ing, restoring and operating historically significant railway equipment. And of course, there are train rides! The museum also has several special events during the year. www. hodrrm.org.
ALABAMA SPLASH ADVENTURE AMUSEMENT PARK & SPLASH ADVENTURE WATER PARK
MCWANE SCIENCE CENTER This science museum is complete with an aquarium, 280seat IMAX Dome Theater and so much more! The museum features special events, permanent exhibits and traveling exhibits. www.mcwane.org. MOSS ROCK PRESERVE Right in the city of Hoover is Moss Rock Preserve, a 349-acre nature preserve that offers 12 miles of hiking trails along with waterfalls, wildlife, natural forests and much more. The preserve has a boulder field for climbers of all skill levels. There are hiking trail maps available. www.hooveral. org/214/moss-rock-preserve.
SOUTHERN MUSEUM OF FLIGHT The museum, now located near the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, will move to a new 24-acre location next to Barber Motorsports Museum in early 2020. The museum is home to more than 100 different aircraft, flight artifacts, authentic fighter planes, photography and unique engines. There are lots of special events for enthusiasts of all ages. www. southernmuseumofflight.org.
BIRMINGHAM ZOO
OAK MOUNTAIN STATE PARK Alabama’s largest state park is atop Double Oak Mountain in Shelby County. It has one of the widest varieties of outdoor activities of any state park, offering mountain biking, hiking, a BMX course, boat rentals, basketball courts, nature programs, Peavine Falls, an interpretive center, a golf course/driving range, swimming area, fishing lakes picnic areas, horseback riding facilities, a demonstration farm and more. www.alapark.com/ oak-mountain-state-park.
RUFFNER MOUNTAIN NATURE PRESERVE This privately-held, 1,040-acre urban nature preserve is located in east Jefferson County. It’s a favorite for bird watchers, hikers with trails ranging from easy to difficult, and nature lovers. It boasts a visitor center with programming and native Alabama animals. Ruffner was mined for iron ore from the late 19th century through the 1950s, and is a living history site for that industry. https:// ruffnermountain.org.
in the country. Vulcan was cast from local iron in 1904 by Italian artist Giuseppe Moretti, and the statue has overlooked Birmingham from atop Red Mountain since the 1930s. The beautiful 10-acre educational park includes a museum, walking trails and much more. Visitvulcan.com. VULCAN PARK & MUSEUM
TANNEHILL IRONWORKS HISTORICAL STATE PARK With 1,500 acres in west Jefferson County, Tannehill offers hiking, camping and outdoor recreation. The park has many events throughout the year, with craftspeople demonstrating their trades, along with special holiday events. Tannehill features a working cotton gin, pioneer farm and gristmill. www.tannehill.org. VULCAN PARK & MUSEUM Vulcan is the world’s largest cast iron statue and is considered one of the most memorable works of civic art birminghamparent.com | 15