Birmingham, AL Road Trips

Birmingham (unlike the city in England, the "h" is not silent here) has a population of 200,000 in the city (2020) and 1.1 million in the metro area (2020). Generally speaking, most of the modern-day big cities of the Southern United States got their start in the 18th or very early 19th century as frontier forts or trading posts (or, in the case of coastal cities like Charleston or Norfolk, as seaports), then grew through the antebellum period into administrative centers where folks from the surrounding areas would come to conduct government business and/or market towns where they came to sell their agricultural goods. Birmingham's history is very different from that. For one thing, it's a lot younger than most Southern cities: although white settlers began arriving in the area in the 1810s or so, until after the Civil War there was nothing inside the modern-day city limits but rural farmland dotted with a few small towns (notably Elyton, of which the Arlington Antebellum Home, Birmingham's only, is a remnant). For another thing, its economic raison d'être had a lot more in common with Northern Rust Belt cities like Pittsburgh and Buffalo than anywhere else in the South. It's important to understand that the Civil War wrought total devastation on the former Confederacy, not only in terms of loss of life and physical destruction but also in terms of the structure of society.

The bulk of Birmingham's most famous tourist attractions revolve around the city's role in the Civil Rights Movement. 1 Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, 520 16th St N, ☏ +1 205-328-9696, toll-free: +1-866-328-9696, fax: +1 205 251-6104, [email protected]. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM. Interpretive museum and research center, where you can learn about the struggle for civil rights through such engaging exhibits as a mocked-up 1950s-era segregated city, a replica of a Freedom Riders bus from Mississippi, and even the actual door from the cell in Birmingham Jail where Dr. Martin Luther King was held (see below). Researchers have at their disposal an expansive archive of documents and recordings. Adults $15, seniors 65+ $13, college students, children grades 4-12 $13, children grades 3 and under free.. (updated Apr 2025) The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is immediately adjacent to: 2 Kelly Ingram Park (bounded by 5th and 6th Aves N and 16th and 17th Sts W). This four-acre park was named for a local World War I hero, but is best known as the place where the climactic confrontation between the attack dog- and firehose-wielding Birmingham police and fire departments, led by Public Works Commissioner "Bull" Connor, and the student demonstrators from the SCLC, led by Dr. Martin Luther King, took place. The park was rededicated in 1992 as a "place of revolution and reconciliation" in commemoration of these pivotal events, and now contains a number of sculptural exhibits.

In addition to standard activities, Birmingham also has tons of outdoor adventures such as paintballing, four-wheeling and hunting, during season. 1 Alabama Theatre, 1811 3rd Ave N, ☏ +1 205-252-2262. Numerous performances including concerts, comedians and movies take place at this 2,200-seat, exquisitely preserved old vaudeville and movie palace built by Paramount in 1927. 2 The Virginia Samford Theatre, 1116 26th St S, ☏ +1 205-251-1228, fax: +1 205 328-7677, [email protected]. Offers Broadway type productions in an intimate setting throughout the year. 3 WorkPlay, 500 23rd St S, ☏ +1 205-879-4773, [email protected]. Multipurpose complex for music concerts and film events. Birmingham doesn't field teams in any of North America's big four pro sports leagues, but no matter — if you just want to take in a nice baseball or soccer game without paying through the nose for tickets or dealing with enormous crowds and hoopla, here's your chance. Birmingham Barons, 1401 1st Ave S, ☏ +1 205-988-3200. Birmingham's minor-league team is the heir to one of the oldest baseball traditions in the country, dating back to 1885. Today, the Barons are the Chicago White Sox's Double-A farm team in the Southern League, and are perhaps most famous for having had basketball legend Michael Jordan on its roster during his first retirement from that sport in 1994.

Most visitors are pleasantly surprised at the large dining scene in Birmingham, a city which has numerous well-known restaurants with famous chefs. Ask locals about best "meat and 3" places for soul food. 1 Gordos, 433 Valley Ave (at Valley Avenue Plaza), ☏ +1 205-739-2500. Daily 8AM-9PM. Real Mexican food, great taste! You will enjoy all that they offer if Mexican is what you are looking for. Huarache, fresh and good! Burrito really good as well. They have a bakery, try the peach tres leches, fresh and very distinct. (updated Oct 2018) 2 Green Acres, 1705 4th Ave N, ☏ +1 205-251-3875. M-W 9AM-9:45PM, Th-Sa 9AM-10:45PM. A take-out haven for all breaded soul foods. The fried chicken, catfish and okra are fresh and delicious and the location is a fun slice of local life. 3 Irondale Cafe, 1906 1st Ave N, Irondale, ☏ +1 205-956-5258. Su-F 11AM-2:30PM. Remember the novel Fried Green Tomatoes, later turned into a movie starring Kathy Bates and Jessica Tandy? Well, this is the original "Whistle Stop Cafe" whose rendition of the namesake Southern-fried specialty inspired local novelist Fannie Flagg. Anything you ask for on the menu of will be delicious, but of course you must order the tomatoes. To drink is Coca-Cola straight out of the vintage bottle, or have an ice-cold glass of Southern sweet tea. 4 Pop's Neighborhood Grill, 1207 20th St S, ☏ +1 205-930-8002. M-F 6AM-3PM. The staff are super friendly, good proportion for what you pay. A real mom and pop type of restaurant. (updated Oct 2018) 5 Saigon Noodle House, 4606 U.S.

1 Avondale Brewery, 201 41st St S, ☏ +1 205-777-5456. M-W noon-10PM, Th noon-11PM, F Sa noon-midnight, Su 1-10PM. Awesome local brewery with some great beers. Large outdoor area and a cool event space on the second level. 2 Dave's Pub, 1128 20th St S, ☏ +1 205-933-4030. Daily 3PM-2AM. Classic American bar in Five Points South. 3 The Garage, 2304 10th Terrace S, ☏ +1 205-322-3220. Tu-Sa 11AM-2AM, Su 3PM-midnight. Very low key, locals spot. The Garage is an old antique store converted into a bar. The bar has a very unique back porch/beer garden. The garden is filled with antique stone tables and statues; a great place to go when the weather is nice. It is a low key, hard to find place but that is the way everybody wants it. 4 Innisfree, 710 29th St S, ☏ +1 205-252-4252. M Tu 7PM-2AM, W 4PM-3AM, Th F 4PM-4AM, Sa 6PM-2AM. Popular bar/Irish pub in the Lakeview district. If you want to relive your college years with weak pours for high prices all while getting knocked around by an overcrowd of croakie wearers, even though it's midnight and the sun's been down for hours, this is the place for you. 5 The Nick, 2514 10th Ave S, ☏ +1 205-252-3831. Daily 2PM-4AM. "Birmingham's Dirty Little Secret" is a grungy out-of-the-way dive bar famous for hosting late night rock shows. 6 Oasis Bar, 2807 7th Ave S, ☏ +1 205-323-5538. M-Th & Sa 3PM-2AM, F 3PM-3AM, Su 2-8PM. Cool blues bar in Lakeview. 7 The Upper Deck, 449 Valley Ave (behind Valley Avenue Plaza), ☏ +1 205-942-3289. Daily 11AM-5AM.

1 Tourway Inn, 1101 6th Ave N, ☏ +1 205-252-3921. Two-star hotel about half a mile southwest of downtown, near Interstate 65. All rooms have air-conditioning, private bathroom, TV, refrigerator and microwave. There's free Wi-Fi and parking, but apparently no restaurant. Around $70/night. (updated Aug 2019) 2 Kings Inn Civic Center, 1313 3rd Ave N, ☏ +1 205-323-8806, [email protected]. Two-star hotel on the outskirts of the Historic District. Rooms have private bathroom and TV. There's free Wi-Fi and parking. From $63/night. (updated Aug 2019) 3 Birmingham Tree House Hotel, 1309 19th St S, ☏ +1 205-902-1120. For being located in the trendy, bustling Five Points South area, Birmingham's "bed and yoga healing center" presents a superbly quiet and genteel experience perfect for a relaxing getaway in the lap of Victorian luxury. The circa-1898 Bingham House is the venue, divided into seven guest rooms and suites sporting original hardwood floors and really magnificent antique furnishings, free WiFi, air conditioning, and private bathrooms (en suite in most cases) — plus a light breakfast and yoga and mental health services built into the overall accommodation. Free off-street parking. Pet and LGBT-friendly. From $140/night. 4 Hampton Inn & Suites Birmingham-Downtown-Tutwiler, 2021 Park Pl, ☏ +1 205-322-2100. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Erected in 1913, the history of the grand old Tutwiler Hotel continues under the Hampton Inn banner.

1 Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM IATA), ☏ +1 205-595-0533. Service is operated by American, Delta, Southwest, and United Airlines, with flights from Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Miami, New York, Washington D.C, and other destinations. The airport presents a breezy and laid-back experience for travellers — that is, once you clear the often congested security lines. Folks landing in Birmingham have a slew of hotel accommodations and restaurants right on the doorstep of the airport, or you can take advantage of a full slate of rental car desks or 24-hour limo and taxi service to get wherever you're headed around town. (updated Apr 2020) Birmingham is linked to the rest of the U.S. by the Interstate highway network. The principal interstates and highways serving the city are: From the north, i.e. from Nashville and Louisville, I-65 and US 31 run more or less parallel to each other. I-59 approaches from Chattanooga and points northeast; you will possibly come from this direction if driving from the northeastern U.S. US 11 also comes from this direction. Atlanta to the east, the biggest city nearby and with a major international airport, is connected to Birmingham by I-20. US 280 comes in from Columbus, Georgia to the southeast and further on from Florida. From places to the south, such as Montgomery and other parts of southern Alabama, comes I-65 and next to it US 31. From Meridian in the southwest comes I-20 and I-59, the former from Jackson, Shreveport and Dallas, the latter from New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.

This is by far the easiest and most reliable way to get around town — with the notable exception of rush hour, which can last from 6AM-9AM and 4-6PM. In particular, I-59, I-65, and Highway 280 in and around downtown are to be avoided at these times. Aside from that, though, getting around on four wheels is a breeze, and so is parking, even downtown: metered on-street parking is plentiful and reasonably priced, and usually free in the evening and on weekends. Public transit is available in Birmingham and the surrounding area, though it's not what you'd call convenient, especially on weekends or in areas far outside the central core. The Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority runs both the MAX Bus System and the DART Bus Trolley, which operate M-Th from 10AM-10PM, F Sa until midnight and Su until 9PM. There's a bike rental system called Veo BikeShare, with bike stations around the city. You can use the bike for 45 minutes a time for a price of $3, if you keep the bike for a longer time, there's an overtime charge of $2 for the first 30 minutes, and $4 for each additional 30 minutes. If you have one of the passes with unlimited rides for a day, three days or a month, you will still have to return the bike to a station within 45 minutes to avoid paying overtime fees (but you can immediately start using the bike again after returning it). The downtown areas of Birmingham (notably separated by railroad tracks into a "north" and "south" side) are quite compact, so walking is a reasonable way to get from place to place within the central district.

Common-sense rules apply for most of the city center, e.g. travel in groups at night, don't look like a tourist, avoid dark alleyways, etc. While the city has a reputation for crime, dangerous areas are generally far away from anywhere of interest to tourists. Avoid the areas north of the civic center and west of I-65. By contrast, downtown is very well patrolled, and other than common sense against normal big city stuff (e.g. beggars asking for money), there is not much to worry about. The same is true of the Five Points South neighborhood, so if you're headed to one of the swanky restaurants, pubs, or dance clubs over there, there's no need to fear. The downtown area has a supplemental bike patrol called CAP (City Action Partnership) to deter crime and assist visitors. ☏ +1 205-251-0111 for a free security escort, directions, assistance with a dead car battery, etc.