Become Enchanted With The Magic City

Main Street Alabama and Sweet Home Alabama are incredibly excited to co-host the 2024 Main Street Now Conference alongside Main Street America in Birmingham, Alabama, from May 6 – 8. Get to know our state, host city, and Main Street communities through this final article of the conference blog series! As you build out your personal agenda in the mobile app, make sure to also make time to explore our amazing host city. 

Pre-registration is closed. Onsite registration is available on a first come, first served basis beginning Sunday, May 5. Check out the conference website and follow the conference’s Facebook and Twitter accounts for the latest updates.

Main Street Alabama is thrilled to welcome Main Streeters to Birmingham for Main Street Now 2024. We want you to have a great experience in The Magic City, so we have pulled together this roundup of some local favorites for you to explore between conference sessions, activities, and celebrations.

Steps Away from the Conference 

Looking for a break from the conference venue? Located just outside the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC), City Walk BHAM is a vibrant area spanning eight blocks under the interstate. This hub of placemaking amenities features pickleball courts, a dog park, a skate park, food trucks, walkways, and various social spaces. 

After you’ve explored City Walk BHAM, make sure to visit the nearby Birmingham Museum of Art. Take a stroll in the sculpture garden and explore galleries brimming with artifacts and works of art from their permanent collection. If you’re a Disney enthusiast, you won’t want to miss the special exhibit, Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume. Or take a walk along the Downtown Mural Trail, and duck into nearby eateries and shops along the way. 

Nearby and throughout downtown, you’ll find a plethora of restaurants and bars to satisfy your taste buds. For dining, our favorites are El Barrio, Bocca, and Helen. As far as bars go, we highly recommend Adiõs and House of Found Objects. Check out June Coffee, Frothy Monkey, or Last Call Baking for delicious coffee, tea, and pastry specialties. 

Historical Legacies

The Civil Rights District is also a short walk from the BJCC. This national park monument district features landmarks including the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Kelly Ingram Park, A.G. Gaston Motel, and the 16^th Street Baptist Church. Are you a music lover? Visit the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame located in the Carver Theatre. Make sure to also check out the Eddie Kendrick Memorial Park, which honors the Temptations lead singer and Birmingham native. Other must-visit places while in the district include Green Acres for delicious Southern Soul Food; Fly‑V for the latest urban wear fashion; and Ferrill African Wear for vibrant clothing, accessories, and a celebration of African culture. 

Parkside District

Explore further! Scoot, bike, or take a walk to the Parkside District, home of Railroad Park. Once a blighted area, this park has been transformed into a verdant, multi-use space that provides venues for people to gather, and is a significant factor in the rejuvenation of the neighborhood. Just east of Railroad Park is Rotary Trail, a beautifully landscaped, four-block trail that was built on a vacant railroad right-of-way. Since its completion in 2015, the trail has become a popular destination for walkers, runners, and cyclists, as well as a catalyst for significant growth in the area. 

While in the area, you can’t miss Regions Field, home to the Birmingham Barons, and the Birmingham Negro Southern League Museum. The minor league featured many baseball legends, including five Hall of Fame members: Willie Mays, Leroy ​“Satchel” Paige, Hilton Smith, Norman ​“Turkey” Stearnes, and George ​“Mule Suttles.” Along the way, stop at the Alabama Peanut Company on Morris Avenue. If you haven’t tried boiled peanuts before, this is your opportunity. It doesn’t get much more Southern than that! 

Avondale

At the other end of the Rotary Trail is Avondale, a hub for nightlife, music, and groovy businesses. Avondale Brewing Company, Saturn, and Ferus on 41^st are all known for hosting live music. Be sure to check their websites to see who will be performing during the week. Other businesses to check out are Seasick Records, a popular spot for new and used records; Sojourns, a shop with unique items by fair trade artisans and Gatos and Beans, Alabama’s first cat café and 2^nd place winner in REV Birmingham’s pitch competition (Note to cat lovers: the café is only open on Sunday and Monday during the conference, and reservations are encouraged.) You can also check out another pitch winner, Elysian Gardens, where you can enjoy cocktails, food, and sculptures from local artists.

Woodlawn

A quick drive away from the BJCC is the Woodlawn district. This community rose to national prominence during the desegregation of schools when a local football coach was determined to unite, not divide, the community. It is no wonder that equitable entrepreneurship is at the heart of REV Birmingham and Woodlawn United’s economic vitality strategies in the neighborhood. Visit Naughty but Nice Kettle Corn, voted as one of Birmingham’s favorite Black-owned businesses; The Wood, a vintage skate shop; Slutty Vegan for awesome plant-based fare; and the Woodlawn Market Place, featuring market vendors in their own brick-and-mortar locations. Make sure to soak up the arts by visiting the historic Woodlawn Theatre and ​“The Way,” a mural-lined alleyway that runs behind the theater. 

Lakeview

If you’re in town on Saturday, we recommend The Market at Pepper Place in the Lakeview District. The outdoor market is widely popular and is open from 7 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Pick up goodies for the week and souvenirs to bring home. Then, pop into Pepper Place for a unique shopping and dining experience in this former Dr. Pepper bottling plant. You might also enjoy Hop City, featuring 66 taps, ciders, seltzers, mead, wine, and non-alcoholic libations. A few blocks away, there’s Automatic Seafood, Mayawell tequila bar, and Hi-Wire Brewing.

Other Attractions

For a fantastic view of the city, and to learn more about The Magic City’s industrial history, you should visit the Vulcan Park & Museum, which is filled with outdoor information stations and museum exhibits that cover the early history of Birmingham. Check out the observation tower to see the 56-foot-tall cast iron statue up close and breathtaking views of downtown Birmingham and beyond. 

For thrill seekers and lovers of fast cars, plan a trip to Barber Vintage Motorsport Museum. The museum has the largest private motorcycle collection in the world and a showcase for some of the rarest race cars ever built! 

If nature is more your scene, check out Ruffner Mountain, Red Mountain Park, and the Birmingham Botanical Gardens in Mountain Brook. Be sure to stop by the Wellness Station (located near the registration desk at the BJCC) before your outing for complimentary sunscreen and bug spray. 

Finally, if you have time before your flight home, visit the Southern Museum of Flight located near the airport. It is a great place to experience the rich and exciting history of aviation and aircraft. 

This is just a fraction of all the incredible sights and experiences that Birmingham offers. For more information and tailored recommendations, we encourage you to visit Birmingham Tourism’s booth at the Main Street Expo and the Downtown BHM website to customize your itinerary and get the most out of your stay in The Magic City. 

See y’all in the HAM!