all about ceese

Day 1: Friday

This was a travel day; we got in super late, so nothing to report other than the typical getting luggage, rental car, and checking into the hotel.

Day 2: Saturday

We started our day out with breakfast and going to The Farmers Market at Pepper Place. This wonderful event is so fun to explore and grab breakfast of coffee and pastries as we perused through all the tents (I love seeing all the sights and smells too!). There’s a good variety of local vendors here, which is always great. I also loved being able to pop in a few of the local stores for gifts (check out Left Hand Soap Co. or Farmstand by Stone Hollow) or walking around with coffee or a beverage from The Lumbar. The tough part is wanting to buy all the wonderful produce there!

Visit the Civil Rights District

In the heart of the south, Birmingham has its history of civil rights. Saunter through Kelly Ingram Park and make your way to the 16th Street Baptist Church, and finish by exploring the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. This is such an emotional journey to be able to experience; keep in mind we still have a living generation that lived through this time frame.

TIP: I recommend starting with the Church first due to its operating hours; book your tour online ahead of time and allow for about an hour. Allow for about 2-3 hours for your self-guided tour of the Institute.

What’s great about being downtown is there are a few other sites to walk to, whether or not you want to tour them is up to you! The Alabama Theatre and Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame & Historic Carver Theatre are both great locations to check out and possibly see a show as well. Check their websites for more info.

Day 3: Sunday

Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark

This National Historic Landmark is by far one of the most interesting places to visit in Alabama. The Furnaces went into blasting mode in April 1882, and helped in giving Birmingham’s’ nickname of the Iron City. Choose between a Self-Guided or Guided (by appointment) Tour. We would have loved to do this Saturday, but it was closed for a special event.

TIP: Did you know that the Iron Bowl (yearly game between Auburn University and the University of Alabama) got its name because it was played in Birmingham?

Shop at The Summit

This luxury shopping district is located about halfway between Homewood, AL and Brook Highland, AL, and also a great spot to relax for a few hours before heading back to the Airport. There’s many a stores such as Lululemon, Saks Fifth Avenue, Chicos, Kendra Scott, and a few sporting retail stores. The Summit is also home to several restaurants to be able to grab brunch, lunch, or dinner as well.

Sunday makes for a lower key day due to flying out (you never know how Airport lines will be!). Anyways, I hope this post gives you some possibilities of what to do in Birmingham. Have fun exploring!

Where to Eat:

Breakfast

• The Red Cat Coffeehouse @ Pepper Place ($): This coffee shop is a great pop in for a lighter breakfast, but Saturdays can be very busy due to the Market.  

Lunch

• Back Forty Beer Company ($-$$): What’s great about this location is that you can enjoy it’s not only a brewery close to Sloss Furnaces, but also offers lunch.
• Blueroot ($$): Located at Pepper Place
• PIZITZ FOOD HALL ($-$$): This food hall is located downtown and offers a great selection of different foods, which is sure to please everyone.  

Dinner

• Gianmarco’s Restaurant ($$): This wonderful Italian place is located about 15 minutes from downtown outside of Homewood, AL.
• Ovenbird ($$): This is one of those restaurants that gives a ‘Farm-to-Table’ vibe; and I still wish it was open for lunch!  Located downtown near the Pepper Market.