Birmingham, Alabama
Once an industrial town known for its iron and steel, Birmingham has developed into a sophisticated urban city that celebrates diversity - from it's civil rights ties to bustling entertainment districts to its outdoor spaces and award-winning culinary scene.
Taking it to the Streets in Downtown Birmingham
If you travel to Birmingham, Alabama's largest city, you should take a stroll through the historic downtown. On this walking tour, you will visit the place where hot peanuts have been sold for more than 100 years and stroll through shops filled with memories. Visit important civil rights sites such as Sixteenth Street Baptist Church and the park that was the staging ground for protest marches during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. You can stand at the very spot where buildings were constructed on each corner of the street that were so tall for their day they were called skyscrapers and the location became known as the "Heaviest Corner on Earth."
This is an approximately four-mile daytime walk and a one- or two-day experience, depending on the time you spend at each stop. Major restaurants and night-life establishments are open after 5 p.m.
Attractions include:
- Sixteenth Street Baptist Church
- Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
- Alabama Theatre
- Rogue Tavern
- Railroad Park
- Goodyear Shoe Hospital
- Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
- Good People Brewing Company
Don’t forget to document your memories in Birmingham with some great photos. If you visit near Railroad Park, make your way to Morris Avenue to discover one of the most photographed places in Birmingham as you take a snap of the cobblestoned road that transports you to a different time and place. Also visit the “It’s nice to have you in Birmingham” mural at 112 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard N. A great photo for the evening is a selfie in the colour tunnel at 99-1 14th St. South, where the tunnel creates some of the most amazing and colour filled pictures in Birmingham. More information on all the attractions included at alabama.travel/road-trips/birmingham-taking-it-to-the-streets-downtown.
4 Birmingham restaurants that also have great live music
The next time you want a song with your salad or a band with your burger, check out these establishments that offer both good eats and good beats.
Iron City
In addition to the main music hall that brings in national acts, the Iron City Grill regularly showcases local musicians, along with some of the freshest food in town. The restaurant draws heavily from area farms for fruits and vegetables and from the Alabama Gulf Coast for seafood. So offerings such as the veggie sandwich and the fish tacos are as fresh as the music. Plus, there is S'mores Pot de Crème for desert. Try getting that at most juke joints. 513 22nd St. S. ironcitybham.com
Rogue tavern
Rogue is much more than just a tavern. Sure, there are plenty of beer choices, with nearly 30 brews on tap. But Rogue could easily stand alone as a restaurant. Shrimp and Andouille Sausage Bisque, BLT Sliders and a Philly Cheesesteak Quesadilla are among the creative offerings. At night, Rouge transitions into a lively music venue, featuring both national and local acts. 2312 2nd Ave. N. roguetavern.com
Tin Roof
For the 20-something crowd, Tin Roof has been a popular meal-and-music option since opening in Lakeview in 2012 in the old TC's location. The menu is touted as "better than bar food," with such interesting concoctions as Chicken 'n' Waffle Nuggets and Brisket Cheddar Mac 'n' Cheese. There is music nearly every night, ranging from national acts to open jam sessions for locals. 2709 7th Avenue S. tinroofbirmingham.com
Moe's BBQ (Lakeview location)
With four locations throughout the city, Moe's is well known for its barbeque. The Redneck Nachos—homemade chips covered in pulled pork and topped with cheese and sauce—alone are worth the trip. In addition, the Lakeview location has live music most Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. If you're lucky, there might be a Rick Carter sighting. 731 29th St. S. moesoriginalbbq.com/lo/birmingham-lakeview
The Best Of Birmingham
If you are planning a trip to Birmingham, Alabama, Travel + Leisure have written a nice article on The Best of Birmingham for food, drinks, culture, live music, outdoor activities and hotel.
Their recommendations include OvenBird for their Southern barbecue and open-fire traditions of South-America; Carrigan's Public House set in a former warehouse to sit on the cobbled streets drinking cocktails; Open Shop includes a clothing store, art gallery and music venue popular with the local creatives; Saturn is great for live music, particularly indie bands, set in a mod space-themed area plus there's a great bar, Satellite, right opposite; Red Mountain Park for outdoor adventure including the Red Ore Zip Tour and at the end of the day you can relax at the Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook, the 100-room boutique hotel that is like a country retreat in the middle of the big city.
You can read the full article here...
Red Mountain Park
Red Mountain Park encompasses 1,500 acres of land along the Red Mountain Ridge in central Alabama, near Birmingham. Their attractions include over 14 miles of trails featuring 2 city overlooks, 3 treehouses, the 6-acre dog park and adventures like Red Ore Zip Tour, Hugh Kaul Beanstalk Forest, Kaul Adventure Tower and the Mega Zip at Kaul where you can soar over Red Mountains natural landscape and surrounding valleys. For more information and to book visit redmountainpark.org.
Hotels
Grand Bohemian Hotel
Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook will mark The Kessler Collection’s first property in Alabama. Designed to celebrate creativity and inspire the soul, the 100-room luxury boutique hotel, located in the city’s Lane Park development and adjacent to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, will incorporate diverse offerings for both meetings and leisure stays including an on-site Grand Bohemian Gallery featuring national, International and local artists, interactive wine blending and cooking school experiences and a signature Poseidon Spa. Guests will also enjoy farm-to-table culinary offerings featuring regional ingredients and private dining for both business and social events at the vibrant rooftop restaurant and terrace providing breathtaking views of the sought-after Southern escape. More information available at grandbohemianmountainbrook.com
Marriott Hotels
One of Birmingham's most iconic buildings will be part of a $45-million project that will bring two Marriott hotels and a gourmet restaurant to downtown Birmingham. The Empire Building at 1928 1st Avenue will become Empire Hotel, a luxury hotel with a restaurant, 117 bedrooms, a gym, lounge, meeting space and rooftop bar. The adjoining former Alagasco headquarters building will become a limited service Marriott hotel with 120 rooms. Chris Hastings, chef-owner of Hot and Hot Fish Club, will design a restaurant as part of the project.
Festival News...
The Sloss Music & Arts Festival is a two-day music and lifestyle festival taking place at Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark in Birmingham every July. The event has more than 30 bands on 3 stages and celebrates the unique, creative culture that makes Birmingham so special.
There is an annual BBQ and Blues festival called Bob Sykes BBQ and Blues Festival, check it out on Facebook: facebook.com/BobSykesBlues. The festival is at DeBardeleben Park in Bessemer, Alabama and support GIP’s Place so some of the talent from this festival will be included at special appearances at GIP’s.
There is also Eric Essix’s Jazz Escape at Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa on Labor Day Weekend. There are local favourite BBQ spots enroute and near the facility.
