Frontdesk is excited to show you around one of our newest cities: Birmingham, AL! Birmingham is a beautiful, thriving city set in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Known for its delicious southern dining scene, talented music community, and historic events, there is something for everyone in Birmingham.
Neighborhoods
Downtown
Downtown Birmingham is lined with mid-to-high rise commercial buildings, lofts, condos, and stores. What was once an industrial area has now been renovated into retail shops and trendy restaurants.
Avondale
Avondale is a young, buzzing region of Birmingham filled with artisanal breweries, trendy coffee shops, live music, and eclectic restaurants. This neighborhood is a nightlife and entertainment hot spot!
Five Points South
Five Points South is known as a premier neighborhood and a culinary destination. This area has no shortage of fine dining, farm-to-table, and BBQ restaurants. Five Points South is also home to the University of Alabama at Birmingham campus and the city’s minor league baseball team.
What To Do
Photo Courtesy of Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum Facebook Page
Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
Whether you’re into motorcycles or not, the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum is worth a visit. Former Porsche racer, George Barber, began collecting and restoring bikes, which now is the museum that houses the world’s largest collection of motorcycles. The museum also exhibits vintage vehicles and sports cars and hosts many entertaining programs and festivals throughout the year.
Photo Courtesy of Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Facebook Page
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
Birmingham was at the center of the Civil Rights Movement which is why it is now home to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, a historical and interpretive museum founded in 1992. The goal of the institute is to educate future generations on Birmingham’s place in American history, as well as human rights issues. If you are looking to dive deeper into the history of the city, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institue is a must-see!
Photo Courtesy of Red Mountain Park Facebook Page
Red Mountain Park
If you’re looking for outdoor activities, visit Red Mountain Park for a 1,500-acre urban park with 15 miles of hiking trails, an off-leash dog park, and two overlooks. There are also activities for the adventure seeker, such as a ropes course through the trees, zip-lining, and the Kaul Adventure Tower, an 80-foot climbing structure.
Eats
Breakfast/Brunch
The Essential is the perfect brunch spot with a French bistro feel and a 10/10 menu. Their brunch menu consists of a variety of pastries, cocktails, and food items including quiche, breakfast sandwiches, avocado toast, eggs benedict, and so much more. This contemporary cafe offers both indoor and patio seating.
Lunch
Looking for the perfect lunch spot in Birmingham? Check out Avondale Common House! Avondale Common House features a deliciously southern palette of fresh, local produce and seafood. Their menu ranges from soups, salads, sandwiches, bowls, and more. They even have a variety of vegetarian and vegan options.
Dinner
Cafe Dupont is downtown Birmingham’s original farm-to-table restaurant. Serving classic southern flavors with a French twist. The dinner menus change daily to reflect the availability of seasonal ingredients so their dishes are always fresh and made with local ingredients.
Drinks
There are a variety of options to enjoy a drink in Birmingham. If you’re interested in tasting locally brewed beer, we recommend stopping by Avondale Brewing Company, which is known for its flagship Saison brew. Looking to enjoy craft cocktails? Try Juniper. Are you a wine drinker? Visit Aviné.
Best Way to Get Around
Getting around Birmingham is made easy with the MAX Transit system, which offers bus service to points of interest like the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) and the Birmingham Zoo. The Magic City Connector bus runs from north to south, Uptown to Downtown, stopping at places like City Hall, Linn Park, and the Vulcan Park and Trail. E-Bikes and Scooters are also available and can be found at docking stations downtown, North Birmingham, Five Points, and other close-by neighborhoods.
