City: Birmingham, AL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 223 Mountaintop Industrial Dr.
77. HOMEWOOD TOY & HOBBY SHOP
City: Birmingham, AL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (205) 879-3986
Insider Pick:
Description: Located in the heart of the Homewood shopping district, Homewood Toy & Hobby Shop is a Birmingham institution that’s been in business for nearly 30 years. Despite the multitude of big-box toy stores, this family-owned store has continued to thrive by offering the best selection of classic toys along with a wide range of educational toys suitable for kids of all ages. The staff is always willing to answer questions and help search for that special toy you’ve wanted since you were a kid. The hobby section of the store is a modeler’s dream, housing shelf after shelf of the finest model kits available together with a complete line of supplies.
78. NORD’S GAMES
City: Birmingham, AL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (205) 986-4263
Address: 2000 Riverchase Galleria, #120
Description: Nord’s Games in the Riverchase Galleria is a one-stop board game and miniature gaming shop that offers an immense selection of board games for every age group. That’s apparent just from the fun store exterior that resembles a castle fortress. Kids will love the selection of non-traditional board games available alongside the well-loved classics like Monopoly and Risk. If it’s a board game you need—parlor, adventure, card, or family—Nord’s probably has it. Nord’s also sells the latest and greatest collectible card games that are in demand. Pewter miniatures and painting supplies round out the excellent variety for sale.
79. SMITH’S VARIETY TOY & GIFT SHOPPE
City: Birmingham, AL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (205) 871-0841
Address: 2715 Culver Rd.
Insider Pick:
Description: Like Homewood Toy & Hobby, Smith’s Variety is an independently owned toy store with a selection all its own that distinguishes it from larger chain stores. A destination for kids and parents since 1950, Smith’s Variety, as it is called, is a fun jumble of toys and games practically bulging from shelves. Bringing the kids here is an adventure as children hurry across the wooden floors to discover toys they’ve never seen or dreamed of before. The old time feel of the shop makes shopping here relaxing compared to the sterile bright white of the superstore. Once you bring the kids to Smith’s, they might not be able to settle for a chain store again.
City: Birmingham, AL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 344 Finley Ave. West
81. BUD’S BEST FACTORY TOUR
City: Birmingham, AL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (205) 987-4840, (800) 548-1504
Address: 2070 Parkway Office Circle
Description: All aboard the Cookieland Express! Stop by this ultra-modern cookie-making facility and take the kids on the free motorized train tour through the plant. In the mid-90s, Bud’s Best revolutionized the cookie industry with its high-quality bite-size cookies. Their factory tour allows cookie-lovers a look behind the scenes at the creation of these delicious treats. Kids will be both inspired and hungry as they witness the power of a plant that can bake a million cookies an hour. If your kids love dessert (and don’t they all?), this tour is a guaranteed hit that will create severe anticipation for the free samples at the end of the tour. Call the numbers listed above to schedule a tour.
City: Birmingham, AL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Address: 1 Golden Flake Dr.
83. PEANUT DEPOT
City: Birmingham, AL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (205) 251-3314
Address: 2016 Morris Ave.
Description: This small business in the heart of the city has been roasting peanuts for over a century. The roasters cook their peanuts without added oils or preservatives in antique roasters resulting in the perfect peanut. Children will enjoy the weathered roasting machines and the rustic building while they chomp down on the best peanuts around. Peanuts are sold in a variety of quantities and packages including gift boxes and old-fashioned burlap bags. Although the facility isn’t large and doesn’t qualify for an extended trip, the magnificent peanuts sold here demand that you at least stop by and purchase a bag of legumes as you explore historic Morris Avenue.
City: Birmingham, AL
Category: Tours & Attractions
City: Birmingham, AL
Category: Tours & Attractions
City: Birmingham, AL
Category: Tours & Attractions
City: Birmingham, AL
Category: Tours & Attractions
City: Birmingham, AL
Category: Tours & Attractions
City: Birmingham, AL
Category: Tours & Attractions
90. Ave Maria Grotto
City: Birmingham, AL
Category: Tours & Attractions
Description: Cullman’s Ave Maria Grotto, avemaria grotto.com, is something one has to see in order to believe. Located 50 miles north of Birmingham on I-65, Ave Maria Grotto in an old quarry near St. Bernard Abbey, the park and garden is the life’s work of Brother Joseph Zoettl, a Benedictine monk from Germany who spent the last five decades of his life creating more than 125 famous miniature reproductions of famous religious buildings like the St. Peter’s Basilica, ancient Jerusalem, and Our Lady of Lourdes, as well as seemingly arbitrary structures like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, German castles, exotic shrines, and Hansel and Gretel’s Temple of the Fairies. The collection covers more than 3 acres. Admission is $7.