Sydney & Jack
Things To Do
Church Street Coffee & Books
This is where we used to study while in college at Samford. Try the famous breakup cookie. Jack loves the frappes, and Sydney loves the mocha with a pump of hazelnut syrup.
McWane Science Center
The McWane Science Center is fun not just for kids, but for anyone who likes bubbles, slides, and playing around with science-y exhibits! Samford has had its Beeson Ball here for many years, and we came here for a sorority date party the day before we became officially boyfriend and girlfriend!
Front Porch
We have spent many a date night here! The neighborhood around it, Ross Bridge, is a place we love to go on walks and visit the beautiful Renaissance Hotel. While Front Porch has almost anything you could want, we recommend the pecan encrusted chicken and bread pudding for dessert.
Sloss Furnaces
Sloss Furnaces is the reason Birmingham is called Iron City. Learn more about the city's history here! This is also where we went to see our first concert together... Judah and the Lion and Colony House!
Wasabi Juan's
Two words . . . sushi burritos. Sounds strange, but we promise you, we make it a point to visit here almost every time we're in Birmingham. Don't miss out on their Mexican sodas either. They're made with cane sugar! We recommend the LHM and the Cowboy roll.
Pepper Place Farmers Market
Pepper Place on any day of the week is full of restaurants and shops worth walking around and visiting. But Pepper Place on Saturdays from 8-12 is covered by tents and people shopping for the coolest local products with their dogs. To miss out on Pepper Place is to miss out on Birmingham!
The Pizitz Food Hall
We have been here for dinner and shopping before many Samford events! This is a nice place to hang out for a while. It's also a great place to go when you don't know what you want, since each stall is filled by a different restaurant or store! Everyone can eat what they want and meet to eat in the middle seating area.
Taco Mama
Taco Mama is a Birmingham staple. If you're looking for solid TexMex, this is place most locals go. There are several different locations around Birmingham, so choose the place that's best for you!
The Vulcan
A strange but essential part of the Birmingham skyline, the Vulcan is one of the stops we had on our first date. The view from the top can't be beat, but the museum and free park are just as nice to explore.
Charlemagne Records
Here's another stop from our first date! Charlemagne Records has been around Birmingham for a LONG time (since 1977, to be exact). It's full of new and vintage records at great prices. The real reason to go to Charlemagne, though, is the atmosphere and the experience. It also doesn't hurt that Insomnia Cookies is right next door. We also always go to a record store in every new city we travel to, and this is the store where that tradition began!
Chez Lulu
Chez Lulu, in the heart of Birmingham's English Village, will make you feel like you're in France. This place is a Sunday-after-church staple for us, and the garlic soup cannot be missed! If you have time, stop next door to grab some challah and a mocha from Continental Bakery; both establishments are owned by the same Europe-loving person.
Klingler's European Bakery & Cafe
Klingler's Bakery was started in 1987 by a German immigrant who had met her American husband when he was stationed in Germany. 30 years later, Klingler's is now a must-do in the Birmingham area. Breakfasts, lunches, and desserts . . . we've never had anything that didn't "wow" us at Klingler's! Also, most of the servers are members of the Klingler family.