Planning a trip to Birmingham and want all the highlights without the overwhelm? This one week in Birmingham itinerary hits the city’s best restaurants, neighborhoods, and local gems—summarized so it’s quick and easy to follow. Each day is grouped by area (so you’re not zig-zagging across town), with plenty of options for food, exploring, and relaxing.
If you’re the type who loves extra details, insider tips, and full restaurant rundowns, I’ve linked to my longer Birmingham guides throughout—perfect for diving deeper once you’ve built your itinerary.
Each day clusters sights and meals in the same area (no crisscrossing the city). Skim, pick, and go—and if you need hotel recs, see my blog on Best Places to Stay in Birmingham.
Breakfast: Alabama Biscuit Company (Cahaba Heights) — Go after 10am for fewer lines; don’t miss the bacon du jour, Apple Bis-Cake, and the standout brown black-pepper biscuits & gravy.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens (free) — Start at the Japanese Garden entrance at the back of the lot and work backwards; peaceful paths, koi pond, and seasonal blooms.
Lane Parke + Chop N Fresh — Stroll boutiques, then a customizable salad or grain bowl (loved Strawberry Bae and Mexican Elote Bowl). Treat yourself at nearby Jeni’s Ice Cream.
Dinner: Evening in English Village — Vino for twinkle-light patio and Mediterranean plates.
Nearby options include: Brick & Tin serves farm-to-table sandwiches and salads, Daniel George (dg) offers creative American dishes perfect for date night, Key Circle Commons is great for cocktails and small plates, Frida’s brings colorful modern Mexican flavor, and Continental Bakery is a must-stop for European-style breads and pastries.
Pepper Place Farmers Market (Saturdays only) – One of Birmingham’s best weekend traditions and a must for food lovers. Wander through rows of local farmers, artisans, and makers while live music plays in the background. Shop fresh produce, baked goods, and flowers, then browse nearby favorites like Design Supply, Yellowhammer Print Shop, and Stone Hollow Farmstand for home goods and gifts. Don’t leave without a scoop from Jeni’s Ice Cream—it’s the perfect sweet finish to your morning at Pepper Place.
Dinner: OvenBird — My favorite dinner in Birmingham; sit inside or on the cute patio with string lights. Order the forever-iconic beef fat candle, share a seasonal salad and burrata, then go for roasted chicken or hanger steak. Post-dinner photo op under the lights behind the restaurant.
For the deep dive, learn more in my post about Ovenbird Birmingham AL.
Breakfast/Brunch: Maple Street Biscuit Company – Start your morning with Birmingham’s most beloved biscuits in Five Points South. The vibe is warm and welcoming, and the menu is full of creative takes on Southern classics. Try the Squawking Goat (fried chicken, goat cheese, and pepper jelly), the Sticky Maple (chicken and bacon drizzled with maple syrup), or the hearty Five & Dime (fried egg, cheddar, bacon, and sausage gravy).
Railroad Park – After breakfast, head downtown for a walk through this 19-acre urban park filled with walking paths, skyline views, and grassy picnic spots. It’s one of Birmingham’s most photographed areas and the perfect place to people-watch, relax, or catch a community event near Regions Field.
Lunch: Brick & Tin – Stop in for a casual but delicious midday meal of farm-to-table sandwiches, crisp salads, and house-made soups. The ingredients are locally sourced, the menu rotates seasonally, and everything feels fresh and thoughtful without being fussy.
Birmingham Museum of Art (Free Admission) – Just a few minutes away, the museum houses more than 27,000 works of art spanning centuries and cultures. Wander through galleries of American and European paintings, intricate Asian ceramics, and vibrant African sculptures, then step outside into the serene sculpture garden. Admission is always free, making it an easy and inspiring afternoon stop.
Dinner: Bistro 218 – End the day with a cozy, polished dinner downtown. Bistro 218 serves modern American fare with a seasonal twist—think crisp salads, perfectly cooked steaks, and creative specials that highlight local ingredients.
Breakfast: North Italia (at The Summit) – Enjoy brunch favorites like lemon ricotta pancakes or avocado toast with poached eggs in a bright, modern setting.
Morning & Lunch: Explore The Summit – Spend the day shopping or people-watching at this open-air center packed with everything from Saks Fifth Avenue to Lululemon. For lunch, try Seasons 52 for fresh, light dishes or Culinary Dropout for a fun, casual meal.
Dinner: Hot and Hot Fish Club – End your week with one of Birmingham’s most acclaimed restaurants. Helmed by James Beard Award–winning Chef Chris Hastings, this Pepper Place favorite blends Southern tradition with modern fine dining. The menu changes seasonally, featuring fresh Gulf seafood, locally sourced produce, and beautifully plated dishes like the signature Hot and Hot Bouillabaisse or crispy soft-shell crab. The cozy dining room, open kitchen, and warm hospitality make it the perfect spot for a memorable final night in Birmingham.
Travel Tip: If you’re catching an early flight, stop by Heavenly Donut Company on your way out of town. Grab a box of their classic or seasonal doughnuts to make your airport morning a little sweeter.
If you’re planning your trip and want more ideas to fill in the week, check out my post on Best Free Activities in Birmingham for extra things to do between meals.
Food lovers will also want to read My Top 5 Places to Eat Lunch in Birmingham for midday inspiration, and if you’re visiting on a weekend, don’t miss Birmingham Farmers Markets You Have to Visit—especially the one at Pepper Place.
10 stops. One very full day. Zero regrets. Amsterdam has one of the best food scenes I’ve experienced anywhere in Europe, but the honest caveat is that some of the viral spots come with lines that will genuinely test your character. I skipped a few. I regret nothing.
Here’s what actually made the cut on my self-guided Amsterdam food tour:
Fresh stroopwafels at Hans Egstorf: made right in front of you, warm caramel, no line. This one won.
Lourens cookie croissant: flaky outside, gooey chocolate inside. Did not share.
Café Winkel 43 apple pie: one of the rare viral places that fully lives up to the hype.
Davie’s Amsterdam for the Lelie sandwich: pastrami, pickles, marbled bread. Deceptively simple. Absolutely excellent.
De Kaaskamer to end the day: 400+ cheeses, grilled cheese with what they call ketchup (it’s not ketchup, and it’s better), and bunker cheese aged in underground military bunkers.
The full route covers 10 stops through Jordaan, the 9 Streets, the canal district, and the flower market area with a Google Map included so you can just follow along.
Full guide with every stop, tips for beating the lines, and what I’d skip vs. do again | link in bio.
#amsterdam #visitamsterdam #netherlands #travel #visitnetherlands #traveleurope
There’s a version of Gatlinburg that’s all fudge shops and tourist crowds, and then there’s the version that actually makes you want to come back.
Here’s everything worth doing downtown, in the order I’d do it: 🏔️
✨ Start at @gatlinburgskypark before the crowds hit
✨ Walk the strip mid-morning when it’s still manageable
✨ @googooclusters stop (see my post from Tuesday: don’t skip it)
✨ Dinner at one of the local spots off the main drag
✨ Wander back out at night when the lights are on and it gets actually pretty
This isn’t your overscheduled Smoky Mountain itinerary. It’s more of a “here’s what I’d actually do if I had one solid day” kind of list.
Full downtown Gatlinburg guide linked in bio. 🔗
If someone told me I’d spend five hours at SkyPark, I would not have believed them. And yet. 😅
Gatlinburg SkyPark sits above the strip and it’s one of those places that looks like a quick stop on paper and turns into most of your afternoon. The SkyBridge alone is worth it — longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America, and yes, you will look down.
✨ SkyBridge (longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America)
✨ SkyLift ride up with views of the Smokies
✨ Walking trails with mountain views in every direction
✨ Way less crowded than downtown
Fair warning: if heights genuinely freak you out, the bridge might not be your thing. The rest of the park is still 100% worth it. Full guide with tickets, tips, and what to skip linked in bio. 🔗
I walked into Goo Goo Cluster in downtown Gatlinburg thinking I’d spend five minutes and leave with a small piece of candy. I was wrong on both counts. 😅
You build your own chocolate cluster at a kiosk: caramel, sea salt, pretzels, cocoa pebbles, you name it, and then watch them make it right in front of you. The whole thing takes about 15 minutes and costs $15.
The caveat? This is not a snack. This is a full-size brick of chocolate that I was still eating two days later.
If you’re already walking the Gatlinburg strip, this is an easy yes. Especially if you have absolutely no self-control around caramel. (Asking for a friend.) Full experience breakdown linked in bio. 🔗
Your Knoxville Airport survival guide, from someone who’s flown through TYS 100+ times is now up on my blog🛫
Parking, TSA wait times, where to grab food before your flight, rental cars, all of it, from someone who actually knows this airport. No guessing, no googling at the last minute.
TYS is small, easy to navigate, and honestly one of the less stressful airports I’ve been through. You just need to know a few things going in.
Full guide linked in bio. 🔗
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
