Since the 1930s, a colossal figure has stood watch high above Birmingham. Vulcan—with his 100,000 pounds of iron—guards the slopes of Red Mountain, his mighty arm extended 56 feet into the air. It's hard to imagine that the statue, the largest of its kind in the world, would ever show weakness, but by 1999 it was in dire need of repair and a few routine vaccinations. So the community rallied, forming a non-profit and restoring the statue to the way it looked when Italian artist Giuseppe Moretti first cast its features in 1904. Additionally, the restoration effort led to the creation of a museum, which visitors can explore during group or self-guided tours.

The museum's interactive exhibits and activities profile different events that influenced Birmingham and the country as a whole, but perhaps the most thrilling exhibit is the city itself. An observation balcony towers nearly 12 stories high, looking out over Birmingham and the surrounding mountains. Back at ground level, the park serves as the ideal setting for public concerts, picnics, or uploading snapshots via free WiFi. Combined, all the educational and community features make Vulcan Park and Museum one of the city's premier destinations; AL.com even awarded it the "Best Must-See Spot for Visitors" in their "Birmingham's Best 2013" competition.