Many cities help make up the great state of Alabama, one of which is Birmingham. Birmingham is nicknamed “The Magic City,” and with a population of around 212,000 people, it’s also the state’s largest city. Although Birmingham is a large city that offers a variety of places to visit, many of them are often overlooked. Listed below are nine of these places.
Take a look:
- Heaviest Corner on Earth
flickr/ At the turn of the 20th Century, the “Heaviest Corner on Earth” was the name given to the corner of 20th Street and 1st Avenue North in downtown Birmingham, Alabama. The four buildings that make up this corner, which are among the South’s tallest buildings, include the Woodward Building, the Brown Marx Building, the Empire Building, and the American Trust and Savings Bank Building.
- Kelly Ingram Park
flickr/Ron Cogswell Kelly Ingram Park, which covers four acres, is part of the Birmingham Civil Rights District. During the 1960s, it was the site of civil rights rallies and demonstrations. Several sculptures are located throughout the park that depict this time in history.
- Joe Minter’s “African Village in America”
flickr/Jonathan Beilin Joe Minter’s “African Village in America” is one of Alabama’s strangest roadside attractions. It features a variety of sculptures made from pieces of scrap metal and junk materials. There’s nowhere else in the world quite like it.
- Jim Reed Books and Museum of Fond Memories
tripadvisor/as3dgfad6 Jim Reed Books, which was established in 1980, is a unique bookstore that’s located in the heart of downtown Birmingham, Alabama. It offers thousands of books, both old and new. Its “Museum of Fond Memories” offers an assortment of toys, albums, trinkets, and other objects that’ll fill you with nostalgia.
- T-Bone’s Authentic Philly Cheesesteaks and Hoagies
google/john fleck T-Bone’s Authentic Philly Cheesesteaks and Hoagies is located within Birmingham’s Five Points South Entertainment District. It serves the only authentic Philly-style cheesesteaks in the Southeast. Each one is made to order using high-quality ingredients, including fresh Amoroso rolls.
- What’s On 2nd
google/Owen Stayner/ThisWorkplace360 What’s On 2nd is an antique and collectibles store that’s located in downtown Birmingham, Alabama. It offers everything from antique furnishings to rare video games. There’s something for everyone!
- Rainbow Tunnel
google/Jonathan Edwards Birmingham’s Rainbow Tunnel, which was designed by artist Bill FitzGibbons, is one of the city’s coolest art installations. It’s located at the 1931 underpass near Railroad Park and features thousands of vibrant glowing colors.
- Fig Tree Cafe
google/Keith Hawkins The Fig Tree Cafe is a small cafe that’s tucked away inside the Cahaba Heights neighborhood of Vestavia Hills, a suburb of Birmingham. It opened in May 2014 and offers delicious Southern inspired cuisine.
- Avondale Park
google/Anh N Tran Avondale Park was established in 1887 and covers nearly 40 acres. It features an amphitheater, a duck pond, walking trails, and a playground. Because it offers something for everyone, this beautiful park is a great place for the entire family.
Have you been to any of these often overlooked places in Birmingham, Alabama? If so, please share your experience(s) with us in the comments. Also, please share with us any other overlooked places you’d add to this list.
flickr/
At the turn of the 20th Century, the “Heaviest Corner on Earth” was the name given to the corner of 20th Street and 1st Avenue North in downtown Birmingham, Alabama. The four buildings that make up this corner, which are among the South’s tallest buildings, include the Woodward Building, the Brown Marx Building, the Empire Building, and the American Trust and Savings Bank Building.
flickr/Ron Cogswell
Kelly Ingram Park, which covers four acres, is part of the Birmingham Civil Rights District. During the 1960s, it was the site of civil rights rallies and demonstrations. Several sculptures are located throughout the park that depict this time in history.
flickr/Jonathan Beilin
Joe Minter’s “African Village in America” is one of Alabama’s strangest roadside attractions. It features a variety of sculptures made from pieces of scrap metal and junk materials. There’s nowhere else in the world quite like it.
tripadvisor/as3dgfad6
Jim Reed Books, which was established in 1980, is a unique bookstore that’s located in the heart of downtown Birmingham, Alabama. It offers thousands of books, both old and new. Its “Museum of Fond Memories” offers an assortment of toys, albums, trinkets, and other objects that’ll fill you with nostalgia.
google/john fleck
T-Bone’s Authentic Philly Cheesesteaks and Hoagies is located within Birmingham’s Five Points South Entertainment District. It serves the only authentic Philly-style cheesesteaks in the Southeast. Each one is made to order using high-quality ingredients, including fresh Amoroso rolls.
google/Owen Stayner/ThisWorkplace360
What’s On 2nd is an antique and collectibles store that’s located in downtown Birmingham, Alabama. It offers everything from antique furnishings to rare video games. There’s something for everyone!
google/Jonathan Edwards
Birmingham’s Rainbow Tunnel, which was designed by artist Bill FitzGibbons, is one of the city’s coolest art installations. It’s located at the 1931 underpass near Railroad Park and features thousands of vibrant glowing colors.
google/Keith Hawkins
The Fig Tree Cafe is a small cafe that’s tucked away inside the Cahaba Heights neighborhood of Vestavia Hills, a suburb of Birmingham. It opened in May 2014 and offers delicious Southern inspired cuisine.
google/Anh N Tran
Avondale Park was established in 1887 and covers nearly 40 acres. It features an amphitheater, a duck pond, walking trails, and a playground. Because it offers something for everyone, this beautiful park is a great place for the entire family.
For additional information about Joe Minter’s “African Village in America,” be sure to take a look at the following article: Alabama’s African Village In America Just Might Be The Strangest Roadside Attraction Yet.
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Address: Heaviest Corner On Earth, The Woodward Building, 20th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203, USAAddress: 931 Nassau Ave SW, Birmingham, AL 35211, USAAddress: 2021 3rd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203, USAAddress: Kelly Ingram Park, 500 17th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203, USAAddress: 1017 20th St S, Birmingham, AL 35205, USAAddress: What’s on 2nd, 1101 20th St S, Birmingham, AL 35205, USAAddress: 1 14th St S, Birmingham, AL 35203, USAAddress: 3160 Cahaba Heights Rd, Birmingham, AL 35243, USAAddress: Avondale Park, 4101 5th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35222, USA
