabama

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As the second-most populous city in the state, Birmingham brings numerous options for entertainment to its residents and tourists.

It has incredible food and entertainment venues, fantastic cultural and historical attractions, and something going on year-round.

As you look at Birmingham houses for rent, indulge in one of the many things to do in the area.

There are many stage shows to take in :

The Alabama Theatre is a storied building that began as a venue for Paramount pictures. It has been used for the Miss Alabama Pageant and Mickey Mouse club, and today not only shows films but hosts over 300 performing arts events a year.

The Birmingham Children’s Theatre is one of the largest and oldest professional theater companies for kids and actually encompasses three theaters for shows and workshops for the younger set.

There are niche museums :

It’s not just the history of the area that museums cover. The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum is a haven for motorcycle lovers. Former race car driver George Barber began collecting and restoring vintage motorcycles after he retired, giving way to this museum opening in 1995.

The museum has more than 1,400 motorcycles that represent 200 manufacturers from about 20 countries.

The Southern Museum of Flight has over 90 aircrafts as well as aviation artifacts, engines, memorabilia, models, and paintings.

The Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and Museum showcases the state’s athletic history and has more than 5,000 sports artifacts.

You can step into history :

Stop by the Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, what was once an iron producing blast furnace from 1882 to 1971.

The 16^th Street Baptist Church was grounds for a racially-charged bombing in 1963, and is a place of worship that still stands and can be visited today.

Birmingham was a major part of the Civil Rights movement. You can visit the Civil Rights Institute in the Civil Rights District to experience a walking journey through the past.

It’s artsy :

There are many venues for art lovers to enjoy, from museums to galleries.

The Birmingham Museum of Art has a permanent collection of over 25,000 objects that come from Asian, American, European, African, and Native American cultures.

Not only can you peruse the galleries, you can also attend lectures and events suited for everyone from art collectors to the elementary student who is interested in painting.

The food is incredible :

Recently, Fodor’s named the city as one of the top ten in the country with a surprisingly good food scene.

Hattie B’s is one of the most well-known eateries, a hot chicken restaurant with scratch-made sides.

You can get fresh Gulf seafood at The Fish Market or Automatic Seafood and Oysters, or grab classic southern biscuits at Helen.

There’s natural beauty to take in :

The Gulf State Park is a great place to go for quiet, whether it’s for one day or part of a camping excursion. Within are sandy white beaches, fishing spots, recreational facilities, and over 25 miles of paved walking trails.

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Dauphin Island in Mobile Bay has an Audubon bird sanctuary for watchers of the winged to enjoy, and the Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve has elevated boardwalks over diverse habitats to explore.