Guidebook for Birmingham

Penny
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 N
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.
Grilled cheese sandwich restaurant? Yes, please! Also has vegan options.
35 locals raden deze aan
MELT
1011 4th Ave S
35 locals raden deze aan
Grilled 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 locals raden deze aan
Avondale Common House & Distillery
430 3rd Ave S
18 locals raden deze aan
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.
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 Parkway
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.
The vegan tostada is out of this world. It's a busy place, so expect a wait, but the food is worth it.
77 locals raden deze aan
El Barrio Restaurante Y Bar
2211 2nd Ave N
77 locals raden deze aan
The 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 S
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".
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 S
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.

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 locals raden deze aan
Ruffner Mountain
1214 81st St S
81 locals raden deze aan
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.
Lots of great hikes of various difficulties to choose from. Spectacular view.
55 locals raden deze aan
Cheaha State Park
19644 AL-281
55 locals raden deze aan
Lots 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 locals raden deze aan
Hippie Hole
Little River Canyon Rim Parkway
6 locals raden deze aan
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.
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 locals raden deze aan
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
520 16th St N
152 locals raden deze aan
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.
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 locals raden deze aan
Birmingham Museum of Art
2000 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard
131 locals raden deze aan
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.

Essentials

32 locals raden deze aan
Whole Foods Market
3100 Cahaba Village Pl
32 locals raden deze aan
19 locals raden deze aan
Publix Super Market at 20 Midtown
230 20th St S
19 locals raden deze aan

Drinks & 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 locals raden deze aan
Parkside Cafe
4036 5th Ave S
26 locals raden deze aan
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.
QUIRKY QUIRKY QUIRKY. Play pool, darts, or pinball. Get your pics at the photo booth. Get a PB and J with your beer.
15 locals raden deze aan
Mom's Basement
4411 3rd Ave S
15 locals raden deze aan
QUIRKY 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 S
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.
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 S
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.
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 locals raden deze aan
The Woolworth
1006 20th St S
8 locals raden deze aan
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.
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 locals raden deze aan
The Atomic Lounge
2113 1st Ave N
38 locals raden deze aan
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).

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 locals raden deze aan
Grand River Drive-In & The Backyard
1453 Grand River Pkwy
9 locals raden deze aan
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.

Shopping

3 out of 3 of my regular thrift shop stops. Not open Sundays. ):
Lovelady Thrift Store
2402 Old Springville Rd
3 out of 3 of my regular thrift shop stops. Not open Sundays. ):
2 out of 3 of my regular thrift shop stops.
Big Saver Thrift Stores, Inc.
9512 Parkway E
2 out of 3 of my regular thrift shop stops.
1 out of 3 of my regular thrift shop stops.
AMERICA'S THRIFT STORE
1125 Huffman Rd
1 out of 3 of my regular thrift shop stops.