Tag: alabama

5 Historical Attractions in Birmingham

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle2 Comments

Founded in 1871 as part of the post-Civil War Reconstruction efforts, Birmingham is a cornerstone of American history. Explore these five attractions to learn about Birmingham’s historical impact, which still affects our society today.

Civil Rights Institute

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Image by Bill Dillard via Trover.com

Located in the Civil Rights District, a beautiful area of town with hotels and restaurants, the Civil Rights Institute chronicles the course of the Civil Rights movement from 1950 to 1960. This interactive museum offers informative, haunting exhibits about the country’s struggles from segregation to integration. The many displays use life-size models, historic recordings, and multimedia features to show how the battles of the past are relevant today. Museum tickets cost $15, and discounts are available for children and seniors.

Jazz Museum

Also in the Civil Rights District is the Jazz Hall of Fame. From the early days of boogie-woogie to the latest jazz fusion, you can explore how jazz is woven into all musical genres, including hip hop, alternative, and rock. The Jazz Hall of Fame is also dedicated to nurturing future musicians. It offers classes and seminars for jazz enthusiasts of all ages. Nothing brings the world together like music.

Baptist Church

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Image by Jennifer Hott-Greenway via Trover.com

Don’t miss your chance to visit the 16th Street Baptist Church in the Civil Rights District. Established in 1873, this was the first African-American church in Alabama. It was the central meeting place for leaders of the Civil Rights Movement, and in May 1963, the church was the starting point for marches and demonstrations. The church is best known as the site of the bombing that killed four little African-American girls. The tragedy led to a massive backlash and sparked the passing of the Civil Rights Bill of 1963.

Flight Museum

A short drive from the city you’ll find the largest aviation museum in the South. The 75,000-square-foot facility houses aircrafts, photos, and artifacts depicting the history of flight. You can sit in a World War II fighter jet or a modern-day A-12 Blackbird. The museum also explores the history of military flight, with exhibits from the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Tuskegee Airmen. Museum tickets cost $7, but all military personnel and their families can enter for free.

Sports Hall of Fame

Sports and athletes are as influential today as they were in the past. At the Sports Hall of Fame, you can learn more about Alabama’s contributions to the world of sports. The museum has over 5,000 pieces of memorabilia from athletes who were born in Alabama, attended school in Alabama, or otherwise impacted sports in Alabama. This organization also encourages higher education by offering sports awards and scholarships to local high school athletes.

On some vacations, you plan for relaxation, and on others, you plan to learn something. Birmingham, Alabama, might not be the sexiest of vacation spots, but the city’s importance to the development of the South is clear in its historical sites. A visit to these places will give you a historical perspective on the social climate of our country today.

 

Hipmunk Hotels: Interesting Sites in Tuscaloosa, Huntsville, Dunwoody, Louisville and Baton Rouge

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle1 Comment

My bucket list is taking me back down south. I found a few small cities big time attractions I can’t wait to check out. A few sports highlights, adventure to a galaxy far, far away, a place to quench your thirst and a trip to the past to top it all off.

Tuscaloosa, Alabama

My favorite genre to read and to write is sports romance. So any chance I get, I like to experience a sport spectacle. One of the best places to immerse yourself in college life is at the University of Alabama. Located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the Crimson Tide are loyal and enthusiastic fans. Stay at many of the hotels near campus and you can’t help but get caught up in the excitement of college football in this historic setting.

Photo provided by Robbie Faulkner via Trover.com

Huntsville, Alabama

I really, really, really wanted to go to space camp when I was a kid. After watching that movie, pilot school was in my future. I saw myself living on the International Space Station. The dream ended when I failed freshman science. Huntsville, Alabama is the home of Space Camp and the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, the largest museum dedicated to the US space program. Every year thousands of kids descend on Huntsville and attend Space Camp. These future scientists get to learn first hand what it’s like to live and work as an astronaut without leaving earth. The Center houses replicates of some of the most iconic rockets in NASA history. With a Marriott hotel right on campus stay close to the action and explore the many exhibits and demos at the Center.

Photo provided by Steve Burns via Trover.com 

Dunwoody, Georgia

Dunwoody, Georgia is a small suburb of Atlanta. As the birth place of Ryan Seacrest, Dunwoody is a laid back town with a historic vibe. Although discovered in the late 1800, it wasn’t incorporated into a city until 2008. You can check into a hotel on the square and walk to the many restaurants and bars in the area. I found a spot that is a must to experience, especially if you like beer. Moondog Growlers offers craft beer tastings daily and if you find one you like, pick up a Growler and fill it up from the tap to take home.

Photo provided by Karen Martinchich via Trover.com

Louisville, Kentucky

If baseball is your thing, a stop at the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory in Louisville, Kentucky is a must. The museum has several interactive attractions and a perfect place to learn enough about baseball to impress the most rabid fan. Get your picture taken next to the largest steel bat in the world. Take a few swings in the batting cages and check out some of the great players and their bats from major league baseball.

Photo provided by Chris Votaw via Trover.com

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

I would conclude my trip with a step into history, literally.  At Louisiana State University, they have created the Rural Museum in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The museum is known as one of the best outdoor museums in the world. The museum’s mission is to preserve the way of life in the south in the 18th and 19th century.  The museum includes several free-standing structures from the time and many artifacts used in everyday life during this time period. There are hotels right on campus for you to stay and visit this and other cool attractions in this college/capital town.

Photo provided by Lauren Bassart via Trover.com.

Sydney Quotes the Movies – RIP Tony Scott

Published on by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle11 Comments

I was saddened by the news of the death of Tony Scott.  For any movie fan, at least one Tony Scott movie is  in your top ten.  In my case, a Tony Scott film began my love of movies.  It was 1986 and my friends and I went to see Top Gun.  Cue the dreamy movie music.  The F-14’s made me want to join the Air Force and the volleyball scene, well, made me want to . . . watch more volleyball.

In honor of the passing of Mr. Scott, I have dedicated this weeks Sydney Quotes the Movies to the greatness that is Tony Scott.  I have been known to recite the following quotes at inappropriate moments.  Try it, it fun.

“If I’m wrong and we’re at war.  God help us all.”

“Everybody who reads comic books knows that the Kirby Silver Surfer is the only true Silver Surfer. Now am I right or wrong?”

“Mr Hunter, we have rules that are not open to interpretation, personal intuition, gut feelings, hairs on the back of your neck, little devils or angels sitting on your shoulder. We’re all very well aware of what our orders are and what those orders mean. They come down from our Commander in Chief. They contain no ambiguity.”

*Denzel Washington did five movies with Tony Scott; Crimson Tide, Man on Fire, Pelham 123, DejaVu, and Unstoppable.

“That’s pretty arrogant, considering the company you’re in.”

“Hey Goose, you big stud.  Take me to bed or loose me forever.”

“The defense department regrets to inform you that your sons are dead because they were stupid.”

“I feel the need . . . the need for speed.”

“You can be my wingman anytime.”

*This is back when Tom Cruise could work in an ensemble cast and not take over.  Great showcase for Anthony Edwards, Val Kilmer, Tom Skerritt, Meg Ryan, and Tim Robbins,  

“Forgiveness is between them and God. It’s my job to arrange the meeting.”

“A man can be an artist… in anything, food, whatever. It depends on how good he is at it. Creasey’s art is death. He’s about to paint his masterpiece.”

“The gun shot holds no fear.  You welcome the sound. In fact it’s the sound that sets you free. You are a prisoner on this block until that sound sets you free.”

“I got all the time in the world. *You* don’t, but I do.”

*This my guaranteed good cry movie.  I have seen it several times and end up in a puddle of my own tears every time.  

My thoughts and prays go out to the Scott family.  As a movie lover, I feel privileged to have access to this man’s creative vision.

What’s your favorite Tony Scott movie?