April 4th, 2012 
Emily 
Birmingham, Alabama is a great place for a weekend trip because it’s easy to get around and there is plenty to do. Plus, some of the best tourist attractions in the city are free! Here are the highlights:
The Look of Love exhibit at the Birmingham Museum of Art. Back in the day, you didn’t give your beloved a diamond, you gave her a miniature portrait of your eye.
1. The Birmingham Museum of Art
The Birmingham Museum of Art is so high-quality; it’s amazing that it doesn’t charge an entry fee. The exhibits include Renaissance, Native American, African, and Asian art, plus a sizeable Wedgewood collection. The museum is a manageable size, so you can see everything in just a few hours. Twice a month, the museum offers a Sunday brunch, which looked delicious. Too bad it isn’t also free…
The flowers are in bloom at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
2. The Birmingham Botanical Gardens
The Birmingham Botanical Gardens aren’t as well-groomed as many other fee-charging gardens, but they are a great place to take a walk and appreciate the trees, ferns, and flowers that grow in the area. The rose garden and the Japanese garden are both worth visiting.
The Fountain at Five Points South
3. Five Points South
Five Points South is a historical neighborhood in downtown Birmingham. Here you can wander through funky shops, or get a bite to eat at one of the casual or fine dining restaurants.
A field at Railroad Park.
Getting my fitness on at Railroad Park.
Railroad Park is a newly created green space in downtown Birmingham. The park has two elaborate playgrounds, an outdoor fitness area, a skate park, a sprawling lawn, and wide walking paths to connect it all. It’s a great place to wander, people watch, or have a picnic.
5. What’s On 2nd?
What’s On 2nd? is a three story mecca of junk. Do you need ceramic teeth? They’ve got a bowl full of ‘em. What about a Playboy pinball machine? Try the second floor. Did your parents refuse to buy you that Power Rangers lunch box when you were ten, and you’ve never gotten over it? Don’t worry, this store has a very nice collection of 80s style plastic lunch boxes. You could spend hours here, sifting through all the trash/treasures. It’s a fun reminder of the fads from our pasts, and a great place to find unique gifts.
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Ooooh Emily! The What’s On 2nd store sounds like a great place to drop your dad off for the day. Or maybe 2 days. Haha! I love your blog. Keep on writin’!
He would have loved it! I think it would have been one of those places where we would have had to page him to get him to “meet his party at the front of the store” after several hours.