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We offer holidays to the four corners of the globe. If you want specialist advise please phone our travel team and we will be happy to help.
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- Destinations
- North America
- United States of America
- Birmingham Alabama
Birmingham Alabama
Birmingham is Alabama's largest city, with nearly one million
people living in the metropolitan area. Although it is a
world-renowned financial and medical centre, its sophistication has
not come at the expense of its Southern charm. The foothills of the
Appalachian Mountains provide the backdrop for its tall buildings,
cafés still specialise in country-fried steak and butter beans, and
its history as a centre of segregation has been transformed into a
future that celebrates African American heritage. Because it has
retained a true Southern distinctiveness, it has been called the
last major Southern city in America.
The city of Birmingham is rich in diverse architecture, with
sleek office buildings as well as historic homes and landmark
churches. Tree-lined streets, parks, the botanical gardens and the
Birmingham Green, and a landscaped promenade running through the
city mean visitors never feel far from nature. Trendy
neighbourhoods have come alive in Birmingham, complete with antique
shops, coffeehouses, bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Especially
popular areas include the Lakeview District, which was originally a
resort area at the turn of the 20th century, and is now full of
stylish entertainment options; and the Five Points South District,
an eclectic area of restored historic buildings now popular with
local university students.
Most significant, perhaps, is the Civil Rights District, a
six-block section of the city in which major civil rights events
took place. Here visitors can tour the 16th Street Baptist Church,
the site of a bombing that killed four African American girls. The
church was rebuilt and today continues to serve the community as an
open-door institution. Also worth a visit is the Birmingham Civil
Rights Institute, which tells the story of African-American life
and the struggle for equality through arresting multimedia
exhibitions.
Information & Facts
Climate
Birmingham has hot summers and mild to chilly winters. The
annual mean temperature is 62°F (17°C), with a July maximum of 90°F
(32°C) and a January minimum of 34°F (1°C). May and June are the
sunniest months but Birmingham is located on the heart of a tornado
alley called Dixie Alley and can be host to strong thunderstorms
and tornadoes during the months of March to May.
Getting Around
Walking is enjoyable within certain areas, such as Five Points
South, though getting from district to district on foot can be
challenging. However, Birmingham boasts Alabama's largest transit
system, with Metro Area Express (MAX) providing fixed-route buses
and vintage trolleys. Bus service ends at 9pm. Some trolley routes
stop earlier, though others continue to run until midnight. There
are several taxi companies offering 24-hour service.
Language
English is the most common language but Spanish is often
spoken in south-western states.
Money
The US Dollar (USD) is the unit of currency and is divided into
100 cents. Only major banks exchange foreign currency. ATMs are
widespread and credit cards and travellers cheques are widely
accepted. Travellers cheques should be taken in US Dollars to avoid
hassles. Banking hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm.