Good Deal Painting

Everyone knows that spring is in full swing in Birmingham when it's time for the Magic City Art Connection. This hugely popular festival was recently selected as a Top 20 Southeast Event and is held every April. Locally established artists as well as newcomers are featured along with various chefs from some of the city's most notable fine restaurants who offer delectable samples of their cuisine. Additionally, there are children's workshops in art, music, theater, and dance. It is a feast for all your senses!

See some of the earth's most amazing natural beauty from the inside out when you visit the Rickwood Caverns. Located in western Blount County, it contains some of the most massive and visually arresting underground formations in the state. If you visit during the summer, you can even go for a dip in the swimming pool and enjoy a ride on the miniature train. Year-round camping is available.

While the name may echo the classic television show Star Trek, there's nothing otherworldly about the Vulcan, the world's largest cast-iron sculpture. This visually compelling structure was created to pay tribute to the city's early iron industry. It weighs over 60 tons, stands over 55-feet-tall and was originally constructed for the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. Today the attraction stands next to an observation tower in the center of Vulcan Park that allows a somewhat closer look at this fascinating piece of history.

The theatrical tradition of drama, comedy and music is alive and well at Birmingham's Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center. This is the city's premier performance art and entertainment venue that consistently presents one must-see performance after another. Some recent guests to the center's stage include Al Pacino, Colin Quinn, and Ricky Scaggs. This is also the home of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. So don't wait—get your ticket for that upcoming show before it's sold out!