A Guide to Birmingham

Mountain Brook Village, English Village, and Crestline Village make up the best concentration of places to shop in the entire city. They are all within a couple miles of each other, some within walking distance. You will find an abundance of...

Rounding out renowned Chef Frank Stitt's trio of Birmingham's most beloved restaurants is Bottega Restaurant and Cafe. The stately building sits in the historic Highlands neighborhood and has long been a favorite place to meet for after-work...

Located in the beautiful 5 Points South district on the Southside of Birmingham, when you step through the door of the legendary Chef Frank Stitt's Chez Fonfon, you are instantly transported to your favorite bistro in France. The menu features...

A newer attraction in Birmingham, Red Mountain Park sits on and around the city’s most famous mountain and honors the coal and limestone fields that comprised iron-making and put the “Magic City” on the map. There are plenty of activities for...

One of the city’s oldest and most thriving landmarks, the Alabama Theatre is a step back in time. It opened in 1927 and the interior is still filled with the Golden Age splendor of nearly 100 years ago. Along the sidewalk leading into the entrance...

Birmingham’s best place to grab a great indie show and a good drink, you can also find a great brunch/lunch/dinner menu here that boasts some really fantastic vegan fare. There is something going on almost every night of the week, so check their...

Birmingham has a great art museum that boasts a truly impressive permanent collection, including pieces from the Italian Renaissance, Native American tribes, African art, Asian art, and it also houses the one of the largest and most impressive...

Sip on a delicious mixed drink, local brew, or choose from their incredibly vast whisky, scotch, and moonshine selection at Dram Whiskey Bar. Better yet, try the bacon-infused bourbon cocktail and take a seat outside on their spacious back patio—...

One of the most beloved picnic, hiking, and scenic places in Central Alabama, Peavine Falls is located in Oak Mountain State Park. You can hike here, or drive your car up the mountain and work your way down the clearly marked trails. Oak Mountain...

What's On 2nd is an eclectic mix of anything and everything antique and/or vintage ranging in items from cameras to dolls to medicine bottles. There are household items from the 1940s and '50s to video games and gaming systems from the 1980s and...

You won’t be too hard-pressed to find great barbecue in Birmingham, but Saw’s should be at the top of your list. With a location in Homewood and also in the revitalized Avondale neighborhood, get your ‘cue fix with a helping of pulled pork with...

One of Birmingham’s first food trucks, Mac and Chad of Shindigs will do lunch right for you. Track them down via Twitter, Facebook, or their website and then take your time deciding which of their “vittles” to chow down on. All of their...

2nd Avenue South has become a cornerstone of Birmingham’s recent revitalization. Not only will you find great bars like Pale Eddies Pour House and Magic City Metro Bar, but there is also some fun and unique shopping like Charm, a jewelry boutique,...

Urban Standard opened in 2007 and has become a catalyst for the downtown revitalization that has blossomed around it. It’s the perfect place for anyone to congregate: creatives, business folks, locals who live in the surrounding lofts, students...

One of the cornerstones of Birmingham’s revitalization, Railroad Park used to be two run-down city blocks adjacent to major railroad lines. It is now a gorgeous greenspace that boasts a walking trail, a small lake, a skate park, two playgrounds,...

Founded by a couple of guys who love beer so much that they wanted to make it, the name says it all. Good beer for the good, honest, hard-working people of Alabama. What began as small start-up in 2008 has grown to one of the coolest places to...

The Pantry by Stone Hollow Farmstead is located in little house just off the Crestline Village shopping area. It’s where the foodies of Birmingham go to get their favorite artisanal goat cheeses and various sundries, and they stay for a light...

We adopted two greyhounds. The rescue agency arranged a field trip to the track where one of our greyhounds raced to give us an idea what her life was like while racing. I wasn't sure I'd like it, but when you get to the track and see these...

If you are looking to satisfy your sweet tooth, look no further than Dreamcakes bakery. A broad and ever-changed cupcake menu has been keeping the city on a sugar high since owner Jan Moon opened her storefront in 2009. They also have French...

The McWane Science Center is a non-profit museum that hosts hours of entertainment for kids of all ages. Spread out over 4 floors and located in the heart of Birmingham, there are hands-on exhibits, an aquarium, a domed IMAX theater, and countless...

Built by Italian artist Giuseppe Moretti, Vulcan (the Roman god of fire) is the world’s largest cast iron statue. It is made of local iron, which is appropriate since Birmingham got its nickname, the Magic City, from the incredible iron industry...

Any local you talk to will tell you that Alabama is a diehard college football state, but with the additon of Regions Park, the brand new home of minor league baseball team the Birmingham Barons, residents are finding a new team to root for...

Opened in 1907 and still dedicated to doing things the old-fashioned way, a walk down the historic brick road of Morris Avenue to the Peanut Depot is truly a step back in time. Get your peanuts salted, roasted, or boiled, and have them bagged up...

Located in and around the nostalgic Dr. Pepper and Martin Biscuit buildings on Birmingham's Southside, Pepper Place is home to an outstanding collection of locally-owned shops. Charlie Thigpen's Garden Gallery is Birmingham's favorite nursery,...

Birmingham's favorite new way to beat the heat (although they flock here in the dead of winter too) is Steel City Pops. Owner Jim Watkins partnered up with Dreamcakes Bakery owner Jan Moon to create unique popsicle flavors out of only the freshest...

2013 marked the 50th anniversary of some of Birmingham’s darkest moments: the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church that took the lives of four little girls, fire hoses set loose by its police chief on civil rights activists, and the...

Housed behind a small unassuming frontage in a residential area of Southside, the Garage opens up to a huge patio that is surrounded by roll-front doors that house an eclectic mix of random findings. It is filled with concrete tables, benches, and...

5 Points South is one of Birmingham's epicenters of food, drink, and entertainment, but the local favorites are the two record stores, Charlemagne and Renaissance. They have been there for years and are permanent fixtures in the Southside...

The water tower that looms over downtown Birmingham, emblazoned with the word “SLOSS” and visible from all over the city, is synonymous with Birmingham and the rise and fall of the iron industry. During the turn of the 20th century, Birmingham...

Finding my way in Oak Mountain State Park was one of the most beautiful and intense hikes I have ever been on. The incredible waterfall at the end was definitely worth the soreness I had to endure for the next week.