VENUE, DIRECTIONS AND LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
VENUE
BIRMINGHAM is a multifaceted metropolitan area that still retains a small-town, Southern feeling. The Sheraton hotel and Convention Center is easily accessible from Birmingham and Atlanta airports; From Birmingham just 4 miles or a quick seven minute drive and from Atlanta only a 90 minute drive.
Birmingham offers arts, culture, fine cuisine, and a vibrant nightlife. It is known historically, honoring important landmarks such as the Civil Rights Movement. Yet Birmingham has a simpler side, where pleasures appear at every turn—rolling hills, smooth golf courses, quaint shops—and a taste of a true American town with all the amenities of a modern city.
Alabama’s premier convention hotel, the Sheraton Birmingham, offers 757 luxury guestrooms and suites in the heart of the downtown area. Conveniences such as Club level rooms, concierge service and airport shuttle make your stay a breeze, not to mention being steps from the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex
DIRECTIONS
The closest Airport is Birmingham International Airport (BHM). Flights operate into BHM from most cities and connect via Atlanta, Chicago, or Dallas Fort Worth.
The Sheraton provides a free shuttle service for transportation to the Hotel and Convention Center. Atlanta (ATL) Hartsfield International Airport is a 1.45 hour drive. Thus, if you prefer you can fly non-stop from most international and domestic cities directly into Atlanta and rent a car.
BIRMINGHAM SITES
For additional entertainment, Birmingham is home to the largest art museum in the Southeast. You’ll also find museums dedicated to motorsports, jazz, sports, aviation and the civil rights movement. If outdoor activities are your interest, Birmingham’s warm summers and mild winters allow you to enjoy nearby golf courses on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, the region’s largest zoo and the beauty of the nearby Appalachian Foothills, Red Mountain and Ruffner Mountain. Bring your hiking boots.
Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
Located in the historic Carver Theater, the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame contains numerous exhibits on famous Alabama natives like Erskine Hawkins and Sun Ra, both of whom have contributed to the world of jazz. www.jazzhall.com
Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
The Sports Hall of Fame pays tribute to sports heroes with ties to the state of Alabama. Exhibits give visitors a look at Alabama sports legends such as Olympic Medallist Jesse Owens, former Alabama Crimson Tide Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, and Baseball Hall of Famer Willie Mays. www.ashof.org
Alabama Theatre for The Performing Arts
The historic 1927 theatre is home to "The Mighty Wurlitzer" organ. The theatre annually draws 400,000 people into downtown Birmingham for a wide variety of events: Broadway shows, ballets, operas, concerts, parties, weddings, fashion shows, beauty pageants and classic films. www.alabamatheatre.com
Barber Village Motorsports Park
The Barber Motorsports Park is the new home of The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum with an impressive collection that includes more than 750 motorcycles and 45 cars. www.barbermuseum.org
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
The Birmingham Botanical Gardens feature 67 acres of glorious nature including the spectacular Southern Living gardens. And it’s right next to the Zoo. www.bbgardens.org
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
From post-World War I racial segregation to present-day racial progress, this multi-media facility is home to a variety of interesting exhibits. www.bcri.org
Birmingham Museum of Art
The Birmingham Museum of Art is the largest municipal museum in the Southeast. It boasts an outstanding collection of over 21,000 works of art from around the world. www.artsbma.org
Birmingham Zoo
See more than 700 wild animals in the heart of Alabama at the Birmingham Zoo! From alligators and ostriches to kudus and lorikeets, this beautiful park will entertain all day. www.birminghamzoo.com
McWane Center
Featuring “Adventures in Science,” a hands on learning adventure, along with the IMAX Dome Theatre, all waiting for you in downtown Birmingham. www.mcwane.org
Rickwood Field
Rickwood Field is America’s oldest ballpark. See and experience baseball as it once was. www.rickwood.com
Vulcan Park
With its peculiar name, Vulcan Park is home to the world’s largest cast iron statue and features spectacular panoramic views of Birmingham. Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and forge, was originally built for the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904 to represent Birmingham's iron industry. www.vulcanpark.org