Birmingham is composed of many neighborhoods and outlying areas, several of which are separate cities with their own governments and school systems. The main geographical feature of Birmingham is Red Mountain, whose iron, coal, and limestone deposits were the city’s original sources of wealth and its reasons for being. Many spectacular views of the city can be enjoyed from Vulcan Park at the top of Red Mountain.
Downtown
Birmingham was formed at the downtown intersection of two railroads in 1871 downtown, making this area a logical starting point for an overview of the city. Because of the Great Depression and its devastating effects on the local economy, no significant structures were built downtown between the 1920s and the 1960s. The 1970s saw a renaissance of the architectural and engineering trades in Birmingham, the results of which are many impressive and architecturally engaging high-rise buildings in the downtown area, not to mention the establishment of Birmingham as an engineering center for the region.
However, even though the new buildings are impressive, there are many beautiful examples of early 20th-century architecture remaining from Birmingham’s heyday. One of the most impressive is the Alabama Theatre, which was refurbished to its original opulence in 1998 and is now home to concerts, Broadway shows, and the annual fall Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival. Nearby attractions (all within walking distance) include the Carver Theatre (home of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame) and the McWane Science Center, including an IMAX movie theater. Also within walking distance are Lynn Park (home of the historic Tutwiler Hotel), the Birmingham Museum of Art and the annual music festival, City Stages.
Downtown Birmingham was the site of some of the most important and tragic events of the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Places of significance such as Kelly Ingram Park are marked by historical markers, and the whole story of Birmingham’s role in those turbulent times is told at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, one of the most important museums of its kind in the country.
Southside
As you head south from downtown, the first significant change begins at about Sixth Avenue South, which is where the campus of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) begins. UAB has one of the most impressive and famous medical centers in the country and regularly attracts some of the world’s most renowned surgeons, educators and researchers (as well as some of the world’s most famous patients). Locally, though, the Southside is known as the destination for entertainment, nightlife and fine dining.
At the intersection of 20th Street, 11th Avenue South and Magnolia Avenue is Five Points South, the epicenter of the Southside and home to many of the most exciting nightclubs, finest restaurants and hippest retail boutiques in Birmingham. Restaurants such as Highlands Bar and Grill, Cosmos Pizza and the Original Pancake House are all within walking distance, as are several excellent bars and nightclubs, including The Mill, Five Points Music Hall and The Studio. This area is also home to many small locally owned shops and boutiques that cater to a generally young Bohemian clientele.
Intersecting 20th Street one block south of Five Points, scenic Highland Avenue winds through a part of town that was once the city’s first suburb, passing three beautiful parks and leading to historic Highland Park Golf Course.
Forest Park
Just east of Highland Park Golf Course, the neighborhood of Forest Park stretches along Clairmont Avenue and hosts a small enclave of shops and restaurants such as Silvertron Cafe and Forest Park Deli. Just west of the Highland Park Golf Course on 29th Street South, the Lakeview Historic District is home to several fine restaurants, including Bombay Cafe and Sol Y Luna, as well as several informal establishments such as O.T.’s Neighborhood Sports Grill and Jim ‘n Nick’s Barbecue.
Ensley
To the west of downtown and the Southside is the community of Ensley. This is an old working-class neighborhood that is noted for music, sports and education. Ensley is the area of town that boasts Legion Field and Rickwood Field. The latter is the oldest standing baseball stadium in the United States and was home to the Birmingham Barons baseball team from 1910-1980. It is perhaps fitting that the home of Rickwood Field is also the birthplace and childhood home of the great Willie Mays. Ensley is also famous historically as the home of Miles College and of Carver High School, whose music department was the training ground for such jazz luminaries as Erskine Hawkins and Sun Ra.
Homewood
Starting at the top of Red Mountain and going down its southern slope is the community of Homewood. This was Birmingham’s first “over the mountain” community and is largely residential. Homewood, however, has some of the Birmingham area’s finest restaurants and shops. People drive from all directions to eat at such restaurants as De Vinci’s Pizza and Nabeel’s Café and Taverna.
Mountain Brook
This is the most exclusive neighborhood in Birmingham and is considered the most affluent neighborhood in the state of Alabama. That doesn’t stop it from having an undeniable charm, though. Mountain Brook is home to such fine restaurants as La Paz and Arman’s at Parklane.
Hoover
Another of Birmingham’s outlying “bedroom” communities is Hoover. Though largely residential, Hoover is also notable for the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium (aka “The Hoover Met,” the new home of the Birmingham Barons baseball team) and for Birmingham’s most popular shopping mall, Riverchase Galleria.
Bessemer
The home of the great Bessemer blast furnaces, Bessemer fell on hard times when the influence of the steel industry waned. Lately, though, Bessemer has made a comeback, largely due to the presence of the family theme park VisionLand. Old Bessemer has its attractions too, though. People have been coming here since 1907 from all points in Birmingham to have dinner at the Bright Star restaurant.
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