Nicknamed “The Magic City,” Birmingham is Alabama’s largest city and cultural center. Though it emerged as an industrial hub, today Birmingham offers an array of attractions and activities for visitors. From museums and performing arts to craft breweries and nature trails, Birmingham has something for everyone.
| Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Explore the Birmingham Civil Rights District | Visit historical sites documenting the city’s Civil Rights Movement role. |
| Tour an Antebellum Home | Step back into the 1800s with tours of grand mansions. |
| See a Show at the Historic Alabama Theatre | Enjoy concerts, films, and shows in a neoclassical interior. |
| Explore Railroad Park | A 19-acre green space with trails, gardens, and events. |
| Shop and Snack on Pepper Place Walk | Browse artisan shops and eateries in restored warehouses. |
| Catch a Show at Red Mountain Theatre Company | Broadway-quality musicals and plays in downtown theaters. |
| Cheer on Birmingham Legion FC | Experience the city’s pro soccer team in action. |
| Explore Vulcan Park | Visit the world’s largest cast iron statue and museum. |
| See 19th Century Art at Birmingham Museum of Art | Explore a collection of fine arts and artifacts. |
| Take in City Views from Red Mountain Park | Hike trails offering panoramic views of the city. |
| Tour Good People Brewing Company | Experience Birmingham’s craft beer culture. |
| Dine in Five Points South | Savor diverse cuisines in a vibrant dining district. |
Whether you’re into sports, history, food, music or the outdoors, this city will capture your heart with its famous Southern hospitality. To help plan your Birmingham getaway, here are the top 12 things you must experience in the city.
Explore the Birmingham Civil Rights District
Name and Location: Birmingham Civil Rights District, Downtown Birmingham, AL
History and Significance: This area encompasses historic civil rights landmarks like 16th Street Baptist Church, Kelly Ingram Park, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.
What to Expect: Self-guided walking tours, exhibits detailing Birmingham’s pivotal role in the civil rights movement.
Visitor Information: District attractions are open daily, hours vary. Free to walk around. Guided tours available.
No trip to Birmingham is complete without visiting the Birmingham Civil Rights District. This area is comprised of multiple historical sites that document the city’s pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement during the 1950s and 60s.
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute provides insightful exhibits and programs delving into the struggles and victories of the era. Powerful permanent exhibits utilize videos, pictures and audio recordings to tell the stories of courage and change. Nearby is the 16th Street Baptist Church, where four young girls lost their lives to a racially motivated bombing in 1963.
Today the church is still an active Baptist congregation, while also providing hourly tours highlighting its heritage. Other landmarks in the district include Kelly Ingram Park, the A.G. Gaston Motel and the Birmingham City Jail. By exploring these sites and museums, visitors gain a deeper understanding of injustices once accepted and the hope that led to progress.
Tour an Antebellum Home
Name and Location: Multiple historic homes around Birmingham offer tours
History and Significance: Antebellum homes like Bluff Park Homestead and Arlington Antebellum Home provide a window into 19th century Southern life.
What to Expect: Guided tours of extravagant period homes, antique furnishings, historic architecture.
Visitor Information: Home tours available select days, hours vary. Admission around $10-15 per person. Check websites for schedules.
Step back into the 1800s by touring one of Birmingham’s grand antebellum homes. Two of the most prominent are Slossfield Mansion and Arlington Antebellum Home & Gardens. Both mansions are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and offer guided tours showcasing the beautiful architecture, ornate decor and period furnishings.
At Slossfield Mansion, you’ll learn about its original owners Colonel James W. Sloss and his wife Maisie Watts deGraffenried Sloss. Constructed in 1887, the Victorian mansion has distinct features like a ballroom, grand staircase and early electric lighting.
Meanwhile the Greek Revival style Arlington Antebellum Home & Gardens transports guests to 1822, when it was built by influential politician John Dabney Terrell. Wandering the halls, parlors and grounds provides a glimpse into the lavish lifestyles of early Birmingham elites.
See a Show at the Historic Alabama Theatre
Name and Location: Alabama Theatre, 1817 3rd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
History and Significance: Restored to its 1920s grandeur, this elegant theater presents concerts, comedy, movies, and more.
What to Expect: Broadway plays, music acts, silent films with organ accompaniment in a grand ornate setting.
Visitor Information: Showtimes vary. Tickets $15-60+. Paid parking garages nearby.
Known for its lavish neoclassical interior and starlit night-sky ceiling, the Alabama Theatre first opened in 1927 as a silent movie palace. Today this historic downtown venue hosts concerts, films, comedy shows and community events in its main 1,600 seat auditorium.
Even if you don’t see a show, you can take a guided theatre tour showcasing secrets like the vintage movie equipment, dressing rooms and other behind-the-scenes spots. Catching an entertaining show underneath the twinkling ceiling of this architectural beauty makes for an unforgettable Birmingham night out.
Explore Railroad Park
Name and Location: Railroad Park, 1600 1st Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233
History and Significance: Opened in 2010, this scenic 19-acre green space ushered in downtown Birmingham’s revitalization.
What to Expect: Gardens, trails, open lawns, lake, outdoor games and concerts, railcar restaurant.
Visitor Information: Open daily 7am-11pm. Free admission. On-street parking available.
In the heart of downtown lies Railroad Park, Birmingham’s vibrant green space built on an abandoned railway corridor. The 19-acre park features winding trails, artistic playgrounds, an outdoor concert stage, water features and various gardens with native plants. The park is dotted with informational plaques detailing the history and industry of Birmingham.
Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in one of the pavilions or check out one of the food trucks on site. There’s always something fun happening at Railroad Park, from music festivals to movies nights, yoga classes to salsa dancing lessons. Spend a relaxing day walking beneath the treetops of this innovative urban park.
Shop and Snack on Pepper Place Walk
Name and Location: Pepper Place, 2nd Ave. S. between 28th and 32nd Streets, Birmingham, AL 35233
History and Significance: Once a Dr Pepper syrup plant, Pepper Place now hosts a vibrant Saturday market with local vendors, eateries and more.
What to Expect: Farmers market, shops, cafes, frequent community events. Lively atmosphere.
Visitor Information: Market open Saturdays 7am-12pm. Shops/cafes hours vary. Free parking onsite.
For some retail therapy and tasty bites, head to the Pepper Place entertainment district. Pepper Place is home to artisan shops, boutiques and eateries housed in restored early 1900s warehouses. You can browse home décor at MADE, pick up locally made gifts at Stewart Who, satisfy your sweet tooth at Ollie Irene bakery, or shop vintage finds at Lost & Found.
When you work up an appetite, try creative Southern comfort food at The Storehouse restaurant or gourmet wood-fired pizzas at Front Porch Pizzeria. Pepper Place Walk provides a perfect half day escaping the ordinary retail chains by supporting local Birmingham businesses and culinary creators.
Catch a Show at Red Mountain Theatre Company
Name and Location: Red Mountain Theatre Company, 1600 3rd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233
History and Significance: This professional theater company produces musicals, plays, and other productions in an intimate performance space.
What to Expect: Dramas, comedies, musical acts in a cozy 225-seat theater. Full service bar.
Visitor Information: Showtimes vary. Tickets from $15. Validated parking in Third Ave. deck.
Since 1979, the Red Mountain Theatre Company has brought Broadway-quality musicals and plays to stages across Birmingham. The company puts on productions in their downtown Cabaret Theatre along with larger shows at the historic Carver and Dororthy Jemison Day theaters.
You can see favorites like Beauty and the Beast, Mamma Mia and A Christmas Carol come to life with impressive sets, costumes and performances. The RMTC also operates a performing arts school providing theater education programs for children. Support this beloved arts organization during your visit by attending a memorable show.
Cheer on Birmingham Legion FC
Name and Location: BBVA Field, 2 Twentieth St S, Birmingham, AL 35203
History and Significance: The Birmingham Legion FC soccer team has developed an enthusiastic local following since forming in 2018.
What to Expect: Professional league soccer games in an energetic stadium atmosphere. Food, drinks, merch onsite.
Visitor Information: Home games usually Wednesdays or Saturdays. Ticket prices vary. Free downtown shuttles.
As home to the longest running professional soccer team in the U.S., Birmingham has a spirited football culture.Since 2019, the Birmingham Legion FC has carried on this tradition as the city’s pro franchise competing in the USL Championship league.
The Legion play at BBVA Field near the entertainment districts, drawing passionate crowds clad in the team’s black and red colors. Grab tickets to a match to experience the high-energy atmosphere as fans chant fight songs and build the drum-driven hype. Beyond providing top-notch action on the field, Birmingham Legion FC games give visitors a taste of the city’s vibrant soccer spirit.
Explore Vulcan Park
Name and Location: Vulcan Park and Museum, 1701 Valley View Dr, Birmingham, AL 35209
History and Significance: Locals embrace the giant cast iron Vulcan statue, constructed for the 1904 World’s Fair, as a symbol of the city.
What to Expect: Observation tower with panoramic city views. Museum exhibits about Vulcan’s history. Picnic area.
Visitor Information: Park open daily 7am-10pm. Museum hours vary. Free general admission.
Rising high above Birmingham stands Vulcan, the Roman god of metalwork and largest cast iron statue in the world. Vulcan has been the city’s symbol since the 1930s, representing Birmingham’s roots at the heart of America’s iron and steel industry. Vulcan Park at the statue’s base offers lovely views over downtown Birmingham from an observation tower and scenic trails.
The Vulcan Center museum inside chronicles the city’s industrial history and cultural development. Don’t miss the chance to glimpse Vulcan’s glowing green torch illuminating the skyline at night. This Birmingham icon showcases the steel heritage and resilient character of the Magic City.
See 19th Century Art at Birmingham Museum of Art
Name and Location: Birmingham Museum of Art, 2000 Rev Abraham Woods Jr Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35203
History and Significance: Founded in 1951, this large museum houses over 27,000 works spanning ancient to modern times.
What to Expect: European masterworks, American art collections, folk art, traveling exhibits. Museum store and cafe.
Visitor Information: Open Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12pm-5pm. Admission free. Parking $5.
Founded in 1951, the Birmingham Museum of Art has an impressive collection numbering around 27,000 objects. The museum is best known for its treasury of 19th and 20th century fine arts, with works by Georgia O’Keeffe, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol.
Spread across the galleries you’ll discover everything from Mediterranean antiquities and Asian textiles to Native American pottery and contemporary sculpture. The museum also houses a library with over 40,000 art resource books. With free general admission, the Birmingham Museum of Art provides a refined yet accessible cultural experience.
Take in City Views from Red Mountain Park
Name and Location: Red Mountain Park, 2011 Frankfurt Rd, Birmingham, AL 35210
History and Significance: Once lined with mining sites, this park now offers scenic trails, vistas, and historic landmarks.
What to Expect: Hiking, biking trails, interactive museum exhibits, treehouse, zip line tours available.
Visitor Information: Park open daily 7am-7pm. Some areas have fees. Free parking onsite.
Escape city life with a visit to Red Mountain Park, a scenic natural preserve along the southern edge of Birmingham. The park spans 1,500 acres filled with forested valleys, rugged rock formations and rust-colored cliffs. Over 15 miles of trails allow you to explore by foot, bike or horseback.
Two of the most popular hikes lead up tograceful overlooks providing panoramic views of downtown and the surrounding ridges and valleys. Red Mountain Park has picnic areas, a treehouse playground, zipline course and interpretive outdoor mining exhibits as well. Whether you come for the exercise or scenery, Red Mountain’s beauty will rejuvenate your spirit.
Tour Good People Brewing Company
Name and Location: Good People Brewing Company, 114 14th St S, Birmingham, AL 35233
History and Significance: Founded in 2008, Good People helped spur the growth of Birmingham’s craft beer scene with its tasty brews.
What to Expect: Brewery tours, beer tastings, taproom with pub fare menu and live music. Retail space onsite.
Visitor Information: Open daily 11am-9pm. Tour prices vary. Free street parking available.
As a hub of craft beer culture, Birmingham has over a dozen breweries and taprooms to try. One of the most popular is Good People Brewing, open since 2008. Good People’s flagship location in the Parkside neighborhood offers daily brewery tours and tastings in a laidback taproom setting. Learn about the traditional four ingredients and brewing process as you see where the magic happens.
Then sample award-winning Good People beers like the refreshing Snake Handler IPA, Coffee Oatmeal Stout and Hitchhiker Belgian-style Single. There’s frequent live music to entertain visitors as well. Good People demonstrates why Birmingham’s exploding craft beer scene is one to appreciate.
Dine in Five Points South
Name and Location: Five Points South, Birmingham, AL 35205
History and Significance: Five Points South is a walkable historic district lined with restaurants, bars and unique local shops.
What to Expect: Trendy eateries, cafes, cocktail lounges, boutiques in an artsy pedestrian area.
Visitor Information: Restaurants/bars typically open late afternoon to late night. Free 2-hour street parking.
No trip to Birmingham is complete without eating your way through the dining district Five Points South. This walkable neighborhood features locally owned restaurants spanning cuisines like Italian, Mediterranean, Cuban, Mexican and Southern comfort food. Funky storefronts, outdoor patios and live music add to the energetic atmosphere.
Standouts to try include Italian, New York-style pizza at Post Office Pies, empanadas and mojitos at Sol Y Luna, upscale Southern cuisine at Tongue & Cheek and Cuban sandwiches alongside craft cocktails at Espresso Leo. Five Points South provides a quintessential Birmingham food and nightlife experience visitors rave about.
Conclusion
With its warm Southern charm and varied attractions, Birmingham offers an authentic taste of Alabama. The city provides opportunities to immerse yourself in impactful history, culture, sports, nature and so much more.
From exploring civil rights landmarks to cheering on the Birmingham Legion FC, you’ll quickly see why this city shines bright as the Magic City. When it comes time to plan your Alabama getaway, be sure to add Birmingham to your itinerary to experience the top things this remarkable Southern destination has to offer.