Since 1907, this historic building's ovens have been roasting thousands of pounds of peanuts for sports stadiums across the South, grocery stores and hungry passersby. Try a bag of hot, freshly roasted goober peas. You can purchase 30-pound boxes or even a whole truckload.

Alabama's sons and daughters who made their marks in sports history are honored here. Boxing great Joe Louis, baseball hero Willie Mays, track star Jessie Owens and Crimson Tide coach Paul Bear Bryant are just a few of those featured at the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. Sports memorabilia and vintage equipment are also on display in the museum. The gleaming modern Hall of Fame structure is adjacent to the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center.

A hands-on science museum, McWane Science Center allows visitors to test physics principles, explore aquatic habitats, simulate space exploration and more. Interactive exhibits allow you to make your own animated movie, build a roller coaster or ride a bicycle along a wire 30 feet above the ground! There is also the IMAX Theater, a gift shop, and a food court that offers a variety of fast food and snack options. See website for event calendar, movie showtime, admission details and more.

Located at 1st Avenue North and 32nd Street, Sloss Furnaces is literally the birthplace of the city of Birmingham. The furnaces, restored in 1983, were constructed in 1882 and produced steel for more than 90 years. In addition to the impressive furnaces, there is an industrial museum (with a slide show translated into ten languages), a sculpture garden, and a park. The furnaces are occasionally the site of concerts and festivals, but otherwise admission is free. This is one of the most fascinating places in Birmingham, and is entirely worth checking out.

Located on Eighth Avenue North at Lynn Park, the Birmingham Museum of Art is recognized as one of the finest art museums in the Southeast. Its collection includes more than 18,000 ancient and modern works of art. In addition to the various galleries, the museum also houses a library, café and sculpture garden. The Birmingham Museum of Art offers a wide range of programs including gallery lectures, special exhibitions, films, and concerts. Admission is free, and guided tours are offered for groups of eight or more.

Located at 16th Street North across the street from Kelly Ingram Park and the 16th Street Baptist Church, this fascinating gallery tells the story of Birmingham's tragic and triumphant contributions to the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. This state-of-the-art facility utilizes multimedia presentations, photographs and other artifacts to document the African American struggle for racial equality, and relates this history to other human rights struggles around the world. Admission is free on Sundays.

Located in the historic Carver Theatre in the Civil Rights District, the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame started in 1978 as a tribute to the truly American music form. Many beloved jazz musicians of all time got their start in Alabama, and a surprising number of these came from Birmingham. In the early 20th Century, Birmingham was a training ground for these famed musicians. See exhibits devoted to such greats as Lionel Hampton, Erskine Hawkins, Nat King Cole and Sun Ra. You can choose to tour all by yourself, or be guided by Frank Adams who is a reputed jazz musician himself.

Need a break from the hustle and bustle of the city? Head to the Tannehill Stables where you'll be up on a horse in 30 minutes. Located in Tannehill Historical State Park, the stables offer over 200 acres (80 hectares) of horseback riding trails, tangled in shaded and small creeks. All rides are accompanied by an experienced trail guide, but trails are marked, and the horses are friendly. Come ready to ride in long jeans and comfortable shoes. In cool weather, a jacket or heavy sweatshirt is recommended. Western horseback riding lessons are available. For the true cowboy experience, try your hand at roping. Great experience for families or large groups.

One of the largest earth and rock-filled dams in the eastern United States, Lewis Dam is 2,200 feet in length and 300 feet high. With 500 miles of shoreline and a length of 35 miles, Smith Lake reservoir extends through three counties. Managed by Alabama Power Company, which uses it to generate hydroelectric power, the lake and dam draw over 40,000 visitors each year. Smith Lake is ranked number one in Alabama for spotted bass fishing and number three for crappie fishing. It has been the location for five world-record catches of spotted bass. The Smith Dam tailrace is the only location in Alabama where fishermen can catch rainbow trout, which like its cold water. In addition, Smith Lake offers waterskiing, tent and RV camping, picnic pavilions, a water slide and a swimming pool.

The growth of Birmingham and surrounding communities is intimately tied to the rise of mining in Alabama. Focusing on the time period from 1890-1940, this museum tells the stories of people and communities involved in the mining industry. Visitors can learn about what it was like to live in a mining camp, where companies controlled everything from the schools and stores to medical care and housing. In addition, the museum explores changes in mining technology over the years. It is located in a gymnasium built in 1935 by the Works Project Administration. Early 20th-century train and mining cars are on exhibit. Admission is free.