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.
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, 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" 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, 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 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 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!
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.
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 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.
