David P. Kassouf, CPA

Birmingham's natural beauty, as well as the natural beauty provided by some of the most beautiful plants and flowers, shines brightly at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. You will be breathlessly enchanted by the gardens of roses, camellias, wildflowers, ferns that flourish in this truly serene and calming setting. Other highlights include a Japanese garden and teahouse as well as the largest greenhouse in the Southeast. Forget the stress of your day and come and breathe in the beauty of the floral attractions in bloom at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.

If the idea of going on an actual safari doesn't quite fit into your schedule or your budget, then a trip to the Birmingham Zoo is the next best thing. This incredible zoo features over 1,000 animals and birds all presented in their meticulously recreated habitats and attractions. In addition to giraffes, lions, monkeys and hippos, the facility features a variety of special exhibitions as well as special presentations designed especially for the kids.

The rumble of a motor is a sound that we may take for granted today, but when motorcycles first appeared, the noise attracted lots of attention in more ways than one. When you visit the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, you can travel back in time and retrace some of the most significant aspects of the history of these vehicles. The museum is the home of the world's largest motorcycle collection that now features over 1,200 vintage and modern bikes. These range in age from a motorcycle that dates back to 1902 to the current models produced this year. Also, see common street bikes as well as rare Gran Prix race machinery when you visit this highly engaging facility.

The Birmingham Festival Theatre has become synonymous with unforgettable performances. And that reputation has been duly earned, as the entertainment venue has hosted well over 200 productions that have involved more than 50 directors and nearly 1,000 actors and 500 crew people. Staggering numbers to be sure, but even more impressive is that an estimated 100,000 people have watched these various performances. If you are looking for something truly memorable, then make plans to take in a show at the Festival Theatre, where excellence is the only tradition that matters!