Birmingham, AL

McWane Science Center
DESCRIPTION: Combines two institutions of the recent past, Discovery Place and Red Mountain Museum, to create a stimulating interactive science museum and a depository of natural artifacts for collection and interpretive display; opened in a renovated department store, it houses Rushton Science Theater and scientific equipment presented in an edutainment context, including the Collections Center of butterflies, rocks, shells with computer and microscope stations for interactivity; the onsite IMAX theater also draws crowds as more popular movies get the IMAX treatment

ADMISSION:pricing begins at $11 ages 13-64, $8 ages 2-12 and 65+; age 1 enters free; added or separate fee for IMAX

PARKING: $5 on the science center parking deck

DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 9a-5p, Sat 10a-6p, Sun Noon-6p

ADDRESS: 200 19th Street North  MAP

PHONE: 205-714-8300

WEBSITE: http://www.mcwane.org

Birmingham Zoo
DESCRIPTION: More than 700 animals cavort in various exhibits; although the Alligator Swamp, Aviary and children’s train are notable, the Africa Savannah will purchase your affinity with naturalistic settings for giraffes, gazelles, and ostriches and other wild ranging animals; the carousel is always a hit with youngsters; food concessions and gift shop are available; the zoo is expanding

ADMISSION: $9 adults, $5 ages 2-12 and 65+; carousel ride $2.50

PARKING: free onside

DAYS & HOURS: daily 9a-5p

ADDRESS: 2630 Cahaba Road  MAP

PHONE: 205-879-0408

WEBSITE: http://www.birminghamzoo.com

Southern Museum of Flight
DESCRIPTION: Military, civilian and home-built aircraft from old to recent times are on display; includes a Wright Flyer replica, a Fokker VII, A-12 Blackbird, a Huey UH-1 helicopter, a F-4 Phantom jet fighter and two US Air Force fighter jet cockpit simulators; an eleven-foot model of the WW II aircraft carrier USS Enterprise is the centerpiece of the Model Gallery; airplane models are displayed in the surrounding cases and remote-controlled planes "fly" suspended from above – sure to keep the kids attention; Alabama Aviation's Hall of Fame includes Tuskegee Airmen, such as Benjamin O. Davis; disability accessible

ADMISSION: Adults $5; Seniors $4

PARKING: free onsite

DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Sat 9:30a-4:30p
, Sun 1p-4:30p

ADDRESS: 4343 73rd Street North  MAP

PHONE: 205-833-8226

WEBSITE: http://www.southernmuseumofflight.org

Birmingham Children’s Theatre
DESCRIPTION: Established in 1947, to provide professional theatrical entertainment for children throughout Alabama; features a range of productions that target specific age groups

ADMISSION: $50 per adult for performances, sometimes lower

PARKING: varies by venue they perform in

DAYS & HOURS: varies by performance

ADDRESS: 2130 Richard Arrington Blvd  MAP

PHONE: 205-458-8181

WEBSITE: http://www.bct123.org

Peanut Depot
DESCRIPTION: Guess what we did in Birmingham – visit a peanut roasting company; okay, after the laughs stop, you remember how good the fresh roasted peanuts tasted, presented with all the charm of its original hundred year old building; sometimes small places like this make you yearn for a return visit -- to feel like a nut; open since 1907, the unique building on historic Morris Avenue provides a glimpse into Alabama life at the turn of the 20th century

ADMISSION: free, but you won't want leave without buying nuts

DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 8a-530p, Sat 9a-1p

ADDRESS: 2016 Morris Ave  MAP

PHONE: 205-251-3314

WEBSITE: http://www.peanutdepot.com

Bessemer, AL

Alabama Adventure
DESCRIPTION: Mostly a water park, but its expansive 300-acres of rolling terrain includes a rollercoaster, and other theme rides; compared to major national parks, the prices are lower

ADMISSION: $35 per day

DAYS & HOURS: April 30 through Summer

ADDRESS: 5051 Prince Street  MAP

PHONE: 205-481-4750

WEBSITE: http://www.alabamaadventure.com

Tuscaloosa, AL

Alabama Museum of Natural History
DESCRIPTION: Experience the natural diversity of Alabama through exhibits from the Age of Dinosaurs, the Coal Age and the Ice Age; collections of geology, zoology, mineralogy, paleontology and ethnology abound; in a rarity, see the Hodges meteorite, the only meteorite known to have struck a human

ADMISSION: $2

DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Sat 10a-4:30p

ADDRESS: Sixth Ave & Capstone Drive in Smith Hall, University of Alabama  MAP

PHONE: 205-348-7550

WEBSITE: http://www.ua.edu/academic/museums/history

Children’s Hands-On Museum
DESCRIPTION: The permanent exhibits are designed to stimulate children’s curiosity about their community and their place in it; exhibits include a Choctaw Indian Village; a bank, a print shop, a hospital; and a planetarium; a developmental center for preschoolers, called Beavers’ Bend, is popular as well

ADMISSION: $6 per person, children under age 1 enter FREE

DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 9a-5p, Sat 10p-4p

ADDRESS: 2213 University Blvd  MAP

PHONE: 205-349-4235

WEBSITE: http://www.chomonline.org