There is so much to see and do in a city as large and busy as Birmingham. People come from all over the world to see our buildings, historical and modern, eat our diverse cuisine, and meet our friendly locals. But if you only have enough time for a day trip to Birmingham, there are some sights that you just can’t miss. So here is your guide to the best things to see, do, eat, and drink if you only have one day to spend in the city.
Getting Around
With an airport less than an hour away from the city centre, and multiple trains stations servicing trains from all around the country, getting to Birmingham is a breeze. If you get the chance to pick your station, you should aim for Moor Street. Built in an old art deco style, Moor Street is a fantastic place to start your day out, and with a couple of cosy cafés inside, it’s a great place to grab breakfast too. Once you’re in the city, getting around will be a breeze, as the buses are frequent, and there is an all-new tram system to spare your legs and save some time.
Food and Drinks
There are too many places to list when it comes to spots to eat and drinks in this city, but you’ve only got 24 hours in Birmingham, so here are the top spots for each occasion.
Breakfast / Brunch: If Moor Street Station didn’t tempt you, try Medicine Bakery on New Street. It has tons of freshly baked pastries, as well as many savoury brunch options. If you fancy something a little different, then give Damascena a go. It’s Middle Eastern food in a Midlands café – what’s not to love?
Lunch: Midday? Time for pizza. For some traditional wood fired dough, check out Baked in Brick in Digbeth. Or, if you’re on the other side of the city centre, give Otto Pizza a try.
Coffee: If you need a rest and a bit of a pick me up, there are a lot of cafés to try. Some of the best include The Coffee Bar, which is a small but sweet spot designed for coffee lovers, and Java Roastery, a great place to unwind for an hour before getting back out there.
Dinner: India might have invented the curry, but Birmingham has adopted it as its own. There are so many curry houses and Indian restaurants to choose from in the city, but Asha’s has to be one of the best. If you have time, run down to the Balti Triangle and experience Birmingham’s own curry creation.
Drinks: For the cute and quirky cocktail lovers amongst you, head up to the Pineapple Club in the Great Western Arcade for some original (and delicious) cocktail concoctions. If you prefer a more chilled out end to the day, grab a beer at Canalside Bar and take in the views of the water.
Things to See
Many people still think that Birmingham is still just a grey, industrial city with little else to offer, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. We have so much culture on display, from historic buildings to modern developments. So grab your camera as you take a trip around the city.
A great place to begin your tourist trail is St Philip’s Cathedral. The park surrounding the 18th century building is locally known as “Pigeon Park”. Being in the middle of the city centre, and right next to the main bus lines, it’s a good point of reference. From here, it’s only a 5 minute walk to Victoria Square. Here stands its namesake statue of Queen Victoria, and the fountain, officially called The River but nicknamed “The Floozie in the Jacuzzi” (which is all anyone knows it as). From the square you can see the Council House and the Town Hall, both 19th century listed buildings. Chamberlain square is directly adjacent and is home to Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery – a must-see for any visitor to the city.
Walking through the newly developed Paradise Circus, you will emerge at Centenary Square and the Library of Birmingham, the largest public library in Europe. Further down Broad Street is Brindleyplace and the canals. On the north side you can find the Ikon gallery, a contemporary art gallery in an old school building, and on the south is the Mailbox. To get the best views, an save your soles, hop on a canal tour boat.
In the other direction is Digbeth, the artsy district of the city. It is home to the Custard Factory, a business district that used to be the home of Bird’s Custard Factory, and now specialises in independent retailers, restaurants, and event spaces that is very popular with students. There is often fresh street art on the buildings and new businesses popping up, so it rarely stays static.
Things to Do
If you’re visiting the city with your family, there are tons of child/parent friendly activities to do. Within the city centre, you can find the SeaLife Centre, Legoland Discovery Centre, and the ThinkTank, in addition to a large number of museums and galleries. Venturing a little further out, there are the Botanical Gardens and Cadbury World. With only one day to spend in the city, we would suggest Cadbury World as your attraction of choice, as it is a piece of Birmingham heritage combined with the delicious smell of chocolate.
If you’re more of a party animal, then spend the night in the Chinese Quarter. The Arcadian centre is home to many bars and nightclubs, so you won’t need to travel far to get your fix of fun. Grab a drink at The Sly Old Fox (or everyone’s favourite Wetherspoons, The Dragon Inn), then take in a live comedy gig at the Glee Club, and end the night at the legendary Snobs or popular gay club Nightingales. Luckily, Grand Central Train Station is only a short stagger away.
