Things To Do
Vulcan Park and Museum
What kind of city builds a huge statue of a burly, bearded, bare-bottomed man to tower over its entire population? One that never forgets its roots. The Vulcan statue is the largest cast iron statue in the world, built for the Worlds Fair and is the city symbol of Birmingham, Alabama, reflecting its roots in the iron and steel industry. The 56-foot tall statue depicts the Roman god Vulcan, god of the fire and forge, with ironworking equipment. Vulcan Park and Museum features spectacular views of Birmingham, an interactive comprehensive history museum that examines Vulcan and Birmingham’s story and a beautiful public park for visitors and locals to enjoy!
Birmingham Zoo
The Birmingham Zoo is a zoological park that opened in 1955 in Birmingham with over 750 animals on 122 acres!
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
A 67.5-acre of botanical gardens with 25+ interpretive and thematic gardens including Japanese Gardens (Internationally known with authentically crafted tea house), a Wildflower Garden (400+ taxa of Alabama native plants), a Fern Glade (100+ taxa of ferns), and a Southern Living Garden (Features Southern Living Plant Collection). Also where we took most of our engagement photos!
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is a large interpretive museum and research center in Birmingham, Alabama that depicts the struggles of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s. It is also across the street from a historic 4-acre park with sculptures & monuments commemorating the civil rights movement.
Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
The three-story 33,000 square-foot museum was opened in 1992 and is home to over 6,000 pieces of sports memorabilia. The ASHOF Museum is one of the largest sports halls of fame in the nation with memorabilia from each inductee, dating back to the first induction class in 1969, displayed throughout the facility. It is only open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm but if you're a sports fan its a sight to see!
Birmingham Museum of Art
The Birmingham Museum of Art is a museum in Birmingham, Alabama. It has one of the most extensive collections of artwork in the Southeastern United States, with more than 24,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, and decorative arts representing numerous cultures, including Asian, European, American, African, Pre-Columbian, and Native American.
Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
A bit further out of town, however, the museum is home to over 1,600 motorcycles that span over 100 years of production. More than 950 bikes can be seen on any given day, and 200 different manufacturers from 20 countries are represented in the collection—from Harley-Davidson, Honda, and Indian—to Showa, DSK, and Cagiva. The museum features the world’s most extensive Lotus collection, anchored by the Lotus 21. The museum also displays rare racecars, including the 1964 Ferrari F-158, in which John Surtees won the 1964 Formula 1 Driver’s World Championship. If you're a motorsports fan it's a must see.
Topgolf
If you want some entertainment with a group of people, Top Golf is a great option!
Magic City Classic Parade
The Magic City Classic Football Game will have a parade starting at City Hall at 8am. This parade will include some of the most entertaining marching bands and dancers you've ever seen and it will also be broadcast on Fox 6. If this isn't your thing then I would recommend avoiding the parade route Saturday morning.
Riverchase Galleria
Riverchase Galleria, locally known as The Galleria, is a large, super–regional shopping mall in Hoover, Alabama. It is ranked 43rd on the list of largest shopping malls in the United States. It is the largest enclosed shopping center in Alabama. It is also directly attached to the hotel!
Avondale Brewing Company
They have an awesome backyard bar with open grass, picnic tables and a huge stage often featuring great local music! If the weather isn't great for the outdoors, they also have an indoor bar.
TrimTab Brewing Company
One of the many great local breweries we have here in Birmingham!
Good People Brewing Company
One of the many great local breweries we have in Birmingham!
Ghost Train Brewing Co.
One of the many great local breweries we have here in Birmingham!
Dreamland BBQ
The original is in Tuscaloosa, but I can assure you Dreamland has the best ribs you'll ever have! Ask Mr. Gannon, he will agree!
Moe's Original BBQ - Lakeview
Even though Birmingham is the home of Dreamland BBQ, Moe's Original BBQ is an equally awesome choice in the Lakeview District. The Redneck Nachos are amazing. Definitely, try the Alabama white sauce, fried okra, and the banana pudding.
Jim 'N Nick's Bar-B-Q
Jim 'N Nick's is a great BBQ joint. There is a location right by the Hotel as well as in Birmingham. Go with the pulled pork sandwich!
Hattie B's Hot Chicken - Birmingham
Hattie B's is a famous restaurant based out of Nashville. If hot and spicy is your thing head their way!
Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint Birmingham
If you're looking for a great burger in a hole in the wall joint, Jack Brown's is the place for you. Super short burger menu, super long beer menu
The Market at Pepper Place | Saturday Farmers Market
Great local farmers market on Saturday mornings 7am-12pm in the Pepper Place Entertainment District
SAW’s Soul Kitchen
Southern soul food is what's on the menu at this Avondale hangout dishing up its signature BBQ sandwiches alongside burgers, inventive specials and banana pudding for dessert. Swine decor and vintage road signs fill the casual space with a few tables inside and out.
MELT
Originally a food truck, Melt serves up some incredible gourmet grilled cheeses, with killer cocktails in a great, laid back setting, in the hip neighborhood of Avondale. While you wait you have tons of options. Play cornhole in the front yard, walk down the block to Avondale Park and feed the ducks, or wander through the community garden. Your buzzer works in the park! If being outside isn't your thing, walk up the block and head to Avondale Brewery. Your Melt buzzer works there too!
Pies & Pints - Birmingham, AL
It may not be NY Pizza but its some of the best around. And they have classic root beer on tap!
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill
American restaurant in Erie serving hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood & more from a scratch kitchen
The Fish Market Restaurant
Delicious seafood restaurant and oyster bar. There is a location in Hoover just down from the hotel as well as in Birmingham.
Big Whiskey's American Restaurant & Bar
Lunch, dinner, & late night hotspot with TVs for sports & a menu of American eats.
Saltgrass Steak House
American style steak house based out of Houston, Texas