Discover the Magic: The Best Things to Do in Birmingham Right Now
For a getaway that blends urban energy, historic flair, and Southern charm, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Birmingham. The Magic City, as it’s so notably called, offers a mix of fun activities, historic sites, and cozy corners that are waiting to be discovered or visited again.
The mix of civil rights movement landmarks, trendy restaurants, outdoor adventure, and live performances gives the city of Birmingham a vibe all its own. As a lifelong Alabama resident, I made it my mission to explore and share the best spots.
Why I Started Exploring My Own Backyard
The urge to explore didn’t come out of nowhere. After losing my parents, something in me shifted. I adopted this YOLO attitude. Not the hashtag kind, but a deeper need to truly live and experience the world.
Part of this came from my transition to a new job that came with unexpected travel opportunities. Traveling can get really expensive really fast and with two kids in college, globetrotting wasn’t exactly in the budget. So instead of looking afar, I decided to take advantage of what’s been right under my nose all my life. I started right here in Birmingham.
What I discovered surprised me. I found overlooked gems, rediscovered places I’d long ignored, and finally appreciated the true taste of Birmingham. In becoming a tourist in my own area, I realized Birmingham has everything worth exploring. The more I explored, the more I understood the city’s renaissance, a transformation that’s been happening in recent years. And, it deserves plenty of attention.
More Than History: Birmingham Today
Birmingham is known for its early iron production and for its footprint in the civil rights movement. But there’s so much more here than history. As I explored, I saw how the Magic City has transformed into a growing cultural center that’s far too often overlooked.
If you haven’t visited Birmingham, it’s worth a spot on your vacation list. Birmingham of 2025 is different from the city you’ve read about in the history books.
New Cultural Institutions & Revitalized Landmarks
You can’t write about Birmingham without mentioning its deep roots in the civil rights movement, so I’ll start there. The newly expanded Birmingham Civil Rights Institute captures pivotal moments that shaped the city into what it is today. Touring the institute is a meaningful way to understand the city’s past and appreciate how far the city has come.
The first time I visited the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, I stood frozen in front of the restored jail cell where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his famous Letter from Birmingham Jail. I remember reading those words in school, but standing in that space made them real in a way I can’t explain. I left with a deeper sense of gratitude and a stronger connection to this city I thought I already knew.
Here are some of my favorite places to visit in the Magic City:
Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
- Recently reimagined to include fresh exhibits and expanded programming.
- Focuses on Alabama’s contribution to jazz, especially artists from Birmingham.
- Small museum celebrating the state’s rich jazz history
Negro Southern League Museum (NSLM)
- Opened in 2015 but still considered part of the “new wave” of cultural spaces.
- Celebrates Birmingham’s deep ties to baseball and the Negro Leagues.
The Historic A.G. Gaston Motel
- Central to the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument.
- Undergoing a phased revitalization and reopens for educational and interpretive use.
Protective Stadium
- A sports venue that doubles as a site for concerts and large-scale cultural events, transforming the Uptown district.
- Home to UAB Football, Birmingham Legion FC, Birmingham Stallions, and the Birmingham Bowl
The Lyric Theatre
- Restored to its original 1914 grandeur, it now hosts concerts, plays, and film screenings.
The Pizitz Building
- A full-scale restoration that now houses The Pizitz Food Hall, residential lofts, offices, and art installations.
Emerging Culinary Scene
I eat out way more than I should, but it’s easy to do when you live in the Greater Birmingham area. No matter what your culinary preference is, you’ll find it in the Magic City. Cozy cafes, tasty food trucks, James Beard-nominated options, you name it.
There are family-owned restaurants that have been here for generations next to new and trendy restaurants that will have your cell phone and your taste buds jumping for joy.
Birmingham’s food story has evolved over the years. If you haven’t been to the city in a while, you’re in for a pleasant surprise.
Bottega
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired fine dining
- Highlights: Parmesan soufflé, ricotta gnocchi, and house-made pastas using seasonal Southern ingredients.
- Ambiance: Elegant and timeless, with white tablecloths, arched windows, and a marble bar. Features both a formal dining room and a more casual café.
- Location: 2240 Highland Ave. South
- Reservations: Available via OpenTable
Current Charcoal Grill
- Cuisine: Asian-American fusion
- Highlights: Dishes like sticky lamb ribs with black vinegar and chili, yellowfin tuna tataki, and a miso custard tart. The restaurant utilizes binchotan charcoal for grilling, enhancing flavors.
- Ambiance: An intimate setting with ocean-colored tiles and copper countertops. Great date night spot.
- Location: 1625 Second Ave. South
- Reservations: Available via Resy
Hot and Hot Fish Club
- Cuisine: Contemporary Southern with seasonal focus
- Highlights: Tomato salad with field peas and corn, duck breast with farro, Gulf snapper, and peppery bouillabaisse.
- Ambiance: Sleek and airy with an open kitchen, marble counters, and modern Southern charm.
- Location: 2901 Second Ave. South
- Reservations: Available via Resy
Helen
- Cuisine: Elevated Southen cuisine
- Highlights: Wood-fired chicken with Alabama white sauce, cast-iron cornbread, dry-aged steak, and heirloom tomato salad with benne seed vinaigrette. Ingredients sourced from regional farms.
- Ambiance: Upscale yet relaxed, with warm lighting, exposed beams, and an open kitchen centered around a wood-burning hearth.
- Location: 2013 Second Ave. North
- Reservations: Available via Resy
Armour House
- Cuisine: Beef-centric brasserie
- Highlights: CAB filet mignon, braised lamb shanks, seafood towers, and potlikker mussels with ‘nduja sofrito.
- Ambiance: Located in a renovated meatpacking plant with exposed brick interiors.
- Location: 2309 First Ave. North
- Reservations: Available via Resy
Birmingham’s Brewing Renaissance
And just when you think Birmingham can’t surprise you any more, the brewing scene steps in. Trim Tab, Ghost Train, Back Forty and Monday Night Brewing are just a few of the more than a dozen local breweries in the area that are redefining Alabama’s craft beer scene.
And, many of them are within close proximity to each other so you can brewery hop until you find the vibe, and beer, that fits your taste perfectly.
Avondale Brewing Company
- Founded: 2011
- Location: 201 41st St S, Birmingham, AL 35222
- Highlights: Located in the historic Avondale district, this brewery offers a spacious beer garden and hosts live music events.
- Website:
Good People Brewing Company
- Founded: 2008
- Location: 114 14th St S, Birmingham, AL 35233
- Highlights: One of Alabama’s oldest craft breweries, known for its flagship IPA and proximity to Regions Field.
Cahaba Brewing Company
- Founded: 2011
- Location: 4500 5th Ave S Building C, Birmingham, AL 35222
- Highlights: Offers a wide range of beers in a spacious taproom with frequent events and food trucks.
TrimTab Brewing Company
- Founded: 2014
- Location: 2721 5th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233
- Highlights: Known for innovative small-batch brews and a vibrant taproom with art installations.
Back Forty Beer Company – Birmingham
- Founded: 2018 (Birmingham location)
- Location: 3201 1st Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35222
- Highlights: An extension of the original Gadsden brewery, offering a full kitchen and spacious patio.
Birmingham District Brewing Company
- Founded: 2018
- Location: 2201 2nd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233
- Highlights: Offers a rotating selection of craft beers in a spacious taproom with industrial-chic decor.
Other things to do in Birmingham
Here are some of the best things to do in the Magic City.
16th Street Baptist Church
- Historic Civil Rights landmark
- Guided tours available
- Site of the 1963 bombing that galvanized the movement
Birmingham Museum of Art
- Over 27,000 works in the permanent collection
- Mix of traveling and permanent exhibits
- Notable Asian and European art collections
- Free admission
Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark
- Former iron-producing blast furnace
- Private or self-guided tours, concerts, haunted attractions
- National Historic Landmark since 1981
Vulcan Park and Museum
- Home to the world’s largest cast iron statue, plus a museum exploring Birmingham’s industrial history.
- Panoramic city views from the observation tower, hands-on exhibits, and rotating local history displays.
- Great for: Families, history buffs, school field trips, and photo-worthy sunset
Railroad Park
- 19-acre green space in downtown Birmingham
- Trails, lakes, playground, and open lawns
- Popular for outdoor yoga and events
Moss Rock Preserve
- 349-acre nature preserve in Hoover
- Hiking trails and boulder fields
- Scenic waterfalls and eco-diverse habitats
Red Mountain Park
- 1,500-acre park with 15+ miles of trails
- Zip-lining, adventure tower, and historic mining sites
- Dog park and treehouse overlook
Birmingham Zoo
- 550+ animals across diverse habitats
- Seasonal events like ZooLight Safari
- Great for families and educational trips
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
- 25 unique gardens
- Free admission daily
- Gift shop and café on site
McWane Science Center
- Hands-on exhibits for all ages
- IMAX Dome Theater
- Popular for taking school field trips, families, and science lovers of all ages
Magic City Art Connection
- Premier annual art festival in Linn Park
- National and local artists
- Live music, food, and kids’ art workshops
Rotary Trail
- Urban walking trail downtown
- Iconic “Magic City” sign entrance
- Connects Railroad Park to 20th Street
Kelly Ingram Park
- Historic Civil Rights District park
- Powerful sculptures and storytelling paths
- Across from 16th Street Baptist Church
Avondale Entertainment District
- Walkable area with food, drinks, and live music
- Home to Avondale Brewing and other local gems
- Popular nightlife and weekend hangout spot
Weekend Itinerary for Birmingham
If you’re still reading, I’m guessing you’re ready to book your trip to Birmingham. Here’s an itinerary to help you get started.
Friday Evening: Welcome to the Magic City
Check-In
- Stay at a cozy place like The Redmont or Elyton Hotel
- Both offer stunning views of Birmingham
Dinner
- Head to Saw’s Soul Kitchen (Avondale). Try the pork chops or sweet tea fried chicken
- Enjoy a craft beer at Avondale Brewing Company’s expansive backyard
Evening Fun
- Catch live music or a live performance or sip cocktails at a whimsical gin bar or eclectic cocktail bar
- Meet some of the city’s favorite bartenders
Saturday: History, Art & Outdoor Adventure
Morning at Pepper Place
- Explore the giant farmer’s market (a local favorite on Saturday mornings)
- Grab breakfast from a popular food truck
- Browse independent shops for unique finds
Late Morning: Civil Rights History
- Walk through Kelly Ingram Park
- Visit the 16th Street Baptist Church (linked to the civil rights movement)
- Stop by the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (free admission on select days)
Lunch
- Try the viet cajun seafood po’boy at Blue Pacific
- A newer hit getting plenty of attention in the food scene
Afternoon
- Visit the Birmingham Museum of Art (free admission)
- Relax at Railroad Park – great for pet owners, walkers, and picnics
- Enjoy the abundance of parks in greater Birmingham
Evening: Baseball or Date Night
- Watch a Birmingham Barons baseball game at Regions Field
- Located next to Railroad Park, perfect for a humid summer evening
- Prefer fine dining? Book a table at Helen for upscale Southern fare
Sunday: Nature, Science & Hidden Gems
Morning Outdoors
- Stroll the Birmingham Botanical Gardens
- Hike at Red Mountain Park for unforgettable views of Birmingham
- Ideal outdoor adventure spot, even on a blustery day
Late Morning
- Explore the McWane Science Center
- Great interactive exhibits and IMAX theater
Lunch
- Grab a slice at Slim’s Pizzeria (Crestline). Don’t miss the Hot Honey pizza—a Southern classic
Afternoon: Birmingham’s Industrial Past
- Tour Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark
- Learn about the steel industry and the rise of the Magic City
- A fascinating glimpse into Birmingham’s history
