First trip to Birmingham, AL - tips please

Hello,

I am thinking of visiting Birmingham, AL for the fist time in mid-April and as it is my first trip there I was hoping to get some tips on where to stay, things to do, eat, drink, etc. I will be traveling solo.

The first question I have is whether or not I should rent a car for my trip. From what I'm reading there is some public transit, but I can't tell if it's limited or not. I am assuming I might be better off with a car, but would welcome advice from someone who has visited or is from there. I did see there are city-sponsored bikes, wondering if those are specific to the downtown area.

The next item I was hoping for advice on is what neighborhood to stay in. I would prefer going airBnB as opposed to a hotel. When I travel I prefer to stay in a neighborhood as opposed to downtown, but if it makes the best sense to stay downtown I am certainly open to doing so. The neighborhoods that have caught my eye from what I've been reading are Avondale, Forest, Park, Southside. I'd like to be close enough to the airport so it's not a hassle to get to and from, but ideally I would love to be able to walk to shops, restaurants, bars, music, coffee, etc.

As far as things to do, I'm interesting in outdoor activities, hiking, trails, etc. I also want to experience the history of Birmingham and will want to check out important sites, museums, and so forth. And of course great food, beers/drinks, music, and the like.

I would love some tips from those who have visited or are from the area.

Thanks in advance!

Cheers,
Mike

You can explore the Civil Rights sights in Birmingham including the Birmingham Civil Rights District (Kelly Ingram Park, 16th Street Baptist Church); Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (museum); Arlington House Slave Quarters; and eat at
SAW’s Soul Kitchen (Soul Food). Then rent a car and cruise down to Montgomery and Selma in only 90 minutes for more Civil Rights sights:

Montgomery, AL

Rosa Parks Library and Museum
Civil Rights Memorial (wall inscribed with names of 41 Civil Rights martyrs)
National Memorial for Peace and Justice (memorializing the 4,400 victims of lynchings, 1877-1950)
Dexter Ave. King Memorial Baptist Church (where Martin Luther King, Jr. preached)
A Touch of Soul Cafe (Soul Food)

Selma, AL

Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail (incl. famous Edmund Pettus Bridge, site of “Bloody Sunday”)
Old Town Historic District (1,250 historic structures dating from the 1820s)
National Voting Rights Museum & Institute
Barker’s Slave Quarters (Old Cahawba Park)
Mama’s Kitchen & Grill (Soul Food)

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the tips!

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