A Long Weekend in Birmingham, Alabama — What to Do, See, and Eat

In partnership with InBirmingham.com

When you think of a weekend getaway, Birmingham, Alabama might not be the first place that comes to mind—but it absolutely should be. I recently partnered with InBirmingham.com to experience the city through the eyes of a local, and I’m not even exaggerating when I say it completely surprised me in the best way. Birmingham has this mix of small-town charm, buzzing city energy, rich Southern culture, and the most walkable neighborhoods—all just minutes from each other.

We spent three days exploring the city with family, and it somehow felt like we hit multiple destinations in one trip. Whether you're planning a girls’ weekend, a family escape, or just want to experience a new U.S. city with really good food and a ton to do—you’ll want to save this one.

Here’s everything we did (and all the things I’d totally do again):

Day 1: A Warm Welcome + Classic Birmingham Vibes

We were picked up from the airport by my little sister/best friend, her sweet daughter Ava (almost 2 years old and already a little travel pro), and that sticky-sweet Southern air that somehow always feels nostalgic.

We checked in at Elyton Hotel, which is right in the heart of downtown Birmingham. It’s chic, historic, and the kind of place where you feel like you’re in a movie. The location is a dream—you can walk to basically everything—and the lobby and rooftop views are chef’s kiss.

After settling in, we wandered around downtown and grabbed coffee at Frothy Monkey—which is equal parts cozy and elevated. The kind of place where you can sit outside, sip an iced americano, and feel like you’ve fully entered vacation mode.

From there, we visited the Vulcan, Birmingham’s iconic cast iron statue (and the largest in the world!). He’s kind of the city’s guardian—holding a torch that historically changed color to signal weather emergencies like tornadoes. The view from up there? Worth every step.

We ended the day with a quick dinner at SoHo Social, a laid-back spot with great cocktails and super good burgers. Ava went down for the night, and we called it early to rest up for a packed Saturday.

Day 2: A Family Friendly Morning + Botanical Gardens + Baseball in Style

We started the morning meeting up with my aunt and cousin who also recently moved to Birmingham from California. We had breakfast at Continental Bakery, which I cannot recommend enough. I got a chocolate croissant and something with prosciutto and fig jam and I’m still dreaming about it.

From there, I fully leaned into auntie mode and took Ava to Learning Express, hands down the cutest toy store I’ve ever been in. She picked out her own toys and ran around like it was Disney World—it was so sweet.

We walked it off at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, which are completely free, massive, and stunning. We strolled through the Japanese gardens (gorgeous!) and my tip here is to go early—before the heat and humidity sneak up on you.

Then came one of my favorite parts of the whole trip—Mountain Brook. You have to explore this neighborhood. It’s giving storybook suburb with winding roads, lush green trees, and the dreamiest homes I’ve ever seen. I would move in tomorrow if I could.

After a quick nap back at Elyton, we headed to opening night at Regions Field to watch the Barons vs. Rockies from the VIP Box (huge rec!). You get air conditioning (a necessity), private bar, dinner, drinks, the best view, and a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. We had Alabama and Tennessee family with us so the team rivalry was real—Birmingham did win and yes, there were fireworks to celebrate. 10/10 night.

Day 3: Farmers Markets, Elephants, Motorcycles & Angel Biscuits

If you’re in Birmingham on a Saturday morning, go directly to The Market at Pepper Place. It’s like the entire city shows up for local food, flowers, art, and produce. We had breakfast there and left with local honey (a Birmingham allergy hack), and I grabbed a piña colada honey stick that tasted like actual sunshine.

Next up was the Birmingham Zoo for their 70th birthday celebration. The elephants did a full-on cake smash with watermelons and it was honestly the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. Also—note: everything in Birmingham is like 10 minutes from each other but feels like totally different cities. You go from historic downtown to lush gardens to artsy neighborhoods in minutes, and the architecture changes with each one.

Then came our adrenaline rush moment: MotoAmerica at Barber Motorsports Park. We had VIP Superfan passes (100% worth it in the heat). Think: air-conditioned box, breakfast + lunch, open bar, treats, private performances, and one of the best views of the race track. The grand finale? We walked on the track for the final race, wished the drivers luck, and stood there as they took off. It was wild! After the race, we got to go on the podium—such a cool memory.

We finished off at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, which is hands down one of the best-designed museums I’ve ever been in. Even if you’re not into bikes or cars, it’s an architectural dream and just so impressive.

Back at Elyton, we put Ava down for the night and then Dalan and I snuck away for one last dinner at Helen, run by a James Beard award-winning chef. The angel biscuits? Worth the hype. They were buttery, pillowy perfection—we brought one back for my sister and she was obsessed. The service was amazing and the vibe was intimate but not fussy. Ideal date night spot.

Before You Go

Sunday morning we slept in while it rained (a cozy, full-circle ending), and headed back to the airport completely full—of food, family memories, and a whole new love for Birmingham.

Tips Before Visiting Birmingham:

• Stay central: Book a room at Elyton Hotel—you’ll be glad you did.

• Bring comfy shoes: The city is very walkable, especially downtown and Mountain Brook.

• Plan around the weather: Summer gets humid—early mornings or evening outings are your friend.

• Book experiences in advance: VIP tickets (like Regions Field or Barber) make a huge difference.

Birmingham is underrated in all the right ways. It’s easy to navigate, full of personality, and the people are truly the best. I left with a camera roll full of moments I’ll cherish forever—and I already can’t wait to go back.

For more tips and travel inspiration, check out InBirmingham.com. They made this trip seamless, fun, and so easy to plan.

xx, Heather