Spring Break 2013: Events, attractions, sites & more

Spring break is next week for some of us in Alabama and later for others. I've gathered up some sites for you to check out that will help you pick out events, attractions and more to entertain the kids. Take the kids on day trips -- exploring Alabama and pack lots of snacks and sandwiches so the only out of pocket expense is gas and possibly park admission.

Let's get started:

AlaPark.com

-- This is a site featuring all state parks in Alabama including their admission, hours and events calendar.  Click on the What To Do tab to find out about events and more.  Go here to get started:

Alabama Tourism Department --

This site is a comprehensive list of events and attractions across the state from the mountains to the gulf.  Click on the Festival & Event Calendar tab at the top of the page.  Select the date on the calendar and submit, then check out the list of events across the state.  Go here to get started:

Birmingham365.org -

This is an excellent and comprehensive source of events, attractions and more from Birmingham and surrounding areas.  Includes library listings, plays, arts, free events, festivals and more. Go here:

Family Days Out -

This site is a massive list of attractions and destinations for each state.  Pick Alabama or the state you'll be visiting, then choose from an alphabetical listing of all family friendly attractions.  Go here to get started:

Fresh Air Family --

This site offers free and cheap outdoor activity listings that are all nature and education oriented. They do required registration, which is free.  Go here to get started:

Alabama Civil War Trail Features 47 Low Cost Sites + Free Map

Go

for more details. (Mobile users will need to acces this from a desktop)

Birmingham Museum of Art free spring break activities

Go here to see their full calendar:

They will have events for 2 weeks.

Montgomery Museum of Art f

amily art days.

details.

BIRMINGHAM ZOO --

No discounts

They do have a new Dinosaur exhibit which is an additional charge.

Montgomery Zoo

They do offer military discounts.  Go here for details

Mobile Zoo

hours and admission.

BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS --

Cherry Blossom Festival

presented by Japan America Society of Alabama

Saturday, March 16 | 11 - 4 p.m.

Japan America Society of Alabama’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival and viewing will feature Japanese-themed performances, demonstrations and exhibits. This event is free and open to the public. Go here:

HUNTSVILLE SPACE AND ROCKET CENTER -

-

Save on admission by joining the Southern Museum of Flight for $45 for the entire family.

They have a reciprocal relationship with the center so you'll get in free!


Southern Museum of Flight membership

Montgomery - 
This could be a great time to take the kids to see the capitol, archives, Little White House of Confederacy, Old Alabama Town and more.
Go here to see a complete list of attractions and options for educational entertainment.


You might surprise yourself by learning something. 
Most of the government attractions are free.

Old Alabama Town is not. 
Here's their info:
Hours and Admission

Hours: Old Alabama Town is open Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Our last ticket is sold at 3 p.m. We're closed on Sundays, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

Admission: Adults, $10; Children ages 6-18, $5. Free to ages 5 and younger. A 10 percent discount is offered to AAA, military and seniors.

Covered Bridges of Alabama-
NOCCALULA FALLS - GADSDEN 
It's free to see the falls.  
They do charge admission for the park area:
Go here for more information.
TANNEHILL IRONWORKS - 
Rich in Civil War history, camping, hiking and more it's a fun little spot south of Birmingham.
Admission is $3 for adults.
Horseshoe Bend Military Park -- Go here
Cullman -- Ava Maria Grotto -- Open daily -- miniature Jerusalem.  Go here. Adults $7 kids $4.50 (6 and under are free)


Decatur - Pest Control Insect Museum -- great for kids.  Go here. 



Ruffner Mountain Nature Center in East Lake -- They've got several spring break camp options available plus a number of free events starting this week.  Go here 

 

Moundville in Tuscaloosa 
explore Native American culture and more each day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Go here to learn more about their programs and Saturdays in the park. 
Alabama Museum of Natural History -- Tuscaloosa
Admission is $2 to $3

Anniston Museum of Natural History 
Go here: http://www.annistonmuseum.org/
  Adult/$6
 Senior Citizen (age 60+)/$5.50
 Child(4–17)/$5 & ages 3 & under/free

This is a fun museum to explore.
They will have special spring break programs the week of March 27 & 28. They are open T
uesday–Saturday, 10am–5 p.m. Sunday 1–5 p.m.
This is a reciprocal museum with McWane and Southern Museum of Flight. 
TALLADEGA MOTOR SPEEDWAY HALL OF FAME MUSEUM 
Admission: $12 for adults, $5 for kids age 6-12 and free for kids age 5 and younger.
Hours:  Open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 7 days a week with the exception of major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Easter). Extended summer hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 7 days a week
GO HERE.



ALABAMA SPORTS HALL OF FAME 

Go here.

Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
Admissions:
$5 Adults
$4 Senior Citizens
(60 and over)

$3 Students
$14 Families 
DeSoto Caverns -- order your tickets online and save $1 per ticket:
Prices will vary by the package you choose.  Go here to check it out: http://www.gatemastertickets.com/desotocaverns/categories.aspx

Vulcan Park is also another option.

Go here to learn more about their coming events.

Daily Admission Rates (plus tax) 10 am - 6 pm:
(Includes park grounds, Vulcan Center Museum and Observation Balcony)
$6 Adults 
$5 Seniors (65+) 
$4 Children ages 5-12 
Children 4 years and under are admitted free.

 

Helen Keller Birthplace in Tuscumbia, AL. 

Go here for directions, description and more.

They also have some great kids games and information for you to share with your kids before you get there.

Address:
300 North Commons Street, West
Tuscumbia, Alabama  35674
(256) 383-4066 

Hours:

Monday through Saturday 8:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

Last tour starts at 3:45 p.m. daily


Home Tour Admission:
Adults..........................................$6.00
Students ages 5 -18..................$2.00
Seniors & "AAA" members......$5.00
Military (Active and Retired).....$5.00
Group of 20 or more..................Adults $5 & Children $1.50 (Group reservations requested)

American Village in Montevallo -

Go here for directions, hours and admission.

 Mondays - Fridays from 10-4 PM


Bellingrath Gardens - Mobile 
Go here


USS ALABAMA -- MOBILE 
Go here




Berman Museum of History in Anniston - 
Go here.



Turkey Creek Nature Preserve in Pinson -- Hiking.
http://www.freshwaterlandtrust.org/where-were-working
/turkey-creek

Alabama Veterans Memorial off I-459
http://www.alabamaveterans.com/HTML/memorialframes.htm


Birmingham Civil Rights Museum
 is free on Sundays only from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Go here: http://www.bcri.org/index.html


Arlington Antebellum Home is open Tuesday through Saturday. 
$5 for adults and $3 for kids 18 and under.
http://www.informationbirmingham.com/arlington/index.htm


Also -- Natural Bridge Alabama - $3 or less for park entrance. 
County Rd 314
Natural Bridge, AL 35577
(205) 486-5330

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