Once you arrive in your rented RV, you can visit museums, science centers, and other family-friendly sites and activities in Birmingham, AL. The Birmingham Barons give you the chance to see minor-league baseball at Rickwood Field, the oldest professional baseball stadium in the United States. Just outside the city to the south, there is a collection of state parks to visit and explore, too.
By renting an RV, you’ll be able to explore the area with your accommodations in tow, which lets you choose anything from boondocking in a nearby national forest to the lap of camping luxury at a nearby campground with full hookups. Depending on the RV you plan to rent, you can enjoy a movie night in the vehicle’s living room, an afternoon of cold drinks under the RV’s awning, and family story time before heading to bed. Your RV will be a great base of operations as you explore the city’s history, particularly that of the Civil Rights Movement.
Search RV rentals in the Birmingham, AL area.
Preparing for Your Birmingham, AL RV Trip
After setting your Birmingham itinerary, you can pick from several hundred RV-rental opportunities within about 50 miles of Birmingham. If you have a big family or traveling group, then a Class A motorhome or a large fifth wheel would be good choices. For couples or small families, a Class B or Class C motorhome would be better while a toy hauler is a better choice if you plan to bring your ATVs, canoes, or similar small vehicles along with you. RVshare is the place to select your RV because it’s comprehensive and user-friendly.
These guides can help as you plan your trip for your two days in Birmingham:
• Renting the RV
• Picking an RV of the right size
• What to pack
• Parking tips for your RV
Booking just the right RV campground takes some research. When it comes to possible amenities you might prefer, they include showers, restrooms, laundry facilities, and both electrical and water hookups. For your trip to Birmingham, AL, take a look at the Safe Harbor RV Park, Hoover Met Complex RV Park, and Thousand Trails Hidden Cove. All of these are well-known and established RV parks near Birmingham, AL, and they’re well worth a look.
Find other campground options in our comprehensive list of top-rated campgrounds in Birmingham, AL.
Day 1: Starting Your Alabama Adventure
Morning: Family Fun at McWane
The McWane Science Center opens at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, making it a fine place to begin your visit to Birmingham, AL. You can explore dinosaurs and fossils, sea creatures, and zoological interactive learning exhibits for the whole family.
Lunch: Fine Southern Cuisine at Bottega
The Bottega Cafe effortlessly blends Mediterranean and Southern cuisines. The culinary delights include hanger steak and chicken scaloppine from the Italian countryside, both of which include Alabama ingredients like black-eyed field peas and salad greens. For dessert, there are pies that include locally sourced peaches, pecans, and blueberries.
Afternoon: All About Vintage Motorcycles
The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum awaits racing enthusiasts, especially fans of motorcycles. The museum closes at 6:00 p.m. during the summer and 5:00 p.m. during all other seasons, so it’s a good early afternoon place to visit after your lunch at the Bottega Cafe. The museum supports scouting, and scouts can earn their engineering merit badge at the museum on certain days throughout the year.
Setting Up Camp
Good planning before you set out on your trip includes making a reservation at the campground of your choice in Birmingham, AL. Once you get there, your hosts will help you check in and provide you with directions on how to get to your campsite. If it’s a campground that has pads at the campsites, then your next step will be to park and then level your rented RV using the appropriate equipment. For safety’s sake, you must also chock the wheels. If your chosen campground has hookups, this is when to connect them.
Some of the RVs that you’ll find on RVshare can be delivered right to your campground. In some cases, the people who deliver your RV will even offer to help you with the setup and hookups. When you rent the RV, be sure to ask about these services to see if they are available on the model you choose.
Dinner: Good Barbecue Eats
Saw’s Juke Joint is one of the most popular barbecue places in all of Birmingham, AL. They even have live jazz on some nights.
Day 2: Further Adventures in Birmingham, AL
Morning: Peaceful Garden Space
The Birmingham Botanical Gardens opens at 7 a.m., and there is free parking that includes spaces for most RVs. That makes it a terrific place to start your day. You can explore all of the wildflowers, trees, and other plants and also experience the educational programs that the Birmingham Botanical Gardens has to offer.
Lunch: Ooey-Gooey Sandwiches
For a bit of stick-to-your-ribs whimsy, try one of the four MELT locations in Birmingham, AL. They have cheesy melts of almost any kind, and all of the items on the menu are locally sourced. They even have desserts that would be right at home on any fairground, including deep-fried cookies and candy bars.
Afternoon: Explore Civil Rights History
Delve into the history of the Civil Rights Movement at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, which is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution. There are guided tours and family-friendly educational programs available. The tours begin with an eight-minute orientation film.
Evening: See Live Shows
The Alabama Theatre presents both live shows and classic movies most nights of the week. The theater also presents ballets, symphony orchestra concerts, and dance competitions throughout the year. If you go to see a silent film at this marvelous theater, then you can enjoy the music of the house organ along with the movie.
Day 3 and Beyond in Birmingham, AL
When it’s time to leave Birmingham, AL, your next adventure can be just down the road. Be sure to clean your campsite thoroughly before you leave.
• Talledega National Forest is only a 45-minute drive to the east, so on your way out of town, you can stop there to boondock. The forest is famous for its birding, so bring your binoculars and camera.
• Oak Mountain State Park is even nearer, and it provides more than 100 miles of hiking trails that double as mountain bike trails, too. You can even rent and ride horses at Oak Mountain State Park.
Seasonal Activities
In springtime, the Birmingham Scavenger Hunt is a fun way to pass an afternoon. The hunt covers almost 2 miles through the city center and is a good activity for all ages.
For a spooky fall excursion, take a walking ghost tour through downtown Birmingham, AL. The regular tour lasts an hour and covers 1 mile, but there is an option to take an extended tour as well.
Indoor Activities
If aviation interests you, then you can visit the Southern Museum of Flight, which has more than 100 planes and helicopters for you to explore. It is open Tuesday through Saturday and provides tours, flight simulations, and other educational programs throughout the year.
After a fun-filled and exciting two days, you can also take some time for yourself at the Escape Day Spa in Birmingham, AL. It’s a full-service spa where you can pamper yourself with several relaxing treatments.
Get your RV rental for a two-day trip to Birmingham, AL. See the museums, have a hot dog at Rickwood Field, and enjoy some quality time with the ones you love.
