Birmingham, Alabama is a fantastic city nestled right at the base of the beautiful Appalachian Mountains. You’re in for a treat because this place has quite a fascinating history.

Back in the day, Birmingham was the major industrial hub of the southern United States. Imagine a bustling city full of factories and railroads! It grew so rapidly during the nation’s manufacturing era that people affectionately called it the “Magic City.” 

But now, Birmingham has undergone a major transformation. It’s all about cutting-edge medical research, banking services, and other industries that drive our economy.

One thing you’ll absolutely love about Birmingham is the amount of green space it has. So, if you enjoy being surrounded by nature and peaceful parks, this is the place to be.

Birmingham, AL

Apart from its industrial significance, Birmingham takes pride in its rich history and heritage. The city boasts 99 historic neighborhoods, each with its unique charm and stories to tell. Moreover, Birmingham holds a special place in American history as the cradle of the American Civil Rights Movement, playing a pivotal role in the fight for civil rights.

With its industrial past, diverse mineral wealth, and pivotal role in civil rights history, Birmingham has become a city with a fascinating and unique character.

Located Along Highway 280

As you drive along Highway 280, you will run into the Brook Highland and Greystone communities. This area is the portion of Birmingham, AL that is in Shelby County. Along this corridor you will find shopping, restaurants, activities, and more. It’s a little slice of heaven!

Lake Purdy

Lake Purdy is located in this area of Birmingham tucked away off Highway 280. Though it is a smaller lake compared to others in the state, you can still boat and fish. Lake Purdy is a 1050-acre freshwater reservoir, and is reserved as a second source of drinking water for the City of Birmingham. No private boats are allowed, but you can rent them to get out on the water to fish. A few fish that are popular are spotted bass, largemouth bass, black crappie, white crappie, and catfish. Since the reservoir is well-maintained, these fish are great to eat.

Shopping & Restaurants

The Brook Highland shopping center along Brook Highland Parkway features big-box stores, eateries, and local shops. You can find everything you need at Michaels, Home Goods, BestBuy, Lowe’s, Sprouts Farmers Market, Burlington, and Petco. Such convenient shopping! 

In this same shopping center you can grab a cup of coffee at Bullet Coffee Company, brunch at Ruby Sunshine, a Mediterranean lunch at CAVA, steak for dinner at Outback Steakhouse, or take home pizza from Domino’s. The options are endless, and these are not even all the restaurants!

Come Visit Birmingham, AL

You will never get bored in Birmingham. This small section of the city in Shelby County is jam packed with things to do and places to visit — you can just imagine what the rest of Shelby County has to offer. But, you don’t have to imagine! Explore more of Shelby County with Discover Shelby!