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Welcome to your unforgettable adventure with A-Z Travels, a leading educational travel company. As your trusted educational travel agency, we’re here to make learning come alive.
Highlights & Inclusions:
Day 1: Arrival Day, Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, Welcome Dinner
Morning
Arrival day! Have your group travel to Birmingham, Alabama arriving around midday. Have lunch en route.
Afternoon
Meet your A-Z Travels Tour Guide, check in, and get settled at your hotel. This will be your home base for the duration of the trip, so make yourselves comfortable. Once settled, your Birmingham adventure begins where the city itself did: at the Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark. This striking old factory is a relic of the Industrial Revolution, with massive, rusted labyrinths of pipes, boilers, and furnaces. Learn about the dangerous conditions and the sheer physical effort it took to transform raw materials into the iron needed to build a nation. This landmark offers students a tangible connection to America’s industrious past and provides a chance to get acquainted with your surroundings.
Evening
Enjoy a lively welcome dinner and your first official culinary introduction to the city. Then, dive into the darker legends of Birmingham with a ghost tour! This walking tour will take you to some of the city’s most haunted spots, like the historic Redmont Hotel and the Linn-Henley Research Library. You’ll hear tragic tales of restless spirits and unexplained phenomena. It’s a fun, theatrical way to engage with the city’s history, and a great way to explore downtown after dark. Return to your hotel for a much-needed rest.
Day 2: Kelly Ingram Park, 16th Street Baptist Church, Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Vulcan Park and Museum
Morning
Start your day with breakfast at the hotel. Today, we delve into the heart of Birmingham’s most significant chapter: its role in the Civil Rights Movement. Our first stop is Kelly Ingram Park, an unassuming four-acre space that was once the staging ground for protests and marches. As you walk through the park, emotionally powerful sculptures depict the struggles and triumphs of the era. The statues are deeply moving and a stark reminder of past sacrifices made. Across the street stands the historic 16th Street Baptist Church, a National Historic Landmark and a profound symbol of both tragedy and resilience. From the park, we step into the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. The exhibits are incredibly well-curated, with an emphasis on local events and figures that shaped the national movement.
Afternoon
After lunch, we’ll journey over to Red Mountain to see the famous Vulcan Statue. Standing 56 feet tall, this Roman god of the forge represents Birmingham’s legacy as a mining and iron-producing powerhouse. We will explore the museum at the base of the statue and learn of Birmingham’s birth and growth. Then for a fresh perspective, use the observation deck to indulge in breathtaking, panoramic views of the entire city. From this vantage point, we’ll be able to see the layout of Birmingham and appreciate how its past has shaped its present.
Evening
Tonight your group will enjoy a bowling night at Spare Time Trussville. Here your group can kick back and relax with some friendly competition and enjoy a dinner of classic American fare from burgers to funnel cake. Afterwards, return to your hotel for a restful night.
Day 3: Science Center, Museum of Art, and Dave and Buster’s Arcade
Morning
Have breakfast at your hotel. Our final full day in Birmingham begins with a blend of education and fun at the McWane Science Center. This space houses four floors of hands-on exhibits, as well as an aquarium and IMAX Dome Theater. Have your students build and test their own creations, delve into the wonders of marine life, and learn in an interactive environment. A perfect fit for students interested in STEM or those with a love of curiosity.
Afternoon
Enjoy lunch at the Science Center before taking a short walk to the Birmingham Museum of Art. Home to a vast and diverse collection, here you can find contemporary masterpieces as well as ancient artifacts. The museum also offers a “Hands on Space” for students that allows them to experiment with different materials and techniques for a more personal and creative connection to the art.
Evening
Get ready for your final night on the town! Enjoy your farewell dinner at Dave and Buster’s Arcade for an exciting Birmingham send-off. Eat, drink, and game with your group to celebrate your last night in the city. Play for fun or set out to win some souvenirs to take home. After your evening’s entertainment, head back to the hotel to rest up before your departure in the morning.
Day 4: Departure Day
Morning
Fill up on one final breakfast at your hotel before gathering your belongings and checking out. Begin your safe journey home.
Thank you for considering A-Z Travels, your go-to school travel company. We hope this experience will inspire lasting memories and learning.
