Guidebook for Birmingham
Food Scene
Delicious vegetarian and vegan options. It's in the Pizitz Food Hall which is a fun place to poke around as well in case any in your party don't want Ethiopian Food.
Ghion Cultural Hall
1821 2nd Ave NDelicious vegetarian and vegan options. It's in the Pizitz Food Hall which is a fun place to poke around as well in case any in your party don't want Ethiopian Food.
Grilled cheese sandwich restaurant? Yes, please! Also has vegan options.
35 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
MELT
1011 4th Ave SGrilled cheese sandwich restaurant? Yes, please! Also has vegan options.
Indoor seating and an outdoor patio. Clearly a running theme, but they've got some great vegan options to choose from including Kung Pao Cauliflower and a Beet Poke Bowl.
18 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Avondale Common House & Distillery
430 3rd Ave SIndoor seating and an outdoor patio. Clearly a running theme, but they've got some great vegan options to choose from including Kung Pao Cauliflower and a Beet Poke Bowl.
Yes, this is a tamale place and I totally recommend their tamales, but it's their cobbler that I come here for. Always have my fingers crossed that peach is the fruit of the night.
Delta Blues Hot Tamales
3569 Pelham ParkwayYes, this is a tamale place and I totally recommend their tamales, but it's their cobbler that I come here for. Always have my fingers crossed that peach is the fruit of the night.
The vegan tostada is out of this world. It's a busy place, so expect a wait, but the food is worth it.
77 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
El Barrio Restaurante Y Bar
2211 2nd Ave NThe vegan tostada is out of this world. It's a busy place, so expect a wait, but the food is worth it.
I usually get delivery, but they're in Five Points South which is a fun part of town to explore. For me, the General Tso's Tofu is tops as well as their Mongolian "Beef".
New China Town
1020 20th St SI usually get delivery, but they're in Five Points South which is a fun part of town to explore. For me, the General Tso's Tofu is tops as well as their Mongolian "Beef".
This is some finer dining than the rest of the list. I'm there because of the vegan Spaghetti Squash. But, I've watched a friend go gaga over some of their other dishes. They've also got a great cocktail menu.
Whistling Table
430 41st St SThis is some finer dining than the rest of the list. I'm there because of the vegan Spaghetti Squash. But, I've watched a friend go gaga over some of their other dishes. They've also got a great cocktail menu.
Parks & Nature
It's just a hop, skip, and a jump away. Several different types of hiking trails. My favorite is heading up the Overlook Trail to watch the sunset.
81 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Montaña Ruffner
1214 81st St SIt's just a hop, skip, and a jump away. Several different types of hiking trails. My favorite is heading up the Overlook Trail to watch the sunset.
Lots of great hikes of various difficulties to choose from. Spectacular view.
55 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Estatal Cheaha
19644 AL-281Lots of great hikes of various difficulties to choose from. Spectacular view.
One of my favorite swimming holes. It's a drive, but totally worth it when the day is Alabama hot. And it is often Alabama hot. Has a small waterfall and lots of places to set down around the river.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hippie Hole
Little River Canyon Rim ParkwayOne of my favorite swimming holes. It's a drive, but totally worth it when the day is Alabama hot. And it is often Alabama hot. Has a small waterfall and lots of places to set down around the river.
Okay, so this isn't a beach, but if you want to go tubin' near Birmingham, this is one of the most popular spots. Remember your sunscreen because you're going to be out there for hours.
Little Cahaba River
Okay, so this isn't a beach, but if you want to go tubin' near Birmingham, this is one of the most popular spots. Remember your sunscreen because you're going to be out there for hours.
Arts & Culture
Hands down one of the best museums I have ever been to and I've been to museums all over the country. Absolutely crucial place to visit to understand Birmingham's history and it's role in the Civil Rights movement.
152 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
520 16th St NHands down one of the best museums I have ever been to and I've been to museums all over the country. Absolutely crucial place to visit to understand Birmingham's history and it's role in the Civil Rights movement.
The museum is free and generally has some interesting exhibits rotating through. I'm a fan of many of the paintings in their permanent collection.
131 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Museo de Arte de Birmingham
2000 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr BoulevardThe museum is free and generally has some interesting exhibits rotating through. I'm a fan of many of the paintings in their permanent collection.
Essentials
Whole Foods Market
3100 Cahaba Village PlPublix Super Market at 20 Midtown
230 20th St SDrinks & Nightlife
Nice atmosphere, can belly up to the bar indoors or head out to their outdoor area. Has a small food stand in the back called Hot Box if you're hungry and another little open window bar if you miss the days when you could smoke inside.
26 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parkside Cafe
4036 5th Ave SNice atmosphere, can belly up to the bar indoors or head out to their outdoor area. Has a small food stand in the back called Hot Box if you're hungry and another little open window bar if you miss the days when you could smoke inside.
QUIRKY QUIRKY QUIRKY. Play pool, darts, or pinball. Get your pics at the photo booth. Get a PB and J with your beer.
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mom's Basement
4411 3rd Ave SQUIRKY QUIRKY QUIRKY. Play pool, darts, or pinball. Get your pics at the photo booth. Get a PB and J with your beer.
Not ready to go home at 2am? Go get queer and dance with all the cuties at The Quest Club (open 24 hours). You'll need a membership card to get in, but can sign up for one at the door.
The Quest Club
416 24th St SNot ready to go home at 2am? Go get queer and dance with all the cuties at The Quest Club (open 24 hours). You'll need a membership card to get in, but can sign up for one at the door.
Great place to catch a drag show and in my opinion they play the best dance music out of all the LBTQ+ bars in Birmingham.
Al's on Seventh
2627 7th Ave SGreat place to catch a drag show and in my opinion they play the best dance music out of all the LBTQ+ bars in Birmingham.
Full disclosure, I don't drink. And, it pretty much doesn't matter for any of the things on this list. But, Woolworth takes the cake for things to do. They've got mini bowling, ping pong, shuffleboard, pinball, foosball, and a photo booth. This is a really up tempo place.
8 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Woolworth
1006 20th St SFull disclosure, I don't drink. And, it pretty much doesn't matter for any of the things on this list. But, Woolworth takes the cake for things to do. They've got mini bowling, ping pong, shuffleboard, pinball, foosball, and a photo booth. This is a really up tempo place.
The atmosphere here is tops, vintage and kitsch and weird! The cocktails are great and they'll whip you up a virgin one if you ask. PLUS they've got tons of costumes if you feel like getting your shark, giraffe, or penguin on (that is a partial list).
38 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Atomic Lounge
2113 1st Ave NThe atmosphere here is tops, vintage and kitsch and weird! The cocktails are great and they'll whip you up a virgin one if you ask. PLUS they've got tons of costumes if you feel like getting your shark, giraffe, or penguin on (that is a partial list).
Entertainment & Activities
If you haven't been to a drive in in a good long while, here's your chance. This is one of my all time favorite things to do and I'm so glad there's a drive in near Birmingham.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Grand River Drive-In & The Backyard
1453 Grand River PkwyIf you haven't been to a drive in in a good long while, here's your chance. This is one of my all time favorite things to do and I'm so glad there's a drive in near Birmingham.
Shopping
Lovelady Thrift Store
2402 Old Springville Rd3 out of 3 of my regular thrift shop stops. Not open Sundays. ):
Big Saver Thrift Stores, Inc.
9512 Parkway E2 out of 3 of my regular thrift shop stops.
AMERICA'S THRIFT STORE
1125 Huffman Rd1 out of 3 of my regular thrift shop stops.