The Best Things To See And Do In Birmingham Alabama

Birmingham is a lively place full of fun activities, great food, and Southern culture. Read our guide to discover this Alabama city’s most popular sights and activities, all of which are rich with history and culture.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Red Mountain Park

Spanning over 1,000 acres, Red Mountain Park is even larger than New York’s Central Park. The park has 14 miles of biking and hiking trails for the athletic enthusiast and six acres of terrain for an off leash dog park. If you’re seeking more of a thrill or organized adventure, Red Mountain also offers zip lining and rope courses.

Once at the center of the civil rights movement, Birmingham is a historic city. The Civil Rights Institute gives visitors the opportunity to walk through what life was like for residents during the 1950’s and 1960’s. The museum offers media presentations, short videos, and a very popular exhibition that features voices from the past sharing personal experiences.

Sloss Furnaces

Rumored to be a source of paranormal activity, this national historic landmark is the only preserved blast furnace in the United States. Though no longer in use, the early 20th century engines and boilers were pivotal in bringing Birmingham into the Industrial Revolution. Nowadays, it’s been converted into a museum to teach people about its history and the history of industry.

Alabama Theatre

Built in 1927 by Paramount Pictures, the theatre was once a Hollywood movie palace that seated nearly 2,500 people. But it’s not only for watching movies anymore; everyone from BB King to Alice Cooper to Willie Nelson has performed on its grand stage.

Iron City

Established as a revolutionary car facility in 1929, Iron City takes the concept of “dinner and a show” to a whole new level. The historic space has been redesigned as a multi-purpose venue that now houses three concert stages, two bars, and one restaurant.

Birmingham Museum of Art

This museum, spanning across numerous time periods and traditions, is home to a multitude of arts perfect for any culture enthusiast. The first Thursday of each month is reserved for an after-hours atmosphere where locals can roam the galleries, mingle with cocktails, watch a flick, or enjoy hors d’oeuvres from the museum restaurant.

Color Tunnel

Located in downtown Birmingham, this dreary 1930s underpass has been transformed into a rainbow of light. The public art installation featured here, entitled “LightRails,” is meant to encourage foot traffic within the city center. The many LED lights come in different colors and patterns, which beautifully enhance the original Art Deco styled arches.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Home to almost 70 acres of beautiful plant life, these gardens preserve various species while educating locals and tourists alike. The many themed gardens are a perfect place to spend the day. Some of the highlights include the Japanese Gardens, Moon Tree, Herb Terrace, and Conservatory.

Pepper Place

For the past fifteen years, the farmer’s market at Pepper Place has connected neighborhood family farms to the citizens of Birmingham. Find fresh seasonal produce, eggs, meats, cheeses, and more while shopping here. The market also showcases the work of local artists and craftsmen, and presents featured chef demonstrations and musical performances.

Regions Field

Opened in 2013, this new addition brings downtown Birmingham to life. Enjoy a game played by the Birmingham Barons in an modern, fun venue that features views of the city skyline and Red Mountain. Regions also offers family fun for those who want to be a part of the action rather than sitting on the bench.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.