Alabama

THINGS TO DO

Birmingham Barons Baseball Game: Their beautiful park set in downtown Birmingham, Thirsty Thursdays feature $2 tall-boys. Also, this is the former minor league team of Michael Jordan for a bit.

Oak Mountain State Park: For a $5 per person entrance fee, there’s tons of hiking and biking trails sure to entertain all day. Try to check out Peavy Falls after a heavy rain, it’s gorgeous.

Brewery Tour: With a plethora of breweries to check out, rent a Zyp Bike and cruise to different breweries throughout downtown.

Pepper Place Market: If you’re here on a weekend, check out their lively Saturday morning Farmer’s Market.

PLACES TO EAT

Brunch
Trattoria: Cozy spot downtown, but their French toast is out of this world! Show up after 12:30 or 1 p.m. on Sundays to avoid the lines.

Five: Jazz brunch, it’s colorful and funky. Doesn’t start serving booze until noon, but has a make your own Bloody Mary bar.

Holler and Dash: Wide variety of generously-sized gourmet biscuits.

Roots & Revelry: Strong and refreshing drinks plus awesome Chicken and Waffles!

Lunch
Pizitz Food Hall: An eclectic mix spanning across a cultural and ethnic food spectrum. Ono Poke has seriously delicious poke bowls.

Saw’s: Southern-style BBQ at its finest. The Pork & Greens plate is an absolute classic, we recommend mixing it up by adding some North Alabama White BBQ sauce.

Hattie B’s: For any spice seekers, go here for hot chicken. Unless you’re feeling brave, “Hot” is a good heat level to draw the line.

Dinner
El Barrio: Zesty Mexican food, show up early or expect long waits. Their Barbacoa Quesadilla is a must!

Melt: Every different type of grilled cheese you could dream of or conjure up. Try the 3 Amigos or Ragin’ Cajun.

Slice: Maybe the best pizza and beer combination in town, with an awesome outdoor porch area to boot.

Gianmarco’s: Top-notch Italian restaurant, get a table in the back wine cellar.

Sweets
Big Spoon Creamery: THE premiere spot to get ice cream in Birmingham. Fresh, artisanal, and seasonally-rotating flavors available.

Cookie Fix: Creative cookie and flavor combos.

Hero Doughnuts: Fluffy, delicious doughnuts the size of your face. Find it in a brick and mortar store in Homewood.

PLACES TO DRINK

Breweries
Avondale: Solid variety and selection of beer with a generously-sized outdoor area. They frequently hold outdoor concerts and they’re dog-friendly!

Trim Tab: Among the best craft beer in Birmingham. They frequently switch-up small batch kegs.

Good People: Trace the city’s roots to the original Birmingham brewery. They host Dia Del Gordo each year, an event where they release high gravity beers. Ideal spot to pregame a Barons baseball game.

Bars
Carrigan’s: The most popular place to be on Friday night. They have a great beer selection, cool rooftop patio, and surprisingly solid gourmet bar-food. If you’re fiending for something, get the Corn-dog.

Hop City: Outside of the breweries, this is a beer snob’s delight. Catch their 50+ rotating beer taps, plus impressive selection of bottled and canned beer. Grab a growler to take home, too.

Moon Shine: Hip rooftop bar at the top of the newly redesigned Elyton hotel (drinks are pricey, but terrific views).

TRANSPORTATION

Car: If you’re flying in, renting a car could be the best way to get around Birmingham. While it is possible to bike within downtown Birmingham, the surrounding terrain is quite hilly.

Uber/Lyft: If you’re here to have fun and drink a bit and don’t want to rent a car, these apps are both readily-available.

Zyp Bike: Find stations scattered throughout the city. These are day-long rentals that you can use to scoot around downtown.

GENERAL INFO

Sloss Fest: A poppin’ annual music fest in July. Find it nestled in the historic Sloss Steel Furnaces.

Note: Lots of restaurants are closed Sunday night and Monday, so look online before heading out.