Birmingham has plenty to offer, from rich civil rights movement and rail travel past to diverse shopping opportunities, Southern cuisine, great outdoors and other world-class cultural and historic attractions. Here’s a 24-hours itinerary to help you explore the “Magic City”.
Image By Amcannally (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Breakfast at 9:00am!
Start your day right with a delicious, traditional Southern breakfast at the Bogue's. It is located smack dab in the center of Birmingham’s Southside. The restaurant serves up American comfort food. Chow down on American classic, including fries, burgers, eggs, sausages and more. Do save a room for their tasty homemade biscuits.
Address: 3028 Clairmont Avenue S, Birmingham, AL 35205, United States
Phone: 1 205-254-9780
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 6:00am-2:00pm; Sunday: 7:00am-2:00pm
10:00am- Experience the beauty of flora at Birmingham Botanical Garden!
Experience the natural beauty of Birmingham at the Birmingham Botanical Garden. You will be captivated by the charm of the rose gardens, wildflowers, camellias, that thrive in this calm and beautiful setting. The garden also has a teahouse, a Japanese garden, the largest greenhouse in the Southeast, beautiful trails for walking, outdoor sculptures and other spots in this green space.
Address: 2612 Lane Park Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223, United States
Phone: 1 205-414-3950
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 6:00am-6:00pm
Distance from Bogue’s: 2.1miles or 6minutes drive 31st Street S
11:00am- Up-close encounter with animal kingdom at Birmingham Zoo!
Next, head off to Birmingham Zoo that features more than 1,000 animals and birds of different species in their natural habitats. In addition to lions, hippos, rhinos, giraffes, monkeys and elephants, the zoo feature several special exhibitions also. See sea lions splash, ride an elephant, feed the giraffe, check out the predator zone, alligator swamp, and much more. The zoo offers plenty of opportunities to see, feed and touch a variety of animals and bird species.
Address: 2630 Cahaba Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223, United States
Phone: 1 205-879-0409
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 9:00am-5:00pm
Distance from Birmingham Botanical Gardens: 1.0mile or 3minutes drive
12:00pm- A piece of history at Vulcan Park and Museum!
See the magnificent cats-iron statue that stands atop Red Mountain- Vulcan, the Roman god of the forge. It offers a splendid vista of Birmingham’s skyline. This visually captivating structure was built to pay tribute to the early iron industry of Birmingham. It and is surrounded by a museum and a park. The exhibits and displays in the museum chronicle the Birmingham’s rich and unique history.
Address: 1701 Valley View Dr, Birmingham, AL 35209, United States
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday: 10:00am-10:00pm
Distance from Birmingham Zoo: 1.8miles or 7minutes drive
1:00pm- Lunch!
For delicious American cuisine, make your way over to the Highlands Bar & Grill (2011 11th Ave S), a popular American restaurant in Birmingham. For seafood and steak, stop by Ruth's Chris Steak House (2300 Woodcrest Pl) or Ocean (1218 20th St S). Enjoy the French cuisine at the Chez FON FON (2007 11th Ave S). Craving for Italian fare, go to Bottega Restaurant (2240 Highland Ave S).
2:00pm- Fun with science at McWane Science Center!
Visit the McWane Science Center where many facets of science are showcased in interactive and fun way. It offers many interactive exhibits depicting the world’s most interesting scientific principles. The center houses an aquarium, dinosaur fossils collection, a playground and an IMAX theatre where you can catch a Hollywood block buster or a science-themed movie.
Address: 200 19th Street N, Birmingham, AL 35203, United States
Phone: 1 205-714-8300
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00am-5:00pm; Saturday: 10:00am-6:00pm; Sunday: 12:00pm-6:00pm
3:00pm- Glimpse of Birmingham’s past at Birmingham Civil Rights Institute!
Next, head off to Birmingham Civil Rights Institute that features the history of Birmingham. The museum chronicles the story of Civil Rights Movement and beyond and also tells how Birmingham has transformed in four decades. The struggles, success and stories of the people who lived through the separation era in Birmingham are remembered at this center. It also has a gallery that features exhibits detailing the story of the Civil Rights era in Birmingham.
Address: 520 16th Street N, Birmingham, AL 35203, United States
Phone: 1 205-328-9696
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 10:00am-5:00pm; Sunday: 1:00pm-5:00pm
Distance from McWane Science Center: 0.5miles or 3minutes drive
4:00pm- Be inspired at Birmingham Museum of Art!
Visit the Birmingham Museum of Art that features more than 25,000 works of art. It houses an impressive collection of European, Asian, Pre-Columbian, African, Native American and American art. Other highlights include Baroque paintings, late thirteen century to the 1750s decorative arts, European decorative arts of the 18th century, and Wedgwood collection.
Address: 2000 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35203, United States
Phone: 1 205-254-2565
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00am-5:00pm; Sunday: 12:00pm-5:00pm
Distance from Birmingham Civil Rights Institute: 0.7miles or 4minutes drive
Go Shopping at 5:00pm!
Shop for antiques at What's On 2nd! It features vintage and antique items, ranging from dolls, classic posters and video games to cameras to 1940s and 50s household items and wartime postcards to quirky knick-knacks and memorabilia.
Address: 2306 2nd Avenue N, Birmingham, AL 35203, United States
Phone: 1 205-322-2688
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 10:00am-6:00pm
Distance from Birmingham Museum of Art: 0.9miles or 4minutes drive
For the latest fashion, shop at Colonial Brookwood Village! It is anchored by Macy’s, Books-A-Million, and Belk, plus also has several specialty stores, including include Banana Republic, Charlotte Russe, Finish Line, Claire’s, Brookstone, Victoria’s Secret, and more.
Address: 780 Brookwood Village, Birmingham, AL 35209, United States
Phone: 1 205-871-0406
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 10:00am-9:00pm; Sunday: 12:00pm-6:00pm
Distance from What’s on 2nd: 4.7miles or 8minutes drive
7:00pm-Quench your thirst!
Swing by the Avondale Brewing Company and enjoy a few beers. It has a great selection of hand-crafted brews. In 1910s, Miss Fancy the Elephant was a local landmark and now it is their mascot. This spot is rich in history and there are beers named for each important moment from the background of the brewery. Hear some good old stories, while sipping on brews.
Address: 201 41st Street S, Birmingham, AL 35222, United States
Phone: 1 205-777-5456
Opening hours: Monday to Wednesday: 4:00pm-10:00pm; Thursday: 4:00pm-11:00pm; Friday: 3:00pm-12:30am; Saturday: 12:00pm-12:30am; Sunday: 1:00pm-10:00pm
Or
Stop by the Good People Brewing Company that has an extensive selection of beers. It is one of the local’s favorite breweries in Birmingham. Kick back and guzzle a few cold beers.
Address: 114 14th Street S, Birmingham, AL 35233, United States
Phone: 1 205-286-2337
Opening hours: Monday to Wednesday: 1:00pm-10:00pm; Thursday to Saturday: 1:00pm-12:00am; Sunday: 1:00pm-8:00pm
8:00pm- Out to Dinner!
Head off to Saw’s Soul Kitchen (215 41st st. south) for delicious American and barbeque. Stop by Wasabi Juan's (4120 3rd Ave South) for Mexican, Japanese or Asian fusion cuisine. Head off to The Abbey (131A 41st Street South) or Melt (4105 4th Avenue South) for American fare.
10:00pm- Get out and party hard!
Head off to The Nick that features the best local and big-name bands that play everything from emo, alternative rock to blues, pop, metal, and everything in between. Grab some cold beer, enjoy the diverse range of live musical acts and have a whale of time!
Address: 2514 10th Avenue S, Birmingham, AL 35205, United States
Phone: 1 205-252-3831
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday: 2:00pm-4:00am; Friday & Saturday: 2:00pm-6:00am; Sunday: 2:00pm-4:00am
Or
Swing by the Zydeco that offers more than 13 beers on tap and cocktails, pool tables, video games, music and an upstairs patio. Grab a few drinks, play a game of pool or video game, enjoy live music, ranging from hip-hop, rock to blues, reggae and Cajun music.
Address: 2001 15th Avenue S, Birmingham, AL 35205, United States
Phone: 1 205-933-1032
24 Hours in Birmingham Map Guide
