Plumbing 24

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.

History and nature intertwine at Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park. The park is of particular interest to history buffs as it was where the Confederate Army replenished its iron supply during the Civil War. The attraction is also significant because of the attack of the Confederate forces on March 31, 1865 that destroyed the workers' cabins when they were all set on fire. Today, the park is a drastically calmer place that offers hiking trails, horseback riding, picnic areas, and various camping sites that feature log cabins.

As far back as 1882, Birmingham's Sloss Furnaces produced iron which was a key factor in the establishment and development of the city of Birmingham. The furnaces produced iron for more than 90 years, and that industrial past is now preserved at the Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark. When you experience a tour of this remarkable facility, you will be struck by the intricate web of pipes and tall smokestacks constructed. Your guide will give you details on how it all worked, and how the eventual production of iron not only shaped the future of Birmingham, but of the whole country as well.