Onycha AlabamaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Onycha, Alabama.
1. USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park
HISTORIC NAVAL MONUMENT
USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park showcases the impressive WWII battleship and other military artifacts. Visitors can explore the decks, compartments, and turrets of this massive vessel that earned nine battle stars during its service. The park also features aircraft displays, a submarine, and military equipment that honor America's armed forces.
2. Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
WORLD-CLASS MOTORCYCLE COLLECTION
Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum houses the world's largest collection of motorcycles with over 1,600 vintage and modern motorcycles and racing cars. The five-story museum displays these mechanical marvels in an artistic gallery-like setting that appeals to both motorcycle enthusiasts and casual visitors. The surrounding Barber Motorsports Park features a world-class racing track that hosts various motorsport events throughout the year.
3. Vulcan Park and Museum
IRON CITY SYMBOL
Vulcan Park and Museum features the world's largest cast iron statue, symbolizing Birmingham's history in the iron and steel industry. The 56-foot tall statue of Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and forge, stands atop Red Mountain offering panoramic views of the city. The museum beneath the statue tells the story of Birmingham's industrial heritage and the statue's creation for the 1904 World's Fair.
4. Gulf Coast Zoo
THE LITTLE ZOO THAT COULD
Gulf Coast Zoo offers visitors close encounters with over 500 exotic animals including lions, tigers, lemurs, and more. The zoo gained national recognition as 'The Little Zoo That Could' after evacuating all animals during Hurricane Ivan and has since relocated to a larger facility. Interactive animal encounters allow guests to hold sloths, kangaroos, and lemurs for a unique wildlife experience.
5. Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
COASTAL WILDERNESS PRESERVE
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge protects 7,000 acres of coastal habitat for migratory birds and endangered species. Visitors can explore hiking trails through maritime forests, dunes, and wetlands while spotting wildlife in their natural environment. The refuge serves as a crucial nesting area for sea turtles and provides habitat for the endangered Alabama beach mouse.
6. U.S. Space & Rocket Center
AMERICA'S SPACE MUSEUM
U.S. Space & Rocket Center showcases America's achievements in space exploration and houses the world's largest collection of rockets and space memorabilia. Visitors can experience simulator rides, view actual spacecraft, and learn about NASA's past, present, and future missions. The center is also home to Space Camp, where children and adults can train like astronauts through immersive educational programs.
7. Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT LEGACY
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute chronicles the American Civil Rights Movement with powerful exhibits and multimedia presentations. Visitors can walk through recreated scenes from segregated Birmingham and learn about the struggle for equality during the 1950s and 1960s. The institute sits across from the historic 16th Street Baptist Church and Kelly Ingram Park, forming part of the Civil Rights National Monument.
8. Cheaha State Park
ALABAMA'S HIGHEST PEAK
Cheaha State Park encompasses Alabama's highest point at 2,407 feet and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Appalachian Mountains. Visitors can enjoy hiking trails, waterfalls, and various outdoor activities within the park's nearly 2,800 acres. Historic lodges, A-frame chalets, and cabins provide comfortable accommodations for those wanting to experience the natural beauty of Alabama's oldest state park.
9. Noccalula Falls Park
LEGENDARY WATERFALL DESTINATION
Noccalula Falls Park features a spectacular 90-foot waterfall named after a Cherokee maiden from local legend. The 350-acre park includes a pioneer village, botanical gardens, mini-golf, and hiking trails for visitors to enjoy. During the holiday season, the park transforms into 'Christmas at the Falls' with millions of lights creating a magical winter wonderland.
10. Dauphin Island
BARRIER ISLAND GETAWAY
Dauphin Island offers pristine beaches, bird sanctuaries, and historic Fort Gaines on Alabama's southernmost point. The Audubon Bird Sanctuary attracts birdwatchers year-round with its position on the migratory flyway and 137 acres of protected habitat. Visitors can also explore the Dauphin Island Sea Lab's Estuarium to learn about the marine ecosystems of Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
11. DeSoto Caverns
UNDERGROUND WONDER WORLD
DeSoto Caverns features a massive onyx-marble cave with stalagmites and stalactites dating back thousands of years. The main cavern room is as large as a football field and 12 stories high, creating an awe-inspiring underground experience. Beyond the caverns, the park offers various family activities including gem panning, mini-golf, and laser tag.
12. Alabama Theater
HISTORIC MOVIE PALACE
Alabama Theater is a grand 1927 movie palace renowned for its ornate architecture and the mighty Wurlitzer organ that still entertains audiences. The meticulously restored venue hosts classic movie screenings, concerts, ballet performances, and special events throughout the year. As a National Historic Landmark, the theater represents Birmingham's cultural heritage and continues to be a centerpiece of downtown entertainment.
13. The Wharf
ENTERTAINMENT & SHOPPING DESTINATION
The Wharf is a premier entertainment district featuring shopping, dining, and the largest Ferris wheel in the Southeast. This waterfront complex includes an amphitheater that hosts major concerts, a marina with access to the Intracoastal Waterway, and numerous restaurants serving fresh Gulf seafood. Visitors can enjoy zip lining, escape rooms, and evening light shows at the palm-lined Main Street.
14. Cathedral Caverns State Park
MASSIVE UNDERGROUND CHAMBER
Cathedral Caverns State Park boasts one of the largest cave entrances in the world, measuring 126 feet wide and 25 feet high. Inside, visitors discover a frozen waterfall formation, a massive stalagmite column called Goliath, and a forest of stalagmites and stalactites. Guided tours take visitors along a developed trail system to explore this underground wonder that maintains a constant 60-degree temperature year-round.
15. Bellingrath Gardens and Home
YEAR-ROUND FLORAL SHOWCASE
Bellingrath Gardens and Home features 65 acres of year-round floral displays surrounding a 15-room historic mansion built in 1935. Visitors can tour the elegant home filled with original furnishings and the Boehm porcelain collection, one of the largest in the world. The gardens showcase seasonal blooms including azaleas, roses, chrysanthemums, and a spectacular Magic Christmas in Lights display during the holiday season.