FAMILY FUN

DESTINATIONS FAMILY FUN

THE AMERICAN VILLAGE

This recreated colonial village and historic park in MONTEVALLO features interactive programs that help visitors relive the great American experiment in liberty and self-government. Costumed historical interpreters engage visitors to witness Patrick Henry’s famous speech, drill in Washington’s army and become a Patriot spy interrogated by a British soldier. The designs of the buildings on its 188-acre campus are inspired by significant structures in history. americanvillage.org

PELHAM CIVIC COMPLEX AND ICE ARENA

Step into winter to ice skate any time of year on one of two indoor ice skating rinks in PELHAM. You can show up for a free skating time, take lessons, play in a hockey league or come back to watch the Birmingham Bulls Hockey Team in action. The team, a member of the Southern Professional Hockey League, plays from October to April in a newly renovated arena that seats 5,000. Season tickets are also available. pelhamciviccomplex.com

HEART OF DIXIE RAILROAD MUSEUM

Visiting this museum in CALERA is like taking a step back in time and seeing firsthand the traveling accommodations for some American travelers in the early 1900s. Visitors can ride on trains that date from 1910 to the 1970s—including its oldest passenger car the Frisco Coach 1062— through Shelby County countryside every Saturday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Guests can also explore the gift shop and railroad museum. hodrrm.org

STONE HOLLOW FARMSTEAD

This HARPERSVILLE family business produces farm-fresh cheeses, honey, specialty foods, botanicals, cosmetic extracts and cosmeceuticals. In addition to production, the farmstead hosts groups and events. The farm also offers a CSA subscription and has a second farmstand in Pepper Place in downtown Birmingham. stonehollowfarmstead.com

Family Fun

INDOOR PLAY CENTERS

On HIGHWAY 280, Let’s Play offers an indoor soft play center for kids ages 0-12 featuring play equipment designed to encourage sliding, crawling, balancing, swinging, bouncing, squeezing, hand-eye coordination and ball skills. Down the road, Defy features 50,000 square feet of connected trampolines in a 60,000-square-foot facility, including the famous angled wall trampolines, launching decks and a few surprises in the ceiling too. Over in PELHAM, Altitude Trampoline Park has a warped wall, dodgeball court, rock wall and plenty of trampolines for jumping. letsplayparty.com, defy.com/locations/defybirmingham, altitudebirmingham.com

OAK MOUNTAIN LANES

Put on your bowling shoes and get ready for a strike. This bowling alley in PELHAM also features a laser tag area, ropes course and virtual reality experience—plus pizza and beer of course. It hosts birthday parties and weekly bowling, food and drink specials as well. oakmountainlanes.com

OLD BAKER FARM

This HARPERSVILLE farm endured the Civil War and stands today as a traditional family farm managed by a fourth-generation family member, Jerry Baker and his wife, Pam. The Baker family invites the public to join them each October for the Cotton Pickin’ Celebration with its pumpkin patch, hay rides and more, and in November and December visitors come out for the Christmas tree farm with acres of Leyland Cypress and Virginia Pine trees. oldbakerfarm.com

ALABAMA WILDLIFE CENTER

Located in the heart of PELHAM’S Oak Mountain State Park, this center rescues about 2,000 of Alabama’s native birds from more than 100 species each year. Visitors can see and interact with raptor species up close and personally, and they can get a behind-the-scenes look at their rehabilitated birds, baby bird nursery and exam area through digital video cameras and monitors. Its Wildlife Help Line also offers free advice and assistance for wildlife issues and emergencies. awrc.org

DESTINATIONS FAMILY FUN

OAK MOUNTAIN AMPHITHEATRE

Since 1986, this PELHAM stage has welcomed an eclectic mix of world-renowned recording musicians. Today it is operated by LiveNation, which brings 12-15 concerts to the 10,200seat venue usually between April and October. And there are concession offerings like Bavarianstyle soft pretzels, foot-long hot dogs, pizza, chicken tenders, cheeseburgers and fries too. theoakmountainamphitheater.com

SHELBY IRON WORKS PARK

One of only two such mills existing in the South at the outbreak of the Civil War, this plant in SHELBY produced the armor that covered the hull of the famous Confederate gunboat “Tennessee.” The old Shelby Iron Company dates back to 1842 when Horace Ware built a cold blast iron furnace. Today the park features living history demonstrations and tours by request. shelbyironworks.com

HELENA HOLLOW

Helena Hollow, formerly Griffin Farms, is a family-owned event venue on Highway 17 in HELENA. It features a full-service pumpkin patch, petting zoo, party barn, wedding and birthday party venue, and more. Owners Jamie and Amy Griffin live on the land with their daughters, Sawyer and Cricket. helenahollow.com

MOVIE THEATRES

Looking to watch a new release on the big screen with popcorn and candy? Take your pick of 15 theatres at AMC Lee Branch 15 off HIGHWAY 280 in the Village at Lee Branch, or over in Alabaster check out the go-to spot for movies and popcorn on that side of the county at AmStar Cinemas’s 14 theatres in Colonial Promenade. amstarcinemas.com, amctheatres.com

BLUE WATER PARK

Blue Water Park invites divers of all ages and skill levels to visit for recreational and technical diving closer to home in PELHAM. Mark DiGiorgio, owner of Scubaventures Inc., aims to make the park the premium inland diving experience for the Southeast, and there divers can practice diving skills, conduct trainings and enjoy a beautiful escape under the water. They also rent kayaks and paddleboards, or visitors can bring their own and pay an entrance fee. bluewaterparkal.com

Family Fun

HIGH POINT CLIMBING AND FITNESS

This climbing gym on HIGHWAY 280 offers membership, day passes, a kids zone, fitness classes, youth parties and more. Altogether it has 25,000 square feet of indoor climbing surface for beginners and seasoned pros alike, with a 52-foot climbing walls, 25 auto belays, more than 100 bouldering problems and a rappelling tower. highpointclimbing.com