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

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theJeff

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3 years ago 03/10/2016 10:54am CST
re: rojo

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1. If you have kids: McWane science center
2. Don't stay at a hotel near the Crossplex!
3. If you are a golfer, Ross Bridge is as nice as anything you have played, and open to the public
4. Run (or bring your bike) at Oak Mountain State Park
5. Eat at IZ

I have some buddies/relatives that live there who were good college runners. Let me know if you wanna hook up with them for some runs (or mtb; they are more into that these days).
Precious Roy

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3 years ago 03/10/2016 11:10am CST
re: thejeff

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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.
jjjjj

3 years ago 03/10/2016 11:47am CST
re: rojo

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has to be bbq.
BlastedMaster

3 years ago 03/10/2016 12:13pm CST
re: rojo

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

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3 years ago 03/10/2016 12:25pm CST
re: BlastedMaster

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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.
man to woman

3 years ago 03/10/2016 12:29pm CST
re: Precious Roy

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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.

Roy, were you back at your old cross-dressing ways again in Birmingham.

Thought that was you dressed like a pansy in the flower bed talking bout the revolution.

br0ski

3 years ago 03/10/2016 2:58pm CST
re: rojo

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

3 years ago 03/10/2016 4:09pm CST
re: rojo

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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...
dfbsdb

3 years ago 03/10/2016 4:17pm CST
re: rojo

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Ban ventolin and Georgey...

This is the short version.

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

cofounder

3 years ago 03/10/2016 5:38pm CST
re: dfbsdb

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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.
optional

3 years ago 03/10/2016 5:52pm CST
re: rojo

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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.
Trustafari Brothers

3 years ago 03/10/2016 6:00pm CST
re: rojo

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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.

Just when we thought rojo couldn't become any more imbecilic, he returns to Birmingham. His his "no nothing" brain and memory are shot. Instead of reading a book, he's going to the Soult Kitchen.

annak

3 years ago 03/10/2016 6:04pm CST
re: rojo

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

3 years ago 03/10/2016 7:16pm CST
re: annak

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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
lub

3 years ago 03/10/2016 7:20pm CST
re: rojo

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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.

Saw's is a solid choice also. Great Q, 3 locations - Saw's BBQ, Saw's Juke Joint, and Saw's Soul Kitchen. Same great food at all 3, the Pork and Greens will set you free.
ham delight

3 years ago 03/10/2016 9:09pm CST
re: lub

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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.
ham delight

3 years ago 03/10/2016 9:15pm CST
re: ham delight

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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.
Bham guy

3 years ago 03/10/2016 9:27pm CST
re: ham delight

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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.
Angryjohnny

3 years ago 03/10/2016 9:29pm CST
re: ham delight

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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.
here are 5

3 years ago 03/10/2016 10:17pm CST
re: rojo

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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.