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ATTRACTIONS

HISTORIANS, AUTO AFICIONADOS, BASEBALL FANATICS AND PEANUT LOVERS ALIKE all find the objects of their obsessions in Birmingham. Take the lead from the folks who know, and then set out on your adventure.

ATTRACTIONS

Alabama Sports Hall of Fame 2150 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N 205-323-6665 ashof.org BIRMINGHAM

Homegrown atheletes have been one of Alabama's cash crops for more than a century. Located on the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex campus, the ASHOF is dedicated to the celebration and preservation of Alabama s exceptional sports heritage. The museum displays over 5,000 sports artifacts, including items from five of ESPN s top 15 greatest athletes of the century: Jesse Owens, Hank Aaron, Joe Louis, Willie Mays and Carl Lewis The Alabama Sports Hall of Fame has a great atmosphere and is very educational even to us sea- soned sports fans. Michael W.

Alabama Wine Trail 173 Hwy 301 205-668-6926 alabamawinetrail.net CALERA

With three wineries near Birmingham, it s easy to create your own wine adventure. Offering traditional and specialty wines plus Southern favorites, the wineries include Morgan Creek Vineyards (Harpersville), Ozan Vineyard & Winery (Calera) and Vizzini Farms Winery (North Calera). It's a must-do for anyone that appreciates a bit of culture and education with their drinks. Visit their website for a trail map and ideas of attrac- tions along the way. I was excited to learn about a wine trail in Alabama. I enjoy tast- ing wines from around the world, and now I can enjoy the opportu- nities Alabama has to offer. Lauren U.

Aldridge Gardens 3530 Lorna Rd 205-682-8019 HOOVER

Aldridge Gardens is 30 acres of woodland paradise that features a six-acre lake, a walking trail, inventive sculpture and an abundance of hydrangeas. This spread of natural beauty takes its name from noted nurseryman Eddie Aldridge, who discovered and patented the Snowflake Hydrangea when the property served as his homestead. It s just absolutely beautiful. I take my family there as often as I can every spring. Christy B.

American Village 3727 Hwy 119 205-665-3535 americanvillage.org MONTEVALLO

The Spirit of Liberty is alive and well at American Village just south of Birmingham in Mon-