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Experience Birmingham - The Historic Highlights

43 Reviews 4.72 out of 5 stars Based on 43 reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 95% of reviewers |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Birmingham, USA
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 20 (0) days in advance.

3 to 4 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

Overview

Discover Birmingham’s story of iron, fire, and civil rights on a half-day tour of the city’s most iconic landmarks and hidden gems.

See the best of the Magic City in just half a day. This guided 3–4 hour driving tour blends Birmingham’s most iconic landmarks with hidden gems only locals know.

Begin at Vulcan Park, home to the world’s largest cast-iron statue, then explore the city’s early days at Arlington House, Birmingham’s only remaining plantation home. Discover the cultural heart of downtown with the Alabama and Lyric Theatres, and stand in the Civil Rights District at 16th Street Baptist Church and Kelly Ingram Park, where pivotal moments of history unfolded.

Along the way, enjoy stories of iron and industry, sports legends at Rickwood Field, and Southern flavors from tucked-away food stops. The tour is flexible, with time to tailor stops to your interests — from civil rights to architecture, sports, or local cuisine.

What's Included

  • Snacks This tour includes a stop at the Alabama Peanut Company, with complementary tastings of freshly roasted and boiled peanuts. We also provide Local potato chips for those who might have allergies.
  • Bottled water We always carry premium, ice chilled bottles of water for our guests
  • All Fees and Taxes
    See 1 more

    Meeting and Pickup

    Pickup point
    Pickup details

    We will pick up from any downtown area Birmingham, hotel or B&B

    OR
    Meeting point

    1701 Valley View Drive
    Birmingham, AL 35209, USA

    Show on Google Maps

    Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

    End point

    This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

    What To Expect

    Book Online

    Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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    Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free

    Heaviest Corner on Earth

    The Heaviest Corner on Earth is a promotional name given to the corner of 20th Street and 1st Avenue North in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, in the early 20th century. The name reflected the nearly simultaneous appearance of four of the tallest buildings in the South, the 10-story Woodward Building (1902), 16-story Brown Marx Building (1906), 16-story Empire Building (1909), and the 21-story American Trust and Savings Bank Building (1912).
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    10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

    Morris Avenue

    Our best preserved Victorian district...gaslights, cobblestones and all
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    20 minutes Admission Ticket Free

    Alabama Peanut Company

    We will stop by the best preserved Victorian District in the city and grab a bag of peanuts roasted in a building that has it's own mysterious history.
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    5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

    Five Points South (pass by)

    We pass through this ever evolving area (and the center of Birmingham's Foodie revolution) and discuss how our city is becoming a MAJOR food destination
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    5 Points South Fountain - The Storyteller by Frank Fleming (pass by)

    This is an intriguing (and controversial) artwork
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    Vulcan Park and Museum

    We will see the largest Cast Iron statue in the world, get a great view of the city and learn about the moon that never sets
    Read more

    30 minutes Admission Ticket Included

    Arlington Antebellum Home and Gardens

    Our only remaining Southern Plantation House
    Read more

    45 minutes Admission Ticket Included

    Rickwood Field Park (pass by)

    The Oldest Ballpark in America - home to both White and Negro League teams and site of several movie locationsCurrently undergoing renovations for a major League game in 2024 and closed to visitors
    Read more

    Civil Rights District (pass by)

    This area is the center of the Civil Rights Struggle that defined Birmingham in the 60's (and continues to do so even today)
    Read more

    16th Street Baptist Church

    The very moving site of the bombing that slaughtered 4 children and cemented the Civil Rights Act of 1964
    Read more

    30 minutes Admission Ticket Included

    Show 9 more stops

    Additional Info

    • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
    • Service animals allowed
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 3 travelers

    Frequently Asked Questions (8)

    Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Experience Birmingham – The Historic Highlights?

    A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CST). Read more Apr 2025

    Cancellation Policy

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

    Still have questions?

    We're here to help.
    Activity code: C-86381P6

    Traveler Photos

    Reviews

    4.72
    43 reviews

    Average 4.72 out of 5 stars based on 43 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

    5 stars
    35
    4 stars
    6
    3 stars
    1
    2 stars
    0
    1 star
    1
    Don't miss out!
    On average, this is booked 20 (0) days in advance.

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    What's Included

    Activity name

    • SnacksThis tour includes a stop at the Alabama Peanut Company, with complementary tastings of freshly roasted and boiled peanuts. We also provide Local potato chips for those who might have allergies.
    • Bottled waterWe always carry premium, ice chilled bottles of water for our guests
    • All Fees and Taxes
    • Air-conditioned vehicle

    Additional Info

    Activity name

    • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
    • Service animals allowed
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 3 travelers

    Report Product Issue

    Activity name