5 Birmingham museums to offer free admission on Museum Day, including McWane Science Center, on Saturday, September 22
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From art to science to fire engines, Birmingham is home to an incredible list of museums. Plan a visit on Museum Day happening Sat., Sept. 22 and get you and a friend in free!
The Details
Museum Day is an annual celebration hosted by Smithsonian Magazine. During this one-day event, participating museums and cultural institutes across the country will provide free entry to anyone presenting a Museum Day ticket.
A free day at a museum? Count me in! But it gets better.
Each Museum Day ticket provides free admission for two people. Yep, two! So grab a friend and head to one of the participating museums (listed below) for a culture-rich and fun-filled Saturday.
Participating Museums and Cultural Institutions
This year, five local Birmingham museums will be participating in Museum Day. Here’s a look at each:
1. Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
Birmingham’s Civil Rights Movement is a dark time in our nation that is filled with strong emotions. When you visit the Civil Rights Institute, you will step back in time as you stand among life-size scenes of historical events and encounters of this important movement. It may be an emotional journey, but it’s truly worth it.
Find it at 520 16th St. N., Birmingham, AL 35203.
Museum Day Hours: 10am-5pm
2. Iron and Steel Museum of Alabama
Interested in Alabama’s history of iron and steel? Then head to the Iron and Steel Museum of Alabama.
Located near Tannehill’s Civil War era stone furnaces, the museum chronicles Alabama’s iron and steel industry from its very beginning to the present day.
On Museum Day, there will be many exhibits on display, including:
- Tools and technology of iron-making from the 1800s through the present day.
- Civil War artifacts.
- Archaeological artifacts from Tannehill Ironworks.
- Historic photography depicting welfare programs of the Tennessee Coal and Iron Company in the early 20th century.
Find it at 12632 Confederate Pkwy, McCalla, AL 35111.
Museum Day Hours: 10am-4pm
3. McWane Science Center
A free visit to McWane Science Center? It really can’t get better than that!
This exciting museum has been inspiring a life-long love of learning since it first opened its doors in 1998—and it has no plans of stopping!
See, hear, touch and experience all things science when you visit McWane Science Center during Museum Day.
Find it at 200 19th St. N., Birmingham, AL 35203.
Museum Day Hours: 10am-6pm
4. Vulcan Park and Museum
It’s a bird. It’s a plane. Nope, just an enormous, pants-less Vulcan statue gazing upon Birmingham from high above. You know you love him!
Vulcan is the world’s largest cast-iron statue and considered one o the most memorable works of civic art in the U.S. And Museum Day is the perfect time to visit Vulcan Park and Museum.
Check out an incredible view of Birmingham and of Vulcan’s memorable derriere, while learning the fascinating story of this statue and more!
Find it at 1701 Valley View Dr., Birmingham, AL 35209.
Museum Day Hours: 10am-6pm
5. Birmingham Museum of Art
Okay, so the BMA is always free, but it’s still worth mentioning because it’s so awesome!
The Birmingham Museum of Art is a place that sparks creativity, imagination and liveliness in Birmingham. It is also one of the finest regional art museums in the U.S.
Founded in 1951, it sits on 3.9 acres in the heart of Birmingham’s cultural district. And it is beautiful!
A stroll through the museum will lead you to a diverse collection of over 27,000 paintings, sculpture, prints, drawings and decorative arts—dating from ancient to modern times.
Find the Birmingham Museum of Art at 2000 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35203.
Museum Day Hours: 10am-5pm
Discover More in Birmingham
Want to discover even more museums around Birmingham? Be sure to check out our official guide to museums in Birmingham. It’s so spectacular, you’ll be amazed!
