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Birmingham   Travel Guide

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11 Best Things To Do in Birmingham

Updated February 11, 2021

Once an industrial hub of the South and ground zero for the civil rights movement, Birmingham is now a vibrant and diverse metropolis, known for its wide array of outdoor spaces and golf courses. Catch a bird's-eye view of the city from the iconic Vu

• All Things To Do

Civil Rights District Civil Rights District free

To learn more about Birmingham's role in the civil rights movement, plan a visit to the Civil Rights District. This six-block area in downtown Birmingham encompasses several historic sites, including the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, the 16th Street Baptist Church, Kelly Ingram Park, the A.G. Gaston Gardens and the Fourth Avenue Business District, among other points of interest.

Perhaps the most significant site is Kelly Ingram Park, which played host to civil rights rallies, demonstrations and confrontations in the 1960s, including the Children's Crusade. You can take a self-led walking tour through the park to learn about the notable protesters and the significant incidents of this turbulent time in the city's history, detailed by markers along the Freedom Walk route. The park is also home to the Four Spirits statues, which honor the four African American girls killed in the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church. To fully experience the walk, you can access a free audio tour from your cell phone by calling 205-307-5455.

Birmingham Railroad Park Birmingham Railroad Park free

Known as "Birmingham's Living Room," the 19-acre Railroad Park is where locals gather for recreational activities, concerts and special events. The park features a lake, jogging trails, skate bowls, an outdoor gym, playgrounds and the partially covered 17th Street Plaza, which offers restrooms and the Railroad Park Dining Car.

Recent travelers said this local favorite is a gorgeous green space. Reviewers commented on the clean restrooms, beautiful gardens, picnic facilities and scenic trails. Parents noted that their kids loved watching the trains go by at the adjacent railroad yard. 

Birmingham Botanical Gardens Birmingham Botanical Gardens free

Spanning more than 65 acres, these gorgeous gardens are known for their diverse plant collections. In fact, there are 30 thematic gardens divided into three categories: Gardens of Collections, Gardens of Nature and Gardens of Culture. You'll also find the only public horticultural library in the United States here. What's more, programs and workshops are available for both children and adults, and the Bruno Vegetable Garden provides food for Birmingham's needy. The gardens also feature several paths for walking and jogging, making it a great spot for both recreation and relaxation.

Recent visitors said a visit to the botanical gardens is a fun and inexpensive way to spend an afternoon outdoors. Many commented on the variety of birds, as well as the diverse landscapes, from Japanese gardens to native woodlands. All agreed that the facility is well-maintained and appreciated its many amenities, including a restaurant, lots of outdoor seating and a gift shop.

Popular Tours

Birmingham Civil Rights Tour- Riding & Walking

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Experience Birmingham - The Historic Highlights

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Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute presents the moving story of the city's role in the civil rights movement, focusing not just on the past, but also on the continuing international struggle for human rights through permanent and temporary galleries. Exhibits detail some of the most significant events in Birmingham's history, including the tragic loss of life at the 16th Street Baptist Church during a bombing orchestrated by the Ku Klux Klan.

Most visitors call this museum a moving experience and a wonderful way to learn about the civil rights movement and its impact on our nation. Although the museum is family-friendly, some say the Confrontation Gallery (where visitors hear recorded voices of children and adults – both black and white – sharing sentiments they would only say behind closed doors) is disturbing and very emotional. Many recommend combining a visit to the institute with a walking tour of the downtown Civil Rights District.

Birmingham Museum of Art Birmingham Museum of Art free

Despite its small size, this art museum houses a notable and eclectic collection of Asian, European, Native American and African art, not to mention one of the best collections of Wedgwood in the country (in fact, it houses the most Wedgwood outside of England).

Recent visitors were impressed with the museum's noteworthy collection of Wedgwood, along with the Samuel Kress collection of European art and its Remington works. Reviewers also appreciated the free admission and free parking, and praised the museum's other facilities, including its on-site eatery and gift shop. However, a few noted that the outdoor art installation is somewhat overgrown and neglected.

Red Mountain Park Red Mountain Park free

There's something for everyone at Red Mountain Park, where miners once toiled to extract iron ore from the red soil. The 1,500-acre park features more than 15 miles of trails, two scenic overlooks, three treehouses, an off-leash dog park and adventures from zip lining and climbing to a ropes course.

Many visitors loved the zip line and ropes courses, but bemoaned the poorly marked and confusing trail signs and the lack of proper restrooms (the park does offer portable toilets). Most said the trails – not particularly long or challenging – are more for walkers than hikers, including families with strollers and small children. Pet owners also appreciated the dog park, as well as the plentiful free parking. 

Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail: Oxmoor Valley and Ross Bridge Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail: Oxmoor Valley and Ross Bridge

One of the largest golf course construction projects ever attempted, the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail showcases a collection of public courses throughout the state of Alabama, including two courses in the Birmingham area, all designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. Oxmoor Valley offers three courses: the Ridge with heavy tree cover and big elevation changes, the Valley with scenic lakes throughout and the Short course, which features 18 one-shot holes. The other local course, Ross Bridge, is one of the longest in the world and features two large lakes connected by a stunning waterfall.

Visiting golfers love both Oxmoor Valley and Ross Bridge, although many note that Ross Bridge is not only visually stunning, but also more challenging. Most reviewers complimented the excellent service at both courses and noted that one of the benefits of playing on RTJ courses is that the tee boxes vary to accommodate players from novice to expert. Experienced golfers preferred the diversity at the Ross Bridge course and said that it's in great shape, while some described the Oxmoor Valley course as "tired." Many golfers loved playing in November, when the weather is still fairly warm. 

Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum

If you're a gearhead, you won't want to miss George Barber's collection of motorcycles – the largest in the world, according to Guinness – featuring more than 1,400 bikes from 200 different manufacturers. The museum also houses an extensive selection of Lotus Cars, if you prefer four wheels to two.

Recent visitors called this museum a "world-class facility" and said that even if you're not into motorcycles, this collection is worth seeing. Other reviewers praised the assortment of Lotus Cars and the outdoor track, which hosts the Porsche Sport Driving School. The only gripe among recent visitors concerned the museum's facilities, or lack thereof: museumgoers said they would love to see a cafe or eatery added to the grounds.

1963 Birmingham Civil Rights Experience - Black History Matters Walking Tour

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Birmingham Civil Rights Walk of Freedom Smartphone Audio App Tour

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Wild Cave Adventure Tour

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Vulcan Park and Museum Vulcan Park and Museum

Overlooking the city of Birmingham is a bearded man that pays homage to Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and forge. The largest cast iron statue in the world, Vulcan is a reminder of the city's iron mining roots. Visitors can ascend the Vulcan tower for spectacular, open-air city views or explore the ground-level museum to learn more about Birmingham's history. The park is also home to the city's official visitor center.

Recent visitors enjoyed the local legend surrounding the statue and said the trip up the tower is well worth the ticket. Some reviewers do caution, though, that the open grated floor on the observation deck may be a problem for those with a fear of heights. Most agreed that the museum is interesting, and noted this is a good attraction to visit on Sunday mornings, when most other attractions are closed.

McWane Science Center McWane Science Center

Kids of all ages will enjoy the interactive McWane Science Center. An integral part of the revitalization of downtown Birmingham, the center is located in the historic Loveman's department store building. Hands-on exhibits include the Fox 6 Weather Lab, the High Cycle (a high-wire bicycle that teaches visitors about the laws of gravity), the Itty Bitty Magic City and the Shark and Ray Touch Tank. The center also boasts an Imax theater.

Both parents and grandparents say McWane is a "super fun" place to spend a day with the kids, especially since the center appeals to a variety of age groups. Families that visited said they appreciated the option to purchase Imax theater admission separately and enjoyed the convenience of the on-site food court. However, some reviewers said the exhibits need to be updated more often.

Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame

The art deco Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame is located in the Carver Theatre in the heart of the Civil Rights District. Exhibits honor Alabama jazz greats, including Nat King Cole, Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton. Beyond its collection of memorabilia and personal effects, the theater also presents shows by local jazz artists and comedians. The theater itself also plays a significant role in the city's civil rights history: it was one of several theaters offering first-run movies to African Americans.

Recent visitors called this small museum "a hidden jewel" and a must-see for jazz fans. However, some were disappointed with its petite size (it spans more than 2,200 square feet). But with an entrance fee of just $2, most travelers say it's an enjoyable stop to see memorabilia, ranging from Ray Charles' piano to Ella Fitzgerald's Neiman Marcus credit card. 

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Latest traffic and travel news

Birmingham is a central transport hub for the UK. Get all your latest traffic and travel news here including incidents, accidents, crashes, delays and roadworks. The city is at the heart of the motorway network - with the M6, M5, M42 and M40 within easy reach. Birmingham New Street is the busiest UK train station outside London, and Birmingham Airport the third busiest airport outside London. There are also bus, cycle and canal networks, along with West Midlands Metro tram service

TRAFFIC AND TRAVEL NEWS LIVE FEED

The 15 most fun things to do in Birmingham

Jan 28, 2022 • 8 min read

Birmingham offers green space, Michelin-starred restaurants, engaging street art and much more © Mike Kemp / In Pictures via Getty Images

Once a smoky industrial powerhouse known as the “City of 1000 Trades,” Birmingham in the 21st century is vibrant, diverse city that’s home to a plethora of distinctly local attractions. 

Whether you’re exploring Digbeth’s jaunty street art, sampling some of the country’s most unique gastronomy or strolling the city’s colorful canals, it’s the creativity and warmth of its people that brings out the best of Birmingham. 

Conveniently located smack-dab in the center of the UK , Birmingham is easy to reach – but much harder to leave. Here’s how to make the most of your time in Britain’s second city.

Stroll Birmingham’s finest stretch of canal

Birmingham was built around its vast network of canals, but if you want to see them at their finest then take a stroll along the meandering 45-minute stretch between Gas Street Basin and the University of Birmingham. 

The lively waterside bars, bistros and restaurants of Brindley Place and The Mailbox are ideal for refreshments but once you walk down the Old Line canal past Five Ways, the towpath turns into a bucolic cornucopia of overhanging foliage and sudden tranquility. The elegant university grounds are a treat to explore too, as is the underrated Barber Institute of Fine Arts . 

Stay at a Grand institution

Once host to the likes of Winston Churchill and Charlie Chaplin, the Grand Hotel was the most opulent of Victorian Birmingham’s hotels, later falling into disrepair before closing for good in 2000. After a 20-year slumber, this local institution on Colmore Row re-opened in May 2021 following a £45m facelift. 

Originally opened in 1879, this Grade II-listed building still retains some of its wonderful period features, including the famous grand staircase furnished by gilded marble columns and the extraordinary Louis IV-style grand ballroom. The hotel’s stylish rooms also offer impressive views of the St Phillips Cathedral grounds (known locally as Pigeon Park).  

Uncover Digbeth’s street art

Digbeth sprawls out from the city center’s southwestern fringes and is crammed with some of Birmingham’s liveliest bars – and it’s impossible not to be struck by the quality and volume of the neighborhood’s extensive street art and graffiti. The rough-and-ready industrial streets around the Custard Factory form a perfect canvas for the city’s talented creatives to display their work. 

The scene is driven by superb local artists such as Annatomix and gent48 . Make sure to head to Floodgate Street, Gibb Street and Lower Trinity Street for some of Birmingham’s boldest street art.

Experience Victorian Birmingham at the Back to Backs

Talking in dramatic terms about Birmingham’s industrial past is easy; conjuring the feel of daily life from this era is hard. Except, that is, at one corner of the city center where you can get a vivid sense of working-class Birmingham’s living conditions over 100 years ago. 

Located on lively Hurst Street, the Birmingham Back to Backs are the last remaining example of the city’s 19th-century back-to-back terraced houses. Today, you can take guided tours led by passionate locals who will evoke the challenges – and joys – of life in these dense buildings. Make sure to book ahead of time – and don’t miss the 1930s-era sweets shop on the corner.

Enjoy the view from the secret garden

With curvaceous oddities like the Bullring and the Rotunda giving Birmingham one of the UK’s more distinct skylines, it’s worth finding a spot to take it all in from above. The best viewing platform in the city isn’t in a skyscraper, but rather humbly located on the 7th floor of the Library of Birmingham in Centenary Square. 

What the library’s Secret Garden lacks in towering height, it more than makes up for with genuinely panoramic outdoor views, plenty of room to wander and a beautiful elevated green space for summertime relaxing above the hum of the city.

Try a Balti in its hometown

Birmingham has more Michelin-star restaurants than any other city in the UK outside of London, yet the dish at the heart of the city’s character is a humble one-pot stew: the Balti. Devised by Birmingham’s Pakistani community in the early 1970s, the Balti is a fiery curry cooked quickly with the freshest ingredients over a searing hot flame. 

While you can now find Baltis on menus across the city, the Balti Triangle neighborhood a couple of miles south of the city center is the dish’s spiritual home. Head to original pioneer restaurant Adil’s or modern favorite Shababs on the Ladypool Road for a taste of the Balti at its best. 

Get outdoors in the Lickey Hills

With more than 8000 acres of award-winning green spaces and parks, Birmingham is one of the greenest cities in Europe. But if you want to combine that green space with gorgeous panoramic views and charming woodland trails then head out to the Lickey Hills Country Park.

Just 10 miles southwest of Birmingham city center, the hills are easily reached by train, bus or car and are ideal to walk at any time of year. Make sure to head up to the almost 300m-high summit of Beacon Hill, where you’ll be treated to stunning views of Birmingham’s skyline to the north and the distant Malvern Hills to the south.  

Drink the Stirchley beer mile

Stirchley’s rise as craft-beer haven has been as pleasant as it is unexpected. With several splendid pubs and taprooms conveniently spaced apart, intrepid craft-beer aficionados can take on Stirchley Beer Mile and sample the finest this south Birmingham neighborhood has to offer. 

From Cork and Cage at the north end to GlassHouse in the south, with stops at vibrant taprooms Attic Brew Co and Birmingham Brewing Company  (to name but a few) along the way, there are a plethora of spots to enjoy IPAs to your heart’s content. 

Trace Birmingham’s diverse musical heritage

From the reggae beats of UB40 to Black Sabbath’s pioneering heavy-metal sound and Duran Duran’s bouncy new-wave pop, few cities in the UK have produced music as diverse as Birmingham. 

Whether locals know it or not, every neighborhood has contributed to the richness of the city’s music heritage.  Musical Routes aims to bring that to life with their gorgeous 3D wooden relief maps located at 30 train stations across Birmingham. Whether it’s artists, record shops, venues or recording studios, these unique artworks enumerate each depicted area’s special cultural contribution. 

Enter Paradise

If you want to spark an always-feisty debate in Birmingham, ask a local their opinion of the now-demolished Central Library. But whether you thought the city’s famous brutalist building was iconic or not, what took its place at Chamberlain Square makes an impression, too:  Paradise Birmingham . 

Amid gleaming new office towers, the cleaned-up square boasts a pleasant white sheen and has attracted quality restaurants such as Dishoom and Rosa’s Thai Cafe. The volume and color have now been turned up further with the fresh addition of Albert’s Schloss , a boisterous Bavarian-style bar and restaurant set across two floors.

Learn about how Birmingham became a jewelry capital

As a manufacturing powerhouse during the Industrial Revolution, Birmingham had many strings to its bow – with one of the most enduring bring the jewelry trade. Much of that was centered around the Jewellery Quarter, a handsome neighborhood that to this day produces 40% of the UK’s jewelry. 

With its immaculately preserved workshops and live demonstrations, the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter is a fascinating time capsule into Birmingham’s heritage. Make sure to explore the quirky bars and restaurants of the area too, including the aptly titled 1000 Trades and the enigmatic The Wilderness .

Hit the arcades

Birmingham isn’t a city short on shops, with the Bullring , Grand Central and The Mailbox offering a veritable smorgasbord of brands and boutiques. For a more evocative shopping experience, take a stroll through the city’s historic arcades.

Located across from Snow Hill Station, the Great Western Arcade is an ornate Victorian delight filled with independent sellers, while the Piccadilly Arcade across from New St Station has an even more interesting story. Dating back to 1925 and containing a lavishly painted ceiling fresco, this arcade was once an Edwardian cinema – which explains the sloping floor.

See an epic cathedral

Just a short 14-mile train ride north of the city in the nearby town of Lichfield lies one of the most unique cathedrals in the entire country. 

Dating back to the 14th century and soaring over 250ft above the town’s skyline, Lichfield Cathedral is one of only three three-spired cathedrals in the UK and is the only one that dates back to the Middle Ages. Spend time touring the charming cathedral grounds before finishing at award-winning chef Tom Shepherd’s sublime new restaurant Upstairs . 

Escape the city by kayak

Sitting quietly on Sheepcote Street and backing onto the Birmingham Canal Old Line, The Roundhouse has been a fixture on the canal towpath since 1874 and once housed stables and stores. Derelict for many years and now freshly renovated, the Grade II-listed building runs sustainable guided city and canal tours. 

Take the Green Escape Kayak Tour to get a new and eco-friendly perspective on Birmingham’s waterways and green spaces. 

See a real “Peaky Blinders” set

Led by the indomitable Tommy Shelby, the popular BBC crime drama Peaky Blinders has brought Birmingham (and its memorable local accent) to a global audience. Even though the show isn’t shot on location in the city, you can see an authentic historic Peaky Blinders set at the Black Country Living Museum . 

As well as seeing the famous canal-side and yard filming locations, visitors can explore a painstakingly recreated 19th-century industrial landscape. Fans of the show should try to time their visits with the regular Peaky Blinders Nights .

You might also like: The 6 best day trips from Birmingham A Peaky Blinders guide to Birmingham 10 reasons to visit Birmingham, Britain's second city

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The Best Things To See And Do In Birmingham, Alabama

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Birmingham was established in 1871 when an abundance of iron, limestone, and coal was discovered in the area. As the production of steel grew, so did the city’s population. Now home to more than 210,000 people, Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama and provides a wide variety of things to do.

It’s easy to spend a day in the Steel City learning about the civil rights movement, hiking, indulging in delicious Southern cuisine, and browsing the city’s unique shops.

Here are some of the best things to do in the area.

Civil Rights Trail

Visit The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute was founded to educate visitors about the importance of civil rights, and, more broadly, human rights for all. A short video leads the way into the first exhibit, Barriers Gallery, which illustrates what segregation in the United States was like between the 1920s and the 1950s. Artifacts, posters, and videos are displayed in chronological order; exhibits cover everything from Jim Crow laws to the bus boycotts in Montgomery to Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech in Washington, D.C.

The Institute was constructed across the street from key locations such as Kelly Ingram Park , which was an important meeting point for civil rights groups, and 16th Street Baptist Church , where four children were killed during a hate bombing in the 1960s.

The Institute is open from Tuesday through Sunday. Allow 2 to 3 hours to make your way through the exhibits. Admission costs $15, but on Sundays, entrance is granted by donation.

Admire The Animals At The Birmingham Zoo

Although it’s relatively small, The Birmingham Zoo is home to everything from African elephants and hippos to endangered red pandas. The zoo frequently hosts special events and talks to promote education and animal conservation. At certain events, visitors can even feed the resident lorikeets and giraffes.

The Birmingham Zoo is open daily. You’ll need an hour or two to admire all the felines, monkeys, and birds. Admission costs $17 per person but is half off every Tuesday.

Enjoy Panoramic Views At Vulcan Park

Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and forge, has become a symbol of Birmingham. You can see references to Vulcan around the city, but nothing beats the 50-ton cast iron statue of him on top of Red Mountain. Standing 56 feet tall in Vulcan Park , it’s the world’s largest cast iron statue and celebrates Birmingham’s role in the iron and steel industry.

The Vulcan statue alone is worth the drive to the top of the mountain. While the statue is the draw, the surrounding platform, which provides panoramic views of Birmingham, is the reason to stay. There is plenty of parking, and entrance to the park is free.

In addition to the view, you can also take in the Vulcan Museum , which documents the iron and steel history of the city. Admission costs $6.

Hike The Quarry Trail In Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve

Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve boasts more than 1,040 acres and 14 miles of hiking trails for outdoor lovers. Before Ruffner Mountain was the beautiful preserve it is today, it served as an iron-ore mine.

If you only have time to complete one hike, make it the 1.1-mile Quarry Trail around the ridge. It’s a moderately difficult trail with uneven terrain, but it provides access to other trails if you’d like to prolong your hike. One trail that branches from the Quarry Trail is the Hawk’s View Overlook Trail, a half-mile uphill trek to a gorgeous view of Birmingham.

Since the area was once a mining site, stay on the trails and don’t get too close to the edges — the ground may be unstable. A $3 donation is suggested for using the trails.

Stroll Through Railroad Park

Railroad Park is a 19-acre green escape in the center of town. The man-made park features 600 trees, countless flowers, and a lake in the center. During construction, bricks, cobblestones, and other materials were uncovered; these were repurposed into the walls and benches that line the grounds.

The park is equipped with a playground, skate area, gym, and several trails for walking, running, and jogging. A little less than a mile, the loop around the perimeter of Railroad Park is one of the most popular. The park is free to the public and is open every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

You can also drive through the nearby Rainbow Tunnel, an underpass that is lit up with colorful lights in the evening.

Explore The Sloss Furnaces

Where there is iron production, there must be furnaces! A National Historic Landmark, the Sloss Furnaces commemorate the beginnings of Birmingham. After operating for almost 90 years, the Sloss Furnaces were abandoned in 1971 due to the Clean Air Act. After undergoing renovations, they opened to the public.

Today, the site is equipped with a short introductory video and exhibits, and visitors can take a self-guided tour to learn about the history of the furnaces, the iron-production process, and the people who once worked at the site. It’s captivating walking through the site and seeing the giant, rusting contraptions; you can easily imagine the site as it was just 50 years ago.

The Sloss Furnaces are open Tuesday through Sunday and are free to visit.

Eating In Birmingham

Birmingham offers a wonderful selection of international cuisine, specialty food shops, and classic Southern fare.

Here are some places to grab a bite in the Steel City.

Pizitz Food Hall

A Birmingham original, Pizitz Food Hall is situated in the heart of downtown. The building operated as an eight-story department store until its closure in 1988. Since 2017, when the building was restored, the hall has grown to include 14 food stalls. With so many options, you can choose whatever cuisine your stomach desires, from traditional cheeseburgers at The Standard to Ethiopian injera flatbed at Ghion Cultural Hall. Conveniently, Pizitz has its own parking structure and allows 2 hours of parking free of charge.

Jim ’N Nick’s Bar-B-Q

You’re in the South, after all, so a stop at a juicy barbecue spot is a must. Jim ’N Nick’s Bar-B-Q is happy to oblige your taste buds with pulled pork sandwiches, barbecue plates (two trimmings and a sauce), and small plates of nachos or queso dip. However, the real showstoppers are the cheese biscuits that are provided at the beginning of each meal, free of charge. They’re fluffy, salty yet sweet, and most of all, cheesy. Jim ’N Nick’s sells bags of the cheese biscuit mix, and they fly off the shelves!

Church Street Coffee & Books

Located in a cozy corner of Birmingham called Mountain Brook, Church Street Coffee & Books is the perfect place to go either before or after visiting the Birmingham Zoo. Part coffee shop, part bookstore, Church Street serves up the best reads with some strong brews. In addition to being highly knowledgeable about new books, the staff members are known for their specialty Breakup Cookie, a large soft-baked cookie with melted chocolate chips and a sprinkle of sea salt on top.

Steel City Pops

Steel City Pops , a local favorite, whips up popsicles that are fruity, creamy, paleo, or even cookie. All the popsicles are made from local ingredients that are natural and unrefined. Visiting Steel City Pops is truly an experience. Not only do you choose your pop, but you also have the option to make it gourmet. You can dredge it or dip it in milk, dark, or white chocolate and then garnish it with an assortment of toppings, including sprinkles, fruit, and cookie crumbles. Choose from pre-made gourmet recipes in-store or create your own concoction. Some popular options include s’mores, pecan praline, and strawberry milkshake.

Yellowhammer Creative

Shopping In Birmingham

In Birmingham, there are a lot of independently owned shops and boutiques that specialize in unique and creative goods.

One such shop is Marguerite’s Conceits , which sells bed and bath goodies such as lotions, bath soaps, bath bombs, and scrubs. Since it’s a short walk from Church Street Coffee & Books, you can grab a hot brew and walk through the quaint streets of Mountain Brook to look for fun gifts.

Set within Pizitz Food Hall, Yellowhammer Creative is full of hand-printed cards, posters, stickers, T-shirts, and bags. The designs are all quirky and unique to the brand. Many of the goods available center on Birmingham, so Yellowhammer is the perfect place to purchase fun souvenirs for loved ones (or for yourself!).

Although it’s a little bit of drive outside of Birmingham, The Blue Willow provides unique home goods and decor. If you’re looking for goods full of Southern charm, you’ll find them here. If you want to take it one step further for someone special, the shop even provides monogramming on fabric, glass, and metalware.

Hailing from California, Vita travels the world, finding meaning and purpose in each destination, activity, and interaction, while inspiring others to do the same! When she’s not dreaming about the next destination, chasing golden hour, or dancing West Coast Swing, she’s most likely to be found documenting her travels and time spent living abroad in Australia on her blog, My Walk in the World .

20 fun things to do in Birmingham Alabama

Of all the places I visited on my Alabama road trip , Birmingham was the one that had the most Big City feel. There’s a vibrant food scene, artistic attractions and industrial heritage, not to mention the Civil Rights legacy of the 1960s As the largest city in Alabama, you’ll find a huge range of things to do in Birmingham to keep you busy for days.

Known as “The Magic City”, Birmingham Alabama sprang up from nowhere in the 1870s, with rapid growth on the back of the iron and steel industry. The city features high rise buildings and walkable streets laid out in a grid system.

Birmingham also hit the world spotlight in the 1960s, because of protests that ended legalised racial segregation in the South. It’s one of the best places in the Deep South to visit museums that shine a light on this era.

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Table of Contents

What are the top places to visit in Birmingham AL?

Birmingham AL is a large city with plenty to see, so I’ve decided to group the attractions by theme. These include the thought provoking Civil Rights Sites, the world class foodie scene , the industrial heritage, outdoor space or cultural attractions. If you are limited in time here’s what you should see first:

• Civil Rights District – the main sites are mostly clustered in one block but my top pick would be the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. Then, walk across the street to see the sculptures in Kelly Ingram Park.
• Vulcan Statue and Museum – an insight into Birmingham’s industrial heritage with fantastic views from the top of the statue.
• Eat some BBQ or Soul food at one of the Saw’s BBQ locations. Or, take a food tour to introduce you to the foodie scene of Birmingham and give you more restaurant recommendations.
• Birmingham Museum of Art – a stop in the Downtown area for art lovers including the outdoor sculpture garden.
• Railroad Park – to relax and unwind by the lake with a cup of shaved ice.

Need help to design your dream holiday? We’ve partnered with UK travel advisor Luxeco Holidays to create your personalised itinerary

Civil Rights sites in Birmingham AL

Birmingham is one of the important stops on the US Civil Rights Trail. Here you can learn about the protest movement of the 1960s led by Dr Martin Luther King Jr, Rev Fred Shuttlesworth and other church leaders. At this time, the Jim Crow laws enforced the racial segregation of black and white communities across the Southern States.

The Civil Rights movement challenged this injustice, leading to often violent confrontation that brought Birmingham into the world’s gaze. Although the city has moved on from these times, I came away feeling that visiting the Civil Rights sites was one of the most inspiring things to do in Birmingham.

1 Birmingham Civil Rights institute

A key place to understand the movement is the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute , a museum that’s dedicated to the Civil Rights struggle in Birmingham. Visits start with a short video explaining the Civil Rights movement. At the end of the video the screen rises to reveal the first gallery of the museum showing the realities of segregation.

White classrooms with the latest furniture and teaching aids contrasts with the outdated and crowded black classroom. A black teenager looks on enviously as white children of the same age have fun, knowing that the two groups are forbidden to meet or form friendships. Two drinking fountains sit side by side, one marked for white and the other for black.

The Freedom Riders in Alabama

2021 marked the 60th anniversary of the Freedom Riders, black and white activists in their 20s, who rode the Greyhound buses together in May 1961. Their aim was to challenge illegal segregation on the buses throughout the Southern USA, in the face of violent opposition. You can see a replica of the Freedom Riders bus at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

I also learned about Rosa Parks who was arrested for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white woman. Her action sparked a bus boycott by the Black community in Montgomery that lasted a year.

This is an excellent museum and I was reassured to see a focus on reconciliation rather than recrimination. It’s a must-visit in Birmingham for all ages, to illuminate the realities of life for Black and White in the 1960s in Alabama. One goal is to understand why racial injustice still persists today.

We stayed at the Hampton Inn and Suites Tutwiler Hotel – a historic hotel that is well located for sightseeing in Downtown Birmingham

2 16th Street Baptist Church

The 16th Street Baptist Church is another key place to learn about the Civil Rights movement in Birmingham Alabama. It’s the site of an infamous bombing in 1963, which killed 4 young girls who were attending Sunday School.

The atrocity by white supremacists in Birmingham brought the attention of the world onto the movement and sparked further protests in the city. I visited the church and joined a tour group to hear more about those events. There’s a striking stained glass window above the entrance, that was donated by an artist from Wales.

Group tours are available by prior arrangement for a small charge. If visiting independently, you can visit the church Tuesday – Saturday and may be able to join any tours taking place. The church is closed for tours on Sunday and Monday but visitors are welcome to join the Sunday service at 10.45am.

Read more about the Civil Rights history in Alabama in my article: Discover the US Civil Rights Trail in Alabama

3 Kelly Ingram Park

Just across the road from 16th street Baptist church is the Kelly Ingram Park which is often used for community gatherings and events. There’s a charming sculpture of four little girls playing, which is chilling when you realise that these innocent children are depicted just before the bomb exploded that killed them in the church.

Walking through the park are more sculptures that show snapshots from the civil rights protects of the early 1960s. Here are the children cowering as the water cannons are trained on them, the ferocious police dogs snarling on the leash and the children who were imprisoned en masse after the protests.

A free mobile phone tour explaining the sculptures is available to anyone with a mobile phone. The dial-in number is 205-307-5455.

4 A G Gaston Motel

Just around the corner from the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is the A G Gaston Motel which is undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation. The motel was built in the 1950s by African American businessman A G Gaston, at a time when segregation was in full force throughout the southern states.

A G Gaston Motel was one of the few places that provided accommodation and a restaurant for African American travellers. In this era such travellers would rely on guides such as “The Green Book”, which told them where they would be welcome to stay and to dine.

During the Civil Rights struggles of the 1960s, Room 30 at the A G Gaston Motel became the War Room for the ‘Project C’ direct action. Leaders such as Dr Martin Luther King Jr and Rev Fred Shuttlesworth held planning meetings here.

The motel had been in disrepair since the 1990s, but Phase 1 renovations are now complete. Reopening is planned soon as an information centre and events space, with some of the rooms renovated to their original appearance.

5 Historic Bethel Baptist Church

Across town I also visited an important church that was a centre of the Civil Rights movement, the Historic Bethel Baptist Church. This was the church where Rev. Fred L. Shuttlesworth was pastor 1953 – 1961 and became a leader in the planning of Civil Rights protests in Alabama.

He was set upon by a mob of Ku Klux Klan members when he tried to enroll his children at an all white school and barely escaped with his life. Despite many other attacks he always advocated non-violent protest.

The church became the headquarters of the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights. This organisation took action against segregation and was the planning centre for the Freedom Rides action on the buses.

Outside the church are information boards and you can see the ‘ghost house’ shape of the pastor’s house next to the church. This house was destroyed in a bomb although Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth who was inside was miraculously unharmed. The bombing of this and other Black churches earned the city the sad name of “Bombingham” during this Civil Rights era of the 1960s.

While the congregation now worships at a larger, modern church just down the road, the original Bethel Baptist church has been preserved as a historic monument and is open for tours or by appointment.

We recommend staying at the Redmont Hotel Curio Collection by Hilton , a newly renovated landmark hotel built in the 1920s

6 Food in Birmingham, Alabama

Birmingham’s vibrant food scene attracts the top chefs. With such a varied culinary offering, the city can justify being known as ‘The Dining Table of the South’.

Chefs such as Frank Stitt have put the city on the gourmet map. His Highlands Bar and Grill was judged in the prestigious James Beard Awards (The US equivalent of the Michelin Guide) as the best restaurant in the USA.

For the true taste of the south, Birmingham’s BBQ and Soul food (just like your Momma used to make) will win your heart with rib-sticking dishes. I recommend taking a food tour to taste some of the best.

There’s a relaxed and cosmopolitan feel to many of the cafes, restaurants and coffee shops that focus on local and seasonal produce. Here’s a roundup of the food in Birmingham AL to look out for and restaurants I can recommend.

Read more about the Alabama food I tried, with 20 delicious dishes to make your mouth water!

BBQ and Soul food in Birmingham AL

Saw’s soul kitchen.

The Southern concept of BBQ is very different to the burned sausages over hot coals that we embrace in the UK. Here BBQ means pork or beef that’s been marinated in a tasty sauce, then slow cooked overnight over wood in a smoky BBQ pit. The result is mouthwateringly tender and finger licking meat served with a few simple sides like potato salad and coleslaw.

Many of the BBQ restaurants have been established for generations. But, for a modern take on the BBQ scene I headed to the trendy neighbourhood of Avondale and Saw’s Soul Kitchen . This small and unassuming diner restaurant has just a few tables, but the queues for takeaway are often stretching out the door.

I tried their signature Pork & Greens, with BBQ pulled pork on a soft base of grits and sweet-sour collard greens, topped with onion rings. It seemed an unlikely combination but was mouthwateringly good! Look out for Saw’s BBQ in several other locations around Birmingham, including the original Homewood restaurant.

Read more in my article: Taste the food of Alabama USA – 20 dishes you’ll want to try!

Alabama Peanut Company

For a typical Southern snack, try the boiled peanuts at Alabama Peanut Company on the pretty cobbled Morris Avenue. Traditionally you might pick up a cup of boiled peanuts when going to the beach or a baseball game.

The peanuts are sold with classic salt, Cajun Spice or Dill Pickle, which manages to permeate through the shell to flavour the peanuts. Alabama Peanut Company is in a large, airy shop where you can see the peanuts being boiled or roasted and try them “Southern and salty” inside at one of their tables.

If you’re short of time it’s a good idea to take a guided tour and we can recommend : This Historical Highlights of Birmingham tour will give a great overview of things to see in Birmingham. Foodies will enjoy this Birmingham Food and Drink Tour to try out some of the best local dishes and places to eat. Check our more guided tours in Birmingham to make the most of your visit.

Relaxed and Trendy Restaurants in Birmingham Al

The essential.

Also on Morris Avenue is a fun neighbourhood restaurant, The Essential . This seems to epitomise the more relaxed and trendy side of Birmingham’s food scene. They are open for brunch, lunch and dinner, with a marble topped bar and simple but elegant tables reminiscent of a French bistro.

The menu is full of well-priced dishes with a Southern take on world cuisine. I ordered the Nicoise-ish salad with barely seared tuna on greens with egg, potato and olives. Their butter croissant ice cream was incredibly rich and delicious.

We recommend staying at Elyton Hotel Autograph Collection by Marriott – a boutique hotel in Downtown Birmingham

The Pizitz Food Hall

In the heart of downtown Birmingham is the Pizitz Food Hall , offering a kaleidoscope of food from around the world. It’s a good place to find some healthy options if you’ve overdone the BBQ.

The Pizitz was once Birmingham’s leading department store, but the building has now been converted into apartments. Pizitz Food Hall is on the ground floor.

Central seating means you can order from 12 different food stands or sit at the bar, which is popular for evening cocktails. Food halls like this make a social place to eat with friends or family, ideal if you all have different food tastes.

I ordered a rainbow selection of salads from Eli’s Jerusalem grill and took it to the outside patio with tables and sun umbrellas. Also on offer is South Indian street food from Silver Kati , Nepalese dumplings at Mo Mo , and Hawaiian/ Japanese fusion at Poke .

Vietnamese and Korean was on offer at PhoPho , as well as more local hotdogs at The Standard and artisan teas at Piper & Lea f are available. Parking is free for the first 2 hours in the parking deck.

Top tip: We recommend taking a food tour to get an inside view of the best places to eat in Birmingham.

Upscale and Cosmopolitan

Chef Frank Stitt has made his mark in Birmingham with the upscale Highlands Bar & Grill . Set in the Highlands neighbourhood of Birmingham, you’ll probably need to reserve months ahead. For somewhere more relaxed that still has special atmosphere, try Bottega , another of his restaurants set in a lovely Beaux Arts building.

Bottega is inspired by the relaxed wine bars and trattorias of Italy. The more refined Bottega restaurant is on one side of the building. You’ll find the relaxed Bottega Cafe, serving pizzas from a wood fired oven, on the other.

I enjoyed my Dolphin fish from the specials menu and a slice of the signature coconut pecan cake which was extremely moist and moreish. To accompany I chose a drink of fresh lemonade with a hint of vanilla.

You can also visit Frank Stitt’s restaurant Chez Fonfon in the Five Points South neighbourhood of Birmingham. Here you can enjoy a menu i nspired by the French bistros of Paris or Lyon.

You may also enjoy this article about 11 cool things to do in Mobile Alabama , which we visited on the same road trip.

Farmer’s markets in Birmingham AL

The market at pepper place.

Although there are numerous Farmer’s Markets in Birmingham, the best known and most popular for visitors is The Market at Pepper Place. Held on Saturday mornings, Pepper Place is a destination in itself.

It’s within in a brick industrial building that once housed the Dr Pepper soda bottling plant. This old factory site has now been converted into a trendy development of creative businesses, shops and restaurants.

The Market at Pepper Place operates year round with up to 100 stalls selling farm produce, crafts and artisan food from small Alabama producers. Visit to see what’s fresh and in season. Or, buy your brunch from one of the food trucks or vendors offering food to take away. The market takes place each Saturday from 7am to 12 midday.

You may also enjoy: 50 things to do in Alabama – on my Road Trip USA

Culture and heritage in Birmingham Alabama

As befits such a bustling city, Birmingham has a lively arts scene with a leading arts museum, theatres and other heritage attractions. My top pick for arts lovers would be the Birmingham Museum of Arts which is centrally located in the Downtown area. Also, check what’s on at the beautifully restored Alabama Theater or Lyric Theater.

If you want to get a great overview of Birmingham, we recommend this half day highlights tour to visit a number of historic sites with a guide.

7 Birmingham Museum of Art

I enjoyed visiting the Birmingham Museum of Art which was just across the park from my hotel. When I was there a 60s style mural was being painted in the foyer. As part of the Wall to Wall project, visiting artists are invited to paint a mural at the museum’s entrance.

The museum is known for its Asian art collection, comprising a permanent collection of 4000 artworks. This collection is considered the finest in the south-east.

I enjoyed the Sculpture Court at the back of the glass fronted facade with shallow pools and a curvy reclining nude. The American art gallery leads off from this, onto the Wedgwood collection of pottery. It was rather incongruous to find something so English so far from home. Entry to the museum is free.

Read more about all the places I visited on my Alabama Road Trip:

50 things to do in Alabama

8 Alabama Theater and Lyric Theater

Lovers of the arts can check out what’s on at the Alabama Theater and Lyric Theater located in the Downtown area of Birmingham. Both theatres have gone through renovation to restore them to the gilded glory of their heyday in the 1920s.

The Alabama Theater was built in the 1920s as a movie palace to showcase Paramount films. On offer is a varied musical programme including showing nostalgic old movies, accompanied by the original Wurlitzer organ.

Built in 1914, the Lyric Theater has also been renovated to its original splendour when it hosted vaudeville shows. It is now used for ballet, opera and theatre performances.

You may also enjoy: Visit Muscle Shoals Alabama – for music history and more!

We recommend staying at the Valley Hotel Curio Collection by Hilton in Homewood – a stylish hotel close to the Vulcan Park, shops and restaurants

9 Arlington Antebellum Home and Gardens

Just a short drive from the Downtown in Birmingham is the Arlington Antebellum Home and Gardens . This mansion was built in the 1840s in the popular Greek Revival style of the period. The house now serves as a decorative arts museum, with 19th century furniture, silver and paintings.

Guided tours bring to life how the leading families of Birmingham lived here, before and after the Civil War. The house is in the Arlington neighbourhood, away from the other main Birmingham attractions. Visit if you have a car and enjoy the history and heritage of old houses like this.

Read more about the culture of Southern Alabama: 11 cool things to do in Mobile, Alabama

Industrial Heritage

Birmingham seemed to spring up from nowhere in the 1870s. It’s an industrial city founded on deposits of iron ore that were conveniently close to the railroad.

Soon Birmingham became known as “The Magic City” for the speed of its development. The iron and steel industry attracted people seeking jobs, including many freed slaves and immigrants.

There are a number of attractions that celebrate Birmingham’s industrial heritage. My top pick for a dip into this side of the city’s history would be the Vulcan Park and Museum. If you are short of time, we recommend this half day highlights tour to visit many of the industrial heritage sites with a guide.

Read more about the US Civil Right Trail and the Civil Rights locations that I visited on this Alabama Road Trip:

10 Vulcan Park and Museum

I really enjoyed my visit to the Vulcan Park and Museum . Take the lift (or climb if you are energetic) to the observation tower at the top of the Vulcan statue, which stands 56 feet tall and made of 100,000 pounds of iron.

The gigantic iron statue of the bare bottomed god Vulcan was created for the St Louis World Fair in 1904 to represent the city. Afterwards it was placed on a column overlooking the city. Ascend the column to the viewing platform that allows you to survey the whole of Birmingham.

Exhibits within the Vulcan Center include a huge giant foot cast of the statue. You’ll also find lots of information about the iron industries that shaped Birmingham and brought it huge prosperity.

11 Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum

Located just outside the main city is the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum . This is a very popular attraction for anyone who loves cars, motorbikes and motorsports in general. The museum was set up in the 1960s by Porsche racing driver, George Barber to house his collection of vintage cars.

This soon expanded to include the largest collection of motorbikes in the world. Over 1600 vintage motorcycles and cars are housed here, with events and motorsports race days held at the adjoining Barber Motorsports Park .

12 Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark

For a deeper dive into Birmingham’s industrial roots, visit the Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark (currently open by appointment only). These furnaces for smelting pig iron, fuelled by the abundant local coal, were constructed in 1881 by Col James Withers Sloss and his Sloss Furnace Company.

In the 1980s the factory was restored as a National Historic Landmark. The boilers and blast furnaces can be visited in either a guided or self guided tour.

You’ll learn how raw materials were delivered to the site and smelted to make the finished pig iron. The Cast Sheds also house the Sloss Metal Arts Program, with events and demonstrations in the art of metalworking.

Recommended reading for your Alabama road trip: Read Deep South: Four Seasons on Back Roads by Paul Theroux to soak up the atmosphere of the Deep South

13 Southern Museum of Flight

The Southern Museum of Flight is located close to Birmingham Shuttlesworth International Airport. It is dedicated to aviation from the earliest days of flight, to more recent civilian and military aircraft.

The museum houses over 100 aircraft, in settings that are designed to bring them to life. Displays include Alabama’s Tuskegee Airmen African American pilots and Huff Daland biplanes from the 1920s that were used as crop dusters. Also on exhibit Korean War jets and Vietnam War helicopters.

14 McWane Science Center

The McWane Science Center is a great option if you are looking for things to do in Birmingham AL with kids. There’s hours of family entertainment at this hands on science centre. The Center is designed to inspire children in the wonder of science, technology and engineering.

Activities are spread over four levels, including aquarium tanks, dinosaur exhibitions and IMAX dome. The Itty Bitty Magic City play area is ideal for younger visitors.

You may also enjoy reading about Huntsville in Northern Alabama: 20 fun things to do in Huntsville Alabama

Parks and gardens in Birmingham Alabama

15 railroad park.

I chanced upon Railroad Park as I walked around at the end of a long hot day. One of the few large green spaces in Birmingham, the 19 acre park was created in 2010.

Unlike many cities, Birmingham is not built on the banks of a river. Railroad Park provides a welcome open space for leisure and recreation.

As the name suggests, the park runs alongside the railroad. There are boardwalks and pathways beside the beautiful lake, with plenty of places to stop and relax.

It was still hot even in the evening, so I bought a welcome sno-cone from the Shymeer Ice van near the Cafe pavilion. I enjoyed wandering around for a while, viewing the landscaped wetlands as the sun went down. Park entry is free.

On your way to Railroad Park, look out for the color tunnel illuminated by coloured LED lights, that runs under the railway track. There are similar LED lit underpasses at the 14th, 16th, 18th and 20th street viaducts in Birmingham.

16 Magic City sign and the Rotary Trail

Close to Railroad Park is the famous Magic City sign which is a replica of an older sign and now marks the start of the Rotary Trail . The original sign stood in front of the Birmingham terminal station.

“Magic City” was a reference to the speed with which Birmingham had sprung up from the 1870s. By the 1920s Birmingham had become a thriving and prosperous industrial hub. This sign was re-created to mark the Rotary Trail, which is a green corridor running for half a mile for walkers and cyclists. The trail also links to other trails in the city.

Read about the places I visited on this road trip – 20 fun things to do in Huntsville Alabama

17 Birmingham Botanical Gardens

The Birmingham Botanical Gardens were established in the 1960s on 69 acres in the Mountain Brook neighbourhood to the east of the city. It encompasses 30 different gardens, providing year round interest and colour. Paths can be used for walking and jogging as this garden is very much a community endeavour.

Highlights include the Japanese garden with its traditional red gate and the rose garden with pergola that’s in full bloom in the early summer. There’s also a pretty Gardens cafe and a well stocked shop with gifts for the home and garden. The gardens are free to visit.

18 Oak Mountain State Park

For an escape from the city, head just south of Birmingham to Oak Mountain State Park , which is Alabama’s largest state park. The park is popular for hiking and mountain biking with 50 miles of trails. There are also trails for horse-riding which can be arranged at the Rusted Roof Barn stables.

With two lakes within the park there are also plenty of water-sports activities on offer. Beaver Lake boasts two sandy beaches, with an inflatable obstacle course and cable waterski.

For those staying in the Birmingham area a little longer, or those with children to entertain, Oak Mountain State Park has plenty of activities to keep you busy in the great outdoors.

Other natural parks and outdoor activities in Birmingham include Ruffner Mountain with 14 miles of hiking trails and Red Mountain Park . Within the city there’s the easily walkable Vulcan trail running along Red Mountain ridge from just below the Vulcan Park statue.

For Sports fans

19 birmingham negro southern league museum.

An interesting small museum for sports lovers is the Birmingham Negro Southern League Museum . This museum showcases the baseball league that nurtured the sporting talent of the Black community in Birmingham. On display are the artefacts, baseballs, player’s uniforms and trophies from the league.

More than this it tells the story of Negro league baseball – it was more than just a game! I enjoyed the hologram of legendary pitcher Satchel Paige showing just how fast he could pitch that baseball as you stand with it heading towards you. Entry to the museum is free.

Sports fans and lovers of baseball will want to check if there are any games to watch at Regions Field, the stadium close to Railroad Park. Regions Park stadium is home of the Birmingham Barons for Minor League Baseball offering family friendly entertainment.

The Birmingham Barons originally played at Rickwood Field , which was built in 1910 by local industrialist Rick Woodward. Rickwood Field has now been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Also in Birmingham is the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame , with a museum that celebrates leading sports men and women within Alabama and has a collection of 6000 pieces of sports memorabilia.

Read about the places I visited on this road trip – Visit Muscle Shoals Alabama, for music history and more!

Just south of Birmingham Alabama

20 peaches at clanton.

Heading south from Birmingham on the Route 65 Interstate or just want to take a side trip? It’s worth making a stop at Clanton when the peaches are in season in June. The town is known as the Peach Capital of Alabama!

You can spot the well known Peach Water Tower (yes it looks like a giant peach) from the Interstate. Turn off at Exit 212 to take a closer look.

I parked at the Headley’s Big Peach Farm shop where there were plenty of juicy peaches on sale and treated myself to one of their peachy ice lollies from the freezer counter. Just off Exit 205 is Peach Park , a farm shop and restaurant complex selling everything peachy.

It has grown from the original roadside stall and now offers a whole range of food and gifts. Check out their peach ice cream, peach cobbler and lots of other peach products.

Hotels in Birmingham Alabama

Hampton inn and suites tutwiler hotel.

For the two nights I spent in Birmingham, I was in the grand and historic Hampton Inn and Suites Tutwiler Hotel , which is very centrally located in the Downtown area. The Tutwiler Hotel opened in 1915 and was known as the Grande Dame of Southern Hotels. It hosted the great and the good of Birmingham, and very much reflected the city’s prosperity at that time.

The Tutwiler was replaced in the 1970s by a high rise building for the Alabama Bank. Nearby, the luxury apartment building also created by Major Tutwiler, was transformed into the current 148 bedroom hotel run by Hampton Inn and Suites.

The style here is classic, and I had a very elegant suite on one of the upper floors. My room featured classic wooden furniture and windows opening to the balcony.

For more accommodation options, check out these hotels in Birmingham Alabama

Learn more about the US Civil Rights Trail and the thought provoking Civil Rights sites to visit in Alabama.

More articles from my Alabama trip 11 Cool things to do in Mobile Alabama Food in Alabama – 20 dishes you’ll want to try! 20 fun things to do in Huntsville Alabama 50 things to do in Alabama USA Visit Muscle Shoals Alabama – for music history and more!

Map of things to see in Birmingham Al

Check out all the places we’ve mentioned on this handy map of the most fun things to do in Birmingham, Alabama.

More information for Visiting Birmingham Alabama

Lots more information is available when you visit the Birmingham tourism website or plan your visit to Alabama on the Alabama Tourism website .

Book your trip with America as you like it who offer bespoke self guided tours of Alabama and the USA. For more information contact 020 8742 8299, [email protected] or visit www.americaasyoulikeit.com

Tours in Birmingham: If you’re short of time it’s a good idea to take a guided tour and we can recommend

• This Historical Highlights of Birmingham tour will give a great overview of things to see in Birmingham especially its industrial and sporting heritage.
• Foodies will enjoy this Birmingham Food and Drink Tour to try out some of the best local dishes and places to eat.
• Check our more guided tours in Birmingham to make the most of your visit.

Staying in Birmingham Alabama: I stayed at Hampton Inn and Suites Tutwiler Hotel and you can check prices and book for a range of hotels in Birmingham Alabama here .

Getting around Birmingham Alabama

Transport around Birmingham Alabama: Most visitors will find it most convenient to have a car to visit all the places mentioned, although much of the downtown area is easily walkable and taxis can also be used to get around.

How to get to Birmingham AL: It’s easy to fly into Birmingham Shuttlesworth Airport from numerous US destinations and if coming from the UK you can connect via other US airport hubs. If visiting Birmingham as part of a road trip as I did, it is convenient to start in Atlanta or Huntsville and drive south through Alabama. Or, start in New Orleans or Pensacola and drive north.

Approximate driving times to the next stops on your Alabama Road Trip

• Muscle Shoals to Birmingham – 120 miles / 2 hrs
• Birmingham to Selma – 90 miles / 1 hrs 40 mins
• Driving time from Birmingham to Montgomery – 90 miles / 1 hrs 20 mins

Read about 10 fun things to do in Prince Edward Island and Charlottetown, Canada

This article was sponsored* by Alabama Tourism who hosted my trip and many of the experiences mentioned.

* More info on my policies page

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com

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Monday 7th of June 2021

Thanks Heather for writing such a detailed article about Birmingham Alabama. Birmingham is a place to visit for history lovers.

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12 Free Things to Do in Birmingham Today: A Must-See List

Birmingham is one of the most exciting cities in England. It is the second-largest city in the country and home to some of the best attractions, restaurants, and hotels. It’s also known as “the heart of England” because it sits bang in the centre. It’s full of culture, history, and opportunities to have fun. Whether you want to explore museums or go out on the town, there’s something for everyone in this city. There's lots to see and do in Birmingham for free, check out our top picks below.

Birmingham has many options for free things to do. You could t ake in a museum like The Lapworth Museum of Geology or see the beautiful Birmingham Cathedral and if you fancy some time outdoors, country parks like Lickey Hills and Waseley Hills . 

In this blog post we list:

• The best places to visit for no charge at all
• Show all places on an interactive map to help you locate each place easily.

Updated and correct as of 01/10/23.

Free Attractions in Birmingham Heading Links Museums and Galleries

History and culture, walks and nature trails, museums and galleries.

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery by Philip Pankhurst under license CC BY-SA 4.0

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is one of the best places to visit in Birmingham. It’s home to over 40 galleries to explore that display art, applied art, social history, archaeology and ethnography. The Birmingham Museums Trust holds the most important collection of Pre-Raphaelite art anywhere in the world, numbering over 3000 paintings, drawings, prints and examples of decorative art and design. 

Lapworth Museum of Geology

The museum is a hidden gem that lets users explore life over the last 3.5 billion years. The museum has the finest and most extensive collection of minerals, rocks and fossils from the region. You can see everything from exceptionally preserved faunas to early geological maps used by geologists in the nineteenth century! There are also interactive exhibits where you can learn about geology giving kids an educational experience that will keep them entertained for hours!

Ikon Gallery

Ikon is an internationally acclaimed art gallery situated in centre of the city. The gallery programme features artists from around the world. A variety of media is represented, including sound, film, mixed media, photography, painting, sculpture and installation. It's worth checking their website to see what's currently on show.

RBSA Gallery

The Royal Birmingham Society of Artists (RBSA) is an artist-led charity that supports artists and promotes engagement with the visual arts through a range of exhibitions, events, and workshops. The gallery consists of a converted warehouse housing 2 floors of artwork and a ground-floor contemporary crafts gallery.

The ThinkTank Science Garden

Step into the ThinkTank Science Garden, one of the most intriguing attractions in Birmingham, located right in the heart of the city centre. This unique outdoor space is a wonderland for both kids, the curious student, and the casual visitor, offering an interactive journey through the wonders of science. As the only science garden in the city, it presents a unique opportunity to explore and learn through hands-on exhibits and experiments. From engaging physical challenges to fascinating displays demonstrating scientific principles, the ThinkTank Science Garden is an enriching addition to Birmingham's cultural landscape. Whether you're a science enthusiast or just looking for a fun, educational experience in the city, this garden is a must-visit destination that promises to ignite your curiosity and deepen your understanding of the world around us. The free opening times for entry are after 3pm every day.

Birmingham Cathedral

The Cathedral Church of Saint Philip is the mother church of the Diocese of Birmingham, England. It is also one of two cathedrals in the city – the other being St Chad's Cathedral. It was built in 1715, designed by Thomas Archer in a baroque style, which today is currently has Grade 1 listed building status. The cathedral was bombed during the Second World War in 1940 and restored again in 1948 and has been called "the most splendid parish church in England" due to the architecture that can be seen on its exterior alone!

Gas Street Basin

The Gas Street Basin is a canal basin on the Worcester and Birmingham Canal, built originally as a physical barrier between two bodies of water at the turn of the 19th Century. Now it’s a popular destination for visitors and locals alike – with restaurants, bars and cafes lining its banks. You can even take a boat trip along its waters!

Beacon Hill Toposcope  by Woody under license CC BY-SA 3.0

Lickey Hills Country Park

Lickey Hills Country Park is an ideal place for those who love nature and want to get away from it all. The park has a Green Flag Award, offers stunning views, beautiful scenery, and plenty of activities like hiking trails and bird watching over the course of 524 acres. It’s also home to one of the most famous hills in England – Beacon Hill!

Waseley Hills Country Park

Waseley Hills Country Park is the perfect place to get away from it all. With over 150 acres of beautiful countryside and nature reserve, this park has something for everyone. You can take in stunning views of Worcestershire and beyond, go on an adventure through the woodland trails or simply relax on one of the many benches around.

Bandstand at Handsworth Park by Neil Theasby under license CC BY-SA 4.0

RSPB Sandwell Valley

RSPB Sandwell Valley is the perfect place to enjoy wildlife and nature. They’re located North of Hampstead, just off the A4041. You can explore the beautiful reserve on foot or by bike with trails through meadows, grasslands and wetlands. There are hides where you can watch birds up close - including goosanders, lapwings and little ringed plovers!

Edgbaston Reservoir

The Edgbaston Reservoir is a beautiful spot for a walk, jog or bike ride with stunning views across the water. The 70 acre site is surrounded by woodland and grasslands with a track around 1.75 miles long around the reservoir.

Handsworth Park

Handsworth Park (formally known as Victoria Park) is located just 15 minutes from Birmingham city centre. It’s an ideal place for families and children to enjoy themselves during their time off from school. The park features 63 acres of landscaped grass, a playground and a large boating lake.

Use the map below to locate all the best free things to do in Birmingham mentioned above to create your itinerary for your trip. We’ve also added places in the city to eat that offer good food at a decent price for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

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All outdoor activities including walking involve a degree of risk. The walks are recommended due to the features of each forest but this may change over time and further research is required before undertaking any activity. The weather can also impact the surface and general conditions of each path so please keep yourself updated with the weather forecast before setting off to enjoy your walk!

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The 15 Best Things to Do in Birmingham, Alabama

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Birmingham may get overshadowed by the South’s more-famous cities, but that doesn’t mean you should skip over this place. Take a chance on Birmingham, and we have no doubt you’ll fall head over heels for this vibrant Southern city! From bustling craft breweries to iconic civil rights landmarks to world-class museums, there’s a lot to love about Alabama ‘s second-largest city.

With its industrial roots and steel industry, Birmingham is known as “The Magic City,” referring to the city’s rapid growth in the late-18th century. Fast-forward to today, and you’ll find that Birmingham pays homage to its industrial roots with unique attractions like the dystopian-esque Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark and the massive Vulcan statue that’s perched on Red Mountain high above the city. 

But delve a bit deeper, and you’ll find that modern-day Birmingham is a hub for culture, arts, and cuisine. You can easily spend your days getting your fill of Alabama-style barbecue in a hole-in-the-wall eatery or dining in a trendy food hall, getting a culture fix at the Birmingham Museum of Art, or catching a show at the historic Alabama Theatre. Plus, if you want to get out in nature, you’ll be spoiled for choice with the city’s green spaces and nature reserves.

With so many cool things to see, do, and eat, you might not know where to begin. So we’ve compiled our list of the absolute best things to do in Birmingham for you. Stick to these fun and unique Birmingham bucket list recommendations, and there’s no doubt you’ll have an amazing time exploring The Magic City!

Don’t forget to check out our web story: The 15 Best Things to Do in Birmingham, Alabama

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15 Fun and Unique Things to Do in Birmingham

1. eat your way through the pizitz food hall.

If you’re a foodie, a visit to The Pizitz Food Hall should be at the top of your Birmingham bucket list. Set right in the heart of downtown, this is the perfect place to mingle with a group of friends over delicious food and drinks.

One of the coolest things about this trendy food hall is that you’ll have 12 totally unique food stalls to choose from – so there really is something for everyone in your group! 

You can sample fragrant Vietnamese pho at Pho Pho, snack on traditional Indian street food at Silver Kati, nosh on Southern fried chicken sandwiches at J Wings, indulge with fried shrimp and oyster po’boys at The Broad Street Peaux Boys, or fill up on spicy ahi tuna poke bowls at Ono Poké. For dessert, pick up a sweet treat from Birmingham Candy Co. or Edolyn’s Pies. 

For those who want to imbibe, there is a popular bar in the center of the food hall, which has 12 beers on tap and an impressive menu of specialty cocktails. Plus, they have great happy hour specials Monday through Friday from 3 pm to 6 pm!

2. Get a History Lesson at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

No trip to Birmingham is complete without educating yourself about the city’s role in the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s. And there’s no better place to do that than the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute . 

Located in the heart of the Civil Rights District, the museum houses all sorts of permanent, rotating, and interactive exhibitions that highlight the Civil Rights Movement, African-American life, events and conflicts in Birmingham in the 20 th century, and the continued fight for human rights in general. 

Explore the museum, and you’ll also find sobering relics of segregation, including separate drinking fountains and classrooms for white and black students. Depending on when you visit, the Institute also hosts a range of educational events.

Once you’ve finished perusing the Institute, you can stroll around the Civil Rights District and see the area’s top sites, including the 16th Street Baptist Church , Kelly Ingram Park , and the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame .

3. Get Cultured at the Birmingham Museum of Art

Art enthusiasts can’t visit Birmingham without stopping off at the Birmingham Museum of Art . Located in the Cultural District, you’ll find over 25,000 works of art spread throughout three stories. With an impressive range from ancient to contemporary, there’s a reason this is one of the top Birmingham attractions for art experts and novices alike!

Peruse the museum, and you’ll find an incredible collection of Asian art, including an array of beautiful Vietnamese ceramics. There is also the American decorative arts collection, where you can glimpse 2,000 porcelain works, metalwork, textiles, and more. The acclaimed African art gallery is equally as impressive and features everything from intricate beadwork to ornate headdresses.

After that, head over to the European art section, and you’ll find works from the likes of Salvador Dalí and Camille Pissarro. If that’s not enough, the museum also hosts a range of events and special exhibitions. Plus, if you’re visiting in the summer months, you can attend one of the museum’s popular Art on the Rocks events!

4. Take Artsy Photographs of the Sloss Furnaces

The Sloss Furnaces operated from 1882 until 1970 and was once the largest manufacturer of pig iron in the world. Fast-forward to today, and the Sloss Furnaces are still standing proud as a National Historic Landmark and a reminder of Birmingham’s industrial roots. 

Taking a self-guided tour of the Sloss Furnaces is easily one of the most unique things to do in Birmingham. And if photography is your thing, you can’t miss out on a trip to this dystopian-esque site. 

Visiting the Sloss Furnaces is a cinch since they’re located in the North Lakeview Industrial District, just a couple miles from the heart of downtown. Before embarking on your self-guided tour, you’ll need to sign in at the Visitors Center, where you can also pick up a handy self-guided tour brochure.

As you walk around the grounds, you’ll learn all about the iron-making process, the working conditions of the workers, and the site’s important role in The Magic City’s history. If you do plan to take photographs, be sure to head over to their website to read the rules on taking photos of this one-of-a-kind Birmingham attraction.

5. Meet Exotic Animals at the Birmingham Zoo

Set adjacent to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, the Birmingham Zoo is one of the best family-friendly things to do in Birmingham. The sprawling zoo is set on 122 acres of land and is home to 550 animals and 180 species, including a range of endangered species. 

Explore the grounds, and you’ll find everything from red pandas, lions, and giraffes to orangutans, rhinos, and elephants. Time your visit right and you can check out all sorts of fun shows and events, including sea lion shows, animal training sessions, and reptile feeding events. 

If you want to get up close and personal with creatures like sea lions or American black bears, you can purchase tickets for a variety of “Animal Encounters.” The zoo also features special sections, including Trails of Africa, the Children’s Zoo, and so much more!

6. Take a Break at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens

After you check out all of the majestic animals at the Birmingham Zoo, you can spend an hour or two unwinding in the incredible Birmingham Botanical Gardens . Located right next door to the zoo, the Botanical Gardens are displayed in a beautiful 67-acre park that offers the perfect reprieve from the hustle and bustle of downtown Birmingham.

You’ll find that most of the gardens are dedicated to a specific type of plant. Take a stroll around, and you’ll find a formal rose garden, as well as entire areas filled with nothing but lilies, irises, and rhododendrons, to name a few. 

If you’re interested in checking out the local flora, you’ll love the Gardens of Nature. After that, you can move on to the Gardens of Culture, which feature everything from Japanese gardens to herb gardens. Before you leave, it’s well worth paying a visit to the gift shop for a souvenir or The Gardens Cafe for some seriously impressive locally sourced dishes.

7. Pay a Visit to Pepper Place Saturday Market

Visiting The Market at Pepper Place on a Saturday morning is hands down one of the most fun things to do in Birmingham. Time your visit right because The Market at Pepper Place is only open from 7 am to noon every Saturday.

An attraction unto itself, the market is actually set in an old industrial brick building that once housed a Dr Pepper bottling plant! The revamped building is now home to all sorts of trendy shops and restaurants. 

With over 100 vendors, this Certified Alabama Farmers Market is a great spot to pick up fresh local produce if you’re planning on an extended stay. If not, you can still peruse the stalls and pick up delicious meals, picnic supplies, or handmade local goods. From pottery and jewelry to fresh fruits and baked goods, you’ll find everything here.

If you’re hungry, you’ll have a range of vendors and food trucks to choose from. You can sample Southern-style boiled peanuts at Alabama Peanut Co., dig into Thai dishes from Tay Thai Street Food, indulge in chocolate chip cookies from 450 Bake Shop, and so much more!

8. Have a Scenic Picnic at Railroad Park

One of the coolest things about Birmingham is that it’s brimming with green spaces, and Railroad Park is one of the best! Set on 19 acres of lush land in the heart of downtown, this is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of downtown.

Meander around Railroad Park, and you’ll come across placid lakes, babbling rivers, and scenic hiking trails. If you want to get some exercise, the popular Rail Trail is an easy 0.75 miles and boasts incredible views over the city. 

If you’re in town on a Saturday, it’s well worth stopping by The Market at Pepper Place farmers’ market to pick up a spread of farm-fresh picnic supplies. With plenty of sprawling lawns and hidden corners, Railroad Park is the perfect place to have a picnic lunch when the weather is nice. 

Depending on when you’re visiting, Railroad Park hosts tons of pop-up events throughout the year, including the free summer concert series, the annual Cajun Cook-Off, and the Cahaba River Fry Down!

9. Get Educated at the McWane Science Center

If you’re wondering what to do in Birmingham with kids, look no further than the McWane Science Center . Their goal is to “spark wonder and curiosity about our world through hands-on science.” With all of the fascinating interactive exhibits, fun experiments, and educational programs, there are endless things to keep you and your little ones occupied!

You’ll love exploring the permanent exhibits, which range from “Alabama Dinosaurs” to the “Fox 6 Weather Lab” to “Sea Monsters.” Explore the grounds, and you’ll also find the World of Water Aquariums, which are home to green Moray eel, moon jellyfish, and other incredible sea creatures. If you’re feeling brave, you can even get up close and personal with sea life in the Shark & Ray Tank!

After that, check out the Combustion and Lightning Strikes presentation at the state-of-the-art Rushton Science Theater, make oddly-shaped bubbles in the Bubble Room, take a trip to far-flung galaxies with the brand-new Virtual Reality Experience, and so much more! Plus, when you need to take a load off, you can head over to the on-site IMAX theater, which screens a variety of fascinating films each day.

10. Take a Scenic Hike at Ruffner Mountain

If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city center, Ruffner Mountain is the perfect place to get out in nature. Plus, this mecca for outdoor enthusiasts is set in Birmingham’s South East Lake neighborhood, just a quick 10-minute drive from downtown.

Now a 1,038-acre nature preserve, the area was used for mining from the late-1800s until the 1950s. To this day, you’ll still find forgotten ruins from the mountain’s mining past scattered around the nature preserve, including a massive quarry and defunct mines.

As one of the top Birmingham attractions, Ruffner Mountain boasts 12 miles of trails that are completely off-limits to vehicles and bicycles. If you’re up for a more challenging hike, head up the Overlook Trail, and you’ll be rewarded with a bird’s-eye view of the city below. 

For something a bit more mellow, try Trillium Trail or the Lizard Loop. There are hiking and running trails for all abilities at Ruffner Mountain!

11. Sample Some of the Best BBQ in Alabama

No trip to Birmingham is complete without sampling the city’s top-notch barbecue and soul food dishes, complete with all the fixings. Birmingham is brimming with excellent barbeque and Southern soul food joints, but SAW’S Soul Kitchen is one of the best!

You can choose from the traditional Original Pulled Pork sandwich or the Pork n’Greens plate or go for the more creative Sweet Tea Fried Chicken Sandwich or the Fried Green Tomato BLT. Either way, you’ll want to add on some addictive sides like the Cheese Grits, Fried Pickles, and Mac and Cheese.

The iconic Dreamland Bar-B-Que is another local favorite and is the place to go for some of the best ribs in town. Founded by “Big Daddy” John Bishop, this Alabama chain has garnered tons of awards and acclaim for its barbecue. Big Daddy was even inducted into the Barbecue Hall of Fame in 2019 – so you know this place is the real deal!

12. See a Show at the Historic Alabama Theatre

Catching a show at the historic Alabama Theatre is a great option if you’re looking for a fun, family-friendly thing to do in Birmingham. Dating back to 1927, this beautiful theater was built by Paramount and used as a movie house for 55 years. It is now listed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage and the National Register of Historic Places.

Nowadays, the theater is used for all sorts of entertainment events, including classic film screenings, plays, concerts, musicals, and more! The Alabama Theatre hosts roughly 150 events each year, so it’s well worth checking out the website to see what’s going on during your visit.

It’s honestly well worth purchasing tickets to a show here just to marvel at the stunning interiors and architecture of this historic gem. Located in the heart of the Birmingham Theatre District, the Alabama Theatre and the adjacent Lyric Theatre are the only remaining theaters in the district.

13. Take in the Views from the Vulcan Park and Museum

If you’re a sucker for a good view, a trip to Vulcan Park and Museum is a must on your Birmingham bucket list. While there’s always something fun to do in Vulcan Park, a trip to the Vulcan statue and observation deck is hands down one of the coolest things to do in Birmingham!

Perched at the top of Red Mountain, the 56-foot-tall statue is the largest cast-iron statue in the world and was created to pay homage to The Magic City’s industrial roots. Aptly named, the Roman god Vulcan is actually the god of fire.

To reach the top of Red Mountain, you can either take the elevator. Or, if you feel like getting a bit of exercise, you can climb the marble stairway to the top. 

Either way, you will be rewarded with sweeping views over the city. After that, it’s also well worth checking out the interactive museum, which tells the story of the city’s history and culture.

14. Geek Out at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum

If you’re looking for unique Birmingham activities, you have to go to the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum ! Anyone who has a thing for motorsports would be remiss not to pay a visit to this one-of-a-kind museum! With so many cool things to see and do, this is a great family-friendly attraction that is sure to entertain everyone in your crew. 

The whole thing was started by American businessman, former Porsche racer, and car enthusiast George Barber. While the museum started out as a collection of cars in the 1980s, Barber later shifted his focus to motorcycles. Fast-forward to today, and the museum is now home to over 1,600 motorcycles!

While the museum prides itself as the largest motorcycle collection in the world, you’ll also find all sorts of vintage cars, rare race cars, and the world’s largest Lotus collection scattered around the museum. So car aficionados will not be disappointed. 

Another cool thing about the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum is that it features a 16-turn, 2.38-mile racetrack, where many automakers film commercials.

15. Go Brewery Hopping in Downtown Birmingham

This may come as a surprise, but Birmingham is home to a seriously impressive craft beer scene. If you’re looking for fun things to do in Birmingham, it’s well worth spending an afternoon going brewery hopping around town with friends!

There are tons of breweries to choose from, so it might be tough to know where to start. Trim Tab Brewing Company is widely hailed as the best brewery in the state and is known for its excellent stouts, IPAs, and fruity concoctions like the popular Paradise Now wheat ale.

Just down the road – near the Sloss Furnaces – you’ll find the trendy Avondale Brewing Company . This is a great place to sip their famous Miss Fancy’s Tripel Belgian golden ale while listening to live music on the outdoor patio. 

If you need something to soak up all that booze, Back Forty Beer Company is just across the way and serves up a long list of creative gourmet pub dishes and features an impressive number of local beers on tap.

After that, head over to local favorite Good People Brewing Company for their acclaimed El Gordo Russian imperial stout. And, if you’re still thirsty for more, take a chance on any random brewery you may stumble across. Odds are you’ll be impressed! 

There you have it! The 15 best things to do in Birmingham. What’s your favorite thing to do in The Magic City?

Planning a trip to Alabama? Check out our favorite books and travel guides!

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Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re a foodie, a visit to The Pizitz Food Hall should be at the top of your Birmingham bucket list. Set right in the heart of downtown, this is the perfect place to mingle with a group of friends over delicious food and drinks. One of the coolest things about this trendy food hall is that you’ll have 12 totally unique food stalls to choose from – so there really is something for everyone in your group!

Set adjacent to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, the Birmingham Zoo is one of the best family-friendly things to do in Birmingham. The sprawling zoo is set on 122 acres of land and is home to 550 animals and 180 species, including a range of endangered species. The zoo also features special sections, including Trails of Africa, the Children’s Zoo, and so much more!

If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city center, Ruffner Mountain is the perfect place to get out in nature. Plus, this mecca for outdoor enthusiasts is set in Birmingham’s South East Lake neighborhood, just a quick 10-minute drive from downtown. As one of the top Birmingham attractions, Ruffner Mountain boasts 12 miles of trails that are completely off-limits to vehicles and bicycles. If you’re up for a more challenging hike, head up the Overlook Trail, and you’ll be rewarded with a bird’s-eye view of the city below.

If you’re a sucker for a good view, a trip to Vulcan Park and Museum is a must on your Birmingham bucket list. While there’s always something fun to do in Vulcan Park, a trip to the Vulcan statue and observation deck is hands down one of the coolest things to do in Birmingham! Perched at the top of Red Mountain, the 56-foot-tall statue is the largest cast-iron statue in the world and was created to pay homage to The Magic City’s industrial roots. Aptly named, the Roman god Vulcan is actually the god of fire.

If you’re looking for unique Birmingham activities, you have to go to the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum! Anyone who has a thing for motorsports would be remiss not to pay a visit to this one-of-a-kind museum! With so many cool things to see and do, this is a great family-friendly attraction that is sure to entertain everyone in your crew.

About the Author:

Justine is a writer and editor who always seems to take the unconventional route in life. She also suffers from a serious case of wanderlust! In 2013, she left her hometown in California and set off on a yearlong round-the-world journey with her now-husband – they never looked back. Since then, she’s lived the expat life in Indonesia, Cambodia, China, Vietnam, Mexico, and now Dubai. Along the way, she's written and edited for magazines, newspapers, and websites in Asia and beyond. When she's not stoking her wanderlust by working on travel articles for Wandering Wheatleys, Justine is busy caring for her many foster cats in Dubai, seeking out all the delicious vegetarian food, and taking every chance she gets to explore a new corner of the world!

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Your Trip to Birmingham: The Complete Guide

Founded along two rail lines in the late 19th century, Birmingham, Alabama, has a storied history as an industrial town, renowned for its iron and steel production . Now the largest city in the state of Alabama , this thoroughly modern city offers some of everything to visitors: acclaimed museums, award-winning restaurants, craft breweries, dozens of parks and green spaces, and recreational activities ranging from golf to mountain climbing and hiking. From the solemn streets of downtown's Civil Rights District to the exhilarating trails of Red Mountain to the lively bars and music venues of Lakeview and Five Points South, Birmingham is an all-around great city for history buffs, outdoor enthusiasts, foodies, and music lovers.

Here's a complete guide about when to visit, where to stay, what to do, getting around, saving money, and more on your visit to the Magic City.

Planning Your Trip

• Best Time to Visit : The best time to visit Birmingham is from March to May when the flowers are in full bloom, the city's festival season begins, and the weather is ideal for enjoying outdoor activities like golfing and hiking. In the fall, temperatures cool off again, hotel rates are lower, and summer crowds disperse, making it another ideal time to explore the city. Summers are long, hot, and muggy, but it is a great time to enjoy the area's many parks and recreational activities and acclaimed (and air-conditioned) museums. Winters are often chilly and rainy but still milder than other parts of the country, and seasonal lights and decorations in Railroad Park, the city's historic neighborhoods, and the Birmingham Zoo mark the festive season.
• Language : English
• Currency : U.S. dollar
• Getting Around : While the downtown area is walkable and Birmingham has both tourist and public transit buses, renting a car ride or hailing a ride-share is the best way to explore the city when not on foot.
• Travel Tip : Hotel prices are the highest in spring and summer, especially during major events like the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama and the Sidewalk Film Festival. Reserve hotel rooms and tickets for major attractions in advance or plan to arrive early to points of interest to beat the crowds.

 Photo Courtesy Birmingham Museum of Art

Things to Do

From acclaimed museums like the Birmingham Museum of Art to the McWane Science Center to the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame to scenic Railroad Park and the storied Civil Rights District, downtown has enough attractions to keep you busy for an entire weekend.

But don't miss Birmingham's other neighborhoods, each with its own distinct character and points of interest. Head to historic Avondale for breweries and local boutiques like  Manitou Supply , gritty Lakeview for live music at  Sidebar  or  Tin Roof , or Homewood for galleries and shops like  Alabama Goods and Soho Retro .

More of the outdoorsy type? Head to Red Mountain Park, a 1,500-acre wooded recreational area that offers 15 miles of challenging hiking and mountain biking trails, plus zip-lining, aerial adventure tours, and rock climbing.

And don't forget to fuel up for your adventures: the city is home to several award-winning restaurants like the coastal-inspired  Automatic Seafood and Oysters and elegant Highlands Bar & Grill , as well as several breweries, bars, and late night clubs.

• Visit the Civil Rights District. This six-block area and national monument downtown includes several historic sites, including the 16th Street Baptist Church, the  Fourth Avenue Business District , Carver Theatre, and Kelly Ingram Park, site of many of the era’s protests and demonstrations which now has solemn sculptures commemorating the era. After a walking tour of these landmarks, visit the  Birmingham Civil Rights Institute , a Smithsonian affiliate that offers  guided tours , oral histories, and permanent and rotating exhibits dedicated to significant events and figures in the city’s history. Museum highlights include photographs, multi-media displays, and the cell bars where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. penned his famous "Letter from Birmingham Jail."
• Bike from Railroad Park to the historic Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark. Railroad Park is a 19-acre urban green space in the heart of downtown. Besides regularly hosting yoga classes and movie nights, the park has a designated skating area, playground, and outdoor workout equipment. Settle in for a lakeside picnic, stroll along the park's walking trails, and then rent a bike share to pedal to the historic Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, just 1.5 miles away.
• Sample craft beer. Birmingham has more than a dozen local breweries, including  Good People Brewing Company , the state's oldest and largest. Sample the Muchacho—a Mexican-style lager—or one of its IPAs, stouts, and other brews in its taproom, overlooking downtown's Railroad's Park. From there, follow the  Magic City Brewery tour , which includes Birmingham District Brewing Co., Ghost Train Brewing Company, and the Lakeview District's TrimTrab Brewing Co., a space that doubles as a gallery for local artists. Or book the  Birmingham Brewery Tour , a $65 guided excursion that stops at three local breweries and includes four 4-oz. samples at each location.

Explore more activities in the city with our guides, the  Top 13 Things to Do , and 48 Hours in Birmingham .

What to Eat and Drink

While Birmingham has its share of Southern classics—Alabama barbecue, shrimp and grits, and fried chicken—the city has a diverse food scene, where you can find everything from pho and ramen to South American-inspired small plates and Greek fare. Birmingham also has a thriving nightlife and bar scene.

For a special night out, opt for coastal fare like oysters and Octopus a la Plancha at Automatic Seafood and Oysters in Lakeview, or French-inspired, seasonal fare at the romantic Highlands Bar & Grill in Five Points South.

For those wanting a more relaxed culinary experience, get chicken and waffles and other Southern favorites at the mother and daughter-owned Yo' Mama's, pizza and beer at Slice Pizza & Brew, or plates of smoked meats like pulled pork, ribs, and smoked chicken with Alabama-style white barbecue sauce at SAW's BBQ.

Other standout restaurants include elegant bistro The Essential, late-night favorite Shu Shop, seafood-centric Hot and Hot Fish Club, and the "Greek plus three" Johnny's.

Birmingham is home to more than a dozen local breweries, many of which offer regular tours and tastings. Try downtown's  Good People Brewing Company , Avondale Brewing, Birmingham District Brewing Co., Ghost Train Brewing Company, or TrimTrab Brewing Co.

The city also has a thriving nightlife scene, most of it centered around the neighborhoods Five Points South and Lakeview. Try the retro-cool Collins Bar near downtown for cocktails, Atomic Lounge for fun costumes and late-night dancing, the LGBTQ-friendly Al's on 7th for drag shows and movie screenings, and the Nick for live music. For more options, see our guide to the city's bars and nightlife .

Courtesy of Tutwiler Hotel, Birmingham

Where to Stay

• Central City/University of Alabama at Birmingham: This is where you'll find the city's most conveniently located hotels, all of which are within walking distance to attractions such as Railroad Park, the Birmingham Museum of Art, the Civil Rights District, and the McWane Science Center. For a bit of luxury, opt for the Art Deco era The Redmont, the historic Tutwiler, the sophisticated Elyton Hotel, or all-around favorite the Westin. Downtown/UAB also has several reliable chains like SpringHill Suites and Hilton Garden Inn.
• Mountain Brook/English Village: These leafy southern suburbs are convenient to the Birmingham Zoo and Birmingham Botanical Gardens, as well as shops, restaurants, and galleries. For a splurge, opt for the glamorous Grand Bohemian in Mountain Brook. More affordable options include the modern Aloft Birmingham Soho and the Embassy Suites.

Additional accommodations and short-term rentals are available in neighboring areas like Hoover, Fultondale, and the airport, but expect a longer drive into the city.

Getting There

Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) is located 6 miles northeast of the city. It offers direct flights to and from over 15 destinations in the United States such as Chicago, Denver, Houston, and Miami via American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines.

From the airport, it's a 10-15 minute drive to downtown. Rent a car, catch a ride-share like Lyft or Uber, hail a taxi, or take the Magic City Shuttle.

Birmingham is an easy drive from nearby destinations like Hunstville (95 miles north), Nashville (191 miles north), and  Atlanta (147 miles east). Most of the city's hotels offer self-parking or valet, and the city's streets are easy to navigate for out-of-towners.

Money-Saving Tips

• Book a hotel in the offseason. Hotel rates can skyrocket during the tourist season (spring and summer), so try visiting during a less busy month like January or February.
• Take advantage of free attractions such as the Birmingham Museum of Art, Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, and Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
• Opt outside. From the walking paths, playgrounds, and free concerts in downtown's Railroad Park to 15 miles of hiking trails at Red Mountain Park to Moss Creek Preserve's waterfalls, most of the city's parks and recreational areas are free. They offer a variety of activities for all ages and fitness levels.

City of Birmingham. "About Birmingham."

United States Census Bureau. "U.S. Census, QuickFacts." 2019.

Fly Birmingham. "Flying In. "

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The Best Things To See And Do In Birmingham, Alabama

Birmingham is a lively place full of fun activities, great food, and Southern culture. Read our guide to discover this Alabama city’s most popular sights and activities, all of which are rich with history and culture.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips , compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips .

Red Mountain Park

Spanning over 1,000 acres, Red Mountain Park is even larger than New York’s Central Park. The park has 14 miles of biking and hiking trails for the athletic enthusiast and six acres of terrain for an off leash dog park. If you’re seeking more of a thrill or organized adventure, Red Mountain also offers zip lining and rope courses.

Once at the center of the civil rights movement, Birmingham is a historic city. The Civil Rights Institute gives visitors the opportunity to walk through what life was like for residents during the 1950’s and 1960’s. The museum offers media presentations, short videos, and a very popular exhibition that features voices from the past sharing personal experiences.

Sloss Furnaces

Rumored to be a source of paranormal activity, this national historic landmark is the only preserved blast furnace in the United States. Though no longer in use, the early 20th century engines and boilers were pivotal in bringing Birmingham into the Industrial Revolution. Nowadays, it’s been converted into a museum to teach people about its history and the history of industry.

Alabama Theatre

Built in 1927 by Paramount Pictures, the theatre was once a Hollywood movie palace that seated nearly 2,500 people. But it’s not only for watching movies anymore; everyone from BB King to Alice Cooper to Willie Nelson has performed on its grand stage.

Established as a revolutionary car facility in 1929, Iron City takes the concept of “dinner and a show” to a whole new level. The historic space has been redesigned as a multi-purpose venue that now houses three concert stages, two bars, and one restaurant.

Birmingham Museum of Art

This museum , spanning across numerous time periods and traditions, is home to a multitude of arts perfect for any culture enthusiast. The first Thursday of each month is reserved for an after-hours atmosphere where locals can roam the galleries, mingle with cocktails, watch a flick, or enjoy hors d’oeuvres from the museum restaurant.

Color Tunnel

Located in downtown Birmingham, this dreary 1930s underpass has been transformed into a rainbow of light. The public art installation featured here, entitled “LightRails,” is meant to encourage foot traffic within the city center. The many LED lights come in different colors and patterns, which beautifully enhance the original Art Deco styled arches.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Home to almost 70 acres of beautiful plant life, these gardens preserve various species while educating locals and tourists alike. The many themed gardens are a perfect place to spend the day. Some of the highlights include the Japanese Gardens, Moon Tree, Herb Terrace, and Conservatory.

Pepper Place

For the past fifteen years, the farmer’s market at Pepper Place has connected neighborhood family farms to the citizens of Birmingham. Find fresh seasonal produce, eggs, meats, cheeses, and more while shopping here. The market also showcases the work of local artists and craftsmen, and presents featured chef demonstrations and musical performances.

Regions Field

Opened in 2013, this new addition brings downtown Birmingham to life. Enjoy a game played by the Birmingham Barons in an modern, fun venue that features views of the city skyline and Red Mountain. Regions also offers family fun for those who want to be a part of the action rather than sitting on the bench.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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Travellers delayed for hours at Birmingham Airport following 'technical issue' with security lanes

Travellers faced hours of delays and even missed their flights following 'technical issues' at Birmingham Airport's security gates.

Watch more of our videos on Shots! and live on Freeview channel 276

Furious passengers were met with long queues as they attempted to navigate the security lanes at the airport on Monday.

Travellers described the delays as a 'disaster' as they stood in line for over three hours to get past security barriers and onto planes.

The issues were said to have been caused by a 'technical issue' with the security lanes, which Birmingham Airport said "compounded the peak departure schedule" and "hindered our operation".

A spokesperson for Birmingham Airport said: "We saw a usual busy Monday morning at Birmingham Airport with customers queuing downstairs, which is the new normal, as the upstairs queuing area has been taken out of service as we construct our new security area.

"This morning we encountered a technical issue with our security lanes, which compounded the peak departure schedule and hindered our operation.

"We sincerely apologise to our customers for the level of service that they received, this is not what we aim to deliver here at Birmingham Airport."

Birmingham Airport apologised to customers and said the issue was now resolved.

The spokesperson added: "We wish to remind our customers that existing security restrictions remain in place.

"This can be confusing to our customers and on average 15 per cent of bags are rejected as they are not compliant with current security restrictions. For each customer, a non-compliant bag adds 10 minutes on top of their security search time.

"I can confirm that the technical issue is now resolved."

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Stansted and Birmingham airport passengers hit by long delays due to technical issues

P assengers at two of the UK’s busiest airports have experienced long delays due to technical issues – with flights this evening still affected.

London Stansted , Britain’s fourth-busiest airport, “experienced a partial power outage” on Monday morning. It affected check-in, security and baggage systems.

Some Jet2 departures to Turkey, Spain and Portugal were over two hours late, as was a Tui flight to Las Palmas and Ryanair to Kos.

Inbound flights from the affected destinations are also delayed, with a Jet2 flight from Lanzarote now expected at 9.30pm rather than 7.30pm. The Ryanair flight from Kos back to Stansted is estimated to be three hours late.

Passengers will not qualify for delay compensation since the cause was beyond the airlines’ control.

A spokesperson for Stansted said: “Power is now restored, and our teams are working hard to get systems back up and running as quickly as possible.

“However, it is taking slightly longer than usual for passengers to pass through the terminal while systems recover. Flights are operating as normal, but passengers are advised to allow plenty of time for their travel and check with their airline for the most up-to-date flight information.

“We apologies to passengers for the inconvenience and disruption to the journeys today.”

Passengers at Birmingham airport, meanwhile. experienced long waits for security checks – with some missing flights.

Joe Morris wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “After queuing for two hours at Birmingham airport I managed to get the staff to take me through security, only to miss my flight and for Ryanair to leave on time (for once) with a half-empty plane.”

Scott Miller posted on X : “Absolute shocking incompetence by the airport. They cannot process the number of passengers and yet after security the airport is empty.

“Birmingham airport is always poor but they’ve managed to take it to a new low level. Disaster. So many will miss flights.”

Tom Marshall wrote : “Birmingham airport queues are so slow we’re now on a plane 10 minutes past departure time, waiting for 80 more passengers stuck in queues.”

He later said on X: “The pilot told those of us already on the plane that they could just take off on time and blame the airport if passengers missed it, but he said they were making a point of waiting. So we departed 50 minutes late.”

An airport spokesperson said: “We saw a usual busy Monday morning at Birmingham airport with customers queuing downstairs, which is the new normal, as the upstairs queuing area has been taken out of service as we construct our new security area.

“This morning we encountered a technical issue with our security lanes, which compounded the peak departure schedule and hindered our operation.

“We sincerely apologise to our customers for the level of service that they received.

“We wish to remind our customers that existing security restrictions remain in place. On average 15 per cent of bags are rejected as they are not compliant with current security restrictions.

“For each customer, a non-compliant bag adds 10 minutes on top of their security search time.”

While some UK airports have fully upgraded their scanners to allow larger quantities of liquids and for laptops to be left in bags, most are not yet compliant with the government’s requirement for new technology .

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May 2024 strikes: Full list of walkout dates, from trains and Tube to flights

Strikes on the uk's rail network and at heathrow airport are set to disrupt travel in may.

With two bank holidays the month of May is often seen as the perfect time to get away but this year that could be hampered by a series of strikes which will cause travel chaos.

Rail services, the London Underground and Heathrow Airpor t will all be hit by industrial action this month, some of it coinciding with the first May bank holiday.

Train drivers union Aslef, Tube workers who are members of the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) and around 800 members of the union Unite based at Heathrow are all to stage walkouts or overtime bans during the month.

It means travel disruption will be inevitable for some this month.

When are the train strikes?

Train drivers union Aslef has announced its members will walk out in another series of one-day strikes, coupled with a six-day overtime ban.

This will affect 16 train companies with which the union is still in dispute. over pay for drivers.

Mick Whelan, Aslef’s general secretary, said: “Drivers would not vote to strike if they thought an offer was acceptable.

“They don’t. And that offer – now a year old – is dead in the water.”

A spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group, which represents rail companies, said: “This wholly unnecessary strike action called by the ASLEF leadership will sadly disrupt customers and businesses once again, while further damaging the railway at a time when taxpayers are continuing to contribute an extra £54 million a week just to keep services running.

“We continue to seek a fair agreement with the ASLEF leadership which both rewards our people, gives our customers more reliable services and makes sure the railway isn’t taking more than its fair share from taxpayers.”

The industrial action will be on:

Tuesday 7 May – affecting c2c, Gatwick Express, Greater Anglia (which includes Stansted Express), Great Northern, Southeastern, Southern, South Western Railway (which includes Island Line) and Thameslink.

Wednesday 8 May – Avanti West Coast, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Great Western Railway, Heathrow Express, London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway.

Thursday 9 May – LNER, Northern and TransPennine Express.

There will also be an overtime ban from Monday 6 May to Saturday 11 May which may alter the timetable of trains that will be running.

Passengers are advised to check before they travel, as the action is likely to lead to delays and cancellations.

When are the Tube strikes?

Members of TSSA rail union working as customer service manager on the London Underground are already going on strike on Friday 26 April .

TSSA Customer Service Managers at London Underground will also take part in an overtime ban from Monday 29 April to Friday 5 May , which will include the May bank holiday.

This overtime ban is expected to lead to station closures at very short notice.

TSSA General Secretary Maryam Eslamdoust said: “We will continue to take sustained action until London Underground is prepared to negotiate with us in good faith.”

Transport for London, which runs London Underground, has said it is “disappointed” by the planned action and has urged TSSA urge TSSA to “continue to work with us to help find a resolution.”

A planned strike by Aslef members on the London Underground for Saturday 4 May has now been called off.

When are the Heathrow Airport strikes?

Heathrow, the UK’s largest airport, is facing major disruption in May with a series of strikes across different departments.

Unite union has said almost 800 members will be taking part in a week of strike action beginning at 12.01am on Tuesday 7 May and ending at 11.50pm on Monday 13 May in a dispute over the outsourcing of jobs.

Jobs in passenger services (assisting travellers to catch connecting flights), trolley operations and campus security (security guards responsible for workers at Heathrow and vehicles being checked entering Heathrow) are expected to be outsourced by 1 June.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Heathrow Airport’s actions are deplorable, it is raking in massive profits for the bosses while trying to squeeze every last penny out of its workforce.”

Unite members from passenger services, trolley operations, campus security, firefighters and airside operations will strike from 7 May up to and including 13 May.

In a separate dispute, Unite members at AFS Ltd, an airline refuelling company, are also taking part in industrial action at Heathrow Airport on Saturday 4 May , Sunday 5 May and Monday 6 May (bank holiday) over pay and conditions.

Unite said the action will “inevitably cause widespread disruption across the airport leading to delays and disruption.”

A Heathrow Airport spokesperson said: “We are reorganising our operations to deliver better results for our customers.

“There are no job losses as a result of these changes, and we continue to discuss with Unite the implementation of these changes for the small number of colleagues impacted.

Unite’s threats of potential industrial action are unnecessary, and customers can be reassured that we will keep the airport operating smoothly just like we have in the past.”

Border Force staff, who are members of the PCS union, and responsible for immigration controls and passport checks are due to go on strike for four days between Monday 29 April and Thursday 2 May in the run-up to the bank holiday.

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U.S. travel alert: Cruise line cancels more visits to popular Caribbean destination

• Updated: Apr. 24, 2024, 10:55 p.m. |
• Published: Apr. 24, 2024, 11:09 a.m.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line has canceled more stops at one of its most popular destinations due to safety concerns.

• Leada Gore | [email protected]

RoyalCaribbeanblog.com, a website that tracks the line, reported guests booked in the summer and early fall are receiving notification their visits to Labadee, Haiti have been canceled. Labadee is a private resort operated by Royal Caribbean.

The line had previously canceled visits to Labadee through the end of May. The stop was replaced with visits to other destinations or a day at sea.

The cancellations affect several Royal Caribbean ships, including Adventure of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, and Symphony of the Seas, the website reported.

Royal Caribbean announced in March it was suspending calls to the resort on the northern coast of Haiti after the U.S. State Department issued an alert advising people not to visit the country. Haiti is at a Level Four travel advisory, alongside countries such as Russia, Syria and Burkina Faso, due to issues with “kidnapping, crime, civil unrest and poor healthcare infrastructure,” U.S. officials said.

Haiti is located on the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic sharing the island to the east. The Dominican Republic is under a level 2 advisory with visitors urged to exercise increased caution.

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