About Birmingham
Birmingham is a city in the north central region of Alabama, United States. It is the third-most populous city in the state, with an estimated population of 196,357 as of 2024. The Birmingham metropolitan area, with over 1.19 million residents, is the largest metropolitan area in Alabama and 47th-most populous in the US. Birmingham serves as a major regional economic, medical, and educational hub of the Deep South, Piedmont, and Appalachian regions. It is the county seat of Jefferson County.
Places to visit in Birmingham
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Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
MuseumA powerful museum tracing the civil rights struggle in Birmingham, with immersive exhibits on segregation and the protests, and the actual jail cell door that held Dr. King.
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16th Street Baptist Church
ReligiousSite of the 1963 Ku Klux Klan bombing that killed four girls, this active church offers tours explaining its central role as a meeting place during the civil rights movement.
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Kelly Ingram Park
ParkA park across from the church that served as a gathering place for civil rights protests, with striking sculptures depicting the police dogs and fire hoses used against young demonstrators.
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Vulcan statue
Viewpoint · 2 mi from centreA giant cast iron statue of the Roman god of the forge atop Red Mountain, with an observation deck giving city views and a museum about Birmingham's iron and steel industry.
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Sloss Furnaces
HistoricA preserved blast furnace complex that tells the story of Birmingham's iron industry and its workers, with free self-guided tours among towering rusted pipes, boilers and industrial structures.
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Birmingham Museum of Art
MuseumA free downtown museum with a broad collection spanning Asian, African, European and American art, a notable Wedgwood ceramics collection and an outdoor sculpture garden.
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Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum
Museum · 11 mi from centreDisplays an enormous collection of motorcycles and racing cars on several open levels, set within a landscaped park and race track on the eastern edge of the city.
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Railroad Park
ParkA downtown green space beside the railway tracks with rolling lawns, ponds, walking paths and skyline views, a pleasant spot to relax or catch trains passing near the city center.
Where to stay in Birmingham
Popular hotels in Birmingham, out of 161 properties you can book.
Holiday Inn Birmingham-Airport By IHG
From $110 per night
Hilton Garden Inn Birmingham Lakeshore Drive
From $124 per night
Hilton Garden Inn Birmingham SE- Liberty Park
From $130 per night
Home2 Suites by Hilton Birmingham Colonnad
From $138 per night
Tutwiler Hotel Birmingham, a DoubleTree by Hilton
From $162 per night
La Quinta Inn & Suites Birmingham Hoover
From $88 per night
Hampton Inn Birmingham/Mountain Brook
From $124 per night
Best Western Plus Bessemer Hotel & Suites
From $110 per night
Hampton Inn Birmingham/Leeds, AL
From $143 per night
Courtyard Birmingham Downtown at UAB
From $232 per night
Redmont Hotel Birmingham, Curio Collection by Hilt
From $183 per night
Best Western Carlton Suites
From $87 per night
Best time to visit Birmingham
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Birmingham is October, when average daytime highs are around 75°F and rain falls on about 4 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Birmingham weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 77° 49° 0%
- Thu 22 Oct 77° 55° 0%
- Fri 23 Oct 78° 55° 0%
- Sat 24 Oct 74° 56° 0%
- Sun 25 Oct 74° 55° 0%
- Mon 26 Oct 76° 56° 0%
Know before you go
- Currency
- United States dollar (USD)
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +1
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/ChicagoUTC−5
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
Upcoming public holidays in United States
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Presidents DayWashington's Birthday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Birmingham
These are the airports closest to central Birmingham. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- BHM Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport5 mi (7 km) from the city centre
Getting around Birmingham
This is by far the easiest and most reliable way to get around town — with the notable exception of rush hour, which can last from 6AM-9AM and 4-6PM. In particular, I-59, I-65, and Highway 280 in and around downtown are to be avoided at these times. Aside from that, though, getting around on four wheels is a breeze, and so is parking, even downtown: metered on-street parking is plentiful and reasonably priced, and usually free in the evening and on weekends.
By bus
Public transit is available in Birmingham and the surrounding area, though it's not what you'd call convenient, especially on weekends or in areas far outside the central core. The Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority runs both the MAX Bus System and the DART Bus Trolley, which operate M-Th from 10AM-10PM, F Sa until midnight and Su until 9PM.
By bike
There's a bike rental system called Veo BikeShare, with bike stations around the city. You can use the bike for 45 minutes a time for a price of $3, if you keep the bike for a longer time, there's an overtime charge of $2 for the first 30 minutes, and $4 for each additional 30 minutes.
On foot
The downtown areas of Birmingham (notably separated by railroad tracks into a "north" and "south" side) are quite compact, so walking is a reasonable way to get from place to place within the central district. However, walking from downtown to further-flung neighborhoods such as Avondale or Woodlawn is not a viable option: aside from the distance and the lack of consistently available sidewalks or other pedestrian infrastructure, depending on the time of year even avid walkers might have to contend with summer temp…
Birmingham travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Birmingham?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Birmingham is October, when average daytime highs are around 75°F and rain falls on about 4 days a month.
What is the weather like in Birmingham?
July is usually the warmest month in Birmingham, with average highs of 90°F (32°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 34°F (1°C). The wettest month is typically February, with about 144 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Birmingham?
Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) is the closest airport, about 5 miles (7 km) from the centre of Birmingham.
What time zone is Birmingham in?
Birmingham uses the America/Chicago time zone (currently UTC−5). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Birmingham?
This is by far the easiest and most reliable way to get around town — with the notable exception of rush hour, which can last from 6AM-9AM and 4-6PM. In particular, I-59, I-65, and Highway 280 in and around downtown are to be avoided at these times.
What are the best places to visit in Birmingham?
Top sights in Birmingham include Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, 16th Street Baptist Church, Kelly Ingram Park and Vulcan statue. A powerful museum tracing the civil rights struggle in Birmingham, with immersive exhibits on segregation and the protests, and the actual jail cell door that held Dr. King.
Where should I stay in Birmingham?
Popular areas for hotels in Birmingham include Airport, Birmingham and Downtown. Well-reviewed options include Holiday Inn Birmingham-Airport By IHG and Hilton Garden Inn Birmingham Lakeshore Drive.
How many hotels can I book in Birmingham?
Destina Holidays currently lists 161 properties in and around Birmingham, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
