Birmingham is known as an industrial center of Alabama and the southern United States, but it is also a college town and a surprisingly beautiful city with many things to see and do. Birmingham Botanical Gardens is a serene spot with thousands of diverse plants in themed gardens mixed up with outdoor sculptures. Birmingham Zoo is known for working on the conservation of endangered species and has hundreds of lions, elephants, and other animals. The McWane Science Center is a science museum with a number of fascinating hands-on exhibits, such as dinosaur fossils, a space center, and IMAX films. The Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve is a lovely green space in the South East Lake neighborhood, perfect for hiking or playing ball. Alabama Splash Adventure is a great place to cool off during the summer.

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