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Birmingham named one of ‘The South’s Best Cities’ by Southern Living

Over 10,000 Southern Living readers voted in a poll that set out to rank the 'South's Best Cities' in 2025, and Greater Birmingham placed in the top 20!

16. Birmingham, Alabama

We’re partial to Birmingham as it is the home of Southern Living, but readers love the Magic City as well. Downtown has a fresh buzz thanks to CityWalk, a 30-acre public space that includes a dog park, playground, and popular skate park. And the city’s dining scene continues to attract national praise.

Check out the original article and full list here and Southern Living’s list of ‘The 25 Best Things To Do In Birmingham,’ curated by Magic City resident and SL editor Tara Massouleh McCay, here.

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Upcoming Events in Greater Birmingham Upcoming Events in Greater Birmingham

Upcoming Events in Greater Birmingham

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Fan Zone announced for Birmingham’s NCAA Women’s Basketball Regional at Legacy Arena Fan Zone announced for Birmingham’s NCAA Women’s Basketball Regional at Legacy Arena

Fan Zone announced for Birmingham’s NCAA Women’s Basketball Regional at Legacy Arena

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Alabama Tourism Launches “Year of Alabama Trails” Campaign at Vulcan Park Alabama Tourism Launches “Year of Alabama Trails” Campaign at Vulcan Park

Alabama Tourism Launches “Year of Alabama Trails” Campaign at Vulcan Park

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AHSAA Basketball State Championships generates millions in economic impact for Greater Birmingham AHSAA Basketball State Championships generates millions in economic impact for Greater Birmingham

AHSAA Basketball State Championships generates millions in economic impact for Greater Birmingham

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Birmingham Museum of Art presents 14th annual Holi Festival Birmingham Museum of Art presents 14th annual Holi Festival

Birmingham Museum of Art presents 14th annual Holi Festival

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Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau Joins Forces with English Soccer Team Birmingham City FC Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau Joins Forces with English Soccer Team Birmingham City FC

Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau Joins Forces with English Soccer Team Birmingham City FC

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Birmingham’s USA TODAY 10Best Nominees Need Your Votes! Birmingham’s USA TODAY 10Best Nominees Need Your Votes!

Birmingham’s USA TODAY 10Best Nominees Need Your Votes!

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Registration Open Now for the 2025 World Police & Fire Games Volunteer Program Registration Open Now for the 2025 World Police & Fire Games Volunteer Program

Registration Open Now for the 2025 World Police & Fire Games Volunteer Program

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Kami-Con Returns to Birmingham for 16th Year Kami-Con Returns to Birmingham for 16th Year

Kami-Con Returns to Birmingham for 16th Year

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2025-26 Broadway in Birmingham Season Unveiled 2025-26 Broadway in Birmingham Season Unveiled

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BCRI Welcomes All to Honor MLK Day for Annual Celebration BCRI Welcomes All to Honor MLK Day for Annual Celebration

BCRI Welcomes All to Honor MLK Day for Annual Celebration

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Greater Birmingham Selected to Host 2025 USA Judo Senior Nationals Greater Birmingham Selected to Host 2025 USA Judo Senior Nationals

Greater Birmingham Selected to Host 2025 USA Judo Senior Nationals

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Travel Daily News: Greater Birmingham Wins Bid to Host International Travel Summit Travel Daily News: Greater Birmingham Wins Bid to Host International Travel Summit

Travel Daily News: Greater Birmingham Wins Bid to Host International Travel Summit

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National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals Annual Conference Brought History, Culture, Education to Alabama National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals Annual Conference Brought History, Culture, Education to Alabama

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Greater Birmingham Named Host City for 2029 National Senior Games Greater Birmingham Named Host City for 2029 National Senior Games

Greater Birmingham Named Host City for 2029 National Senior Games

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Greater Birmingham Selected as Host City for 2027 and 2028 NCAA Championships Greater Birmingham Selected as Host City for 2027 and 2028 NCAA Championships

Greater Birmingham Selected as Host City for 2027 and 2028 NCAA Championships

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Birmingham Watch: Dining-ham – Birmingham Rebrands as Foodie Haven Birmingham Watch: Dining-ham – Birmingham Rebrands as Foodie Haven

Birmingham Watch: Dining-ham – Birmingham Rebrands as Foodie Haven

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SEC Baseball Tournament to be held in Hoover through at least 2028 SEC Baseball Tournament to be held in Hoover through at least 2028

SEC Baseball Tournament to be held in Hoover through at least 2028

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BJCC ranked among top arenas in the world by Pollstar BJCC ranked among top arenas in the world by Pollstar

BJCC ranked among top arenas in the world by Pollstar

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New event space unveiled in the heart of Pepper Place New event space unveiled in the heart of Pepper Place

New event space unveiled in the heart of Pepper Place

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The best fried chicken restaurant in Alabama, according to Yelp The best fried chicken restaurant in Alabama, according to Yelp

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Southern Living – The 17 Best Farmers’ Markets In The South Southern Living – The 17 Best Farmers’ Markets In The South

Southern Living – The 17 Best Farmers’ Markets In The South

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NY Times – 22 of the Best Pizza Places in the United States NY Times – 22 of the Best Pizza Places in the United States

NY Times – 22 of the Best Pizza Places in the United States

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Forbes: Neighborhood to Watch – Uptown Birmingham, Alabama Forbes: Neighborhood to Watch – Uptown Birmingham, Alabama

Forbes: Neighborhood to Watch – Uptown Birmingham, Alabama

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AL.com: Alabama bar, Adios, named one of the best in America AL.com: Alabama bar, Adios, named one of the best in America

AL.com: Alabama bar, Adios, named one of the best in America

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BJCC announces ‘Dillard’s Chophouse’ expansion into Uptown Birmingham BJCC announces ‘Dillard’s Chophouse’ expansion into Uptown Birmingham

BJCC announces ‘Dillard’s Chophouse’ expansion into Uptown Birmingham

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World Police & Fire Games: BHM 2025 World Police & Fire Games: BHM 2025

World Police & Fire Games: BHM 2025

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AL.com: James Beard Award-winning Nashville chef opening Birmingham restaurant AL.com: James Beard Award-winning Nashville chef opening Birmingham restaurant

AL.com: James Beard Award-winning Nashville chef opening Birmingham restaurant

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Birmingham Stallions 2024 UFL Schedule Released Birmingham Stallions 2024 UFL Schedule Released

Birmingham Stallions 2024 UFL Schedule Released

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