Birmingham itinerary: 1 to 2 days
Plans for one and two days in Birmingham, Alabama, day by day: the Alabama Theatre, the 16th Street Baptist Church and the Civil Rights Institute first, then Vulcan Park, the Museum of Art, the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame and the Sports Hall of Fame as you add a day. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 2 days
Birmingham in 1 day
Day 1
Alabama Theatre
Restored 1927 movie palace on 3rd Avenue North with a Mighty Wurlitzer organ, used for film, concerts and tours.
16th Street Baptist Church
Church bombed in 1963 that became a symbol of the civil rights struggle, still holding services and open for visits.
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
Museum facing Kelly Ingram Park telling the story of the civil rights movement in Birmingham and the American South.
Birmingham in 2 days
Day 1
Vulcan Park and Museum
Park on Red Mountain with the 56-foot cast-iron statue of Vulcan, the Roman god of the forge, and views over the city.
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
Museum facing Kelly Ingram Park telling the story of the civil rights movement in Birmingham and the American South.
16th Street Baptist Church
Church bombed in 1963 that became a symbol of the civil rights struggle, still holding services and open for visits.
Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame
Museum in the Carver Theatre honouring Alabama musicians such as Erskine Hawkins and Sun Ra.
Day 2
Birmingham Museum of Art
Free art museum with a large collection from many periods and cultures, including Asian art and Wedgwood pottery.
Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
Museum inside the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex honouring Alabama athletes such as Jesse Owens and Bear Bryant.
Watch: Birmingham
A one-minute look at the plan: every stop, day by day, with the map.
When to go to Birmingham
Spring (March to May) and autumn (October and November) are the most pleasant seasons, with mild days. Summers are hot and humid, with afternoon thunderstorms, and winters are cool and mostly mild. Spring is also the main severe-weather season in Alabama, and the Sidewalk Film Festival takes place downtown each August.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Birmingham on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Birmingham on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Birmingham on GetYourGuide
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for United States from Airalo
- Last day: leave your bags in Birmingham with Radical Storage and keep sightseeing
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Birmingham
- The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute faces the 16th Street Baptist Church and Kelly Ingram Park; allow time for all three together.
- The Alabama Theatre is a 1920s movie palace; check its calendar for films, shows and tour times.
- Many downtown museums are closed on Mondays, and the Civil Rights Institute is closed on Mondays too; check before choosing the day.
- Downtown can be walked in a few hours, but Vulcan Park on Red Mountain is best reached by car or ride service.
- Summers are hot and humid, so plan outdoor sights like Red Mountain and the parks for the morning and museums for the afternoon.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- 16th Street Baptist Church: Photographer not credited in original, Public domain
- Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame: Allenstone, Public domain
- Alabama Sports Hall of Fame: Chris Pruitt, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Alabama Theatre: Chris Pruitt, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Birmingham Civil Rights Institute: Historic American Buildings Survey, Public domain
- Birmingham Museum of Art: Birmingham Museum of Art, CC BY 3.0
- Vulcan Park and Museum: acnatta/Andre Natta profile, CC BY 2.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
