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    McWane Science Center

    4.1 (102 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

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    Russell G.

    IMAX dome theater is very different from any other viewing experience. It has changed from the surround viewing I had when it was first made available but I still enjoyed the wrap around environment for viewing. I found myself looking from side to side. We saw Twisters and had a nice night out. It's worth checking out if you haven't done so yet

    Ranita S.

    This is specifically for their I Max theater. It was mostly a great experience. I have been to better but this is not bad. The screen is a semi dome. So the characters heads look stretched to a cone head sometimes. Sound quality is amazing and even a bit loud. Some folks had ear muffs on. Concessions were minimal and that is my biggest complaint. They have pop corn, candy and drinks. The drinks are 20 oz bottles and not from a fountain. I don't think they do refills. The seat I sat in needs a good wash. It smelled of mildew. Everyone wants to sit at the top middle so It can get crowded in that section. Parking deck is free for members but I think $5. My brother in law was a member. I need to come back and explore the science center one day.

    Virginia H.

    A great place to visit with kids...or on your own if you like science! We have been to McWane Center many times, even had a membership one year. Kids always have fun and it's a great place to spend a few hours on a rainy day with them....most of the time they even learn something! While some exhibits have been there since the beginning of time it seems, there are also rotating exhibits. So if you go once every few months, you are likely to see something new. When we went this time yesterday (for the first time in almost 2 years due to the pandemic), the new exhibit is based on Ninja Turtles. They did a great job with it!! Parking is conveniently attached to the garage. It is free with membership or $5 without....which is very reasonable for the area. If you want to spend the entire day there to maximize your ticket price, there is a cafe within the museum. The cafe is okay for what it is....about what you can expect for a eatery inside a museum. The price is on the higher side for what you get, but it's actually fairly tasty considering where you are eating.

    Julie V.

    Well, it's been almost 2 years since I've visited and not alot has changed. I came for my 6 year olds field trip. I'll start with the good, we enjoyed the imax presentation of Secrets of the seas. The new building themed imagination center on the 3rd floor was cool, the kids especially enjoyed the ramp to race their lego built cars and the wooden jenga like blocks. The rest of the exhibits pretty much the same and mostly in kept up condition. I was disappointed that the kids were not allowed in the Itty bitty magic city during the first grade field trip. The employee working stated that they couldn't differentiate the between 6 and 7 year olds so they just dont let us in. That's literally the best part of the museum and they won't allow kids in that age to go in during field trips if they're not in kindergarten. Its a super weak rule and I feel in this situation they should make an exception on a field trip where 90 % of the kids haven't turned 7 yet as we're only 2 months into the school year. My other complaint is the lack of hand sanitizer stations that were maintained. I found 3 that were out, and the kids were sent to the imax after playing and given popcorn and drinks, but no sanitizer present. (They also made a statement before the movie started, that there was sanitizer at the entrance, but I will tell you that's false). Overall, we will probably only visit here during field trips, going forward...

    Kortnee C.

    This science museum is amazing! The facility is clean and great for children of all ages! The staff is very kind and helpful! The programming they offer daily is great for older kids but leaves a lot to be desired for preschoolers/kindergartners.

    Lightyear Premiere
    Mandy L.

    Enjoyed a wonderful Fathers Day at the Birmingham McWane Center. I highly recommend a membership for families with kiddos ranging from 2 to 12, but McWane is for all ages! My husband and I enjoy the special late night events or wandering on a slow weekend. Little ones love the pretend play at Itty Bitty Magic City. Older ones will get to perform their own experiments in four floors. But yesterday we wandered through the new Dragon exhibit which was thrilling for my four year old and challenging for my six year old. My dad even nerded out for a moment with the challenge McWane had arranged. We also caught a showing of the new Lightyear on the IMAX screen. While this wasn't our first movie at the IMAX, I highly recommend this one in particular. The space scenes were beautiful and captivating! My kids were in awe and wanted to go back in as soon as the film was over. Next door is the Pizitz Food Hall which is a food court by nature, but upscale and trendy. Interesting finds from breakfast for lunch, Hamburgers & Hot dogs, Indian, Sushi, and Ethiopian. There's a little bit for everyone.

    Front entrance
    Gabe P.

    The McWane Science Center is a phenomenal hands on facility for all ages! I had visited once with a friend and her son - also volunteered recently thru my employer. Both times were equally fun and I learned a lot in the course of my visit . My friend's son really enjoyed itty bitty Magic city, which is perfect for younger age kids. The facility is well kept , organized and the staff is very educated about all the different exhibits. My volunteer experience was hands on in the learning lab where we facilitated 3 different activities- Learned a lot in the process. My fav was testing the water (oh levels , salt and water temperatures). The other activities were digging for fossils and discussing / illustrating how water rises. The beauty of the Mcwane Center is that it's something for all ages - you can learn something on every visit no matter your age group!

    Linda L.

    I love, LOVE being an ASTC member. My family can enjoy science museums all over the country which is awesome! We are from Texas and was visiting family in Alabama and looked this place up. Fabulous! There was something to do for all age groups! They had a toddler land which my 2 and 3 year old spent most of their time at playing with water and so many fun, experimental toys. My 9 year old enjoyed all of the interactive exhibits, especially the robotics room. Parking is $5 so not too shabby. Our family had an amazing time, I just wish there were more snack/drink options at their cafe. We were there when they opened and I really wanted a coffee but there was nowhere to get one! What parent can function without coffee in the morning! Science people! Lol. But a wonderful place to take your family, fun for all!

    Melody S.

    We had so much fun today! The tickets are reasonably priced considering the amount of things there are to do. We spent the majority of our time in Itty Bitty Magic City. Our 4 year old had a blast and didn't want to leave. We made it to each floor, but kept making our way back to the Magic City. It was well worth the money. Sunday was not super crowded, and seemed like a good day to go. They have a small Cafe with a menu geared towards healthy foods. We didn't try it, but the menu looked tasty. The smell of the IMAX popcorn wafted throughout the facility and it was very tempting! We can't wait to go back, and are contemplating a membership.

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    5 months ago

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    1 month ago

    Plenty to do for my 2 years old grand daughter. Museum members are polite and extremely helpful .

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    6 years ago

    Great slot to take the kids to burn a day. Lots to do on multiple floors! Make sure you go to the little city for kids.

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    Ask the Community - McWane Science Center

    Review Highlights - McWane Science Center

    My daughters favorite part is itty bitty magic city where there is multiple areas set up in one huge room.

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    Birmingham Museum of Art - Meditating space

    Birmingham Museum of Art

    4.4(106 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    I finally made my way into the Birmingham Museum of Art after driving past it for years like,…read more"Yeah, I'll get to that one day..." Well, that day finally came--and turns out, I've been sleeping on a gem this whole time. First off, free admission? That'll get your attention quicker than a "buy one get one" sign. But seriously, this place is legit. It may not be on the scale of New York City or Chicago, but it absolutely punches above its weight. Birmingham quietly flexing, and I respect it. I started out in the sculpture garden, and with it being spring, the blooming dogwood trees added a layer of nostalgia that hit just right. Between the flowers, the fresh air, and the artwork, it was one of those "slow down and take it in" moments. Not bad for a place I used to ignore at red lights--or even flying past it doing 80 on 59/20. Inside, the collections are surprisingly deep and diverse. European, American, African, Asian--you name it. I spent a good bit of time in the African galleries, which meant a lot to me having traveled to Tanzania several times. It's one thing to read about cultures, but seeing the art up close brings a whole different level of appreciation. They also had a traveling exhibit featuring Claude Monet, and I'll just say--pictures don't do that justice. The way he plays with light and color is something you've got to see in person. The Renaissance pieces were another highlight, especially the Madonna and Child panels. You can actually see the craftsmanship in the materials--it makes you realize these artists weren't just talented, they were patient... like next-level patient. There's also a really cool mix of American artwork that captures early Alabama life. One painting in particular shows a whole social scene--different classes, different backgrounds--all in one place. It's like a historical snapshot, and honestly, probably more accurate than some of the stories we've all heard growing up. Now let's talk about the staff--because that matters. Every person I interacted with was friendly, welcoming, and actually knew their stuff. I asked a few questions, and instead of getting a quick "I think so," I got detailed answers that made the experience even better. That's the kind of thing you remember. Swing by the gift shop or grab a snack on the second floor--they're ready to welcome you. What I appreciated most was how the museum connects everything. You walk through different cultures, different time periods, and somehow it all ties back to the same themes--faith, identity, daily life, legacy. Makes you realize people haven't changed all that much... we've just gotten better at Wi-Fi. Walking out, I couldn't help but laugh a little--I've passed this place for years and had no idea what I was missing. Safe to say, I won't make that mistake again. In fact, this was my second visit in less than a month. If you're local or just passing through Birmingham, this place is absolutely worth your time. Take it from someone who learned the hard way--don't wait as long as I did. Well done, Birmingham!

    We decided to visit the museum to see their 'Monet to Matisse' exhibit. I checked occasionally in…read morethe week leading up to our visit. Their website displays how many tickets are remaining for the day. I wanted to ensure this wasn't selling out for our day, in which case I'd have bought tickets in advance online. However, they still showed over 1000 tickets available the day before, so I opted to just buy them at the museum. We had issues with navigation in Birmingham already, and those continued en route to the museum. For whatever reason, the app directed us over a mile beyond downtown and then had us get off the highway, cross the overpass, and double back (?). We actually switched apps a bit later as we were sure there was an issue. We eventually found the museum, though. It wasn't obvious from the front, but apparently the museum does have its own free parking lot behind the building. We ended up parking in a deck a few blocks away, but thankfully that only ended up costing us $3. The museum is normally free for entry, I believe. Donations are encouraged. However, for special travelling exhibits, there was a charge (about $25 per person). This was handled at a kiosk just outside the exhibit. We toured the exhibit and enjoyed it. Works were arranged in 3 large rooms. It was crowded, but manageable. After seeing that, we opted to check out some of the permanent collection before leaving. On the upper level (where we were) there are several rooms devoted to Asian arts (samurai armor from Japan, jade and buddha statues from China, etc.). Korea and India were also represented. If we'd had more time, we would have explored more on this floor. We descended to the first floor and checked out some of the European galleries as well as the end of the wing that is devoted to American art. They had interesting works on all these areas. If I lived in the area, I'd likely come here to check out the permanent collection. Maybe we'll be back at some point to see more of it. This was well worth stopping by if you like art. (I will limit my photos to the permanent collection.)

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    Birmingham Museum of Art - Another good piece

    Another good piece

    Birmingham Museum of Art - Jack Frost

    Jack Frost

    Birmingham Museum of Art - Inside museum shop

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    Inside museum shop

    Negro Southern League Museum - The greatest to ever do it

    Negro Southern League Museum

    4.9(21 reviews)
    0.4 mi

    This is one of those "Must See" places, if you care anything about the preservation of history…read more Just like most things in America, there was a division in sports between Black people and Caucasian people, which required Black people to create their avenue for baseball. This museum gives a historical account of how Negroes formed their own league in the South and how great they were at playing professionally with very little resources. I was invited to the Negro Southern League Museum's annual celebration as a guest. What a wonderful and heartfelt event. I had the opportunity to meet and admire some of the local players that played in Major League Baseball along with some of Birmingham's public and civic leaders. Although, I've toured the museum before, it was still amazing to see the old uniforms, read about the history of Negroes in baseball and how great they were at a time when they were not being recognized for their greatness! Yes, it was a struggle, but as history has taught us "Greatness" is usually born out of struggle. So, visit the museum, take your family and friends. Most of all take the children, they deserve to learn about how "Greatness" can be born out of struggle. I will continue to go back each year to celebrate America's history of Negroes in baseball.

    A friend told me about this museum because she knows I like baseball. I played baseball growing up…read moreand follow baseball now. But my knowledge of Negro League baseball is very limited. I learned quite a bit in my short visit to this museum. The museum host was very welcoming and informative. After explaining the layout and providing an overview, he left me to explore and take in the exhibits undisturbed. Admission is free. I left a donation to support. There's also a small selection of merch for sale.

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    Negro Southern League Museum - Side

    Side

    Negro Southern League Museum
    Negro Southern League Museum

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    Sloss Furnaces

    Sloss Furnaces

    4.6(100 reviews)
    1.2 mi

    I wish I could share more about this place, but unfortunately it was closed on Monday -- the only…read moreday we were in Birmingham. Since we couldn't go inside, I decided to walk across the nearby bridge to at least get a view from a distance. When it's closed, there really isn't a way to get much closer, so you're limited to exterior views only. From the photos and reviews others have posted, it looks like a really cool and educational spot, especially if you're interested in industrial history. It seems like the tours give you a great glimpse into what factory life looked like back when it was one of the biggest steel suppliers in the U.S. Knowing it operated for around 90 years before shutting down in 1971 makes it even more fascinating. Even though I didn't get the full experience, the scale of the structures and the history behind the site were still impressive from afar. I'd definitely plan to return on a day they're open to properly explore it -- it looks like a unique and worthwhile stop if you're in town.

    I enjoyed my recent visit to Sloss Furnaces (04/19/25). Although I wasn't here very long, I…read moreappreciated the beauty of this historical landmark. A group that I am involved with , the bham babes had their annual picnic here. The grounds are well managed and the sculptures I saw were amazing! I highly recommend planning a visit here. Per their website, they offer guided tours Tues-Sat 10:30-2:00. I definitely plan on returning to learn more about the history of Birmingham, Al.

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    Sloss Furnaces
    Sloss Furnaces - Ty is the kind of guide every historic site needs--passionate, knowledgeable, and full of stories that make the past come alive.

    Ty is the kind of guide every historic site needs--passionate, knowledgeable, and full of stories that make the past come alive.

    Sloss Furnaces

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    Birmingham Botanical Gardens - Cherry blossoms

    Birmingham Botanical Gardens

    4.7(147 reviews)
    2.5 mi

    The main point of our trip to Birmingham was to see an exhibit at the art museum. However, we are…read moreearly rises (especially with the 1-hour time difference from home), so we had some time in the morning to fill. My wife determined that the local botanical garden opened by 7 a.m. (!) and was also free, so we opted to stop here before the museum opened later at 10 a.m. We made it here by around 7:30 a.m. A word of caution - the highway interchange nearby was nightmarish. We missed 2 turns (even with a navigation app running). I don't think it was just me. So be careful and add a few extra minutes to get lost. Once finally off they highway and through the final roundabout, we proceeded along a road bordering the gardens. On the other side appeared to be an expensive hotel and an upscale shopping / dining plaza. The garden was having some sort of plant sale, and crowds were apparently expected. They had traffic control cones in place, but we arrived early enough so that parking was still plentiful. When we left, it seemed like the lot had mostly filled up. The gardens are quite large. They are divided up into sub-areas and there is a large map posted about 100 yards inside the main gate. No paper maps were on offer, so I guess you can take a photo of theirs and use that. We first strolled to the Japanese Garden. We had this to ourselves until almost when we left. This area is quite large by itself. They have koi ponds, a tea house, etc. It was nice. We took an alternate path back to the map pavilion. From there, we explored other areas (mostly dedicated to specific flowers). Some of the terrain is hilly. We routed through the vegetable garden and eventually ended up back at the central formal rose garden. This was being watered periodically that morning and some of the brick paths in it were flooded. They seemed to have some satellite restrooms in remote areas, in addition to the main set near the gate. We spent almost 2 hours here and probably could have spent even more time, but we wanted to drive to our prime stop. If you have any interest in botanical gardens, this is a very worthwhile stop.

    One of the first things I appreciated was free parking and free entrance, which is always an…read moreattractive feature. From there, it just kept getting better. You can easily spend hours exploring the many trails that wind through beautiful flowers and plants, the serene Japanese Gardens, and even an active beehive community--which was my favorite part! We were on a bit of a time limit and didn't get to walk the entire property, but we still managed to spend about two hours covering roughly three miles, and it never felt rushed. While it's still a little early in spring for everything to be in full bloom, there were still plenty of gorgeous floral displays to enjoy. Some of the trail directions can be a bit confusing at times, and we did end up wandering off course once or twice. That said, it was never difficult to find our way back to the main trail and continue exploring. If you're looking for a place to meander, slow down, and truly enjoy nature, this is absolutely the place to do it. A peaceful and rewarding experience overall.

    Photos
    Birmingham Botanical Gardens - Iceland poppy

    Iceland poppy

    Birmingham Botanical Gardens - Roses

    Roses

    Birmingham Botanical Gardens - Fall at the Gardens - many pumpkin offerings

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    Fall at the Gardens - many pumpkin offerings

    McWane Science Center - museums - Updated May 2026

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