Birmingham, AL- things to do and places to see during COVID-19 and beyond!
Hello my sweet travel community! I hope you have been looking after yourselves and others during this time of crisis. Although there have been many negatives to this pandemic, one of the upsides is that I’ve been forced to find comfort and adventure in the stillness.
THERE! —I said it— I have learned to enjoy being static. Although I love scanning my boarding pass and cozying into a window seat more than just about anything, I have found unexpected joy in being stationary during these past 6 months.
My pandemic experience started out in Brooklyn, and after a month of isolation and uncertainty, I packed up drove 15 hours to stay with my family Birmingham. Now, let me preface this: Birmingham is the city I was born and raised in. It’s also a city that has pivoted a shocking 180° since I moved away to college. Thankfully, weekend trips to Birmingham were abundant while I worked towards my degree, and after moving to New York post-graduation, my fateful hometown returns often landed me in bars, restaurants, etc. in throes of downtown. Needless to say: exploring Downtown Birmingham quickly became a favorite pastime of mine. And after spending some time with family here this summer, even amid the pandemic, I can confirm it’s a swanky town to call (a temporary) home.
So if you’re in Birmingham and looking for things to do while you practice social distancing — outdoor dining, drink spots, and things to do— I’ve done the heavy lifting for you. Check out my top recommendations, as well as notes on each to help you make the most informed choices while we work to keep ourselves and others safe during COVID-19
OUTDOOR DINING- MY TOP PICKS.
BEST OUTDOOR DINING: Automatic Seafood and Oysters
Y’all. Holy heck. I don’t even know where to begin. I treated a friend to a celebratory moving-away dinner here, and I was simply blown away. The menu accommodates seafood lovers, seafood haters, and vegetarians alike. Plus, the outdoor dining is as picture perfect as it comes. Pull out your phone for a few instagram worthy snaps before diving into the delicious food.
Dining: Outdoor and covered outdoor
COVID PRECAUTIONS: outdoor dining only, socially distant tables, servers wearing masks, reservations recommended, single-use menus
Honorable Mention: Roots and Revelry
Why you should go: 3 words: Brunch, brunch, brunch. $20 bottle of champagne mimosas. Outdoor 2nd floor patio dining. Amazing service. Need I say more?
Dining: outdoor and indoor
COVID PRECAUTIONS: outdoor dining, socially distant tables, servers wearing masks, reservations recommended
Honorable Mention: McFly’s Wing Shop
Why you should go: The trifecta: fast, affordable, and delicious! Plus, if you’re a vegetarian like me, you’ll appreciate the vegan wings. The outdoor courtyard is charming in a laid-back way, and the best part of all: it’s connected to 90’s themed bar, Unplugged, which has some of the best beer and cocktail deals around.
Dining: outdoor and indoor
COVID PRECAUTIONS: outdoor dining, socially distant tables, chefs wearing masks, counter service
Honorable Mention: Continental Bakery
Why you should go: Whether you’ve picked up an affinity for baking during the pandemic or not, everyone will appreciate the fresh baked breads and pastries at Continental Bakery. If you stop by during lunchtime, be sure to order a sandwich on the bakery’s delicious home-baked bread. The dreamy outdoor dining nestled in the English Village is simply unmatched.
Dining: outdoor only
COVID PRECAUTIONS: Option to do contactless Window iPad ordering. When ordering inside, there’s 6ft social distancing and a max customer capacity. No indoor seating!
OUTDOOR DRINKING- MY TOP PICKS.
BEST OUTDOOR DRINKS: Ghost Train Brewery
I spent far too long picking my #1 spot, which is at least partially due to the fact that I spent far too much time drinking in Birmingham. Ghost Train landed at the top of my list for a few reasons: their covered outdoor dining, their live music, their frequent food trucks, and best of all- their fantastic $4 blonde beer. And for your friends who claim they hate beer: their in-house spiked seltzer and fully stocked bar are sure to please!
Drinking: outdoor, covered outdoor and indoor
COVID PRECAUTIONS: outdoor/covered outdoor dining, servers wearing masks, plastic cups, growlers of beer to-go, outdoor bar
Honorable Mention: Carrigan’s Beer Garden
Why you should go: I’m tempted to say Carrigan’s Beer Garden has the best outdoor patio in all of Birmingham. Step outside and you too will find yourself forgetting that you’re drinking in Birmingham’ metropolitan area. A spectacular beer menu and bar set this locale apart from the rest.
Dining: outdoor, covered outdoor and indoor
COVID PRECAUTIONS: outdoor dining, socially distant tables, bartenders wearing masks, contactless ordering on iPads, digital menus
Honorable Mention: Mayawell
Why you should go: Tequila lovers rejoice. Mayawell is truly the end-all-be all for those who swear by tequilla and mezcal cocktails (but don’t worry- there’s beer and wine options to please everyone!). Best of all, a food truck sits outside for when a little snack craving hits!
Dining: outdoor and covered outdoor
COVID PRECAUTIONS: outdoor dining only, socially distant tables, bartenders wearing masks, digital menus
Honorable Mention: Back Forty
Why you should go: If you are the “let’s sit outside!” friend, Back Forty will not disappoint. Tables stretch as far as the eye can see on the front lawn, and string lights add a certain ambiance once dusk hits.
Dining: outdoor and indoor
COVID PRECAUTIONS: socially distant tables, bartenders wearing masks, single-use cups
OUTDOOR ACTIVITiES- MY TOP PICKS.
BEST OUTDOOR ACTIVITY: Grand River Drive-In Movie
The certifiable safest way to socialize and enjoy a movie- you’re welcome. We met friends at the drive in theatre, parked next to each other, set up blankets and chairs between our two cars, and turned our car radios up to create a makeshift surround sound getup. Concessions and bathrooms are onsite.
COVID PRECAUTIONS: drive your car into the theatre lot with the option to stay completely inside your vehicle. If you sit outside your vehicle, there’s every-other-spot parking rules to maintain social distancing.
Pro tip: Buy tickets ahead of time to secure your spot!
Honorable Mention: Vulcan Trail
Why you should go: Considering the number of times I have driven past the Vulcan Trail, it’s a crime that I haven’t visited sooner. About 1 mile from one end to the other, the trail offers stunning glimpses into downtown Birmingham, the WBRC sign and relics from a mining era past. If walking is not your speed (no pun intended), bikes are welcome amid this lush green pathway.
Pro Tip: the parking lot closes at 7 pm sharp. You can exit the lot after 7, but you will not be able to enter.
Honorable Mention: Sunset views from a Downtown Parking Deck
Why you should go: Picture this: you pick up dinner to go. It’s 7:00 pm and the sun is about to set. You drive up to the tip-top of a downtown parking deck, shift your car’s gears into park, turn up the music, and enjoy dinner overlooking the city as the sun sets. This is it- it’s Birmingham nirvana.
Pro Tip: the BBVA parking deck is a personal favorite, though you may have to park on the street and catch an elevator up.
Honorable Mention: Lake Days at Oak Mountain State Park
Why you should go: truly the closest alternative to a beach day in Birmingham, there’s nothing more relaxing than sunbathing and swimming at Oak Mountain. If you’re keen on grilling out or picnicking, tables and gills are abundant! Be sure to bring chairs and towels if you plan to lounge in the sun or take a dip!
Pro Tip: Head to the lake at the back entrance. Not only is it less crowded, but Flip Side rents out paddle boards, canoes, kayaks and water boarding equipment to make your lake day complete!
Well there ya have it- my top picks for safe and fun things to do around Birmingham during the pandemic! These activities have been vetted by yours truly… some more times than I’d like to admit. Let me know if you think I missed anything on my round-up!
As for me- well, I’m slowly but surely packing up my Birmingham life. I’ll be driving up to New York next week, but not before making a quick pit stop to see my grandparents. Once I get back to Brooklyn, I’ll start compiling activities for a similar New York-geared post.
Take care of each other. Until the next adventure!
Syd
[Full disclosure: my criteria to venture out to restaurants and bars hinged on a couple of safety precautions. Rest assured, everything listed here was vetted by yours truly- some places more than once (oops)- and all with very stringent safety requirements:
1. Is there outdoor seating?
2. Are servers and patrons/individuals wearing masks?
3. Is social distancing being upheld?
Bonus points were awarded to businesses that took extra measures to ensure my safety and the safety of customers.]
