50+ suggestions to plan your perfect Birmingham weekend trip

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This is your sign to gather your best company for a trip to Birmingham! (Bham Now)
📍 Elyton Hotel

Is a weekend getaway calling your name? Luckily, there’s no need to hop on a plane when plenty of adventure awaits just 1.5 hours south in The Magic City.

Personally, I’m always looking for an excuse to make the drive down to Birmingham to explore the vibrant culinary scene, go to a concert or visit their hip coffee shops (I’m looking at you, June and Grounds).

With so much to choose from, you can lean on our expertise with our 50+ recommendations on where to stay, what to do and how to spend your ideal weekend in Birmingham.

⭐️ = a personal favorite from someone on our team!

1. Book your stay

  • elyton
  • Grand Bohemian Mountain Brook 1
  • Kelly Hotel 7
  • RossBridge Resort 1
  • Valley Hotel Birmingham Terrace Bar Outdoor Terrace

For me, the hotel I choose sets the tone for my trip. Make your stay part of the full experience with a high rise room or artsy decor at one of our hotel picks:

  • Elyton Hotel: classic + minimalist with a rooftop bar (Marriott)
  • Grand Bohemian: artsy + eclectic + across the street from the Birmingham Zoo + Botanical Gardens (Marriott)
  • The Kelly: high-rise + modern in the middle of it all in downtown (Hilton)
  • Ross Bridge: timeless + high-end including a pool, spa + RTJ golf course (Renaissance)
  • Valley Hotel: classy + minimalist in walkable downtown Homewood (Hilton)

If you want to learn about more hotel options, check out the resources at Greater Birmingham Convention + Visitor’s Bureau (CVB).

2. Select your eateries

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  • El Barrio 10 scaled
  • FrothyMonkey 16 scaled
  • Kyuramen 111 scaled
  • Eugenes Hot Chicken food photo 1
  • Back 40 scaled

Birmingham is known for their food scene, and a proper getaway isn’t complete without tasting your way around the city. Here are the spots you’ll catch our team when we’re in town:

☕️ Coffee Shops

🍳 Breakfast + Brunch

🥙 Lunch

🍽️ Dinner

3. Pick your afternoon activities

  • Cherry Blossoms at Birmingham Botanical Gardens 2024 119 1
  • BirminghamZoo 6
  • Rotary Trail 1
  • seasickrecords 2 scaled 1
  • Railroad Park in May 2022 21

Anytime I pass through Birmingham, I have to stop at Seasick Records (psst: they have a new location now!). When I have more time, I love exploring the free Museum of Art and Botanical Gardens, plus local shops like Alabama Art Supply.

To help you plan a well-rounded itinerary, try mixing and matching these things to do:

🌳 Adventurous + outdoors

🛍️ Shopping

🏙️ Museums + sights

View more attractions and things to do in Birmingham.

4. Craft your evening out

  • juniper
  • adios
  • The House of Found Objects 17
  • Screenshot 2024 11 13 at 4.33.39 PM
  • moonshine

Birmingham has some of the most unique craft cocktails and themed bars in the state. I recently experienced House of Found Objects for the first time and couldn’t stop staring at the colorful and wacky decor while sipping my “Wanda Claire” lavender honey tonic from a curly straw.

Next on my bucket list is Juniper, an opulent and artsy cocktail bar. Whether you prefer an eclectic, elegant or rooftop bar, there is something for every taste in the ‘ham:

🥂 Rooftop bars

🍸 Swanky bars

🍹Funky bars

5. Plan around an event

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  • Sidewalk Film Festival 2024 107 1 scaled
  • cocacola
  • Vulcan Fireworks Nathan e1625224055188
  • southbound

Looking for the perfect weekend to plan your visit? Check out some of the exciting concerts, events and festivals coming up:

🎶 Concerts

🎇 Events

🎬 Festivals

6. Learn all you need to know about Bham from the CVB

Railroad Park in May 2022 21
The Birmingham cityscape is calling your name. (Bham Now)

We don’t gatekeep around here 😉—you now have our top recs for making the most of a trip to Birmingham!

Still have more questions? Visit InBirmingham.com and follow the Bham CVB @inbirmingham on socials for all things Birmingham: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter LinkedIn

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Elizabeth Hobbs
Elizabeth Hobbs
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