On a recent rainy day, I found myself brainstorming what there could possibly be to do indoors in Birmingham.
There is no shortage of things to do in Birmingham, a city well worth visiting. There’s the zoo, botanical gardens, beer gardens, parks, hiking trails, and several sports teams to cheer for. But it’s a bit harder to come up with things to do indoors. Considering Birmingham is one of the rainiest cities in the U.S., it can be a common dilemma.
If you’re looking to escape the rain, beat the heat, or ditch the cold, here’s a comprehensive list of what you can do indoors in Birmingham.
Visit the Civil Rights Institute
Birmingham played a central role in the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S., so it’s no surprise that the Civil Rights Institute is one of the one of the most important educational museums in the Southeast.
Whether you’re a local or a visitor, it’s a must-visit at least once. You’ll hear stories and see depictions of incredibly impactful events from the 1963 Birmingham campaign, the Children’s Crusade, the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, and more.
Explore McWane Science Center
McWane Science Center is a big-city caliber attraction in a mid-sized city.
The Children’s Museum, or Itty Bitty Magic City, is one of the best places in Birmingham for kids. Here, you’ll find climbing structures, a water play area, a miniature version of downtown, and a miniature shopping center for kids to learn different food groups with their parents.
Elsewhere, you’ll find a 250-seat iMAX Dome Theatre, an aquarium with more than 50 species of aquatic life, an interactive science museum, and plenty of fossils, minerals, and Native American artifacts.
Catch a Show at Alabama Theatre or The Lyric
Alabama Theatre and The Lyric are two beautiful theatres in downtown Birmingham that have been wonderfully maintained over the years. Both are a staple of the city.
Alabama Theatre in particular is known for its variety of plays, movies, and concerts throughout the year. During the holidays, it’s packed for its Christmas movie showings. For the rest of the year, there’s a healthy combination of plays and concerts. It’s well worth checking their event schedule so you can get tickets in advance, which is necessary for those Christmas showings. The Lyric typically doesn’t have quite as busy of a schedule as Alabama Theatre, but it’s always smart to check their calendar as well.
See a Concert
It didn’t take me long after moving to Birmingham to take notice of the underrated music scene. Plenty of acts traveling between Nashville and Atlanta make a detour in Birmingham. The city has a plethora of widely frequented venues to choose from.
Of the many venues, Saturn, Iron City, Workplay, Alabama Theatre, and the BJCC are five that are indoors. So if it’s a rainy day in Birmingham, you can escape the weather and see one of your favorite artists live.
Saturn, Iron City, and Workplay are more intimate venues, while Alabama Theatre and the BJCC especially get bigger, sometimes even internationally renowned acts.
Bring Your Friends to Topgolf
Did you know that Topgolf is completely protected from the elements?
Even if it’s raining, you can head to Topgolf and stay dry underneath thanks to a covered roof, making for a perfect rainy-day activity in Birmingham, especially for groups. Topgolf is commonly enjoyed by non-golf players too.
In case it gets really nasty outside, you can take a break from the clubs and head inside to the full-service bar and restaurant.
Check Out the Golffice
For the real golf lovers, there’s a place in Birmingham you can play 24/7: The Golffice.
The first Golffice location opened in 2023 in Vestavia Hills. The concept? An ordinary office building transformed into a golf simulator. Each “office” room has its own simulator, TVs to watch sports, and a fridge for drinks.
The Golffice has received such positive reviews that in just two years since, it’s opened two more Birmingham-area locations, one in Trussville and another in Vestavia Hills.
Play Games at Saturn or Paramount
Saturn and Paramount are undeniably two of the best hangout spots in Birmingham, especially for families with kids.
Saturn, located in Avondale, triples as a concert venue, coffee shop, and arcade bar. The biggest selection of retro video games and arcade games in Birmingham can be found here. I’ve seen plenty of people here solo on a weekend morning and playing games and sipping on coffee.
Paramount, in downtown Birmingham, always has a good crowd on rainy days. The main room is your typical sports bar, though their food is much better than the average pub food. They also have a dedicated arcade room that’s suitable for kids and adults alike.
Visit the Birmingham Art Museum
The Birmingham Museum of Art is incredibly underrated, making for an ideal rainy day activity.
The collection includes more than 24,000 pieces of art, displaying local art, African art, contemporary pieces, folk art, Pre-Columbian displays, Native American art, and more. You can check out their exhibition schedule online if you’re searching for more of a social experience.
Hang Out at One of the City’s Many Coffee Shops
Birmingham has a vast selection of great coffee shops. This city loves its coffee and socializing. On a rainy day, there are few better places to relax and converse with your friends than one of Birmingham’s best coffee shops. Alternatively, you could bring a book for some solo time, or your laptop to get some work or studying done.
A few of my favorite spots include HOUSE ELEVEN, Red Cat, Punch Love Coffee, and June Coffee.
Catch the Action at a Birmingham Bulls Hockey Game
A few of the pro sports teams in Birmingham rely on good weather for an optimal gameday experience, but that’s not the case for the city’s hockey team, the Birmingham Bulls.
The Bulls play in Pelham at the Pelham Civic Center. And while the SPHL (Southern Professional Hockey League) is not quite the NHL, there’s usually a really fun atmosphere at Bulls games, with most of the 4,000-seats filled on gamedays.
I’ve been to Barons, Legion, and Stallions games, but none of those atmospheres compete with Bulls games. Their season runs from November to April, so check out their schedule.
Dine at One of Birmingham’s Many Fantastic Restaurants
Birmingham quietly has a fantastic food scene. Southern BBQ, seafood, and Italian are three cuisines that particularly stand out in terms of both quality and quantity.
Bad weather seems to actually be a deterrent for many to leave their homes. But for me, that means I can go to one of my favorite Italian restaurants in Birmingham and not have to worry about getting a table!
