Day 5: Birmingham, Alabama

Spend a day with the animals at the Birmingham Zoo. Or, if you’d rather see more of the history of Birmingham, visit Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark. After you visit Sloss Furnaces, you may want to have some fun with science at the McWane Science Center.

Birmingham Zoo 2630 Cahaba Rd., Birmingham, AL (205) 879-0409 or www.birminghamzoo.com. The Birmingham Zoo is Alabama's most popular not-for-profit attraction, drawing more than 450,000 visitors annually. Approximately 750 animals of 250 species call the Birmingham Zoo home, including sea lions, cheetahs and endangered species from six continents. Also features the Junior League of Birmingham - Hugh Kaul Children's Zoo. Open year round from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Sunday. Closed Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day. Special group and school group rates are available.

Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark
20 32nd St. N (205) 324-1911 or www.slossfurnaces.com (free)
This is a 32-acre blast furnace plant where iron was made for nearly 100 years. Now it’s a museum of history and industry and a center for creation and exhibition of metal art.

McWane Science Center and IMAX Theater 200 19th St. N., Birmingham, AL (205) 714-8300, (877) 4-MCWANE or www.mcwane.org. Adventures in science surround you at McWane Science Center. Experience the wonders of our world in action through imaginative, hands-on activities. Explore interactive science exhibits, aquariums, laboratories, fossil and artifact collections and a 5-story tall IMAX Dome Theater. Open every day except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Day and Easter Sunday.

Places to stay in Birmingham, Alabama:

Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort and Spa
4000 Grand Avenue
Birmingham, Alabama 35226
(205) 916-7677 or (800) 593-6419
Rates: From $169

The Embassy Suites
2300 Woodcrest Place
Birmingham, AL 35209
(205) 879-7400 or (800) 362-2779
Rates: From $129

The Tutwiler - A Wyndham Historic Hotel
2021 Park Place North
Birmingham, AL 35203
(205) 322-2100
Rates: From $87

The Baymont Inn and Suites
513 Cahaba Park Circle
Birmingham, AL 35242
(205) 995-9990
Rates: From $53