The DL: Birmingham, Alabama- Known as the Magic City, due to the population in the 1800’s growing so quickly it was practically magic. This up and coming city is less than 3 hours to both Nashville and Atlanta and has a little bit of everything. From the James-beard award-winning restaurants, the charming local shops, and vast amount of outdoor adventure options, you will be pleasantly surprised with this city.
Don’t expect: Lots to be open past midnight, to use public transportation, a large airport, many restaurants to be open on Sunday and Monday nights.
Where to stay: The Elyton, Redmont, Grand Bohemian in Mountain Brook, for more affordable options check locations in downtown Homewood or Vestavia.
Friday:
Afternoon – Shopping
- Downtown Homewood – cute local stores
- The Summit – High end and big-name stores
- Mountain Brook Village – local shops and restaurants
- Crestline Village- local shops and restaurants
Evening – make reservations for one of the top-notch award-winning restaurants by famous chefs:
Photo via: Ovenbird
- Bottega – (eat at the cafe for a cheaper option or patio dining) whatever you do, try the coconut cake
- Highlands – won the best restaurant in 2019
- Ovenbird – small plates, swanky vibe, Mark Zuckerberg ate here on his trip to BHAM
- Hot and Hot Fish Club – a lively but quaint vibe, with a focus on a tastebud filled experience
- Gianmarco’s – the pasta purse appetizer, mac cheese and really anything you order you can’t go wrong with, for more affordable wine bottles and walk-in options try the wine bar part of the restaurant
- Chez Fon Fon – a french restaurant know for their burger, you can also get the coconut cake here, both are a must. They are the only option on this list that doesn’t take reservations so keep that in mind as the waits can get long.
Grab a drink before or after dinner:
- Downtown
- Queens Park – craft cocktails, swanky vibe, ever-changing menu started by an NYC couple, limited seating, around Christmas time it turns into a Christmas themed bar with drinks and decorations to match
- Paramount – arcade games, more sports bar scene
- Paper doll – a posh floor to ceiling velvet curtain entrance, with a book full of craft cocktails, limited seating, try the basil smash
- Carrigans – can get crowded on the weekends but good for large parties, craft cocktails, small rooftop seating option, food is delish as well
- Collins – intimate cocktail creation bar filled with games to play at your table
- The Atomic – small and hipster vibe for this craft cocktail venue, make sure to get a picture dressed up in one of their costume options
- Elyton Hotel – rooftop called moonshine that overlooks the city, great at sunset, small bites
- Redmont – rooftop that overlooks the city, limited seating, a great place to grab a day drink
- Woolworth – duckpin bowling, games, rooftop
- Lakeview District – draws more of a young party crowd
- Moes – bbq restaurant turns dive bar with live bands, the front patio is where you will find most people
- Saturn – popular concert venue that hosts a bar
- Sidebar and Innisfree – if looking for more of a younger club scene with dj, strobe lights, and somewhere to go when everywhere else is closing
- Avondale
- Marble Ring – fun and classy speakeasy, enter through the hot dog restaurant, not good for large groups
- Parkside – grab a drink inside or from the airstream on the patio, good for large groups
- Burbon street – karaoke bar in an old pizza hut you should only go to late, I mean late at night on the weekend. Lots of wedding party’s come here after a wedding, very local.
Saturday:
Breakfast:
- Over Easy
- Crestline Bagel
- Big Bad Breakfast
Morning – Pepper Place
Take a stroll through Pepper Place – the most popular farmer’s markets in Birmingham and it takes place at an old Dr. Pepper factory. Open April – December.
Lunch: Grab some BBQ
- Saws – make sure to try the white bbq sauce and banana pudding, this place is a Birmingham staple, juke-joint location is my favorite
- Martins – originally started in Nashville, this popular spot is great for large groups, to watch a sports game, all is good to eat here.
- Dreamland – started in Tuscaloosa, this bbq spot is an Alabama classic
- Jim and Nicks – great bbq but it’s their cheese biscuits everyone raves about
- Full Moon – great bbq, known for their black and white cookies
Afternoon Downtown:
- Railroad Park – 19-acre green space in downtown home to local recreation, activities, concerts, and cultural events
- Magic City Rotary Trail
- Breweries worth checking out:
- Cahaba
- Back forty
- Avondale brewery
- Good people – right by railroad park
- Trim Tab
- Traveling with kids:
- Check out the Birmingham Zoo, Mcwane Science Center
- Vulcan Park for a city view 20 stories up
Evening:
Dinner:
- El Barrio – fresh Mexican food with a twist you won’t regret, need reservations or will be a long wait
- Bamboo on Second – lively sushi restaurant that won’t disappoint, need reservations or will be a long wait
- Ollie Irene – small, cozy gastropub with daily specials and a fresh hand-pulled mozzarella bar
After Dinner: You can walk down the street to catch a show/concert at Alabama theater or the lyric or check out the Vulcan for a city view 20 stories up.
Want a low key local dinner option instead:
- Taco Mama
- Pizitz Food hall
- Red Pearl
- Tazikis
- Post office Pies
- Fish Market (downtown)
Sunday:
Brunch – The Essential – you can’t go wrong with anything you get here. Small restaurant so expect a wait.
Afternoon options:
- Walk – Botanical gardens (free) or Jeminson Trail in mountain brook (free)
- Hike – Red Mountain (trails are free, can also zip line or do adventures), Oak Mountain (more intense hike and cost is low to get in, can camp, swim, ride horses etc.)
- Explore the neighborhoods/villages – lots of shopping, eating, wandering to be had
- Mountain Brook Village
- Crestline Village
- English Village
- Downtown Homewood
- Highland Park
- Cahaba Heights
- Uptown
- Forest Park
Need a coffee/dessert on your way out of town? Try some of these Birmingham local favorites:
Dessert:
- Steel city pops
- Pastry arts
- Cookie fix
- Big Spoon Creamery
- Church Street bakery – Break up cookies
- Olexas – cake to go
Coffee:
- Revelator
- Domestique
- O’henrys
- Octane
- Church Street bakery
- The Red cat
- Edgars
- Urban standard
Tips – Coming into town on a Thursday? Check to see if there is a Barons home baseball game. Another fun sporting option is the Legion Soccer games.
Instagram Spots:
- Top of the Vulcan
- Murals throughout the city
- Railroad park
- Color tunnel
- Rotary trail sign
For more info on planning your trip to Birmingham go here.
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