Original article by Birmingham-native Tara Massouleh McCay for Southern Living
Summer is synonymous with adventure. The kids are out of school, social calendars aren’t quite so full, and the days are longer—which means it’s the perfect time to get out and explore. You may have a standing beach vacation scheduled, or another big trip planned, but for all the days in between, we recommend becoming acquainted with the hidden gems in your own backyard. In our hometown of Birmingham, Alabama there are seemingly endless ways to savor summertime—and many of them can be enjoyed for little to no cost and with very minimal effort. Looking for a way to fill your summer days with cheap thrills? Check out our list of 15 things cheap or free things to do in Birmingham, Alabama that will create lasting memories.
Play Bingo At Saturn
One of the city’s coolest hangouts, this combination music venue, coffee shop, and bar is known for providing nostalgic fun all year round. From Saturday morning cereal parties complete with old-school cartoons on the big screen to an extensive collection of vintage video games and board games that are free for the playing, there’s never a dull moment at Saturn. One of the city’s favorite activities is bingo hosted by a local radio show host. It’s free to play, there’s an actual vintage bingo hall machine, and you’ll have the opportunity to win tickets to future shows at Saturn. A win-win … even if you don’t actually win.
saturnbirmingham.com; 200 41st St S., Birmingham, AL 35222; 205-703-9546
Soak Up Sunset Views At Vulcan
Vulcan is the city’s unofficial mascot, and you can find him (a 56-foot-tall cast iron statue of the Roman god of fire and forge) perched high above Red Mountain, offering one of the best views of the city. For a small $6 admission price, you’ll have access to the observation tower, museum, and park. For an optimal experience, pack a picnic and head over around sunset. You’ll get a lovely view of the sunset and then get to see the city light up as dark descends.
visitvulcan.com; 1701 Valley View Drive, Birmingham, AL 35209; 205-933-1409
Go To A Drive-In Movie
Nothing says summer nostalgia like a drive-in movie. The Grand River Drive-In shows new releases, as well as classics, for $8 per person ($5 for kids 5-12). Considering every showing is a double feature (and you’ll still pay about half the price of heading to an indoor theater) this is a steal. In addition to a snack shack and restaurants, there’s also a mini golf course, dog park, playground, and yard games to keep you occupied while you wait for the movie to start.
grandriverdrive-in.com; 1453 Grand River Pkwy N., Leeds, AL 35094; 205-352-9180
Take A Garden Walk
Set out to see beautiful blooms at any of the city’s free botanical gardens. The Birmingham Botanical Gardens offers 26 distinct garden areas (including a Southern Living garden, of course!), which means there’s plenty to explore. Aldridge Gardens in the suburb of Hoover is also a lovely place to take a stroll around the lake or seek shelter from the heat with a picnic in the boat house. For best results, we recommend planning your stroll for earlier in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the brunt of the Alabama heat.
bbgardens.org; 2612 Lane Park Road, Birmingham, AL 35223; 205-414-3950
aldridgegardens.com; 3530 Lorna Road, Hoover, AL 35216; 205-739-6558
Visit The Art Museum
Admission to the Birmingham Museum of Art is always free, so it’s an excellent entry point for novice art enthusiasts, as well as those who are more well-versed in the subject. Even if you’re just looking for a little air conditioning, you won’t regret walking through the meticulously curated exhibits. You may even find you’re more interested in art than you previously thought.
artsbma.org; 2000 Rev. Abraham Woods, Jr. Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35203; 205-254-2565
Grab A Cold, Sweet Treat
Ice cream is the obvious choice when you’re seeking summer fun, and Birmingham shows out with plenty of local spots to curb your cravings. Big Spoon Creamery, with locations downtown and in Homewood, is a local favorite featuring seasonal delights from former fine dining chefs. Other spots to check out include Bendy’s Cookies & Cream and Doodle’s Sorbets and Ices for ultra-nostalgic treats served out of a roadside stand.
Stroll The Farmers Market
The hottest ticket in town on a Saturday morning is the Pepper Place Farmers Market. The festive atmosphere is completely free to enjoy (as are the excellent people, baby, and dog watching) but after seeing all the incredible Alabama farmers, vendors, and artisans, you’re likely to leave with at least a treat or two. On the upside, you can leave feeling good about shopping and supporting local.
pepperplacemarket.com; 2829 2nd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233; 205-490-3176
See An Improv Show
You can’t put a price on a good belly laugh, but for just $10 you’re all but guaranteed to get a few. Local improv group Ugly Baby hosts regular performances at Faraway Theater that are always a rollicking good time. The cool, underground theater has limited seating, so don’t wait to snag a ticket or two once show dates come out.
farawaybham.com; 1211 27th Pl S Suite 20, Birmingham, AL 35205
Attend A Baseball Game
Baseball and summertime go together like cake and ice cream. For fewer than $15, you can spend an evening or afternoon cheering on the Magic City’s minor league team. Go on a weeknight for special deals like majorly discounted adult beverages ($2.50 tallboy beers and seltzers on Thursdays) and theme nights. Friday night games include special fireworks shows.
milb.com/birmingham; 1401 1st Ave S., Birmingham, AL 35233; 205-988-3200
Watch Free “Bad” Movies
Seeing a bad movie may not immediately sound like a great way to spend your night, but when you do it at the city’s coolest independent theater, it’s suddenly a highly sought-after event. Sidewalk Film Center and Cinema hosts regular bad movie nights for free. Grab a drink at the bar, then sit back, relax, and prepare to be entertained—one way or another. The movie to be screened is always a surprise, which only adds to the fun.
sidewalkfest.com; 1821 2nd Ave. N., Birmingham, AL 35203; 205-324-0888
Wade In The Cahaba River
If you’re in search of a way to cool off on a hot day, a trip to the Cahaba River is just the ticket. The famous blueway cuts through Birmingham, offering several access points where you can drop a canoe or kayak, wade in the shallow water, or even cast a fishing line. If you time your trip just right and know where to look, you can even see the famous Cahaba lilies, which typically bloom between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
Listen To A Symphony In The Park
One of the city’s most beloved events, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra has been treating Birminghamians to free concerts in Railroad Park every year since 2011. They typically host three performances over Memorial Day Weekend. Folks are encouraged to bring their blankets, lawn chairs, and dinner (there are also food trucks and onsite alcohol sales) to fully enjoy the experience.
alabamasymphony.org/events/symphony-in-the-summer-2/; 1600 1st Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233
Get Lost In Nature
Seek the cool solace of a thick canopy of trees at one of the city’s many nature preserves. Moss Rock Preserve in Hoover offers 349 acres complete with waterfalls, large rock outcroppings, and miles of trails. Red Mountain Park offers fun features like mountain biking trails, a dog park, and scenic swinging bridges. Ruffer Mountain Preserve comprises 1,038 acres of urban forest and an educational nature center. Admission to Moss Rock Preserve and Red Mountain Park are free, and Ruffner Mountain can be enjoyed for just $5 per car for those who choose to park.
Have A “Beach” Day
Birmingham may be a good four hours from the coast, but you won’t have to travel that far to have a beach day. All you need is $5 admission fee (or $2 if you’re a senior or child) to enter Oak Mountain State Park and a little imagination. The expansive state park (that’s also known for its hiking, watersports, biking, horseback riding, golf course, and more) is home to two sandy beaches where you can enjoy a day of fun in the sun. You may not hear the waves crashing, but you can still sunbathe and cool off in the water to your heart’s content. One beach even features a giant inflatable obstacle course.
alapark.com/parks/oak-mountain-state-park; 200 Terrace Drive Pelham, AL 35124; 205-620-2520
Party With Pooches
Dog parents, and even those without pets, love spending an afternoon at Good Dog, a dog park and bar that’s as fun for humans as it is four-legged friends. Entry for dogs is $12, but entry for humans is free, so even if you don’t have a dog of your own, you can hang out, pet some pooches, and enjoy a cold beverage. There’s staff on hand to make sure all pups are safe and playing nicely, providing priceless peace of mind for pet owners.
gooddogpark.org; 2307 1st Ave. South, Birmingham, AL 35233; 205-202-3975
