My best friend's former husband owns Gallery VOX in downtown Tarrant. I've spent a lot of days here…read morevisiting Michael and Karen! We always enjoyed the annual Tarrant Christmas parade. It was cute, quaint, and fun for the entire family! Michael also does hand pinstriping and printmaking. He is a very talented visual artist! Although I have not visited Gallery VOX, I'm sure it is very nice and tightly curated. Tarrant is a small town that does not offer much in terms of high-end dining, or shopping; however, it's close enough to Birmingham for your "big city" needs.

This is an older part of the Birmingham area and is more industrialized. Well the downtown area of…read moreBirmingham is getting more upscale, this is more to the roots of the city.

Free Fall Festival at Buck Creek in Alabaster next to City Hall. This is an annual event that…read morestarted in 2009 and is always the Saturday before Halloween/ 3rd Saturday in October. There are tons of vendors a hayride, a haunted trail, inflatables, games, a cupcake walk where all the kid win,food trucks, live music and much more. I spent a whopping $6.00 today. The vendors hand out candy to the kids, several vendors handed out bottled waters and fans/ huggies, frisbee etc... the inflatables were free, a bank handed out balloons. It's great for all ages and pets are welcome. It's partially wooded and shaded. Lots of kids and adults alike wear costumes but they're not required. We will be back next year for sure! Oh and since a large portion of the trail is gravel break out the big stroller or big wheeled wagon. The umbrella stroller we took ended up being carried more than pushed.

As a resident of this great city, I love the train watching platform. It's a great way to relax on…read morea hot summer evening and if you're into trains, this is the perfect spot. There are two tracks There's an old caboose across the tracks from the platform that you can also visit. The historic Irondale Cafe (famous for their fried green tomatoes) is across the street along with other businesses as well. There are plenty of benches to sit on as you watch the trains go on their merry way to their destinations.

Rickwood Field is located in Birmingham, Alabama, is the oldest surviving professional baseball…read morepark in the United States, originally opening on August 18, 1910. Often referred to as "America's Oldest Ballpark," it has stood for over a century as a living monument to the sport, civil rights, and Southern culture. In 1936, it became one of the first minor league ballparks in the country to install distinctive field lights, allowing for night baseball.A Pillar of the Negro Leagues (1920-1963)Shared Home: During an era of strict segregation, the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues began playing their home games at Rickwood as early as 1920.The "Every Other Sunday" Tradition: Because the white Barons and Black Barons could not play against each other or share the field, the teams shared the stadium by alternating schedules, a tradition famously known as "Every Other Sunday".Willie Mays: The legendary Willie Mays grew up in the Birmingham area and launched his professional career with the Black Barons at Rickwood in 1948. The minor league Barons eventually outgrew the stadium and moved to a larger venue in 1987. After Comiskey Park in Chicago was demolished in 1990, Rickwood officially inherited the title of America's oldest ballpark.Hollywood Sets: Sitting empty for several years, the stadium was later rented as a filming location for classic baseball movies such as Cobb (1995), Soul of the Game (1996), and 42 (2013). Willie Mays began his professional career with the Negro Leagues' Birmingham Black Barons at Rickwood. Other notable legends like Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Ernie Banks, and Hank Aaron (who played for the Indianapolis Clowns) all competed at the historic stadium. Early pioneers like Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb played on the field, alongside Jackie Robinson, Mickey Mantle, and Reggie Jackson. Bo Jackson also played on the field early in his career.

Finally had a chance to visit historic Rickwood Field. What a priceless step back in time and…read morehistory. The park has the feel of a smaller Fenway Park when you visit. The park has a museum and mementos that display historical images and artifacts of when the Barons and Black Barons played here including Willie Mays. Seeing the old souvenir booth, gates, refreshment stand, etc was a walk back in time. If you are a baseball fan or just a history fan you need to visit Rickwood Field if you have the chance.

I visit Uptown regularly. Whether enjoying an event at Protective Stadium, watching The Birmingham…read moreStallions, devouring a cupcake from K&J's Elegant Pastries, checking out a show at Uptown Jazz, or enjoying some hot chicken from Eugene's.....I've enjoyed it all. I haven't stayed at the hotels in the district since I'm a local, but maybe a staycation should be in my future. It's definitely a cool spot in the city. One recommendation I have would be for the restaurants to stay open later. While this doesn't necessarily affect me, I've heard attendees complain about how the businesses close fairly early and if you're leaving an event in the area, there's nothing to eat or do. I'm not sure what it would take to make this happen, but I think it's worth a try. Regardless, go visit Uptown!

Kinda surprised I have never reviewed the Uptown district, despite our many visits over the years…read more Between the football stadium, Top Golf, and the many restaurants, there is something here for everyone. I just wish they had more parking! Our favorite restaurant here is, of course, Texas De Brazil, but The Southern Kitchen & Bar is good, and Eugene's is always a great bite as well. Mugshots is great if you're trying to do a quick bite, or not wanting to break the bank. They've got Santos Coffee, though I've never tried that one - maybe one day. Overall, Uptown is a great place, but if you're wanting to eat here before a gameday or a concert, get here early! Especially if you want to park anywhere nearby without paying an arm and a leg, too.

Cyclist with sunflowers is a bright and colorful public Art mural in the downtown portion of…read moreBirmingham that is right on the roadside for viewing pleasure. Located at the Alabama ballet building. My family and I were on a day trip to Birmingham and when driving from our hotel to the Vulcan statue park we passed and seen several cool art murals in the city and leading up to the Avondale area. This particular one we seen on the Alabama ballet building. Not white shire what the piece has to do with ballet or the meaning behind it but it is a unique and vibrant piece.

While in Birmingham, Alabama, I find myself here on a regular basis. Just outside of the 16th…read moreStreet Baptist Church is a statue of four young girls at play. For those unfamiliar, the 16th Street Baptist Church is forever etched in history by a heartbreaking moment in time. It was a moment in the midst of the civil rights movement when a bomb exploded within the church, killing four young girls who were in the church at choir practice. As a parent who has lost a child, I understand how fleeting life can be, sadly all too often heartbreakingly fleeting, and I understand how precious of a gift life truly is. These girls were robbed of so much that lay before them. They would never know the joy of having children of their own, they missed so many if the highs and lows that define the adventure of life. They would never realize the culmination of a complete life. And for what? Hatred, a blind hatred and fear of a changing world. That does not mean they died in vain. Their lives were cut short, but in that short time, they left their mark upon this world. When my son died, I was lost and a part of me was dead beside him, but I realize that his life was not defined in his final moments, but instead Tyler's life was defined every day that he lived. Today I stood before this statue of four young girls, who, had they lived, they would be elderly women today. I stood before this statue and mourned the days and milestones they would never see. I whispered to the wind, I hope they knew happiness in their few years here and I hope that whatever awaits beyond, they are there looking down at a world they never got to see come to this fruition. Mostly, I wish those girls peace in that beyond, that their spirits not mourn for what was stolen from them, but for all they had in their few years. And I hope in that great beyond my son is seeing me as a man struggling to be what I wish he could have seen me as while he was here.

The Birmingham Civil Rights Heritage Trail winds through downtown, marking significant locations…read morealong the 1963 Civil Rights march routes. Designed as a self-guided tour, the route directs visitors along this historic pathway by maps at each location. The trail speaks to the valor of both common people and to the spiritual leaders who spearheaded the fight against segregation and other forms of racism. Graphic photographs and dramatic cut-outs in the designs of the signs add to the rich experience. The trail begins at Kelly Ingram Park, corner of 6th Avenue North and 16th Street.

Great place where i learned alot of important history. The museum seemed to do the topic justice…read moreand was not an 'in your face place'. It let you walk around at your own pace and learn about the power and perseverance of the people involved with the civil rights movement. I recommend it to all.