Protective StadiumBirmingham, Alabama

Home to the world's largest cast iron statue and incredible views of the city.

💡 The best place to see the entire Birmingham skyline and learn about its industrial history.

A Smithsonian-affiliate museum immersing visitors in the history of the 1963 Birmingham civil rights campaign through powerful multimedia exhibits, situated in the heart of the Civil Rights District alongside Kelly Ingram Park and the 16th Street Baptist Church.

💡 Admission $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and students. Open Tue–Sat 10 AM–5 PM; last admission at 4 PM. Closed Sun–Mon. Walk next door to Kelly Ingram Park (free) and the 16th Street Baptist Church for a fuller Civil Rights District experience. Note: the institute reopened May 27, 2026 following a brief HVAC repair closure — confirm current status at bcri.org before visiting.

A massive 32-acre blast furnace complex that operated from 1882 to 1971, now the only preserved pig-iron furnace in the United States open to the public, offering free self-guided walks through towering industrial machinery.

💡 Self-guided tours are free; guided tours are offered Tue–Sat at 10:30 AM and 2 PM for a small fee. Open Tue–Sat 10 AM–4 PM, Sun noon–4 PM, closed Mon. The scale of the furnaces is best appreciated in person — bring a camera.

A four-acre historic park at the epicenter of the 1963 Birmingham civil rights demonstrations, featuring striking bronze sculptures depicting moments of protest and confrontation, including the Four Spirits statue honoring the girls killed in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing.

💡 Open daily dawn to dusk; free admission. The park pairs naturally with the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute directly across the street. Allow 20–30 minutes to walk the sculpture Freedom Walk trail at a reflective pace. The BCRI offers free audio-tour guides for the park.