One City, Three Ways: Birmingham, Alabama

With all the natural components needed to make steel—iron ore, coal, and limestone—Birmingham experienced meteoric growth during the Industrial Age, earning it the name the Magic City. While steel production wound down in the 1970s, the moniker remains, albeit for a bevy of other reasons. The modern-day magic of this Southern city lies in the breadth of attractions for outdoor enthusiasts, history lovers, and gourmands alike.

HISTORY BUFF

EXPLORE
With its massive size, unmissable silhouette, and distinct copper color, Sloss Furnaces is an Instagrammer’s dream. It was a key player in steel production until 1971, but now guests visit the 15-acre National Historic Landmark site to explore a sculpture garden and design their own cast-iron tile keepsake.

LEARN
With more than a dozen stops, the Birmingham Civil Rights District is the place to see the 16th Street Baptist Church, the site of the 1963 bombing that spurred the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and MLK’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

Photo by Cary Norton and 1504

DIG DEEPER
In 1958 an undetonated bag of explosives sparked fear for the city’s Jewish community. Travel back in time at the Beth El Civil Rights Experience, an interactive exhibit at this thriving temple featuring personal mementos from congregants who participated in the civil rights movement.

CLIMB
The Vulcan Park & Museum is an ideal spot to understand the area’s steel roots. For the best 360-degree view in town, climb the stairs to the top of the Vulcan statue—the world’s largest cast iron statue, which was built for the 1904 World’s Fair.

BATTER UP
A visit to Rickwood Field, America’s oldest baseball park, is a must. Take a self-guided tour to learn about the home of the famed Black Barons (known as “the jewel of Southern Black baseball” in the mid-1900s) and pick up a Billy Reid–designed keepsake at the gift shop.

OUTDOORS LOVER

Via redmountainpark.org

TAKE A HIKE
Birmingham is replete with trails: 129 in the Red Rock Trail System alone. See one of the best at Red Mountain Park, a 1,500-acre urban park with 16 miles of paths winding through the site of a former iron ore mining operation.

ZOOM
The mountain-biking offerings at Oak Mountain State Park include 30-plus miles of trails for riders of all experience levels. Rent a bike from Cahaba Cycles and refuel at Creekside BBQ, both located just outside the park.

BLOOM
Situated on 67 lush acres, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens boasts more than two dozen themed garden spaces, including the charming fern glade. Bonus: It’s free and open 365 days a year.

Courtesy Marriott International, Inc.

STAY
Sleep surrounded by floral-chic decor at the luxe Grand Bohemian Mountain Brook, just a stone’s throw away from the Birmingham Zoo, botanical gardens, and open-air boutique shopping. The onsite art gallery and outdoor pool offer reasons to stay close.

SPLASH DOWN
One of the most biologically diverse waterways in North America, the Cahaba River winds its way through central Alabama. The Cahaba Blueway water trail highlights this gem with canoe, kayak, and tubing access points along 191 miles of riverway.

FOODIES

Courtesy Chez Fonfon

INDULGE
The gold standard for Birmingham dining has always been Chef Frank Stitt’s restaurants. Score a reservation at his Chez Fonfon and nosh on favorites such as steak tartare, moules frites, and Hamburger Fonfon. Save room for the signature coconut pecan cake.

Courtesy Current Charcoal Grill

BE DAZZLED
Local ingredients get an Asian twist at Current Charcoal Grill, helmed by chefs Adam Evans and Luke Joseph. Find a table at the Railroad Park–adjacent eatery and pick from showstoppers such as crispy pork buns, local mushroom clay pot, and coal-roasted snapper.

Photo by Art Meripol

SHUCK
At the newly opened Bayonet, it’s all about local seafood. The sustainably sourced menu features more than a dozen varieties of oysters from Alabama’s Gulf coast as well as scallop crudo, ceviche, caviar, and mussels.

GET FRESH
The Saturday Pepper Place Market has been connecting farmers with customers for 25 years. Pick up juicy Sand Mountain tomatoes and Clanton peaches, and while you’re in the neighborhood, grab coffee at Little Professor book shop and a pastry from Hinkel’s Bakery.

Courtesy Bar Adios

TOAST
Find a seat at Bar Adiõs, and prepare to be wowed by mezcal- and tequila-based cocktails handcrafted by James Beard Award–nominated mixologist José Medina Camacho and his partner Jesús Méndez.

This article appears in the Summer 2025 issue of Southbound.

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