Heath AlabamaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Heath, Alabama.
1. USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park
HISTORIC NAVAL MONUMENT
USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park offers visitors a chance to explore a well-preserved WWII battleship with extensive interpretive signage. This military museum features self-guided tours through the massive vessel, providing insights into naval history. The park stands as one of Alabama's most popular historical landmarks, attracting thousands of visitors annually.
2. Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
WORLD-CLASS MOTORCYCLE COLLECTION
Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum houses one of the world's largest collections of vintage and contemporary motorcycles. The museum displays hundreds of perfectly restored motorcycles from throughout history in a stunning architectural setting. Visitors can marvel at the extensive collection arranged in a multi-level display that allows viewing from various angles.
3. Vulcan Park and Museum
BIRMINGHAM'S IRON SENTINEL
Vulcan Park and Museum features the world's largest cast iron statue, symbolizing Birmingham's roots in the iron and steel industry. The park offers panoramic views of the Birmingham metropolitan area from its observation deck. Visitors can learn about the city's industrial history through interactive exhibits in the museum located at the statue's base.
4. U.S. Space & Rocket Center
AMERICA'S SPACE MUSEUM
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center serves as the official visitor center for NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and boasts one of the largest collections of rockets and space memorabilia in the world. Visitors can experience interactive exhibits including Space Camp and aviation challenges that simulate astronaut training. The center showcases Alabama's crucial role in the U.S. space program with full-scale rocket displays including the Saturn V.
5. Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail
PREMIER GOLF DESTINATION
The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail is a collection of championship-caliber golf courses spanning across Alabama. The trail features diverse course designs that challenge golfers of all skill levels while showcasing Alabama's natural beauty. Each location offers meticulously maintained fairways and greens along with clubhouse amenities for a complete golfing experience.
6. Birmingham Zoo
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION CENTER
Birmingham Zoo houses over 700 animals from six continents in naturalistic habitats spanning 122 acres. The zoo offers interactive experiences including giraffe feedings and the Predator Zone featuring lions and other large carnivores. Educational programs and seasonal events make this attraction appealing to visitors of all ages throughout the year.
7. Equal Justice Initiative Museums
CIVIL RIGHTS MEMORIAL
The Equal Justice Initiative Museums include the Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, documenting America's history of racial injustice. These powerful institutions use interactive media, archival materials, and narrative exhibits to explore the legacy of slavery through contemporary issues. Visitors leave with a profound understanding of historical context and ongoing social justice challenges in American society.
8. Stewart Heath Gallery
CONTEMPORARY ART SHOWCASE
Stewart Heath Gallery showcases contemporary artwork from local and regional artists in a welcoming space. The gallery features rotating exhibitions with diverse artistic styles and mediums throughout the year. Visitors can purchase unique art pieces and sometimes meet the creators during special events and opening receptions.
9. Newark Earthworks
ANCIENT NATIVE ARCHITECTURE
The Newark Earthworks represent some of the most impressive ancient Native American geometric earthen architecture in the world. These remarkable prehistoric mounds were built by the Hopewell culture nearly 2,000 years ago for ceremonial and astronomical purposes. Visitors can explore both the earthworks and the associated museum to learn about this important archaeological site.
10. Gulf State Park
COASTAL NATURAL PARADISE
Gulf State Park encompasses 6,500 acres of pristine coastal landscape with white sand beaches, hiking trails, and a freshwater lake. The park offers diverse recreational activities including swimming, fishing, kayaking, and biking on over 28 miles of trails. Visitors can stay overnight at the park's campground or lodge while enjoying the abundant wildlife and natural beauty of Alabama's Gulf Coast.
11. Bellingrath Gardens and Home
HISTORIC ESTATE GARDENS
Bellingrath Gardens and Home features 65 acres of breathtaking floral displays that change with the seasons surrounding a historic 1935 mansion. Visitors can tour the 15-room museum home filled with antique furniture, porcelain, and decorative arts collected by the Bellingrath family. The gardens offer special events throughout the year, including the famous Magic Christmas in Lights display featuring over 3 million twinkling lights.
12. The Wharf
ENTERTAINMENT & DINING COMPLEX
The Wharf is a premier shopping, dining, and entertainment destination featuring over 60 retail stores and restaurants along a scenic marina. Visitors can enjoy attractions including a 15-story Ferris wheel, amphitheater hosting major concerts, and a family-friendly mini-golf course. The complex also serves as a departure point for fishing charters and dolphin-watching cruises on the Gulf of Mexico.
13. McWane Science Center
INTERACTIVE SCIENCE MUSEUM
McWane Science Center offers four floors of interactive science exhibits designed to engage visitors of all ages through hands-on learning. The center includes an IMAX dome theater, aquarium, and dinosaur collection that brings natural history to life. Special demonstrations, educational programs, and seasonal exhibits provide new experiences with each visit to this downtown Birmingham attraction.
14. OWA Parks & Resort
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT DESTINATION
OWA Parks & Resort combines a thrilling amusement park with a pedestrian-friendly shopping and dining district in coastal Alabama. The attraction features over 20 rides including roller coasters and family attractions in the 14-acre theme park area. Visitors can also enjoy live entertainment, seasonal festivals, and a variety of restaurants ranging from casual to upscale dining experiences.
15. Huntsville Botanical Garden
SEASONAL FLORAL DISPLAYS
Huntsville Botanical Garden spans 112 acres featuring specialized gardens, beautiful seasonal displays, and the nation's largest open-air butterfly house. The garden includes distinctive areas such as the Children's Garden, Biblical Garden, and Nature Center that appeal to diverse interests. Year-round events include the spectacular Galaxy of Lights holiday display, spring plant sales, and summer butterfly releases that attract visitors from across the region.