Explore Downtown Birmingham

Uptown, Birmingham’s first entertainment district, is a bustling urban area known for its entertainment, dining and shopping options. Located just north of the city center, it features modern architecture, green spaces and attractions like City Walk and the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. The district is intentionally well-planned and managed to ensure a visitor-friendly experience that can support multiple major events and attractions going on at the same time.

What’s in Uptown?

• Legacy Arena
• Protective Stadium
• The Alabama Sports Hall of Fame

Birmingham is nationally recognized for its significant role in the Civil Rights movement. Today, the city has several memorials and one of the country’s leading civil rights museums. Exploring this district offers a thought-provoking experience for those interested in this pivotal chapter of American history, while also providing a glimpse into the evolution of the city’s culture. Visitors can enjoy soul food and BBQ at 4th Avenue North eateries and immerse themselves in the city’s jazz heritage at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame (found at the historic Carver Theatre).

What’s in the Civil Rights District?

• Kelly Ingram Park
• A.G. Gaston Motel
• 16th Street Baptist Church
• Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

Railroad tracks used to crisscross the historic 14th Street Switchyard. Many of the structures still curve to frame where rails once were. Now, this area known as “The Switch,” is an emerging district fueling a growing innovation-based ecosystem in Birmingham. Big, creative ideas of all kinds are a cornerstone of the district, anchored by tech hub Innovation Depot. The Switch is where visionaries, trailblazers, movers and shakers find community and inspiration.

What’s in The Switch?

• NEXTEC
• Pack Health
• Eleven Productions
• So So Spiffy Home Staging and Design

This district is likely what you picture when you hear the phrase “Downtown Birmingham.” A delightful fusion of old and new, it features well-preserved historic buildings alongside modern developments that create a dazzling combination of silhouettes along the city’s skyline. With a diverse array of restaurants, cafes and shops, visitors and residents can enjoy a dynamic culinary and retail scene in the Historic City Center. This district is also home to some of Birmingham’s most iconic landmarks and attractions – Alabama Theatre, Linn Park, McWane Science Center, Morris Avenue and more – offering unforgettable experiences that truly embody the spirit of this charming southern city.

What’s in the Historic City Center?

• 20th Street North
• The Pizitz Food Hall
• Heaviest Corner on Earth
• Birmingham Museum of Art

The Parkside district has undergone a remarkable transformation, largely due to the development of Railroad Park, a 19-acre urban oasis, and Regions Field, home of the Birmingham Barons. While downtown is lively throughout, Parkside stands out for its warm, community-oriented atmosphere. Downtown residents have a palpable presence in the district, often taking advantage of the park’s trails and scenic views — along with their furry friends! (Did you know Birmingham is one of the most dog-friendly cities in the country? Check it out!) That residential influence combined with the presence of hotels and other amenities has brought a one-of-a-kind vitality to the district.

What’s in Parkside?

• Red Mountain Theatre
• Good People Brewing Co.
• Negro Southern League Museum

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) has a storied history, dating back to 1859 with the founding of the Medical College of Alabama. Over time, the institution evolved, and in 1945, the University established its Medical Center in Birmingham. Today, UAB continues to shape the city’s dynamic landscape with its legacy of education and innovation – not to mention contributing significantly to downtown’s population, with a notable percentage of residents being UAB students!

What’s in UAB?

• UAB Green
• Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts
• Alys Robinson Stephens Performing Arts Center

Historically, Southside was the home of Birmingham’s automotive district with numerous early 20th century car dealerships, service centers and suppliers dotting its footprint. Today, the district has evolved into a modern hub for everyday essentials – from UAB healthcare to downtown’s largest grocer to accessible national chains like GreatClips, Chipotle and more. Just a few blocks away, The Battery houses some delicious local eats and even a brewery. After an evening of bites and brews, it’s not uncommon for Southside visitors to enjoy a stroll down Rotary Trail, a pedestrian greenway in the center of 1st Avenue South between 20th and 24th Street.

What’s in Southside?

• Publix
• The Painted Lady Hotel
• Birmingham District Brewing Co.

Named for the past presence of an artificial lake, Lakeview boasts a diverse collection of businesses, ranging from trendy restaurants and dive bars to distinguished galleries and home design retailers. Whether you’re looking to sing your heart out at karaoke, shop local art and vintage furniture, or explore the Market at Pepper Place on a Saturday morning, Lakeview has a little bit of everything for anyone to enjoy! Another feather in this district’s cap? In 1893, it was the site of the first Iron Bowl (a highly anticipated football match between rivals University of Alabama and Auburn University) at what was then Lakeview Park and is now PNC Brock Service Center.

What’s in Lakeview?

• Pepper Place
• Ballard Designs
• Sloss Furnaces
• Back Forty Brewing Co.

This signature mixed-use neighborhood is a true melting pot and one of the oldest, yet liveliest, districts in Downtown Birmingham with a successful entertainment district at its core. It has million-dollar homes and student housing; martini bars and brew pubs; late night music clubs and Sunday morning church choirs. The area is a popular living, shopping and recreational community, particularly influenced by its award-winning James Beard restaurants and historically significant architecture. If you want to take in the true spirit of Five Points, though, we recommend attending the district’s iconic Saint Patrick’s Day Parade – celebrated since 1984!

What’s in Five Points?

• Fine dining
• Storyteller Fountain
• Highlands United Methodist Church