With a metropolitan population of over one million people, Birmingham is Alabama's largest city. Known as the “Magic City”, there's plenty to see, plenty to do, and plenty to experience, from exciting attractions and colorful events to friendly neighborhood hangouts. And because UAB is centrally located, you don't have to go far from campus to hit the highlights. All of Birmingham's best bets are just minutes away. To learn more about Birmingham, click here.
Quick Guide
Five Points South: A popular student hot spot, Five Points is the eclectic neighborhood next to the UAB campuses. Explore its coffeehouses, shops, and restaurants.
Culture: Find inspiration and enjoy the popular summer series Art on the Rocks at the Birmingham Museum of Art, one of the largest in the region. Visit the renowned Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and other galleries across the city. The Alabama Symphony Orchestra and The Alabama Ballet give performances throughout the year. Don’t miss concerts at the Oak Mountain Amphitheatre, Iron City, BJCC, Workplay, and Bottle Tree Café!
Shopping: Take your pick of several trendy shopping centers, including The Summit, Riverchase Galleria the Outlet Shops of Grand River.
Sports: Cheer on local teams, tee off at nationally known golf courses, or relive great moments at the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. Sporting events include the Birmingham Barons at Regions Field, Robert Trent Jones Golf Trails, Barber Motorsports with dozens of races each year, historic football rivalries, and collegiate football teams throughout the state.
Outdoors: Go hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, or horseback riding at Oak Mountain State Park. Or just relax in the city's beautiful botanical gardens. The Birmingham Botanical Gardens are free year-round. Enjoy a sunny day at Railroad Park, run in the Mercedes Marathon or along the beautiful Jemison Trail in Mountain Brook, and float down the Cahaba River on a hot summer day.
Transportation: It's easy to get here from anywhere, with the Birmingham International Airport serving the city. Transportation between UAB Medical Center and UAB Highlands Hospital is provided through the UAB transportation website.
Family Fun: Many of our residents and fellows have families and there is plenty for you to experience in Birmingham! Tame the rides at Splash Adventure theme park, enjoy big-name concerts, and experience larger-than-life Imax movies at McWane Center Science Museum. Other fun family adventures include the Birmingham Zoo, Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Aldridge Gardens, Pepper Place Farmer’s Market, and the Vulcan Park & Museum.
Good Food: The amount of acclaimed restaurants in Birmingham is impressive enough to please any foodie. Check out 50 essential Birmingham restaurants.
2020 Best School Districts in the Birmingham Area: The 2020 Best School Districts ranking is based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education. Ranking factors include state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, SAT/ACT scores, teacher quality, public school district ratings, and more. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.