Name 5 things I HAVE to do while in Birmingham, Alabama for the NCAA Indoor Champs

I have only been to Birmingham for business a couple of times. Not a tourist destination. However, the botanical gardens are pretty amazing. You can just jog around it early when it is empty or go full on old lady and walk the grounds for a couple hours. It has been a warm winter and spring in the south. All the early bloomers are out.

has to be bbq.

1, drive over to ATL and have some real fun.
2. drive to Nashville and have some real fun.

I was there for the marathon last month and thought the Vulcan Park was nice. Good view of city and a little museum for some history which I like. Cheap (maybe $5 - I can't remember) and doesn't take a lot of time.

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Precious Roy wrote:

I have only been to Birmingham for business a couple of times. Not a tourist destination. However, the botanical gardens are pretty amazing. You can just jog around it early when it is empty or go full on old lady and walk the grounds for a couple hours. It has been a warm winter and spring in the south. All the early bloomers are out.

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I would say you have to go to the races. So go to the NCAA Indoor Champs.

When I was there working the DII meet last year I drove down to Oak Mtn State Park to get a run in on the trails. Pretty great place - worth the trek up and over the top to the waterfall.

We stayed at a hotel by the convention center and a shorter run over to loop the path at the Railroad Park and back was worthwhile to get a feel for the urban area...

Normally I search out a greasy spoon diner for breakfast and a local brewery or something for dinner and for the life of me I can't recall doing either when I was there so no help on that front...

Ban ventolin and Georgey...

This is the short version.

And tell them to go and f**k each other.

Someone pointed out to me today that I've actually been to Birmingham before - for the 2004 Olympic Marathon Trials. My memory is shot. I guess I was so nervous for Weldon I'd forgotten that. I have no memories of where we stayed. I just remember enjoying a great beer tent after the race.

So far, so good here.

1) the track facility is spectacular. Very beautiful.

I went to some hot dog hole in the wall for lunch today. Sneaky Pete's Hotdogs. Enjoyed it enough - it's hard to screw up a hot dog after all.

But I really can't wait to go the barbecue play tomorrow. I'm going to Saw's Soult Kitchen tmw. I drove by it today (it's #3 on Tripadvisor) and people were eating on benches outside of the place. Looks amazing.

Great pizza place down there...it's almost in an industrial park district. Can't remember the name, but remember thinking I was going to get robbed at some point. But the pizza and environment inside was amazing.

DO NOT RUN ANYWHERE NEAR THE CROSSPLEX. Probably one of the most dangerous places I've seen.

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rojo wrote:
But I really can't wait to go the barbecue play tomorrow. I'm going to Saw's Soult Kitchen tmw. I drove by it today (it's #3 on Tripadvisor) and people were eating on benches outside of the place. Looks amazing.

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You must have hit that beer tent HARD back in 2004. You seem borderline functionally illiterate.

1) Full Moon BBQ - several locations, everything on the menu is great
2) Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum - Largest collection of Motorcycles in the World (over 750 on display), largest collection of Lotus Racecars in the World
3) Breweries - Avondale, Good People, Trim Tab - all are great local breweries with Tap Rooms
4) Post Office Pies - great pizza in Avondale
5) Highlands or Hot and Hot Fish Club is you are looking for great fine dining experience

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rojo wrote:

Someone pointed out to me today that I've actually been to Birmingham before - for the 2004 Olympic Marathon Trials. My memory is shot. I guess I was so nervous for Weldon I'd forgotten that. I have no memories of where we stayed. I just remember enjoying a great beer tent after the race.

So far, so good here.

1) the track facility is spectacular. Very beautiful.

I went to some hot dog hole in the wall for lunch today. Sneaky Pete's Hotdogs. Enjoyed it enough - it's hard to screw up a hot dog after all.

But I really can't wait to go the barbecue play tomorrow. I'm going to Saw's Soult Kitchen tmw. I drove by it today (it's #3 on Tripadvisor) and people were eating on benches outside of the place. Looks amazing.

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Definitely do Saws Soul Kitchen. If its raining tomorrow, then go to Saws Juke Joint. Its about 10 minutes from the Soul Kitchen and is more of a restaurant setting so you'll be inside. Same food as the Soul Kitchen. It can also get crowded on Fridays at lunch time at the Soul Kitchen, so keep that in mind. Best bbq hands down though. Very smart choice to go there. If you want a good hot dog for lunch, you should have gone to Gus's downtown. But you can't go wrong with a hot dog I guess.

Another great lunch spot is Nikis West. Its a meat and three and will really give you the southern feel.

The actual meet is during dinner times, so you won't be able to check out the other great restaurants mentioned above for dinner. Thats a shame because there are some great places for this size city.

Also agree with previous posters that mentioned Vulcan Park. I'd also recommend that you check out the Civil Rights Museum. Lots of history in Birmingham - its worth seeing.

If you want to find local runners who probably frequent this site, I'd head over the mountain to the Trak Shak in Homewood. I don't work there, but I imagine those guys would love to meet a Johnson.

I'd be happy to give additional suggestions and help you guys out if you need anything.

Forgot to mention that I completely agree that you should get the Pork n Greens at Saws. It is life changing. I'm also a big fan of the wings, so maybe get 5 wings to try as well. If you're with a group, you should strongly consider ordering a bunch of different things and sharing.

Rojo - where are you staying? I've seen some teams are downtown (well really Uptown) and some are out in Hoover.

If you want to get a run in, railroad park is a good place to start. You can run around the park or head off on adjacent streets. For those who aren't familiar with the area, it's a good place to go without worrying about getting lost.

If you have kids, definitely the McWane Center. If you have kids or not, Vulcan is cool and has a spectacular view of the city.

If you are in the mood for steak and on a budget, I highly recommend the steak out in Homewood.

These are all very good suggestions.

I would also include a run on the lakeshore trail. At east end of trail you can run in front of brookwood mall to connect to the Jemison trail. Total trail length is about 5 miles.

Five practical can-do's on a quick trip to town:

1. Vulcan Park. Go to the statue lookout if there is a thunderstorm approaching from the west, spectacular light show.

2a. Full Moon BBQ. Try the original small location near UAB.
2b. Jim 'n Nicks. Homewood location. Start with the cheese biscuits and end with the (coconut is my choice) cream pie.

3. Red Mountain Park. Trail system much closer than Oak Mountain State Park and no admission fee.

4. Iron City. Live music venue with 3 stages and lots of pull handles. Owner is a track geek.

5. Ace Hardware at 5 Points South. A truly unique old store over-stuffed full with lots of useful items you don't know you need. Just a neat place to kill time.