Ultimate Guide for a Weekend in Birmingham, Alabama

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:

• 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.