Birmingham

Travel Guide

Birmingham
Photo provided by Alabama Tourism Department
Vulcan Statue which includes a city
Photo provided by Alabama Tourism Department
Birmingham
Once a center of the civil rights movement, Alabama’s largest city has emerged from its troubled past as an exciting spot full of attractions.

Transformed beyond its industrial roots into a leading center for banking, medical research and service-based industries, Birmingham is growing in stature for its mix of history, culture, music and outdoor recreation.

Birmingham offers numerous outdoor activities in its location in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Visit the 9,940-acre (4,022-hectare) Oak State Mountain Park. Swim in its lakes, hike the trails, take a guided horseback tour or have a picnic.

Enjoy more outdoor fun at Railroad Park, an eight-block green space downtown. Unwind by the lake or exercise at the outside gym. Walk along tree-lined lanes and streams or find a quiet place on the lawns. Children can play in the skate park and playgrounds.

Birmingham is home to Rickwood Field, one of the oldest baseball stadiums in the U.S. Visit Barber Motorsports ParkOpens in a new window with one of the world’s largest motorcycle collections.

Explore the city’s industrial heritage at Sloss FurnacesOpens in a new window, a former iron-manufacturing complex, now a museum offering tours of the buildings, machinery and Underground Railroad tunnel.

In the mid-1900s, Birmingham was marked by bombs, rioting and racial hatred. Tour the Civil Rights District, a six-block tribute to the struggles that shook America’s conscience. Study the period’s people, places and events at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and Kelly Ingram Park. Although racial issues are largely in the past, Birmingham still has some crime-ridden areas stemming from poor economic conditions.

Birmingham’s lively music scene includes many downtown clubs and numerous festivals and events throughout the year. August offers the Stokin’ the Fire BBQ and Music Festival. In May, attend Do Dah Day, a huge charity concert and celebration in Caldwell and Rhodes parks.

The airport is in Birmingham’s city center. A train runs to New YorkOpens in a new window and Washington D.C.Opens in a new window Renting a car and using the metered parking found throughout the city is the best way to get around.

Visit this Southern city to understand a major piece of U.S. history and enjoy its modern offerings.

Where to stay in Birmingham

Birmingham featuring a statue or sculpture and interior views

Downtown Birmingham

Downtown Birmingham is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to McWane Science Center or Regions Field.

Downtown Birmingham
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Homewood

Travellers come to Homewood for its abundant dining options, and you can see top attractions like Birmingham Zoo and Pete Hanna Center while you're in town.

Homewood
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Vestavia Hills

Visitors to Vestavia Hills enjoy its restaurants, and if you want to do some exploring, Birmingham Ballet is worth a stop.

Vestavia Hills
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Mountain Brook

Mountain Brook is noteworthy for its restaurants, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Birmingham Zoo.

Mountain Brook
Vulcan Statue featuring a city

Five Points South

4.5/5(5 area reviews)

Unique features of Five Points South include the theatres and live music. Make a stop by Regions Field or Vulcan Statue while you're exploring the area.

Five Points South
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Irondale

Visitors to Irondale enjoy its restaurants, and if you want to do some exploring, Train Watching Platform is worth a stop.

Irondale
Holiday Inn Birmingham-Airport by IHG
Holiday Inn Birmingham-Airport by IHG
3 out of 5
5000 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N, Birmingham, AL
The price is €85 per night from 25 Mar to 26 Mar
€85
includes taxes & fees
25 Mar - 26 Mar
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and ...
7.8/10 Good! (2,282 reviews)
Great beds with poor service!
"Breakfast service was completely in professional. No signage for cost or posting that a voucher is required. Servers were snappy and discussing problems with staff loudly. This needs to be corrected immediately! I was surprised by this because of how professional the dinner service was. Fix it!"

Reviewed on 9 Mar 2025

Holiday Inn Birmingham-Airport by IHG
Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel
Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel
4 out of 5
1000 Riverchase Galleria, Hoover, Birmingham, AL
The price is €135 per night from 13 Apr to 14 Apr
€135
includes taxes & fees
13 Apr - 14 Apr
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,065 reviews)
"Unique, nice, and clean."

Reviewed on 11 Mar 2025

Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel
Comfort Inn Birmingham Homewood
Comfort Inn Birmingham Homewood
2.5 out of 5
226 Summit Pkwy, Homewood, Birmingham, AL
The price is €92 per night from 13 Apr to 14 Apr
€92
includes taxes & fees
13 Apr - 14 Apr
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,004 reviews)
"Very nice! Will stay there again!"

Reviewed on 11 Mar 2025

Comfort Inn Birmingham Homewood
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Landing at Landing-Midtown Apartments
Landing at Landing-Midtown Apartments
3.5 out of 5
425 20th Street South, Birmingham, AL
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and in-room washers/dryers. Popular attractions Birmingham Zoo and The Summit ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (26 reviews)
"We ❤️’d it here. Super cute place, great communication from the renters, we ubered a lot to have fun & drink & got rides quickly. We had a rental car as well & parking wasn’t an issue at all. Felt very safe in the area & outside which is super important when your traveling when your not familiar ..."

Reviewed on 10 Mar 2025

Landing at Landing-Midtown Apartments
Landing at 20 Midtown Apartments
Landing at 20 Midtown Apartments
4 out of 5
2014 3rd Ave S, Birmingham, AL
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, in-room washers/dryers, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Birmingham Zoo and The ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (9 reviews)
"Great experience! I was concerned about no body being onsite, with my friend coming in on Friday afternoon. The room wasn’t ready by 5, as it was still being cleaned, but the management team was quick to respond back and the cleaning staff was very thorough and pleasant. Staff checked in several ..."

Reviewed on 10 Mar 2025

Landing at 20 Midtown Apartments
Landing at The 600 Apartments
Landing at The 600 Apartments
4 out of 5
600 19th St N, Birmingham, AL
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and in-room washers/dryers. Popular attractions Birmingham Zoo and Freedom ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (26 reviews)
"My wife and I enjoyed the location and atmosphere. The only negative thing that I can say was that the QR code for access to parking and the doors of the building, wasn’t given in the email like it was supposed to be. Nonetheless, when we reached out to the support team, it was handled quickly."

Reviewed on 10 Mar 2025

Landing at The 600 Apartments
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Birmingham

3.8
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
2
5 - Excellent 33%
4 - Good
1
4 - Good 17%
3 - Okay
3
3 - Okay 50%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

This was a stopover, but we’re glad we stayed!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Civil Rights History, Civil Rights Trails where you can learn a lot about the struggle the city faced during the Civil Rights movement.