I highly recommend Eugene's hot chicken at 2268 9th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203. It started as a food truck business, but recently acquired a brick and mortar location in uptown. The fried chicken is hands down the best fried chicken I have ever had (trust me, I have eaten all sorts of self-claimed famous friend chicken in the south)!
While it is good to have some positive recognition, why did you completely ignore the Birmingham Miseum of Art? To overlook this cultural jewel of the Magic City is a travesty. I am extremely disappointed.
I attended the University of Alabama in the 80s and have owned property in Birmingham since 2006. After the last election and observations from some friends, I'm renting out my condo for the next four years. While Birmingham is a lovey town to visit I am going to sit the next football seasons out.
Wherever I go in this country, I'm amazed by the graciousness and hospitality of the people. If we ruled out visiting parts of the country that have produced truly despicable politicians, there wouldn't be any place left to go.
People who continue to reelect notorious racists are most likely racists themselves. And many of us are acutely aware that racists are hardly hospitable to everyone.
I lived and grew up in Birmingham, Alabama. All of the make-overs Birmingham is making I consider it to be all in vain. Birmingham has a violent crime environment, especially with homicides,burglaries and home invasions. Several of my friends have been murdered in Birmingham.
The sad part most of the homicides are still unsolved. One of my friends Aubrey Herren who was only 46 y/o was shot and killed in October 2015. He was gunned down after getting off work at a local convenient store. Even though the Bham Police has video of suspects on tape there has been no arrests.
The high crime in Birmingham is fueled by the out of control drug trade in which the Bham Police appears not to have a tactical solution. Until crime is eradicated or reduced the citizens of Bham will continue to live in a war zone while city administrators hide the truth with parks, restaurants, and free bike rides. 36 Hours in Bham is nothing compared to living in a crime ridden city.
The sad part most of the homicides are still unsolved. One of my friends Aubrey Herren who was only 46 y/o was shot and killed in October 2015. He was gunned down after getting off work at a local convenient store. Even though the Bham Police has video of suspects on tape there has been no arrests.
The high crime in Birmingham is fueled by the out of control drug trade in which the Bham Police appears not to have a tactical solution. Until crime is eradicated or reduced the citizens of Bham will continue to live in a war zone while city administrators hide the truth with parks, restaurants, and free bike rides. 36 Hours in Bham is nothing compared to living in a crime ridden city.
Bicycle paths, a farmer's market, and restaurants serving variations on grits may seem like an "electrifying revival" to someone from smaller Southern towns, but to someone who lived there for 19 years and grew up during the height of the White Reign of Terror, the past and present history of black disenfranchisement will forever, and rightfully, overshadow anything about Birmingham.
It seems to that, since as humans we are all fallible and injure those around us (loved and otherwise), sometimes grievously, the thing we want most is the chance at redemption, the chance to be forgiven and to be seen for the fullness of our beauty and horror, not just for our worse actions.
We also want to live our fullest lives, unencumbered by the pains of the past and able to see everyone else for the fullest and complexity of their being, the same way we want to be seen,
I think the same applies to cities, to any place really, complex and beautiful and flawed organism just like us. This place also deserves to be loved for its complexity and to be considered fairly for what it is and not just what it was.
We also want to live our fullest lives, unencumbered by the pains of the past and able to see everyone else for the fullest and complexity of their being, the same way we want to be seen,
I think the same applies to cities, to any place really, complex and beautiful and flawed organism just like us. This place also deserves to be loved for its complexity and to be considered fairly for what it is and not just what it was.
1
"Complex." Given this article and many of the comments, I assume "complex" and "complexity" are new terms for racist? Regardless, no thank you.
Try telling victims of Nazi atrocities that should live "unencumbered by the pains of the past," and see what type of response you get.
Try telling victims of Nazi atrocities that should live "unencumbered by the pains of the past," and see what type of response you get.
1
This seems to be a guide to how to duplicate the High Line/Prospect Park lifestyle in Birmingham. Food trucks! Craft beer! Bike rentals! It's as uniform as any chain/mall experience, without the professionalism.
At least you included Sloss Furnaces. How about Vulcan Park? Too kitschy? The views are spectacular.
At least you included Sloss Furnaces. How about Vulcan Park? Too kitschy? The views are spectacular.
2
It's nice to see the NYT branch out and cover less typical or more regional travel destinations. This particular article seems aimed at Millennial hipster foodies, which is fine, but does not perhaps represent the most likely tourist demographic to visit Birmingham.
One glaring omission, however, is the Birmingham Museum of Art. It arguably has the best, most comprehensive art collection in the Southeast, and as a city-owned museum, it is still free and open to all in an era when many museums are getting more expensive and less accessible.
To respond to another reader's comment, the city's racial past is tortured and terrible indeed, but Birmingham and Alabama are not synonymous. Birmingham did not vote for George Wallace in the 1960s, nor did it vote for Jeff Sessions. I don't think it's a likely place to spend a carefree weekend, but if you want to understand something about the complexity of America in 2017, it's a good place to start.
One glaring omission, however, is the Birmingham Museum of Art. It arguably has the best, most comprehensive art collection in the Southeast, and as a city-owned museum, it is still free and open to all in an era when many museums are getting more expensive and less accessible.
To respond to another reader's comment, the city's racial past is tortured and terrible indeed, but Birmingham and Alabama are not synonymous. Birmingham did not vote for George Wallace in the 1960s, nor did it vote for Jeff Sessions. I don't think it's a likely place to spend a carefree weekend, but if you want to understand something about the complexity of America in 2017, it's a good place to start.
8
Birmingham Museum of Art is wonderful. In particular, for its world class collection of Wedgwood: I went in with little to no appreciation for this, and came out amazed at what that firm had been producing, from its earliest days. Not your grandmother's Wedgwood. Also the Vulcan park (especially for the interesting - and quick to get through - museum on the development of the city/ the steel industry). And the botanical gardens are worth a visit. If the NYT suggestions are not enough to get you on a plane then add in some further stops in the area: hire a car and go down to Montgomery and Selma too (for example).
1
No visit to Birmingham would be complete without a visit to the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum. The building and grounds alone justify the drive -- about half an hour east of downtown on I-20 -- but the real joy is inside. The museum unquestionably houses America's finest and most complete motorcycle collection. It is likely the best motorcycle collection anywhere, and a fine collection of Lotus race cars is also permanently housed there. The BVMM is so well curated that it's not only of interest to motorcyclists. Add it to your itinerary; you won't be disappointed.
6
Joe,
Guess we won't be seeing you anytime soon. It's probably just as well, as travel is a pastime for the open-minded. I too am sorry about Jeff Sessions, but I visit lots of places who elect politicians I don't care for.
For the rest of you in NYC (and elsewhere), we offer good food and drink at reasonable prices, a relaxed pace, people who are friendly to strangers, lots of activities not mentioned in the article (especially our Civil Rights Institute and Museum of Art), and lovely weather (except in the summer).
Guess we won't be seeing you anytime soon. It's probably just as well, as travel is a pastime for the open-minded. I too am sorry about Jeff Sessions, but I visit lots of places who elect politicians I don't care for.
For the rest of you in NYC (and elsewhere), we offer good food and drink at reasonable prices, a relaxed pace, people who are friendly to strangers, lots of activities not mentioned in the article (especially our Civil Rights Institute and Museum of Art), and lovely weather (except in the summer).
2