The best things to do in Birmingham

18 things to do we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Entertainment · 18 places · showing the latest additions first

Family-friendly chain offering a sports-bar-style setting for American food & arcade games.

2700 Galleria Cir Ste 110

Family-friendly chain offering a sports-bar-style setting for American food & arcade games.

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Swing Away Golf Club is a PGA certified virtual indoor spot in Birmingham with a posh three-bay clubhouse and Full Swing Pro 2.0…

100 Frankfurt Cir Ste DE

0 tri-tracking simulators that mirror real ball flight. Grab a bay for practice, leagues, or a friendly match, and explore memberships or home-install options.

From the Bessemer newsletter, September 9, 2026

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Greystone Golf & Country Club pairs two championship courses with serious instruction from the Blackburn Academy, plus the bragging rights…

330 Legacy Ct

Greystone Golf & Country Club pairs two championship courses with serious instruction from the Blackburn Academy, plus the bragging rights of teeing it up on the same Founders fairways that host The Tradition each spring. Swing, stay for the clubhouse hang, then remember why you love living here.

From the Birmingham newsletter, August 5, 2026

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Cinderella Story

Entertainment

Whether your short game is dialed or you’re just there for the vibes, Cinderella Story is a brewery’s own golf simulator where you can play…

207 41st St S

Whether your short game is dialed or you’re just there for the vibes, Cinderella Story is a brewery’s own golf simulator where you can play a round, drink a round, and lounge while your crew tees off. Check it out this week, sip beers or specialty cocktails from the Taproom and The Sour Room.

From the Birmingham newsletter, August 8, 2026

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Topgolf Birmingham

Entertainment

Sprawling entertainment venue with a high-tech driving range & swanky lounge with drinks & games.

1111 24th St N

Sprawling entertainment venue with a high-tech driving range & swanky lounge with drinks & games.

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Private club featuring a golf course, tennis courts, and a driving range, plus dining and swimming.

4100 Greystone Dr

Private club featuring a golf course, tennis courts, and a driving range, plus dining and swimming.

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Pine Tree Country Club has been Birmingham’s family-focused spot since 1968, with an 18-hole par-72 championship course, a serious tennis…

5100 Pine Whispers Dr

Pine Tree Country Club has been Birmingham’s family-focused spot since 1968, with an 18-hole par-72 championship course, a serious tennis scene, and an Olympic-sized pool... all wrapped in genuine Southern hospitality. If you want a trusted home base for golf days and splashy afternoons, this is it.

From the Birmingham newsletter, September 8, 2026

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Nonprofits rarely feel this fun. Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema screens independent films and documentaries in cozy theaters, mixes in…

1821 2nd Ave N

Nonprofits rarely feel this fun. Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema screens independent films and documentaries in cozy theaters, mixes in spotlights and series, and backs it all with a proper bar, free lobby events, classes and the Book + Film Club, plus the annual Sidewalk Film Festival.

From the Birmingham newsletter, September 1, 2026

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Highland Park Golf Course is Birmingham’s historic 18-hole hangout with awesome downtown views and a fun yet challenging layout. After a…

3300 Highland Ave

Highland Park Golf Course is Birmingham’s historic 18-hole hangout with awesome downtown views and a fun yet challenging layout. After a million-dollar 2019 refresh, the greens and vibe are dialed in, and the range and lessons at The Learning Center will tune up that pesky slice.

From the Birmingham newsletter, August 26, 2026

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Woodward Golf Club

Entertainment

Founded in 1916, Woodward Golf Club is a semi-private, 18-hole track with a legit practice range, putting and chipping greens, and a cozy…

2141 Wheel Dr (Bessemer)

Founded in 1916, Woodward Golf Club is a semi-private, 18-hole track with a legit practice range, putting and chipping greens, and a cozy grill. It’s a low-fuss spot to sharpen your game, grab a bite, and sneak in a quick nine when the schedule cooperates.

From the Vestavia Hills newsletter, September 6, 2026

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John Lewis Mural

Entertainment

Swing by the John Lewis Mural, a powerful piece by local artist Dewon Moton that channels the late congressman’s good-trouble spirit and…

1915 4th Ave N

Swing by the John Lewis Mural, a powerful piece by local artist Dewon Moton that channels the late congressman’s good-trouble spirit and nudges us to come together with purpose. A quick stop that hits you right in the civic pride, then sends you back into the week fired up.

From the Birmingham newsletter, August 13, 2026

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Lucky Strike Birmingham nails the sweet spot between league-night lanes and arcade chaos, with 40 lanes, billiards, and a legit sports bar…

2908 Riverview Rd

Lucky Strike Birmingham nails the sweet spot between league-night lanes and arcade chaos, with 40 lanes, billiards, and a legit sports bar turning out solid bites and cocktails. Perfect for a quick after-work hang or family-friendly weekend, and recent upgrades keep the vibe fresh with big screens and music.

From the Vestavia Hills newsletter, September 10, 2026

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For a weekend reset or quick after-work loop, RTJ Golf Trail at Oxmoor Valley serves up the photogenic Ridge, the refreshed Valley with…

100 Sunbelt Pkwy

For a weekend reset or quick after-work loop, RTJ Golf Trail at Oxmoor Valley serves up the photogenic Ridge, the refreshed Valley with TifEagle greens, and The Back Yard, a walking-only nine par 3s you can finish in about an hour.

From the Hoover newsletter, August 26, 2026

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Mountain Brook Club

Entertainment

If you’re a member or the lucky friend-of-a-member, Mountain Brook Club offers that Tradition of Excellence vibe, beautiful architecture,…

19 Beechwood Rd

If you’re a member or the lucky friend-of-a-member, Mountain Brook Club offers that Tradition of Excellence vibe, beautiful architecture, and genuine Southern hospitality. Perfect for a low-key round or family unwind... a gentle nudge to actually enjoy your own backyard this week.

From the Birmingham newsletter, August 29, 2026

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Breakout Games

Entertainment

Clue-themed rooms at this chain facility challenge players to solve puzzles, decipher codes, and uncover clues to escape.

2717 19th Pl S (Homewood)

Clue-themed rooms at this chain facility challenge players to solve puzzles, decipher codes, and uncover clues to escape.

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Upscale spot for wine by the glass or bottle served alongside eclectic tapas in a refined setting.

2200 1st Ave N Apt 100

Upscale spot for wine by the glass or bottle served alongside eclectic tapas in a refined setting.

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With two renowned Donald Ross courses (the West blends Ross, Robert Trent Jones Sr., and Pete Dye) plus state-of-the-art aquatics, fitness,…

3325 Country Club Rd (Mountain Brook)

, and Pete Dye) plus state-of-the-art aquatics, fitness, racquet sports, and genuinely good dining, The Country Club of Birmingham is where golf-obsessed locals find their happy place and everyone else finds an excuse to linger.

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Roebuck Golf Course

Entertainment

Historic fairways and high-reaching pines, just minutes from downtown, make Roebuck Golf Course a legit local secret, nicknamed "Roegusta"…

8920 Roebuck Blvd

Historic fairways and high-reaching pines, just minutes from downtown, make Roebuck Golf Course a legit local secret, nicknamed "Roegusta" for a reason. This 1911 classic offers 9, 12, or full 18, plus lessons if the swing needs a tune-up.

From the Birmingham newsletter, August 18, 2026

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