What to do and see in Birmingham, Alabama (AL): The Best Outdoor Activities

October 16, 2021 Hana Mouser

It has been said that Birmingham is the last major Southern city in America, where a friendly "How y'all doin'," a hearty meal of country-fried steak with butter beans and a true taste of Southern hospitality await visitors. Whether you're into the history of the Civil Rights movement, a fan of jazz music or just looking for culture and a few fun activities for the family, Sweet Birmingham is the place for you. Spend the morning at the Birmingham Museum of Art, then have lunch at a traditional Southern tea room. Outdoor enthusiasts can tee off at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail or pack a lunch and spend the day hiking and enjoying the vistas at Ruffner Mountain. A world-class zoo, the innovative McWane Center and VisionLand, Alabama's first amusement park, are sure to keep families entertained and on the go. In the evening, listen to a blues show at an outdoor cafe and then spend the night at a small cozy inn or splurge for an elegant hotel.
Restaurants in Birmingham

1. The Woodhouse Day Spa Birmingham

Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

The Woodhouse Day Spa Birmingham

America's #1 luxury day spa brand offering over 70 treatment options including massage, body treatments, skin care, hydrafacial and nails.

2. Sims Cave Park

Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 15 reviews

Sims Cave Park

SIMS CAVE PARK is home to one of America's most extreme wild cave tours. Explore the land down under as you climb,crawl, and squeeze through one of Alabama's most beautiful caves. Be prepared to get wet and dirty! Fun for all ages to attend. Take your family or a group for a unique experience you can only find here. Reserve your Wild Cave Tour today!

3. Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf

4000 Grand Ave, Birmingham, AL 35226-6201 +1 205-949-3009 http://www.jazzescape.com
Excellent
68%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 118 reviews

Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf

Reviewed By richardsJ4139NW - Austin, United States

We stayed at the Renaissance Ross Bridge Resort and Spa for a holiday visit. It was outstanding in every regard; better than we expected. The room was large with separate shower and tub. There was a nice, wrap-around veranda overlooking the course greens with woods, lakes, and hills. The staff, the valets, bellhop, front desk team, bartender, wait staff, coffee barista, room staff, and spa attendants, were all friendly, personable, and professional, even working on the holidays. It was a great stay that we intend to repeat.

4. First Avenue Rocks

2417 1st Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233-2502 +1 205-320-2277 [email protected] http://www.firstaverocks.com
Excellent
67%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3 reviews

First Avenue Rocks

First Avenue Rocks is Birmingham's original climbing gym. Our facility houses 4000 square feet of climbing walls and cross-training equipment as well as a lounge and special event space. We specialize in bouldering, so all the climbing is done on walls that are 8-16' tall over padded floors, and there is something for everyone... first time climbers and experienced athletes alike! Since the opening of Birmingham Boulders in October 2016, First Avenue Rocks has gotten a fresh paint job and a brand new set of climbing holds on the walls, and more improvements are coming in early 2017! If you are a family looking for a recreational rock climbing experience, and especially if you you've got some young'uns wanting to climb, you should head out to Birmingham Boulders. There is lot more for them to do there, and all of our automatically belayed climbing (climbing in a harness, easy up and slow down) is out at B2. If you are a climber looking for the quieter side of the climbing scene with plenty of problems to work on, you will really appreciate First Avenue Rocks. Your day pass at FAR is also good at B2!

5. Rotary Trail

1st Avenue to 32nd Street, Birmingham, AL http://www.traillink.com/trail/rotary-trail.aspx
Excellent
52%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 25 reviews

Rotary Trail

Reviewed By platinumforever - Lund, Sweden

What a beautiful path. So well planned and nicely landscaped. Just wish it extended a few miles so it would be totally worth bringing our bikes to ride it.

6. Birmingham Zoo

2630 Cahaba Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223-1154 +1 205-879-0409 http://www.birminghamzoo.com/
Excellent
39%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
4%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 1,132 reviews

Birmingham Zoo

Watch sea lions being trained and fed, zip around on the Zoo Train, hop on the carousel, check out the alligator swamp and tropical rain forest: all this and more are offered at this educational and entertaining zoo housing 170 animals from around the world, including endangered species.

Reviewed By wesleys316 - Birmingham, United States

After the recent facelift/renovations, the Birmingham Zoo offers an even more impressive family day of fun. Our favorites include feeding the giraffes and lorikeets as well as riding the camel! Whether you live in Alabama or are just passing through, the Birmingham Zoo is worth at least 2-3 hrs of your time.

7. Highland Park Golf Course

3300 Highland Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35205-1411 +1 205-322-1902 [email protected] http://www.highlandparkgolf.com/
Excellent
32%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
26%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 19 reviews

Highland Park Golf Course

The course was renovated by Bob Cupp in 1998, this 18-hole public course stretches 5,801 yards at par 70. It is the oldest golf course in the state.

8. Oxmoor Valley Golf Course

100 Sunbelt Pkwy, Birmingham, AL 35211-5958 +1 205-942-1177 [email protected] http://www.rtjgolf.com/courses/oxmoor%5Fvalley/
Excellent
40%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
7%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 92 reviews

Oxmoor Valley Golf Course

Reviewed By waldentenn - Signal Mountain, United States

Part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama, Oxmoor Valley features two regulation courses and a short course for 54 holes. We played the Valley course and it was a typical RTJ track--challenging, fair and in great condition. Folks at the pro shop were friendly and helpful. These courses are expensive on weekends ($100+) so I would not say that they are a bargain, but they are worthy of such a high tariff.

9. Eagle Point Golf Club

4500 Eagle Point Dr, Birmingham, AL 35242-6906 +1 205-991-9070 [email protected] http://www.eaglepointgolfclub.com/
Excellent
64%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
27%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 11 reviews

Eagle Point Golf Club

10. Treeline Expeditions LLC

Treeline Expeditions LLC

Unplug and Connect - We are outdoor guides who lead adventures for teens, adults and families into the great outdoors. Our adventures range from a paddling trip for a few hours to overnight excursions across this amazing state. We can customize your outing with us based upon your groups ages and skill levels. Treeline provides the gear and guides while you provide the sense of adventure!

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.