The beautiful city of Birmingham is home to a wealth of unique and historic spaces that serve our community with their many activity opportunities, from exotic zoos to shopping malls and expansive parks. First up on ADA’s Birmingham Building Series features are the Riverchase Galleria, the Birmingham Zoo, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, as well as one of the area’s most famous parks.
Riverchase Galleria
The Riverchase Galleria, also called The Galleria, is the largest enclosed shopping center in Alabama with 150 stores and restaurants for patrons to visit. The space opened in 1986, developed by Jim Wilson & Associates. One of the original anchor stores, the Birmingham-based chain Parisian, was designed by ADA when it was still known as Cobb/Adams/Benton, Architects. It is located in Hoover, Alabama, and is currently anchored by four department stores: JCPenney, Belk, Macy's and Von Maur. The center also includes a 15-story Hyatt Regency hotel, a Costco and a Dave & Buster’s. A unique feature of the center is the shopping mall’s full-size, authentic 19th century Dentzel Carousel. In 2009, LEGO brought the first LEGO Brand Retail store in Alabama to the mall. A $60 million renovation, approved in 2011, was completed in 2013.
Birmingham Zoo
The Birmingham Zoo officially opened in 1955, although it began with an assortment of exotic animals that were originally kept in a firehouse. As the number of animals grew, the zoo expanded to Avondale Park until city leaders decided a larger, newer space was needed to host the steadily growing collection of animals. They arranged for a zoo commission to plan the space, and it was decided that the new zoo would be built on a 50 acre parcel of land located on the southern end of Red Mountain. In 1999, the zoo became an independent not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) organization. Following its privatization, the Birmingham Zoo became accredited with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), placing it in the top 10% of animal holding facilities in the country. One of the zoo’s most notable attractions is its Trails of Africa exhibit, a nationally recognized exhibit and economic growth hub that features an elephant herd of exclusively male African elephants. It also includes “ground and aerial observation opportunities that provide education and entertainment to hundreds of thousands of visitors who can enjoy this one-of-a-kind experience” (Birmingham Zoo, “About”).
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Another favorite local attraction, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens is a 67.5 acre botanical garden located next to Lane Park. It is open year-round from sunrise to sunset and sees around 350,000 guests annually. Admission is free, and the Gardens often host special events, including educational and environmental workshops for the community, as well as plant sales and summer camps for children. It is Alabama's largest living museum and features the only public horticultural library in the U.S. The Gardens give back to the local community in various ways, including its Plant Adventures programs offered free for people of all abilities, and the Bruno Vegetable Garden that feeds Birmingham area residents in need through the Gardens' "Harvest for the Hungry" program. Visitors can also enjoy the Gardens’ miles of jogging and walking trails.
The Vulcan Park and Museum
The famous Vulcan statue represents Birmingham, Alabama’s roots in the iron and steel industries. It was commissioned as Birmingham's entry for the 1904 World’s Fair, and since the 1930s it has sat atop Red Mountain overlooking the city. In 1999, the statue was taken down for repair and the surrounding 10-acre park was closed. A nonprofit organization, the Vulcan Park Foundation, was created in order to help restore the monument to its original state, and they also “created a dynamic educational park complex interpreting Alabama’s rich industrial history for both residents and visitors from across the globe” (Vulcan Park & Museum, “About”). Today, visitors can take tours of the observation tower and explore the park grounds, as well as participate in the park’s various exhibits and workshops held throughout the year.
With so many unique opportunities and outdoor activities to explore in Birmingham, you would be hard pressed to find yourself without plans this weekend. Whether you’re from the city or from the neighboring towns and areas, Birmingham is proud to welcome you to see what the city has to offer.
References
Birmingham Botanical Gardens. (n.d.). About. Retrieved from https://bbgardens.org/.
Birmingham Zoo. (n.d.). About. Retrieved from https://www.birminghamzoo.com/.
Vulcan Park and Museum. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://visitvulcan.com/.
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Riverchase Galleria. Retrieved from