Eggnog, hot buttered rum, and cranberry spritzes galore! Nothing says festivity like a Christmas cocktail. From holiday-themed takeovers at our favorite craft cocktail bars to special menus and a one-of-a-kind igloo experience, there are the best places to celebrate with spirited spirits this holiday season.
With more than 27,000 paintings, prints, drawings, and decorative arts pieces dating from ancient to modern times, the Birmingham Museum of Art is a big source of pride for the Magic City. Since opening in 1951, the free art museum has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors to view and engage with art through galleries, exhibitions, and special events. We sat down with the museum’s Director of Collections and Exhibitions, Anne Forschler-Tarrasch, to learn more about how the museum functions and what to expect when visiting.
When you bingeing travel shows and watching endless Instagram videos of beautiful destinations is no longer scratching the travel-bug itch, it may be time for a road trip. For those in the central-to-north Alabama region, a multi-day drive up I-22 could be just the thing you need for a fun weekend away. Start your trip in the Magic City with Civil Rights history and a wonderfully revitalized downtown, then make your way up the highway to Memphis where you can get your fill of barbecue and blues. Though it’s only a 3.5-hour drive along I-22 to get where you’re going, it’s the little stops and side attractions along the way that will make this trip truly special. After all, life’s not about the destination but the journey.
With the holidays heading toward us faster than you can say “season’s greetings,” there are sure to be more than a couple shopping trips in your future. And while it can be difficult to find the perfect gift for everyone on your nice list, you can narrow down the options by choosing to buy local. Alabama has a host of talented makers, artists, and artisans who create everything from handmade earrings to gourmet food products. Here’s our 2022 Alabama-made gift guide.
They say there’s no place like home for the holidays, but few places in the world know how to celebrate the season quite like Germany. Alabamians can get the best of both worlds—with traditions near and far—during Christmas in Cullman. The monthlong celebration pays homage to the Southern town’s German heritage with a series of events designed to help locals and visitors alike get in the Christmas spirit.
Downtown Birmingham has changed a lot just over the last year. In the past five years, new restaurants, attractions, hotels, and apartments have popped up all over town. And 10 years ago, it was an entirely different place altogether. A major catalyst for the Magic City’s incredible transformation is REV Birmingham, a nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing the city by creating vibrant commercial districts and supporting local business owners. At the helm of REV is David Fleming, a native of Bessemer, Alabama, who has spent the last decade leading the organization. We sat down with Fleming to learn more about REV’s mission and how he’s seen Birmingham change over the years.
It’s an unfortunate consequence of air travel. Somewhere along their journeys, suitcases get lost in transit and sometimes they’re never reunited with their owners. If you’ve ever wondered what becomes of all those long-lost bags, you need only to look to Scottsboro, Alabama. This tiny town in northeast Alabama is home to Unclaimed Baggage, the country’s only retailer of lost luggage, where you can buy everything from designer clothing and jewelry to brand-new electronics, beauty products, and even art.
We’ve all been there—your pup has the zoomies, you’re looking forward to a night or afternoon out, and you have nowhere to take them. Good Dog, a new dog park and bar with locations in Auburn and Birmingham, has the answer to all three problems. The new concept combines everything dog owners love about bringing their pups to a brewery—the cold brews, ample outdoor seating, and open space—and makes it even better by gearing the space specifically toward dogs. This way, instead of being tied up to a picnic table, your dog can frolic off leash and play with other pooches in an environment that’s safe, welcoming, and fun for everyone.
There’s something about cruising down a backroad with the windows rolled down and your favorite song turned up. As the world blurs by you in a rush of color, you can exhale and let go of the week’s worries. When the weather begins to cool and the leaves begin to turn, it’s the beginning of fall drive season. Alabama is blessed with dozens of gorgeous backroads and stunning scenic byways that show off the state’s beauty. And they’re best visited in that sweet spot when the leaves have begun lighting up in brilliant crimson, gold, and orange and have only just begun dusting the ground. Ready for a weekend adventure? Here are some great places to start.
Baked goods taste better when there’s a slight chill in the air; it’s practically a scientific fact. When the leaves begin to turn, and the days get shorter, spooky season descends. And with it, pumpkin spice season begins. While there’s no denying the absolute magic of a warm pumpkin spice latte or fresh-baked piece of pumpkin bread, pumpkin treats are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to our favorite fall-flavored fancies. From decadent apple donuts to ooey gooey pecan rolls, these are our favorite treats to indulge in throughout October and November.
