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What to do in Birmingham AL?
- Thread starter JPSmit
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You HAVE to go to the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
in East Birmingham.Everyone I've talked to who's been there raves
about it.Huge Lotus collection there too.Barber Museum
in East Birmingham.Everyone I've talked to who's been there raves
about it.Huge Lotus collection there too.Barber Museum
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Since Ollie's Barbeque is permanently closed, I can't think of anything.
Bob
Bob
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Looks like some pretty interesting things in Birmingham, Bessemer, and other Alabama spots, including alligators -
www.planetware.com
Maybe do some exploring before you head to New Orleans for coffee and beignets at Cafe' du Monde.
Who could resist?
The USA's 15 Most Iconic Attractions And Destinations Worth Visiting At Least Once - PlanetWare
From coast to coast, these extraordinary landmarks, world-famous natural wonders, and preserved historical sites capture America's most iconic treasures.
www.planetware.com
Maybe do some exploring before you head to New Orleans for coffee and beignets at Cafe' du Monde.
Welcome to Cafe Du Monde New Orleans | French Market Coffee Stand
Cafe du Monde French Market Coffee Stand in New Orleans is the legendary home of the classic Coffee and Beignets. Try a Cafe au Lait today.
shop.cafedumonde.com
Who could resist?
I go to the Barber at least once a year and can easily spend 4-5 hours there. Come to think of it, we will be passing by there tomorrow, might have to stop in. Also at little further east is the Nascar museum at Talladega.
OP
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I saw that - yikes! thanks for letting me know about the museum
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I know of a pastor that visited the jail and wrote a letter. You could try that.
OP
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Those shoes are bigger than I could ever imagine.
jfarris
Jedi Trainee
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JP, when will you be in B’ham?
Staying downtown in the Westin?
People have already mentioned some good stuff.
Locals will refer to the Southside district as "on the Southside," not in southside.
Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum for sure, over 1,300 motorcycles on display with another 1,000+ in storage, maybe the largest collection of Lotus race cars in the world, John Surtees motorcycle and car that he drove to world championships, and on and on. If you go during the week and the Porsche Track Experience is on the track, walk out on the bridges, two of them, and get a look at the track, the Augusta National of US racetracks. The 24 Hrs of Lemons race is Feb 4-5.
International Motorsports Hall of Fame next to the Talladega Speedway has more than just NASCAR, but that is its main focus, 40 minutes up I-20 from Barber.
Mustang Museum of America in Odenville, 25 min east of Barber off I-20, a little local flavor.
Vulcan Statue on Red Mountain will give you a great view of the city and its early links to coal, iron ore, and steel.
Bucees gas station and convenience store at I-20 exit 140 where you get off to go to Barber. If you've never been to one, stop for cheap gas and a brisket taquito.
Golf at Ross Bridge Resort just off I-459 towards Tuscaloosa. Top Golf in the Uptown District is pretty cool, next to the Westin downtown.
Best coffee shop, Seeds Coffee on Oxmoor Rd in Homewood, just off I-65 south. Disclaimer, I was the chief roaster there from 2012-2017.
Best Restaurants in town, owned by Frank Stitt, multiple time James Beard award winner - Highlands Bar and Grill (still closed due to covid) and Chez Fon Fon Cafe next door to Highlands in 5 Points South or Bottega Restaurant and cafe less than a half mile further up the hill. Another James Beard winner is Chris Hastings Hot and Hot Fish Club in Pepper Place in North Lakeview District.
Best Mediterranean – Pita Stop on the Southside or in Cahaba Heights, not fancy just good food, a good lunch place.
Where I would go for BBQ, Dreamland on the Southside, Rodney Scott's in Avondale (NC style with vinegar-based sauce), or any of the Full Moon locations. I am not a big fan of Jim n Nicks.
Craft Beer – Good People, Trim Tab, Ghost Train, and Cahaba on the Southside, Back Forty next to Sloss Furnace, Avondale in Avondale, 15 craft breweries in B’ham.
That should keep you busy – have fun. We could possibly meet up, but my wife and I will leave on Sunday for two weeks in Israel.
Staying downtown in the Westin?
People have already mentioned some good stuff.
Locals will refer to the Southside district as "on the Southside," not in southside.
Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum for sure, over 1,300 motorcycles on display with another 1,000+ in storage, maybe the largest collection of Lotus race cars in the world, John Surtees motorcycle and car that he drove to world championships, and on and on. If you go during the week and the Porsche Track Experience is on the track, walk out on the bridges, two of them, and get a look at the track, the Augusta National of US racetracks. The 24 Hrs of Lemons race is Feb 4-5.
International Motorsports Hall of Fame next to the Talladega Speedway has more than just NASCAR, but that is its main focus, 40 minutes up I-20 from Barber.
Mustang Museum of America in Odenville, 25 min east of Barber off I-20, a little local flavor.
Vulcan Statue on Red Mountain will give you a great view of the city and its early links to coal, iron ore, and steel.
Bucees gas station and convenience store at I-20 exit 140 where you get off to go to Barber. If you've never been to one, stop for cheap gas and a brisket taquito.
Golf at Ross Bridge Resort just off I-459 towards Tuscaloosa. Top Golf in the Uptown District is pretty cool, next to the Westin downtown.
Best coffee shop, Seeds Coffee on Oxmoor Rd in Homewood, just off I-65 south. Disclaimer, I was the chief roaster there from 2012-2017.
Best Restaurants in town, owned by Frank Stitt, multiple time James Beard award winner - Highlands Bar and Grill (still closed due to covid) and Chez Fon Fon Cafe next door to Highlands in 5 Points South or Bottega Restaurant and cafe less than a half mile further up the hill. Another James Beard winner is Chris Hastings Hot and Hot Fish Club in Pepper Place in North Lakeview District.
Best Mediterranean – Pita Stop on the Southside or in Cahaba Heights, not fancy just good food, a good lunch place.
Where I would go for BBQ, Dreamland on the Southside, Rodney Scott's in Avondale (NC style with vinegar-based sauce), or any of the Full Moon locations. I am not a big fan of Jim n Nicks.
Craft Beer – Good People, Trim Tab, Ghost Train, and Cahaba on the Southside, Back Forty next to Sloss Furnace, Avondale in Avondale, 15 craft breweries in B’ham.
That should keep you busy – have fun. We could possibly meet up, but my wife and I will leave on Sunday for two weeks in Israel.
jfarris
Jedi Trainee
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I assume you are flying in, the food channel just picked the top BBQ restaurant in AL, Big Bob Gipsons in Decutur, off I-65 adjacent to Huntsville? Nice place, but they liked their chicken with white sauce the best, how un-Southern!
Duh, Rusty's BBQ in Leeds less than 2 miles from Barber, voted best mom and pop BBQ in AL a couple years ago, I agree.
Have fun in New Orleans, I dated a woman who lived there just out of college in the 70's, so my data points there might not be helpful!
Duh, Rusty's BBQ in Leeds less than 2 miles from Barber, voted best mom and pop BBQ in AL a couple years ago, I agree.
Have fun in New Orleans, I dated a woman who lived there just out of college in the 70's, so my data points there might not be helpful!
OP
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Mmmmmm BBQ. I was just saying to Mrs JP that we would be eating a lot of BBQ in the next few weeks. We are driving so there will be opportunity to try these thing, hurray!
OP
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well we are here and most of my work responsibility finished - so off to find food! About the only interesting thing about the trip down was about half way between Louisville and Here we passed an off ramp with three police cruisers - lights flashing - and about 4 cars. As we drove past we realized that every car had a flat tire - and in the next mile saw at leaast another half dozen cars with flat tires. Not sure what they hit and kind of glad I didn't find out but do wonder if whatever was on the road was accidental or intentional (I hope accidental)
