Charting eight decades of aviation history, the Southern Museum of Flight features a superb collection of aircraft, models and memorabilia including one of Delta Air Line's first planes, a Huff Daland crop duster, an F-4 jet fighter, gloves once owned by the Red Baron and a landing light used by the Wright Brothers.

In the museum's Hall of Fame, the lives and stories of Alabama's aviation pioneers who have helped make air travel what it is today are honored, whilst children are invited to pilot a plane in the Kids Hangar exhibit.

From downtown Birmingham, take Interstate 20/59, leaving at the Airport Boulevard exit. Follow signs to the museum, located on 73rd Street North, two blocks east of Birmingham International Airport.

After visiting the Southern Museum of Flight, head back toward downtown, stopping just east at Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark on 32nd Street North. The site serves as a museum detailing the industrial heritage of Birmingham.

From there, head south along Red Mountain Expressway (Route 280) to Birmingham Zoo.