Jazz is truly America's music. Some of the most iconic musical entities have their inextricable link to American popular culture. That is what is celebrated at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. Learn more about the lives and music of such performers as Nat King Cole, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and more. Several multimedia exhibits are presented, as well as various programs and classes designed to bring the art and appreciation of jazz to music lovers of all ages. The museum is located inside the historic Carver Theatre.
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 stories, the struggles and the triumphs of the people who lived through the era of segregation in Birmingham are all respectfully remembered at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. The galleries in this impressive facility are filled with multimedia exhibits and attractions that vividly tell the story of the Civil Rights Movement both in Birmingham and other cities. This museum is also a research facility that focuses on human rights issues and presents various programs and seminars on a regular basis.
The sweeping brush strokes that adorn some of the world's most amazing paintings and the details that give a deep dimension to the mesmerizing sculptures on display are just two fine examples of the incredible work that is housed at the Birmingham Museum of Fine Art. The facility proudly features one of the most extensive collections in the southeast. When you walk in, you'll be struck by the incredible range of artistic expression that is represented by the more than 24,000 objects. Learn about Asian, European, African, pre-Columbian and Native American traditions by taking in each group's respective artistic expressions rendered in a variety of mediums.
The many aspects of science come to life in a truly fun and interactive way at Birmingham's McWane Science Center. Plenty of interactive exhibits encourage visitors to reach out and touch while offering a close-up view of some of the world's most fascinating scientific principles. The museum houses an amazing collection of dinosaur fossils, an aquarium filled with colorful fish, and a multi-tiered playground. And don't forget to check out a science-themed or Hollywood hit feature at the center's IMAX theater.
The dream of flight is something that is almost as old as history itself. Learn about some of man's earliest attempts to become airborne at Birmingham's Southern Museum of Flight. See vintage aircraft, classic instruments, flight gear and more when you go from exhibit to exhibit in this fascinating venue. The many stories of southern aviation are preserved and investigated through the many interesting and creative exhibits that allow history to take flight for every visitor who passes through this entertaining museum.