More summer stops for family fun

In July, there is nothing hotter than the great outdoors. To help you beat the heat, we have compiled a list of things to do while school and the sun are out. Skip the sunburn and check out these fun family activities close to home.

Skates 280

9.40 miles, 16 minutes

Skates 280 offers a complete roller skating experience from free skating lessons to skate rentals for both adults and children. The facility includes a skating floor, music, rental station and a seating area. Skates 280 is open Tuesday through Sunday, and a complete list of hours is posted on the Skates 280 Facebook page. Admission may vary by age, time of arrival and skate rental. 

7043 Meadowlark Drive, Birmingham 35242. 991-3611. skates-280.com.

Pelham Civic Complex

9.98 miles, 13 minutes

The Pelham Civic Complex houses perhaps the coolest way to beat the July heat: ice-skating. The ice arena is open to the public during public skating hours and also offers classes in figure skating and ice hockey. A complete list of skating hours is available on the Pelham Civic Complex website. Admission is $7 per person, and ice skate rental is an additional $2. Group discounts are available. 

500 Amphitheater Road, Pelham 35124. 620-6448. pelhamciviccomplex.com.

McWane Science Center

6.39 miles, 10 minutes

With four floors of interactive science exhibits and an IMAX Dome Theater, a day spent at the McWane Science Center is not just educational. Fun comes in many forms from dinosaurs to sea creatures, play areas and sports, while each level offers an array of scientific perspective for young minds. The center is open weekdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sundays 12 p.m.-6 p.m. Depending on whether you visit the Adventure Halls, IMAX theater or both, ticket prices vary from $8 to $18 per person. 

200 19th Street North, Birmingham 35203.

714-8300. mcwane.org.

Airwalk

10.61 miles, 18 minutes

With 7,000 square feet of connected trampolines, AirWalk Trampoline Arena is a place where little ones and families alike can enjoy “open jump,” “family night” and “trampoline dodge ball.” To ensure a time slot, the staff recommends guests book their jump time before arrival. A complete list of AirWalk’s activities, jump times and ticket prices is available on their website. Most tickets range from $6 to $20. 

7010 Champion Blvd., Birmingham 35242. 637-3347. airwalk.us.

Brunswick Riverview Lanes 

7.17 miles, 12 minutes

All summer long, Brunswick Riverview Lanes Bowling has special offers to help keep families entertained without breaking the bank. With 40 lanes, an arcade, snack bar and billiards tables, the bowling alley plays host to activities to spend the afternoon in friendly competition. On Monday nights from 9 p.m.-close, try out Buck ‘n Bowl, where bowling is only one dollar. Tuesday through Thursday evenings offer unlimited bowling for $7.99. Outside of specials, ticket prices may vary from $10 to $14 per person.

2908 Riverview Road, Birmingham 35242. 

991-3900. bowlbrunswick.com.

Birmingham Museum of Art

7.05 miles, 11 minutes

The Birmingham Museum of Art offers families many options for exploring the world of art. The museum offers hands-on areas, scavenger hunts and a museum app to access exclusive information for exploration. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from noon-5 p.m., the museum provides a variety of exhibits. Although certain special exhibits may have admission charges, general admission to the museum is free. 

2000 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd., 

Birmingham 35203. 254-2565. artsbma.org.

Southern Environmental Center

 9.74 miles, 13 minutes

Located on the campus of Birmingham-Southern College, the Southern Environmental Center is a 5,600-square-foot facility promoting the education of protecting the environment. This center houses a two-story interactive museum and a multi-media conference room and sits adjacent to the EcoScape, an outdoor area with educational displays about medicinal and edible plants. Ticket prices start at $2 per activity, or $5 for all three activities. 

900 Arkadelphia Road, Birmingham 35254. 226-4934. bsc.edu/sec.

Birmingham Children’s Theatre

6.91 miles, 10 minutes

Within the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, the Birmingham Children’s Theatre provides performances geared toward the interests of younger audiences. With camps, performances and birthday parties, the theater offers several options for a fun day. Schedules for performance and ticket sales are available on the website as well as by phone. Ticket prices vary, but average from $11 to $14. 

2130 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N, Birmingham 35203. 458-8181. bct123.org.

Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum and Park

20.80 miles, 26 minutes

The Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum and Park is home to more than 1,200 vintage motorcycles in addition to a collection of Lotus Racecars and other historical automobiles. It is recognized as the largest motorcycle museum of its kind in the world. A 2.38-mile track is also on the museum grounds, but event admission is separate from the museum. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday from noon-6 p.m. Admission is $10 for children and $15 for adults.

6030 Barber Motorsports Parkway, Birmingham 35094. 699-7275. barbermuseum.org.

Southern Museum of Flight

12.48 miles, 16 mintues

Spending an afternoon at the Southern Museum of Flight will immerse you in aircraft history, mechanics and art. In addition to 90 aircrafts, the 75,000-square-foot facility also houses the Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame, highlighting Alabama’s aviation history. The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Children’s tickets are $6, and adults are $7.

4343 73rd Street North, Birmingham 35206. 833-8226. southernmuseumofflight.org.

American Village

27.84 miles, 37 minutes

Spend the day with your family honoring and exploring the culture of Colonial America at American Village. Located near the campus of the University of Montevallo, American Village’s purpose is to inspire and educate visitors about the foundations of American liberty. During the tour, families will have the opportunity to meet historical American figures, see artifacts and participate in interactive media. Tickets are $8 for children and $8.50 for adults.

3727 Alabama 119, Montevallo 35115. 665-3535. americanvillage.org.