Birmingham is Alabama’s most populous city, the seat of Jefferson County. For history lovers, it is a revered part of the Civil Rights Trail. For theater aficionados, it used to be one of America’s great theater towns. For many people, it is also home. It could be yours as well.
Here are some of the things you need to know about the Pittsburgh of the South.
Birmingham: At a glance
Birmingham is in north-central Alabama, founded in 1871. It shares its name with the English city of Birmingham. In total, Birmingham covers a total of 148.61 square miles, with an estimated population over 210,700 residents.
One of the Deep South’s major banking centers, Birmingham is also home to some of the region’s most renowned universities and colleges. These include the University of Alabama Birmingham.
Where to eat and drink in Birmingham
- Urban Standard – Located in a loft space, Urban Standard offers a wide range of artisan coffee and food to pair a cup of joe with. It is popular among professionals thanks to the communal space and high-speed Wi-Fi available. You can also purchase antique lamps, vintage bookshelves, and old iron tables here.
- The Essential – At The Essential, New American cuisine made with seasonal and local produce is the star.
- The Rougaroux – The best place in Birmingham if you are craving for Creole and Cajun classics like gumbo, po’boys, and boudin.
- Chez Fonfon – This French bistro transports Birmingham diners to the streets of Paris with their coq au vin and antique decor.
- The Garage – A local favorite for its indoor-outdoor setting, handcrafted sandwiches, and wide selection of beer. More of a garden than a garage.
- Back Forty Beer Co. – Specializing in draft beer, Back Forty’s microbrewery is best known in all of Alabama as the place where award-winning ales are made.
- Queen’s Park – Located in the Loft District, Queen’s Park is the quintessential cocktail bar named in honor of a popular daiquiri made in Trinidad of the late 1890s.
Where to play in Birmingham
- Vulcan Trail – At the tail end of the Appalachian range, this 2.2 mile-long trail scales Red Mountain and offers views of the Vulcan statue, the downtown skyline, and the Antebellum Arlington Home.
- Railroad Park – The entertainment and outdoor recreational opportunities never end at Railroad Park. There are outdoor symphonies in the summer, food festivals in the fall, an outdoor skating rink, free exercise programs, and even cooking classes for budding chefs.
- The Lyric Theater – One of Birmingham’s historic theaters, the Lyric was built in 1914 and is one of the city’s last theaters. Gilded boxes overlook a stage with optimal acoustics and cherub reliefs guard the rest of this magnificently restored theater.
Make Birmingham your home
Wedowee Lake and Lands Realty is one of the leading experts on lake houses for sale in Alabama. Get in touch with the team today to achieve your real estate goals in Birmingham.