BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- An area of Birmingham devoted to remembering the city's role in the civil rights movement is being recognized this year as Alabama's 2012 tourist attraction of the year.

The Alabama Department of Tourism named the Birmingham Civil Right District as the 2012 attraction of the year. The district includes 16th Street Baptist Church, Kelly Ingram Park and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. The department says the Civil Rights District served as a "ground zero" during the 1963 civil rights campaign.

The tourism department says Kelly Ingram Park was a common gathering spot for civil rights demonstrators in the early 1960s. Statues in the park commemorate a time when police officers turned fire hoses and police dogs on civil rights marchers, including children.

Another famous civil rights landmark, Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, was the site of a 1963 bombing set off by Ku Klux Klan members that killed four young girls.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - The Alabama Tourism Department says 25 towns across the state will be offering walking tours in April to show off their historic areas and courthouse squares.

A variety of community leaders will lead the free tours. The hour-long tours will start at 10 a.m. on April 7, 14, 21, and 28.

Towns participating in the program include Abbeville, Ashland, Athens, Atmore, Birmingham, Butler, Courtland, Cullman, Decatur, Enterprise, Eufaula, Fairhope, Gadsden, Hartselle, Huntsville, Madison, Monroeville, Montevallo, Montgomery, Prattville, Selma, Sylacauga, Tallassee, Tuscumbia and Wetumpka.

Tour coordinator Brian Jones of the Alabama Tourism Department said Alabama is the only state with statewide, simultaneous walking tours. He said the program began nine years ago and keeps growing each year.

In part to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the National Park Service will be waiving admission fees at every one of their 397 parks Jan. 14-16.

National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis said in a press release, “Dr. King’s story and those of so many others whose efforts changed our country are preserved in the national parks, places where history happened. I hope every American can take advantage of the upcoming fee free weekend and visit their parks to experience their history firsthand.”

There are seven national parks in Alabama including the Horseshoe Bend National Military Park and the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site. As the park service points out, visiting one of the parks is also a great way to benefit your health with a hike or other outdoor activity.

Visit the National Parks website to learn more about the parks in Alabama.