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
