“It’s Nice to Have You in Birmingham.”
It's a mantra emblazoned on buildings and T-shirts, and felt in the welcoming smiles of Birmingham locals. Don’t be surprised when friendly strangers strike up conversations and reveal their favourite haunts, hangouts and histories. People here are passionate about welcoming visitors and sharing their city’s story. And these tales are as diverse and far-reaching as the personalities who call Birmingham home. For history buffs, culture vultures, sports fans, foodies and beer lovers, the essence of Birmingham’s story lives in a mighty array of attractions and pastimes. Here’s how to create your Birmingham story.
Immerse yourself in the arts
Lyric Theatre
Birmingham’s colours illuminate a 152-metre Rainbow Wall mural – painted by people from across the community – and with a series of trippy Rainbow Tunnel LED installations. Start your story here with a self-guided tour of the Murals of Birmingham, a grassroots endeavor adding vibrancy to buildings city-wide. Next, treat yourself to a concert in the beautifully-restored vaudeville-era Lyric Theatre or revel in the peaceful sculpture garden at the Birmingham Museum of Art.
Al fresco activities in the park
Ted Tucker | Railroad Park
The beating heart of Birmingham is Railroad Park, a 7.6-hectare green space that transformed a former industrial zone into a community living room. Join an al fresco dance or yoga class, catch a film screening, snack your way through a food truck rally or enjoy a free Alabama Symphony Orchestra performance. There’s a perpetual rainbow of life in this urban playground.
Beer and ball
Art Meripol | Good People Brewing Co.
Baseball and brews spell a home run afternoon in Birmingham. Across from Railroad Park, visitors find Regions Field and the Negro Southern League Museum. Grab tickets to a Birmingham Barons game and explore the history of African American baseball before sliding across home plate at neighbouring Good People Brewing Co.
Deep dive into living history
Ted Tucker | Birmingham Civil Rights DistrictReach out and touch history at the newly-designated national monument, the Birmingham Civil Rights District, where the struggles and lessons of the Civil Rights Movement (along with the globally-pertinent implications of today) are brought to life. Tour Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and embark on a self-guided walk along the Heritage Trail.
Joe Comer | Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark
At Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, be transported to the Industrial Age, when the “Magic City” sprang to life through pig iron and steel manufacturing. This blast-furnace-turned-historic-landmark evokes something of a post-apocalyptic, steampunk feel and is a photographer’s dream. Gain perspective, along with expansive city views, atop Vulcan Park and Museum, home to the world’s largest cast iron statue – a beloved Birmingham icon.
Get active outdoors
Ted Tucker | Ross Bridge
A bevy of Southern sunshine and warm temperatures encourage Birminghamians to get outside, year-round. Tee off on one of the famous Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail courses, which includes the world’s third-longest course. To dial up the adventure, zip line or canopy walk in the woodland wonderland of Red Mountain Park. For an urban amble, grab a Zyp BikeShare and pedal along the urban Rotary Trail, taking time to explore the two attractions that bookend it: Railroad Park and Sloss Furnaces.
Ready to plan your Birmingham getaway?
Let InBirmingham.com lend a hand: