brief stop in Alabama

July 17, 2006 10:49 AM

What to do in the Riverchase Galleria area of Alabama (besides shop)?

I'll be in Alabama on business this Thursday and Friday, and staying in the hotel in the Riverchase Galleria. Is there anything notable/interesting to see/do in the very immediate area? Good restaurants? Movie theater? Music venue? Restrictions: I won't have a car; I will only have free time in the evening/night.

posted by mikepop to travel & transportation (4 comments total)

There is a large movie theatre at the adjacent Patton Creek shopping center, which is across the road from the Galleria. There are several pretty decent restaurants in the vicinity -- nothing that will change your life, but some good ones. Try Bonefish Grille (which is a chain, I think, but is still very good), the Wynfrey Hotel restaurant, or Firebirds. All of those are good. Unfortunately, most of Birmingham's more interesting attractions, and its better restaurants, require that you have a car. Check with the concierge at the Wynfrey for other ideas -- their service is great.

Oh, and dress comfortably: It's hot down here. Really hot.
posted by fearless_yakov at 11:39 AM on July 17, 2006

YAAAAYYYYY! Birmingham!

Well, depending on where you're from, it's either going to be HOT for you down here... or it's going to be HOT HOT for you.

THE GOOD: You're staying at the Winfrey (I must assume since it is the only hotel attached to the Galleria) which is one of the nicer hotels in Birmingham.

THE BAD: You won't have a car, therefore you can't see the other side to Birmingham... it's a wonderful city I've "grown up" in. The music venues are all downtown or the opposite side of town from Hoover, which is where you'll be.

So... what "to do?"

- The Winfrey is veryveryvery helpful. If you really want to catch a concert while you're in town, they'll call a cab for you (round-trip fare should be $50... eeek). You should check out Work Play Theater and The Alabama Theatre.

- There's planty of shopping in the Galleria to keep you busy. J. Crew, Parisian, Belk, Banana Republic, McRae's, Brooks Brothers, etc etc etc.

- Also, Patton Creek is a great outdoor shopping complex to wander. However, fearless_yakov is right... it's hot down here so I wouldn't drift over there until the sun begins to set: 5:30

- If you're into outdoorsy things, there's a Dick's Sporting Goods.

- There's a wonderful Barnes & Noble in Patton Creek. I killed 3 hours there last Friday. Starbucks, grrreat magazine collection, more books than you can shake a stick at.

- Also, Cambridge Coffee is a popular spot for locals who just want a cup of coffee and a good book.

- The Rave movie theater in Patton Creek is one of the newest/better theathers in Bham. Buy your ticket outside at the kiosk with your credit card to avoid a wait in line.

- Food at Patton Creek is outstanding as well... Bone Fish Grill is a Southern staple. The best cajun food I've ever eaten at a place called The Cajun Steamer. A wonderful Japanese steakhouse called SUMO.

- Also, the restaurant at the Winfrey is great. There's Japanese sushi/steakhouse just beside the Galleria called 'Stix'.

Again, welcome to the South. Sorry we're to "sprawl" down here.

We love our cars.
posted by bamassippi at 12:14 PM on July 17, 2006

Thanks, both, for the info. I'll save actual Birmingham for when I have time to do a proper trip. In the meantime, it is good to know I'll at least have plenty of choices of what to eat in the immediate area.
posted by mikepop at 1:03 PM on July 17, 2006

Update:

Thanks for the tips! While I did not do much outside work besides eat, the food was indeed delicious.

I tried the Bonefish Grille the first night (although it is a chain, I've never heard of them before). I had some fantastic trout, and the portion was quite generous. Luckily I somehow made room for some key lime pie, which was also delicious.

The second night, I caught a movie at Rave. Then I went to the Cajun Steamer and had the best meal of my trip and indeed one of the tastiest meals I've ever eaten. Thanks especially for the tip on that one, because it seemed a bit cheesy/themey and I might have skipped it otherwise for one of the other restaurants.

All of the other restaurants mentioned looked good, and it was a tough call to pick just two.

And yes, it was hot.

And to emphasize a point for any future pedestrian travellers: don't bother looking for the sidewalks around the hotel that lead to the various restaurants on the perimeter of the mall road. There aren't any. Don't bother looking for a sidewalk leading down to the main road if you want to cross to the Patton Creek center. There isn't one. And don't think there must be a stoplight with a crosswalk to get across that 4/5 lane road. There's not. Observe the traffic pattern and cross carefully (and quickly).
posted by mikepop at 10:53 AM on July 24, 2006