How to Rock a March/April Weekend in Birmingham With Kids

7

Y’all, it’s not hot yet in the Ham. The pollen hasn’t even kicked up. It’s the most wonderful time of the year!! Get those kids outside fast and live it up. Where to go? So many options. Here are my reviews and family pics from each site.

Free Options

Ruffner Mountain. https://ruffnermountain.org

Things are starting to bloom there and it’s getting pretty. Take a hike down the nature trail, and get a cute pic of your kid(s) on top of Turtle Rock. I believe they are renovating the nature center right now, but once that’s done, be sure to swing by and check out their snakes and turtles. 

Ruffner Mountain Birmingham

Jemison Trail. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/alabama/jemison-park-nature-trail

This is a beautiful, easy walk in Mountain Brook. We have been known to walk it all the way towards Another Broken Egg Café, then sit outside. Treat yourself to a specialty mimosa. You’ve kept your kids alive all week. You earned it. It is a chain restaurant, but my kids swear by their pancakes.

 Jemison Trail Birmingham

Moss Rock Preserve. http://www.hooveral.org/?nid=214

Boulder Field is pretty cool and bound to impress the kids, but the hiking can be more advanced here. You might just get a workout. While you’re in Bluff Park, you could swing by Tip Top Grill and reward yourself with a beautiful view and killer burgers.

Moss Rock Preserve Birmingham

Birmingham Botanical Gardens. www.bbgardens.org

This is a great place to let your kids roam free. They can truly stop and smell the roses, enjoy the shady paths, and marvel at the Japanese Gardens. It’s heaven. 

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

 

Not-Free Options

Oak Mountain. http://www.alapark.com/oak-mountain-state-park

Head straight to the Treetop Nature Trail. Park across the street. Admire the owls and hawks. Then follow the walking path for a lovely, short, not-too-strenuous hike. Since it’s finally crawfish season, may I recommend hitting up Cajun Steamers in Patton Creek afterwards? Sit outside and eat boiled crawfish, if you’re stinky from hiking. Sometimes they have live music. The kids can always get chicken fingers if crustaceans aren’t their thing.

Oak Mountain State Park Birmingham

The Birmingham Zoo. https://www.birminghamzoo.com 

This zoo is amazing. Did you see they’re bringing back camel rides this spring AND they have a new jaguar? His name is Khan. He’s 3 years old and I may already be in love.

Birmingham Zoo

Vulcan. http://visitvulcan.com

So, now you are tired from all that walking, right? Go to Vulcan. Ride the elevator to the top. Watch your kids’ jaws drop when they see the view of downtown. Then hook the kids up with a treat from Steel City Pops or Savage’s while you’re in Homewood. May I recommend the gingerbread men at Savage’s? Splurge on the big ones. You know you’re hungry.

View of Birmingham from Vulcan

 

Date Night Downtown

Finally, you’ve worn those monsters out, and it is time for date night. If you are feeling a bit wild, hit up downtown. For happy hour, enjoy cocktails on the roof at Carrigan’s, if the weather is nice.

Then walk over to Bamboo on Second for sushi. Try a “Touch of Grey.” That drink will get the party started. If Mexican is more your speed, go to Babalu’s. You need their guac and margaritas in your life. Afterwards, The Collins Bar is a lovely spot for custom drinks and a rowdy game of darts or jenga. You’re welcome.

 

Sundays in Birmingham

Visit a church.

Find a pretty one. This is not necessarily about religion! You need to do this for the unique cultural experience. You’re in the Bible Belt now. Explore. I am Episcopal and can vouch for St. Stephen’s and St Luke’s as visitor-friendly, but there are so many beautiful churches out there. In fact, there is literally one on every corner. This is First Presbyterian downtown.

First Presbyterian Church Birmingham
Photo credit: Chris Pruitt

 

Picnic in a park.

Head to your local Birmingham park for a picnic. Try Railroad Park downtown, Overton Park in Mountain Brook, or Heardmont Park in Hoover. Soooo many to pick from. Just throw some sandwiches and juice boxes in a bag and go. Let the kids linger on the playground.

 

If you must.get.out.of.town.

Desoto Caverns. https://www.desotocavernspark.com

Meander about 40 minutes down 280 to reach this destination. Watch your kids marvel at stalagmites and stalactites and then jump outta their skins when the tour guide turns the lights off! Then end your experience by picking up rock candy in the gift shop. There are bumper car type rides out back if you so chose to indulge.

Desoto Caverns

Note: This is not a sponsored post.

This post does not represent the opinions of BMB. I am just expressing my own views on local attractions. I have no conflicts of interest. This list did not include the following: Chuck E Cheese, Let’s Play, or McWane Science Center, as “the author” is allergic to crowds, scared of germs, and must be able to see her kids at all times. I hear Oak Mountain has an awesome petting zoo. I would not know about this, though. I live with enough wild animals. I don’t go seeking ’em out.

Wise mamas, please share your winning weekend itineraries below in the comments!

 

7 COMMENTS

  1. We tried to do one of these activities this weekend, and got as far as putting shoes on before I surrendered to two crying and always-hungry toddlers. Then I treated myself to a treat from Savages during their nap time. #win

  2. Great ideas! I can’t believe I still haven’t gone to Railroad Park. We will have to try some of these stat!

  3. So you took your old mom to the “work out” hike, huh? JK this is a great list and I know you hit it regularly with my grandboys. Good Job, Dori.

  4. Great ideas for family time! Really looking forward to all of the outdoor spring activities in town over April and May too!

  5. Will use this as my quide for this summer. Love the layout and inserted links . Great ideas , thank you ! # supermomDori

Comments are closed.