Birmingham in 48 Hours

Have you ever considered a trip to Alabama for the family? Birmingham is a diverse and vibrant metropolis with plenty of family-friendly experiences! It is also the largest city in Alabama, so whether you love the arts, history, nature, animals, or adventure – they’ve got you covered.

Birmingham boasts a trendy, yet family-friendly restaurant and brewery scene that really sets this city apart. When traveling with little ones, this is a very big deal. After one visit, you will be wondering why you hadn’t visited this beautiful historic destination sooner!

I have compiled a list of the three A’s: Accommodations, Adventures, and Appetite!  If you have any questions about Birmingham or our trip please send me an email!

Accommodations

If I am being honest… the real reason that Birmingham was even on my radar was because Grand Bohemian Mountain Brook is located there. There is something about Grand Bohemian Hotels that blows me away, as if you are walking into another world. One of whimsy where luxury meets daring character, with bold colors and art around every corner.

In your room you will find pillow top mattresses with luxury bedding. This is one of the first rooms we’ve stayed in that truly had blackout shades as well (necessary!!). The spacious bathroom is the star of the room, with a giant soaking tub and extravagant bathrobe to slip into at the end of a long day.

The Grand Bohemian Mountain Brook may be luxurious, but they are family friendly as well. Our children loved the outdoor space with a beautiful Christmas tree they would play around every evening. It was too old for us to swim, but the outdoor pool is elegant and relaxing. The hotel is pet friendly and offers several amenities (cooking school, spa, rooftop restaurant, and more).

Adventures

Vulcan Park & Musem– Just down the road from Grand Bohemian Mountain Brook is Vulcan Park. Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and forge, watches over all of Birmingham and is a symbol of the city’s iron and steel industrial roots. The 56-foot tall statue is the largest cast-iron statue in the world. You can take an elevator up with your ticket and see the skyline of Birmingham. Warning – if you have a fear of heights that may not be for you! The museum has a scavenger hunt for children which was a nice touch.

McWane Science Center – Located in Downtown Birmingham is the must see McWane Science Center. Oh, how I wish we had this much closer, as we would visit every week! The state-of-the-art science center, aquarium, and IMAX Dome Theater is located in the historic Loveman’s department store building. This place is a parents dream, not only does your child fully immerse themselves in science – but they have FUN doing it! And parents, feel free to let your inner child have some fun too (I had so much fun here).

Itty Bitty Magic City (ages 6 and under) was a huge highlight for our girls, as was the Shark and Ray Touch Tank. With four floors of fun, plan to spend 3-4 hours (we could have easily spent the whole day here). Buy a ticket for the IMAX Theater and relax after a day of play. There were plenty of hand sanitizing stations and the staff was excellent. I would highly recommend this to any family!

Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark – Sloss Furnace is a National Historic Landmark located in Birmingham, and is free to enter and tour! It operated as an iron producing blast furnace, and after it’s closing it became one of the first industrial sites (and the only blast furnace) in the U.S. to be preserved and restored. This was an eye-opening quick stop that offered insight into the production of iron and how grueling and labor intensive it must have been for all workers.

Birmingham Museum of Art – The Birmingham Museum of Art has one of the finest collections in the Southeastern US, and is free to enter! With more than 24,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, and decorative arts – you will lose yourself in the beauty and diversity of art. There are several cultures represented, giving you an appreciation of different techniques. There is also a scavenger hunt you can pick up for children, though you may need to help them (it was a little challenging!).

Appetite

Habitat Feed & Social – Looking for regionally-inspired cuisine with the freshest seasonal ingredients? Habitat Feed & Social is the place for you! Conveniently located at Grand Bohemian Mountain Brook, prepare to have your senses delighted from the bold design of the restaurant to the artful plating of the delicious cuisine. There is no doubt this is upscale dining, but our children were welcomed with open arms. Everything ordered was over the top delicious, I highly recommend the filet and blackened gulf fish!

The Pizitz – This food hall is located in Downtown Birmingham, right across the street from McWane Science Center. It is a trendy spot with several dining options. We tried Ono Poke, Pho Pho, and the Standard. All were equally impressive!

Cahaba Brewing Company – If you like beer on any level, promise me you will go here okay?! From their Polyjuice Potion brew to the free skee-ball games, both kids and adults were very happy. We loved the upbeat and kind staff, and the cold beer and inviting atmosphere makes this my favorite brewery we’ve visited to date.

Back Forty – Another great brewery in Birmingham, Back Forty is located next to a rail yard, giving our children free entertainment! Sloss Furnaces is also located across the street, making this a great stop afterwards to relax and unwind. There is a large outdoor space, perfect for the kids to run and burn off some energy while the adults enjoy some great cold brews.

Until next time…