07/13/2025
Why We Keep Coming Back to in Birmingham, AL 🧪🦖🛠️
We LOVE this place — and so do our kids. Whether you’re visiting Birmingham or just passing through, the McWane Science Center is easily one of the best stops you can make with little ones.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect on each level:
🪸 Basement – A full aquarium with fish, turtles, and a stingray touch tank (a huge hit with our toddlers).
🍽️ First Floor – Interactive science exhibits, a cafe, and IMAX theater — great for school-age kids and adults too.
🦕 Second Floor (our favorite) –
• Dinosaur exhibit + fossil dig
• Nature zones with animal and earth science displays
• The Itty Bitty Magic City — one of the best toddler play zones we’ve ever seen.
This fully enclosed area is monitored by staff and thoughtfully divided into activity-rich zones:
🚒 Firetruck
🛍️ Grocery store + café
🧰 Mechanic shop
🐾 Vet clinic
🧱 Building + climbing zones
🎶 Music + movement
🚼 Infant-safe baby area
💦 A water table, train sets, blocks & more
🔄 Third Floor – A rotating exhibit that changes seasonally. There’s always something new to explore!
Whether you’ve got a wobbly toddler or a curious 8-year-old, there’s so much to do — and it’s all designed to be hands-on, engaging, and fun for the whole family.
Best of all, it's an ASTC Member. If you don't know about the Association of Science and Technology Centers membership, it's one of our favorite travel hacks!! Follow along to learn more!
📹 Stay tuned for a reel — we’ll show you why this is such a special spot for traveling families!
