A Darling Day Trip to Birmingham, AL

The Magic City is calling you away for a fun-filled Saturday!

Dear Darling,

Up until last year, Birmingham was the most populated city in the state of Alabama. It is an iconic city that many call home, but also brings in many visitors on business as well as pleasure. The city has a very strong historic presence, as it was a booming place to be during the industrial revolution. Fun fact - Birmingham is the only place in the world where all the ingredients for making iron are present all within a 10-mile radius (coal, iron ore and limestone). If you are looking for a city that offering Southern charm as well as the hustle and bustle of a big city, Birmingham is the perfect place to spend a Saturday away from Rome. Taking I-59 South, it will take you roughly two hours to get there. 

Where to start? 

Birmingham can be a little overwhelming, with its intricate highways wrapping around tall skyscrapers. To start off, go through a Starbucks drive through to get a good cup of joe. Don't worry about not being able to find one - there are 39 Starbucks in the city! Afterwards, I suggest going to the Civil Rights Institute. According to TripAdvisor, "This historic museum traces the journey of the civil rights advocates of the 1950s and 60s, who changed the course of American history. The struggle for equality for Black Americans is chronicled here, from the Jim Crow laws in the 1800s to the freedom rides, sit-ins and demonstrations of the 1960s." It is a very immersive experience that gives you a great perspective of how pivotal the city go Birmingham was in the fight for civil liberty. It also gives you a sense of relief at how far the city has come. Tickets are roughly $36 a person. 

Lunch 

After spending a few hours educating yourself on the history of civil rights in Birmingham, you may be ready to sit down for some lunch. Luckily, Urban Cookhouse is within walking distance of the museum. No need to even move your car! It is open 10AM-4PM. The grilled shrimp kabobs and the Cuban sandwich are very popular items to order. 

Next 

Next on your agenda, I recommend doing some shopping. Lucky for you, Birmingham has a lot of it! Start off at the Riverchase Galleria Mall off I-459, which is ranked 43rd on the list of largest shopping malls in the country. It is also the largest enclosed shopping center in the whole state of Alabama. After checking out its multiple floors of stores, head to The Summit. While the Riverchase Galleria is very nice, The Summit is where the wealthy of Birmingham shop. Complete with a movie theatre, lots of restaurants, coffee shops, and stores, you could easily spend hours exploring The Summit. It is named that because it overlooks the rest of the city, granting you some nice views once the sun sinks down. At The Summit, spend your whole paycheck at LuluLemon (been there), Free People, and Lizard Thicket. 

Dinner 

Being at The Summit gives you the perfect chance for dinner. You have so many options - Cheesecake Factory, Shake Shack, P.F. Changs, and more. My recommendation would be grabbing a table at Chewy's. While you may have to wait a while the closer you are to dinner time, being at the Summit gives the perfect opportunity to shop while you wait! My sister, mom, and I love going to Birmingham to see her Alma Mater, Samford University. We love to wrap up our day by shopping at The Summit, then sharing some fajitas and guacamole at Chewy's - preferably on a patio table so we can see the busy city. 

Overall 

Some other fun things to do in Birmingham would include taking advantage of the BJCC. Buy your tickets in advance to see Hamilton, Wicked, or The Lion King. There are also a lot of festivals booked there. Of course, another really fun nighttime activity would be checking out the Haunted Birmingham Ghost Tours. You can go with a group or select "self guided" if you are particularly fearless. Tickets are usually about $40. In short, you simply cannot do the city in one day...so go back again and again! 

Happy travels, darling!

Sincerely, 

Abby Grace Shrader