Magic City: Your Guide to Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama is a bustling Southeastern city that’s rapidly growing in popularity, and for good reason. Recently playing host to the World Games – the first time the multi-sport event has been held in the United States since 1981 – Birmingham is gaining national and international acclaim.
Born out of the iron and steel industry, Birmingham is known as The Magic City due to the elements found in its soil capable of producing iron. Now, the town boasts a dynamic food scene with numerous James Beard Foundation Award winners and nominees, robust history and plenty of experiences for children and adults alike. Needless to say, a trip to the Magic City should be on your 2023 bucket list.
Whether visiting for a day trip or a long weekend getaway, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know for a perfect getaway.
Getting There
Seemingly all roads lead to Birmingham. Okay, maybe not all, but three interstates – I-65, I-59 and I-20 – converge in the heart of the city. As a drivable destination, visiting Birmingham by car is an easy way to take in the sights of the city and its surrounding small towns. If air travel is preferred, Birmingham offers an international airport with more than 100 nonstop and direct flights.
Where to Stay
For a multi-night getaway, Birmingham offers a variety of hotels perfect for solo travelers, families or romantic escapes. In the heart of the city, stay in the Redmont Hotel, the oldest-running hotel in Birmingham that first opened in 1925. The Redmont combines the charisma of the 20’s with contemporary luxury, all walking distance to some of Birmingham’s best attractions.
Venture outside of the city for a getaway in neighboring Homewood, a bucolic town located just one mile from the bustling downtown scene of Birmingham. The neighborhood offers travelers a true look at Southern hospitality with mom-and-pop boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, and golf courses. Stay at The Valley Hotel, a new luxury property that blends Southern charm and contemporary lifestyle among its 129 spacious rooms, upscale chef-driven restaurant and signature café.
For enhanced relaxation, book your stay at the Grand Bohemian Hotel, located in the quiet suburb of Mountain Brook. The hotel boasts an onsite art gallery showcasing artists' work from around the world, and operates a rooftop restaurant and bar with farm-to-table cuisine.
What to Do
Reflect on the City’s Civil Rights History
A city once incredibly segregated, Birmingham holds a significant history of the Civil Rights Movement as a prominent spot on the Civil Rights Trail. While in Birmingham, visit the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (BRCI), a modern museum serving as a connection to the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument. Along with an expansive archive of documents from the Civil Rights Movement, visitors can also experience a rendition of a segregated city in the 1950s – examine a replica of a Freedom Riders bus, and see the actual jail cell door where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. penned his famous “Letter From Birmingham Jail.”
Shop ‘til You Drop
WIth antiques and boutiques galore, Birmingham is a destination for the avid shopper. Head to The Summit – which is more than just a shopping center, it’s a shopping destination. Spanning more than 1 million square feet, the center is home to shops such as Tory Burch, Trader Joe’s, Saks, Apple, Restoration Hardware, Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn, and many more.
The small town of Homewood is home to some of the area’s best boutique shopping – from designer wares to antiques. In neighboring Mountain Brook, explore one of three shopping centers – the English Village, Mountain Brook Village, and Crestine Village – each offering unique and dynamic shopping experiences ranging from decadent bakeries to high fashion and home goods.
Explore the Outdoors
In Birmingham, the weather is pleasant most of the year, making it an excellent destination for outdoor adventure. Get your steps in with a visit to Red Mountain Park for a biking or hiking adventure, or up the ante at Vulcan Materials Zip Trip. As its name suggests, the zipline tour takes place 40 feet above Red Mountain connecting from treehouse to tree house on a series of zip lines. Yes, Birmingham has mountains, offering beautiful views of the city’s landscape.
If a simple stroll is more your speed, pay a visit to the Birmingham Zoo to mingle among red pandas, lions, flamingos, elephants and many more. Swap the gorillas for gardens at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, with rotating exhibits and a packed calendar of events all year long.
Catch a Game
While the World Games may be over, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy a sporting event in Birmingham, playing home to several minor league, professional and college teams. Enjoy a seventh-inning stretch while cheering on the Birmingham Barons, the AA minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, or bundle up for a Birmingham Bulls hockey game. With the University of Alabama at Birmingham close by, enjoy a variety of college sports from the UAB Blazers – including football, basketball, baseball and more.
What to Eat and Drink
Foodies, rejoice! Birmingham has a dynamic restaurant scene. Every itinerary should include a visit to the famed Highlands Bar & Grill from James Beard Foundation Award winner Frank Stitt. His other popular outposts throughout the city include Bottega and Chez Fonfon, a decadent, nationally-acclaimed French bistro. For a truly unique experience, try the grilled chorizo meatloaf at El Barrio or grab a craft cocktail at the newly opened Ovenbird.
Speaking of cocktails, there is no shortage of libations in the Southern city. Located in Birmingham’s loft district, pay a visit to the classic cocktail bar, Queen’s Park, which houses experts in mixology for an elegant start to any evening. Enjoy live music while you sip on craft cocktails at Paper Doll, with a robust spirits menu featuring classic and innovative takes on beloved beverages. The menu even features an entire section dedicated to “Old Fashioned Riffs.”
If brews are more your speed, pay a visit to one of the city’s popular breweries. At Back Forty Beer Company, you’ll find cold beer and hot food with backyard games (like cornhole) providing entertainment on the outdoor patio. Walk a few blocks to TrimTab Brewing Company – which merges arts and crafts in a unique way. Here, craft beer isn’t the only draw with the taproom also serving as an art gallery.
When the night is just getting started, turn up the heat with a visit to one of Birmingham’s dynamic nightlife venues for live music and premium entertainment. A staple in many Southern cities, visit Birmingham’s Tin Roof for live music and flowing drinks. If the party just won’t stop, fear not. Nana Funks club is open until 6 a.m. on the weekends, spinning the best 90s and 2000s chart toppers to keep you dancing all night long.
There is no shortage of adventure waiting to be had in one of Alabama’s largest cities. Whether looking for an immersive historical experience on the Civil Rights Trail, interested in catching a game or hoping to indulge in award-winning food and mouth watering drinks, the city of Birmingham has it all.
Links:
https://www.birminghamal.org/visit/
https://www.cityofhomewood.com/
https://www.mtnbrook.org/
https://civilrightstrail.com/
https://www.birminghamzoo.com/
https://bbgardens.org/
