Page 4 - 2021 Birmingham Travel Guide (1)
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     INTRODUCTION
     INTR ODUC  TION
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              To Be in Birmingham                                        ART MERIPOL





       SOMETHING WE HEAR TIME AND        dozens of art galleries around the city for funk,


       AGAIN from first-time visitors to Birmingham   fine, and folk art treasures. Opera, ballet, and live
       is that they never realized the beauty of the   theater add to Birmingham’s cultural wealth.
       area. With the foothills of the Appalachians as a   For visitors interested in architecture, the
       dramatic backdrop, the city is laid out on a series   city’s downtown buildings are a collection of
       of lush rolling hills, with woodland-covered   Cinderella stories. Many early skyscrapers
       neighborhoods just minutes from downtown.    are now refurbished, dressed up, and housing

       That this city has its own cosmopolitan   restaurants, law firms, and luxury condos.
       personality is another eye-opener to visitors. It’s   Also look downtown for many of the city’s
       hip without being pretentious.  It’s cool without   best festivals and arts events.    Spring brings
       the exertion. So, if you thought you were coming   the Magic City Art Connection, a juried


       to Waffle House—not that there’s anything   contemporary art show that is widely respected

       wrong with that—you’re coming to James Beard   in the festival community.  Summer finds crowds
       Award country instead.            downtown for top-notch independent cinema at
       Outdoor entertainment and the arts are a   Sidewalk Film Festival.
       dominant part of Birmingham’s character. Take   The city’s popular Pepper Place Saturday Market
       a quilt and a picnic to Railroad Park in the heart   kicks off in April.  Locals and visitors alike fall

       of downtown and listen to Alabama music. Live   in love with this weekly farmers market, where

       music is one of the great entertaining pleasure   they find fresh fruits and vegetables, live music,
       of being in Birmingham. Nightclubs and music   cooking demonstrations, all manner of crafts,
       venues around the area showcase some of the   and home baked breads and pastries.
       South’s most talented musicians.  Visit the   Birmingham is an outdoorsy sort of place
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