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Things to Do in Birmingham
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

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Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

See all things to do
See all things to do
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
4.5
1,279
#2 of 88 things to do in Birmingham
History Museums
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10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
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About
This historic museum traces the journey of the civil rights advocates of the 1950s and 60s, who changed the course of American history. The struggle for equality for Black Americans is chronicled here, from the Jim Crow laws in the 1800s to the freedom rides, sit-ins and demonstrations of the 1960s.
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Admission tickets
from $32.00
All you need to step foot in the door.
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The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
360 within 3 miles
Bistro Two Eighteen
225
0.5 mi$$$$ • French • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Paramount
168
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Pub
Green Acres Cafe
32
0.2 mi$ • Quick Bites • American
Urban Cookhouse
16
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Magnolia BBQ and Fish
11
0.2 mi$ • Barbecue
Pizitz Food Hall
90
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • American • Vegetarian Friendly
Cafe Dupont
199
0.5 mi$$$$ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Roots & Revelry
72
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Vegan Options • Gluten Free Options
Zoes Kitchen
36
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Quick Bites • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Chick-fil-A
5
0.2 miAmerican
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Attractions
80 within 6 miles
Kelly Ingram Park
296
358 ftHistoric Walking Areas • Parks
Civil Rights District
144
282 ftHistoric Walking Areas
Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
22
0.1 miSpeciality Museums
Alabama Theatre
217
0.3 miTheaters
McWane Science Center
954
0.4 miScience Museums • Aquariums
Carver Theater
6
0.2 miHistoric Sites • Theaters
Alabama Historical Radio Society Museum
1
0.2 miScience Museums
Birmingham Museum of Art
544
0.5 miArt Museums
4th Avenue Business District
1
0.2 miHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Birmingham's Railroad Park
294
0.5 miParks
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,279 reviews
Excellent
1,029
Very good
208
Average
27
Poor
4
Terrible
12
Aubrey C
Atlanta, GA24 contributions
Important historical museum
Well done, learned a lot, engaging style, though exhibits feel dated. I liked that they gave a historical overview of the Civil Rights movement both in the country and specifically in Alabama. We spent over 2 hrs here. I read a lot more than I usually do in museums, though many of the plaques in the same area were repetitive.

When we went, we had to purchase timed tickets, so I would recommend getting them online in advance! We also had to check our purse & backpack. They had small lockers to rent for $1, we were able to squeeze both bags into one locker. I'd recommend packing light/leaving larger bags in hotel if you come! We parked in a city garage across the park from the museum, which was convenient.
Written June 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Colin E
London, UK145 contributions
A must-see
Unless you've been living under a rock, you will have heard about Birmingham's role in the US Civil Rights struggle. This Institute does a fantastic job of telling the story of the (still ongoing) struggle through exhibits, films and stories. Simply a must-see
Written August 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
nylady21
Philadelphia, PA750 contributions
Incredibly moving Museum with excellent timeline of history
Couples
The experience in the BCRI was one of the most impactful Museum tours I have ever done. The design was expertly Co st cited with displays, timelines, videos and personal stories. I can’t recommend it highly enough to understand the evolution of the fight for civil rights. Take several hours to really view, read and learn.
Written February 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
EaglesFan27
Reading, PA590 contributions
History
Solo
I believe everyone should take the chance to learn about our history. The museum highlights the civil rights movement and shows how the people of Birmingham played a role. Museums are the best we got for time travel and this one did a good job of presenting the movement as it happened.
Written September 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Megan
Malinta, OH84 contributions
History Awaits!
Excellent museum! The information is emotional but timely. They had a great combination of artifacts, reading, and different charts, pictures, videos, etc to put things into perspective. I enjoyed seeing the two different versions of a classroom, and I thought it was very interesting how you entered "a church" to read that info, a "house" to read that particular info, etc. The museum immersed you in the information. We spent about two hours here, and it is right across from the 16th street church and a park with sculptures and statues. This is a good place to visit if you are interested in the Civil Rights era
Written July 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Susanna J
59 contributions
Educational museum, worth a visit
Family
We had a free afternoon in Birmingham and decided to visit this museum. We had booked tickets well in advance before doing any research on the Institute. We debated on whether or not to go, based upon controversial awards associated with the Institute. (Apparently the Institute and Museum are separate. The museum does not get into current American politics which we appreciate). In the end we decided to go. We stayed for an hour and a half and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. This museum is very well displayed. There are some amazing artifacts, such as a Freedom Riders bus. My favorite part was the glass wall that allowed me to look at the Birmingham church as I read about the bombing and simulateously saw where this horrific act occured. The last section focuses on the struggles for civil rights around the globe. I suggest the museum consider including the horrific abuse the Chinese Muslim Uighurs are enduring at hands of their own government. This is one of worst abuses going on in our world right now and it is often under reported in our media. Overall a good visit and I recommended. I would keep in mind though that they only allow very small puraes. We have visited hundreds of historic sites and museums and this is the only museum with this policy. Not a huge deal, but just keep in mind if your purse is large. If the weather is nice, I suggest you go to the park across from the museum and read the displays.
Written July 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Stellybelly
Alabama2 contributions
A must-see if you are in Birmingham
Family
My family and I joined a large group of homeschool students for a visit to the 16th Street Baptist Church and the Civil Rights Institute. My middle school students had just finished reading The Watsons Go To Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis and our high school students read The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Du Bois.
The Civil Rights Institute is a beautiful museum filled with interactive exhibits, video, historical accounts, visual poetry, art and much more. Every student was completely immersed in the details of each exhibit. There is something for every age at this establishment. Everyone at the museum went above and beyond to answer our questions and guide us through history.
This museum is one of Birmingham's finest and one you definitely do not want to miss.
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TN_Traveller_12
Nashville, TN48 contributions
Great museum with amazing exhibits
We had some time to kill while in Birmingham for a baseball tournament, so we decided to visit the B'ham Civil Right Institute. I didn't really know what to expect, but the visit was incredibly informative. The tour starts with a short movie about the origins of B'ham (which is far younger than I realized). You then follow a series of chronological exhibits showing what life was like in the city during the 1950s for black and white families, how the civil rights movement started in different parts of the American south in the 1950s and 1960s, and how the movement changed the country. Many of the exhibits are very powerful emotionally. They weren't "preachy" but told the history of the civil rights movement clearly. We spent about 90 minutes here, and we were taking our time. Definitely worth a visit.
Written June 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jean H
Pleasant Prairie, WI296 contributions
Eye Opening Exhibits
Growing up White in lower-middle class America, I had no idea what minorities were going through in the 1950s and 60s, then television brought the Civil Rights movement into our living room. I remember seeing the water cannons and dogs used against the protestors. The exhibits here really put you back into that era and give deeper understanding to what it meant to be Black in America, especially in the Deep South. The 16th Street Baptist Church is right across the street; it was the scene of a bombing that killed four young girls and put Birmingham at the center of the Civil Rights movement.
Written June 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Cheryl J
Indianapolis, IN418 contributions
Must see
Family
A must see educational experience for all. The institute does an excellent job with the timeline of the Birmingham Civil Rights movement. Plenty of exhibits you could hear the voices of the past. Deeply moving and crucially important for our teens to experience. Thank you.
Written April 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is open:
  • Sun - Sun 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Tue - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute can be crowded, so we recommend booking e-tickets ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund. See all 2 Birmingham Civil Rights Institute tickets and tours on Tripadvisor