Vulcan Park & Museum

Until this past week, I haven’t been here in a few years. Driven by, but haven’t had cause to stop. Killing time until a restaurant reservation, we decided to come up here. The view at the top of the tower was great. Getting to look out on the city I love and see it all lit up was wonderful. I’ve actually never toured the museum, so cannot comment on it. But even the view from the main park level is great. There are picnic tables if you want to bring a lunch/​dinner and come enjoy the view. There are plenty of grassy areas to throw a blanket out and just relax and watch the stars as well. Definitely recommend going at least once!

The Vulcan statue is perhaps the most iconic site in Birmingham, and it and the associated museum are definitely worth a stop if you’re visiting Birmingham!
The Vulcan is the largest cast iron statue in the world and it’s a symbol of the city’s roots in iron and steel. It was created as Birmingham’s entry for the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis.
For less than $ 10 a person, you can get entrance into the museum and a trip (either by the steps or by the elevator) to the top of the Vulcan!
The little museum is a history of the Vulcan and the history of Birmingham itself! And the view both from the base of the Vulcan and from the top are amazing!
A do not miss if you are visiting the city — especially for the first time!

Great way to spend a few hours. Nice educational museum. Fabulous view of the city and surrounding area.

I absolutely loved it. I’ve been to Vulcan plenty of times, but I hadn’t visited since the museum was added. There was so much history, and plenty of interactive exhibit displays.
I also loved the glass elevator ride to the top, and the breath taking view.
If you’re from Birmingham, make this a favorite spot. If you’re not, make it a destination on your trip.

The new and improved Vulcan and park area is pretty nice. Going to the top you get some great views of Bham. The statue is awesome and so amazing to see up close in all its glory. I went here many years ago and still have not made it to a Vulcan after tunes but soon very very soon!

It’s a standard tourist attraction and a great place to bring young children out. The view is nice. It can get quite windy up there!

This park is one of the few tourist attractions in Birmingham. I went to it today. The daytime entry fee is $ 6 for adults that includes the museum. Budget about 15 – 20 minutes to go through it. It discusses Birmingham’s past primarily about iron production and civil rights. The statue is accessible by stairs or elevator and offers very good views of downtown and the airport, etc. the statute is pretty neat and is something the locals are and should be proud of.
I recommend this site especially considering the low cost. The ticket is also good for that night up to ten o’clock for the nighttime view. So come before the museum closes at 6 and go up top and then come back that evening for the nighttime view.
I recommend!

Vulcan is an icon for Birmingham. This place is full of history, beautiful views and wonderful experiences. Let’s not forget for the Birmingham outdoors people, Vulcan also has its very own running/​walking trail. This trail is visited by many, and signs of the old rail industry can be seen from this trail. If you love history, then this is a place you must visit. Don’t forget to go up the Vulcan elevator. The view will amaze you.

Great park with a great view!
It was nice to learn so much about our new city as we walked through the museum before going up to the top of the Vulcan. It has become a new staple for all family and friends that come to visit us in Birmingham.
The views from the Vulcan are great at day and night. If you buy a ticket you can go back that night and see Birmingham all lit up.

Must visit when you are in the area!
The park and museum is not impressive but still a good place to visit. The view from the top is great, though there is nothing much to see in Birmingham, lol
The museum is worth visiting because it shows the history of the city and its labor workers.

When my husband was a kid his family drove to Atlanta every year to visit his grandparents via Birmingham. He always wanted to stop at the Vulcan statue but his dad never would. So this year we visited friends in Atlanta and as we approached Birmingham, we said «we are adults, we can do whatever we want!» So we stopped. I was nicely surprised (because honestly that statue man kind of freaks me out, it’s his face and the fact that he is only wearing an apron.) The park is beautiful. The view is gorgeous and it’s cool to see photos of the past to compare to the landscape now. The little museum was very informative. I knew nothing about iron mining. I never really knew what coke was. They also had a little exhibit on the Italian community in Birmingham. Who knew? We did not go to the top of Vulcan bc the deck is made of grating. That is just not stable enough for me, I’m a total chicken with heights. And my mountain goat of a husband, who would normally really dig that view, is still recovering from concussion and vertigo. But we got some great photos of Vulcan’s perfect butt cheeks from the park below!

The statue is pretty nifty. An elevator ride up to a pretty high landing is a bit scary but gives a nice view of Birmingham. The museum is ok, worth going through. And the price is reasonable.

A very interesting site that shares some history of Birmingham and the Vulcan origin. The Vulcan statue is huge and you have to see it up close to truly appreciate it. The observation deck is cool with a great view of the city. There are also some really nice houses in the neighborhood if you have the time to tour.

I have to confess that I knew absolutely nothing about Birmingham — I was traveling here for a business appointment from ATL and had never been to the area before. We had some time between appointments and the person I was with suggested we come here — so happy he did.
The grounds are gorgeous — definitely a place to come in spring when everything is in bloom. There are lots of spots to enjoy a picnic or the view of the city (which is spectacular). If you want to check out the tower and museum (you do) there’s a reasonable admission fee ($ 5-​ish). The museum is pretty small (maybe 4 – 5 rooms) but manages to give a concise history of the Birmingham area. It takes maybe 30 minutes to go through everything but I really did find it fascinating.
Once you’re done with the museum, you can enjoy some city views from the big windows inside and then head over to the tower. A very nice young man takes you up and once you’re at the top you can walk around the observation deck. Be aware that the whole deck is grated meaning you can see clear to the ground. (Between this and the glass elevators at my hotel in ATL I spent my whole trip to the South terrified of heights). The view is pretty awesome, and you get a great view of the Vulcan statue.
I didn’t spend a lot of time at the top because, TERROR. But I really did enjoy my visit here — it’s a wonderful place to learn about the area and traumatize yourself if you’re afraid of heights.

I freakin’ love this park. It’s a little treasure in southside. I walk my dog on this trail everyday. I have seen some interesting things on the trail. I’ve seen snakes, little rodents, and used condoms. I usually bring my pinch hitter, because seeing all those things is much better when you’re stoned. Don’t take the dirt path cause Hobo TimTim will straight shank anybody who is walking onto his turf. Watch your back guys!!!

Great for a date or newcomer to the city, Vulcan park is one of my favorite places in all of Birmingham. The Vulcan statue is an amazing piece of work and you just have to stand awe of its beautiful glory as he overlooks all of downtown Birmingham. The park itself is very nice too and there’s a small museum that’s pretty educational about the city’s history and the Vulcan statue.
You’re only charged to go inside the statue but it’s worth it as the view is pretty awesome and actually kind of scary! Especially because you can see through the floor underneath you. I recommend coming here at sundown, as it’s quite nice to watch the city light up before your eyes.

The best view of birmingham here! I highly recommend going here if you haven’t already. It sums up birminghams history as a city all in one place as well as give a beautiful view of the city. If you are looking for something to do that takes less than a couple of hours this is your spot. It has a museum of the history as well as stairs or elevator up to the top of the statue

This is a great little afternoon jaunt. Granted, you aren’t going to spend your whole day here. And you have to pay to go to the museum or get to the top of the statue. But it’s not expensive, it’s fun and informative. You get a great view of the city and the grounds are nice.
We took my grandparents who hadn’t seen Vulcan in almost 60 years – they thought it was great and the facilities were beautiful.

I almost didn’t make this a priority when planning my trip to Birmingham but then I decided a Jim ‘N Nicks vs. SAW’s picnic showdown would be nice and heard this was a great place to picnic so I made my way there. This is a great place period and a MUST STOP (best yet if it’s your FIRST stop) if you’re visiting Birmingham.
I paid the fee to get to the top, but I wasn’t even going to check out the included museum. I’m glad I did. I learned a lot about Birmingham history, even the Civil Rights movement (which I’m a big fan of following) and it really helped me plan a few adventures and understand the culture of the city. Plus, it’s cheap! I’d like to go back at night now, to see the city all lit up, but any time of day was great!
The Vulcan statue is the largest cast iron statue in the world, and is the city symbol of Birmingham, Alabama, reflecting its roots in the iron and steel industry. The 56-​foot tall statue depicts the Roman god Vulcan, god of the fire and forge. It was created as Birmingham’s entry for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition (1904 World’s Fair) in St. Louis, Missouri. It is the seventh-​tallest free-​standing statue in the United States.
After touring the museum, I made my way to the top of the Vulcan (there is an elevator). Vulcan is the world’s largest cast iron statue; made of 100,000 pounds of iron and 56 feet tall, he stands at the top of Red Mountain overlooking the city of Birmingham. It’s a little scary, especially if you’re not a fan of heights, but it was amazing too. The path around the statue is just that, a circle and it’s kind of narrow and you can see through the metal railing and flooring but tough it out, it will be worth it. You might luck out and meet some nice people at the top who will talk to you and calm your fears or be able to point out different landmarks in the city. :)

Vulcan Man looks out with fab views of the city of Birmingham, pointing the way forward. He sits atop Red Mountain above the iron ore mine that was part of how Birmingham became the Iron City.
Stretching 56 feet tall himself, on top of a 126 foot pedestal, he is the seventh largest free standing statue in the United States. Manufactured from ore that was mined right here in Birmingham! A ride in the elevator to the top is only $ 6 for adults. Parking and access to the park itself is free.
The museum itself details the history of the city going back to the days when it was settled by Indians.
A lovely park on a sunny day, there are picnic tables and plenty of shady spots for sitting. And because it’s on top of the mountain, expect a cool breeze. And wifi. (What? Yes.)
Review number 3400!