Birmingham Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Birmingham
Photo provided by Alabama Tourism Department
Vulcan Statue featuring 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 Red Mountain Park 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 ₹7,575 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
₹7,575
₹9,159 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and ...
7.8/10 Good! (2,280 reviews)
"Friendly Staff! Close to concert venue!"

Reviewed on 14 Jul 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 ₹10,975 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
₹10,975
₹12,684 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,155 reviews)
"Nice hotel, very comfortable"

Reviewed on 16 Jul 2025

Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Birmingham Homewood

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Birmingham Homewood

3 out of 5
60 State Farm Pkwy, Homewood, Birmingham, AL
The price is ₹6,563 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
₹6,563
₹7,875 total
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly hotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.8/10 Good! (221 reviews)
"Nice"

Reviewed on 17 Jul 2025

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham 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.
Barsala Midtown

Barsala Midtown

4 out of 5
2014 3rd Ave S, Birmingham, AL
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, in-room washers/dryers and an in-room coffee maker. Popular attractions The Summit and Heaviest ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (41 reviews)
"Consistently consistent. Clean and comfortable"

Reviewed on 21 Jun 2025

Barsala Midtown
Barsala Downtown Birmingham

Barsala Downtown Birmingham

4 out of 5
600 19th St N, Birmingham, AL
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Birmingham. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, parking (surcharge) and in-room washers/dryers. Popular attractions Don Kresge Memorial Museum ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (42 reviews)
"This is my second amazing experience with Barsala. I am very pleased about the cleanliness of the places I have reserved within the last past two weeks. I also felt very safe with the areas and building."

Reviewed on 21 Jun 2025

Barsala Downtown Birmingham
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 Wi-Fi, free parking and in-room washers/dryers. Popular attractions The Summit and Alabama Museum ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (45 reviews)
"Consistently clean and comfortable. Best find yet!"

Reviewed on 14 Jun 2025

Landing at Landing-Midtown 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

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.

Cities near Birmingham