Author Sharron Mendel Swain -
When COVID hit back in March 2020, the City of Birmingham closed arts, cultural and sporting organizations across the city. Some of these have opened back up and others will soon. Keep reading for all the details.
When you’re ready to visit any of these spots, don your mask and take advantage of the hand sanitizer you’ll find at all of them. Bring your own water bottle—water fountains are switched off because germs. As you can imagine, hours are reduced so there’s time for deep cleaning.
Already reopened
1. Birmingham Botanical Gardens—reopened June 15
- Occupancy: 50% total capacity
- Reservations: 205-414-3908, 205-414-3909
- Location: 2612 Lane Park Road
- Follow: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
2. Birmingham Park and Rec—reopened June 15
- Occupancy: 50% total capacity
- Limits: Still no basketball at parks or rec centers
- These 10 rec centers are open:
- Central Park
- East Pinson Valley
- Ensley
- Fitness Center North
- Fountain Heights
- Highland Park
- Martin Luther King Jr.
- McAlpine
- Memorial Park
- Oxmoor Valley
- Reservations: 205-254-2556
- Follow: Website | Facebook
Look for a vote October 7 from the Park and Rec Board re: when and whether other rec centers will open.
3. Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark—reopened September 26
- Tours—by appointment only: self-guided and guided (docent) tours at 10AM and 2PM, Tuesday-Saturday.
- Private events max: 25 people
- Tours max: 10 people
- Gallery + gift shop: open
- Location: 20 32nd Street N, Birmingham, AL 35222
- Reservations: call 205-254-2554 to reserve your tour
- Follow: Website | Instagram | Facebook
4. Birmingham Civil Rights Institute—reopened October 1
- Hours: Thursday-Saturday 10AM-3PM, last admission at 2PM
- Admission: online timed-ticket purchases required, along with face coverings + temperature checks. Visit here for COVID policies.
- Location: 520 16th Street North, Birmingham, AL 35203
- Contact: 1-866-328-9696 or bcri@bcri.org
- Follow: Website | Facebook
5. Birmingham CrossPlex—reopening October 1
- Occupancy: 25% of venue’s overall capacity through the end of 2020, 50 people max in meeting room
- Open: weekdays from 8AM to 5PM
- Hours: based on event schedules
- AHSAA State Volleyball Championship—October 27-29
- AHSAA Sectional Cheer Competition—November 9
- AHSAA Central Sectional Swim Meet—November 20-21
- JAM/JEV Gymnastics—December 3 – 6
- Spirit Brands Cheer Competition—December 12
- WSA Brands Cheer Competition—December 13
- Concessions: mobile ordering available
- Location: 2337 Bessemer Road
- Contact: 205-279-8900
- Follow: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
6. Birmingham Public Library downtown location—reopening October 1
Downtown is the *only* Birmingham library that will be open to the public for now, with access to the East building only.
- Occupancy: 100 visitors
- In-person hours: Monday-Friday, 10AM-3PM
The Archives and Southern History sections are located in the Linn-Henley Research Library, with access available by appointment only. Online services are available 24/7.
Curbside services will be available at four locations:
- Avondale: Monday, Wednesday + Friday, 9AM-4PM
- Springville Road: Tuesdays, 9AM-4PM
- Five Points West: Thursdays, 9AM-4PM
- Downtown: Monday-Friday, 9AM-4PM
- More info: here and here
- Follow: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Reopening later in October
7. Birmingham Museum of Art—reopening October 6
- Attendance: 50% of venue’s total capacity
- Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10AM-5PM + Sundays, noon-5PM
- Gift shop: open with face coverings for sale—check with museum for hours
- Oscar’s Café + Bart’s ArtVenture: closed until further notice
- Exhibits + programming: find all the details here
- Location: 2000 Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd.
- Call: 205-254-2565
- Follow: Website | Instagram | Facebook
8. Southern Museum of Flight—reopening October 6
- Attendance: 50% of venue’s overall capacity
- Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10AM-2PM
- Tours: self-guided in main exhibit galleries, no guided tours
- Closed: children’s play area, computer area + hands-on exhibits
- Open: gift shop + outdoor picnic area
- Location: 4343 73rd St. North
- Call: 205-833-8226
- Follow: Website | Instagram | Facebook
9. Negro Southern League Museum—reopening October 6
- Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 10AM-4PM, Saturday, 10AM-2PM
- Occupancy: limited, 75 people for events
- Tours: self-guided—reservation only
- Call: 205-581-3040
- Location: 120-16th St. South
- Follow: Website | Instagram | Facebook
10. Arlington House—reopening October 6
- Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10AM-3PM
- Tours: self-guided in the museum house—no more than 20 people
- Occupancy: 24 max in the Garden Room/Dining Room, 50 outdoors
- Curbside lunches: Tuesday-Friday, 11AM- 2PM
- Gift shop: open with masks for sale
- Call: 205-780-5656
- Location: 331 Cotton Avenue
- Follow: Website
Reopening in November
11. Boutwell Auditorium—reopening November 1
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 8AM-5PM, weekend hours based on bookings
- Occupancy: 150 people or less for private events, 50% of venue’s overall capacity
- Reservations: 205-254-2820
- Location: 1930 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd.
- Follow: Website
12. Bill Harris Arena—available for booked events starting November 2
- Occupancy: private events limited to 25% of venue’s capacity
- Reservations: 205-279-8955
- Location: 2337 Bessemer Road
Reopening in 2021
13. Shields Center at W.C. Patton Park
- Attendance: capacity for private events currently under review
- Reservations: 205-279-8955
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Sharron Mendel SwainWriter, Interviewer + Adventurer | Telling stories to make a difference
