Several annual, family-friendly festivals take place in Birmingham where families can have fun. In April, you can participate in the Hand in Paw's "Mutt Strut: Dog Friendly 5k & 1 Mile Fun Run" or attend "Earthbound's Earthfest," a free outdoor concert that features performances by local artists and activities for children. In the "Gardendale Magnolia Festival" in April your family can enjoy a large carnival, food, live entertainment, entertainment, vendors, a dog parade, an antique car sho, and free children's art classes. Free and open to the public, the "Village Art Festival" in May is a two-day event that features an artists' market and children's activities. Also in May, "Do Dah Day," Birmingham's oldest event, is a family- and pet-friendly music festival.
Two parks in one, Alabama Adventure Water and Theme Park (alabamaadventure.com) features rides and special events. Have fun riding the bumper cars, giant ferris wheel, carousel, pirate ship, roller coaster and other rides in the theme park. Glide down the lazy river, slide down different water slides, cool off in the play area with pumps, geysers and buckets or swim and play in the white sandy beach in the water park. Watch theater shows and in July, attend Alabama Adventure's annual barbecue competition.
Museums in Birmingham offer fun learning experiences. Take your family to the Vulcan Park and Museum (visitvulcan.com), home to Vulcan, the world's largest cast iron statue. The park and museum hosts the "Spring Walking Tour Series" in March, April and May, where you can learn about Birmingham's neighborhoods and districts in what's described as a "fun" and "invigorating" experience. Adjacent to the Talladega Superspeedway (talladegasuperspeedway.com) is the International Motorsports Hall of Fame and Museum (motorsportshalloffame.com). Your family can marvel at the collection of racing vehicles and memorabilia. The museum houses the Budweiser Rocket car, a Ford Talladega Torino and the 1985 Ford Thunderbird that, as of April 2011, holds the world record for the fastest 500-mile race ever run.
Aside from different recreation facilities, Birmingham is home to a nature center and botanical garden where families can have fun outdoors. The Ruffner Mountain Nature Center's (ruffnermountain.org) family events include "Frogs for Families," where you can bring a flashlight and record frogs on an evening trip to the wetlands; and "Full Pink Moon Hike," a monthly, pet-friendly, three-mile hike to Hawk's View Overlook allows you to view the city lights under the moonlight while enjoy a snack and drink. See more than 10,000 different plants in more than 25 thematic gardens in the 67.5-acre Birmingham Botanical Gardens (bbgardens.org). The garden hosts the family friendly events, "HollyDay Magic" and "Earth Day in The Gardens," an outdoor event that features educational activities for kids and families.
