Things to do in Birmingham

February 11, 2008 9:30 PM

Stuck in Birmingham, Alabama for a few days. Now I just need something to do

I and my friends will be finding ourselves in Birmingham,Alabama for a few days before Bonnaroo this year and we will need something to do. We like indie films,comic books, and general oddities.

posted by carefulmonkey to travel & transportation (13 comments total)

Don't miss the Civil Rights district or the Irondale Cafe, which was the inspiration for Fried Green Tomatoes.
posted by brujita at 9:41 PM on February 11

For oddities, the giant Vulcan statue is open again!
posted by ilyanassa at 9:54 PM on February 11

Sloss Furnaces offers tours of a dilapidated industrial plant with some cool metalworks. It's also supposedly one of the most haunted sites in America. The tours are free, but must be scheduled two weeks in advance.

Alabama Adventure is a Six Flags-style theme park with rides, coasters, and a water park. See here for a list of attractions.

The McWane Science Center, while mainly for kids, has plenty of interactive exhibits that should satisfy your "general oddities" interests. Dinosaur bones, beds of nails, laser harps, an aquarium, an IMAX theater, the works.

The Birmingham Zoo is also pretty great, and the most popular attraction in the state.
posted by Rhaomi at 11:41 PM on February 11

See if there's a show at Bottletree (they have film night on Monday's and the 'best chili in birmingham' [vegan].)

Check out The Garage Gafe - a neighborhood bar with lots of crazy antiques in the courtyard, and they have great sandwiches. (but beware, they don't take any sort of plastic payment).

Also seconding the Civil Rights Institute and Sloss and Vulcan's shiny hiney.

For a special treat, you could check out a City Council meeting (Tuesday mornings at 9:30) - our new mayor is certifiably batshit insane and I imagine he would be quite humorous if you didn't have to live here.
posted by wearyaswater at 6:31 AM on February 12

Reed Books - an unusual/rare bookstore located in downtown Birmingham.

The Alabama Theatre - Lovely historic theater that sometimes shows old movies, sometimes hosts rock shows, all sorts of different things. (The Decemberists played there when they came through our fair city.)

The Rojo, one of my favorite local restaurants, sometimes shows films (they're in cahoots with our local film festival, somehow), but I'm not sure if they've got anything happening anytime soon. They're a fun bar/restaurant just to visit anyway, I think.
posted by ZeroDivides at 6:37 AM on February 12

EAT! Birmingham has the best eats. Try the banana pudding at Dreamland Barbeque, delicious homemade Greek food at Nabeel's Cafe, and hit up Al's Deli and Grill late night for cheese fries and burgers.

I also recommend visiting the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. It is a very moving museum. Also, Homewood is a cute, walkable neighborhood with a good independent bookstore (The Alabama Booksmith) and record store (The Laser's Edge).
posted by jrichards at 6:47 AM on February 12

If you're up early, Continental Baker has absolutely delicious croissants and breads. The ham and jarlsburg and the belgian chocolate are a few or my favorites.

Try the Hot and Hot Fish Club or the Highlands Bar and Grill if you've got the money for it (exceptional southern fine dining).

Birmingham has great food in general.

I second the Garage (one of GQ's bars worth traveling for a few years back) and the BottleTree recommendations.

And as mentioned, a city council meeting would give the effects of heavy drugs without actually taking them.

Lots of little shops here and there in Homewood and Mountain Brook.
posted by dig_duggler at 7:01 AM on February 12

You might also want to check out Charlemagne's records (on 10th ave & 20th street in Five Points.) Safari Cup (Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd and 3rd Ave N) has the best cup of coffee in town. Speakeasy is another bar recommendation - it's on 2nd ave N between 19th and 20th street. If you're looking to kill some time during the day while not spending any money, the Highland area has several parks worth checking out.
posted by damnthesehumanhands at 9:11 AM on February 12

Aside: Do all you folks live in Birmingham?
posted by damnthesehumanhands at 9:12 AM on February 12

No, I did a road trip through LA, AL and MS six years ago.
posted by brujita at 9:17 AM on February 12

Aside: Do all you folks live in Birmingham?

Yes. I'd recommend a comic shop but all the ones here kind of blow.
posted by dig_duggler at 10:01 AM on February 12

I just moved to Birmingham at the end of December, but can definitely recommend Bottega and Taj India for lunch or dinner, and can second Bottletree for live music.

I've started having indie bands coming through town stop by to play a couple of songs on our patio (I plan to put the videos on my music blog) and enjoy a relaxed lunch or dinner. E-mail me before you come, you're welcome to join us if the schedules work out.
posted by kickerofelves at 4:19 PM on February 12

"Also, Homewood is a cute, walkable neighborhood with a good independent bookstore (The Alabama Booksmith) and record store (The Laser's Edge)."

NOTE: Laser's Edge has closed down.

But, be sure to check out Charlemagne Records and Renaissance Records in Five Points South. Both are record stores but also contain a large number of "oddities" to keep you occupied (along with a few comic books).

I second the recommendation on Reed Books - definitely a must visit store.

For vintage comic books, check out What's On Second? downtown (on 2nd ave N). They don't have a huge supply but a good bit. And then go next door to Urban Standard for some good eats/coffee.
posted by JacksonEsquire at 11:40 AM on March 3