Vulcan Park was introduced as the city’s third official visitor center yesterday. The announcement was made by Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau (GBCVB) president Jim Smither after a luncheon at the renovated park celebrating National Tourism Week .

The center will be located inside the Vulcan Center lobby at Vulcan Park and will offer tourists the opportunity to get information for their stay about restaurants, hotels, transportation providers, and tourist attractions that will make their stay enjoyable. The GBCVB also operates visitors centers in their headquarters’ lobby near the BJCC and at Birmingham International Airport.

Vulcan Park Foundation President & CEO Darlene Negrotto said, “We are extremely pleased to enhance our visitor experience by becoming an informational outlet for both our local residents and out-of-town visitors.”

The park prides itself as serving as the only attraction in the Birmingham area that provides a comprehensive overview of Birmingham’s history from its founding in 1871 to the present. It has welcomed more than 500,000 visitors from all 50 states and over 80 countries since reopening after an extensive renovation in March 2004.

The center will operate from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 – 6 p.m. on Sunday. It will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.