Why We Love Parks in Birmingham (and You Should Too!)

Things to see and do?

• The Rotary Trail at Red Mountain Park allows hikers and bikers access to miles of trails with great views from the top of the mountain.  People love Regions Field because it brings Birmingham one step closer to having a true urban baseball experience already enjoyed by cities like Charlotte and Nashville.

• Woodlawn Foundation’s Old City Cemetery has been named one of America's "Most Endangered Historic Places" four years in a row due to its state of disrepair, but that hasn't stopped volunteers from coming together as they work towards restoring this piece of Birmingham history.

• Birmingham's newest park, Avondale Park, was created through the efforts of the neighborhood it resides in and is a great place to spend an afternoon with friends and family.

So what are you waiting for? Get out there and explore Birmingham's beautiful parks! And when you're done, be sure to tell us about your experience on our Facebook page or Twitter account!

Getting Ready for Your Trip

As the heart of Birmingham, it’s no surprise that there are plenty of amazing parks to explore. Whether you craving a quick getaway or want to spend an afternoon with your family.

The best time to go to Birmingham is in the spring or summer when the flowers are in bloom and the city's festival season begins. In the fall, temperatures drop, hotel rates decrease, and summer travelers depart, making it another great opportunity to explore the city.

Summers are long, hot, and humid, but it's a fantastic time to visit the area's many parks and sports activities (and air-conditioned) museums. Winters are frequently chilly and rainy, although not as harsh as other areas of the country, and seasonal lights and decorations in Railroad Park, Birmingham's historic districts, and the Zoo add to the festive atmosphere.

Where to Stay?

You may book your stay at the city's most conveniently located hotels, all of which are within walking distance of attractions such as Railroad Park, the Birmingham Museum of Art, the Civil Rights District, and McWane Science Center. For a touch of luxury, choose from any one of the Art Deco The Redmont, historic Tutwiler Hotel, sophisticated Elyton Hotel, or overall favorite Westin.

The city of Birmingham is home to a variety of great parks, perfect for spending an afternoon outdoors. From small neighborhood parks to sprawling green spaces, there's a park for everyone in this city.

Each one of these parks has something special that makes it worth checking out. Railroad Park is great for people watching and enjoying the downtown skyline view. Red Mountain Park is perfect for hiking and mountain biking enthusiasts. Vulcan Park and Museum offer stunning views of the city from atop its namesake volcano. And Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve is teeming with wildlife and great for birdwatching.

Before you go, be sure to check out the Birmingham Park Schedule so that you can see which parks are open on any given day.

How to Get to Birmingham?

There are several parks in Birmingham that you can visit. If you live here, then the chances are fairly high that there is at least one park close to where you live and work. These parks include East Park, Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve, Red Mountain Park, and Oak Hill Golf Course. There's also a couple of other great ones if those don't suit your fancies such as Railroad Park (the newest addition) or Sloss Furnace.

The best part about all these parks is how easy they are to get to from just about everywhere within the city limits. For instance, depending on which park you're going towards - some only being a couple of miles away - you could be there in just a few minutes.

For instance, if you're headed to Railroad Park then it's only about three miles from downtown Birmingham. If you are looking for something closer but still have that city feel then Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve is only around two miles up the road too.

That really depends on what type of activities or amenities each specific park offers since these vary slightly between parks. 

The majority of the city's hotels provide self-parking or valet, and out-of-town visitors will find it simple to navigate the city's streets and highways.

Money-Saving Tips

• Try to visit parks with different features, like the playgrounds or trails. This can be a great way to see what you really love about each park and discover new ones.

• In the off-season, reserve a hotel room. Hotel pricing may go up during the tourist season (spring and summer), so try visiting in January or February instead.

• Scout out parking areas early on when going somewhere new. You don’t want to arrive at say an incredible hike only to realize it is just too far from the nearest lot.

We want to help you make the most of your time and money on this trip. If you’re looking for some last-minute vacation ideas, we can give you a few suggestions. Do you know what to see or where to stay? Maybe not. Here are some helpful tips that will save you both cash and hassle as well as keep those pesky travel planning headaches away. You deserve it. Trust us with your next family getaway, business retreat, honeymoon/anniversary celebration – heck even just a weekend escape -and let our team take care of all the details so that when your plane touches down at home, nothing is left but memories. Let us be your one-stop shop for everything from flights to lodging.