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Folks in Birmingham love to cook and love to eat. Bouillabaisse and barbeque. Fried okra and foie gras. Sushi, sweet tea and seven layer salad. Perfect ribs and rack of lamb. Tapas and turnip greens. Martinis and meat & three. None of these necessarily in combination of course. Just a wide wonderful range of dining decisions in a city where food writers from around the world congregate because of its word-of-mouth reputation.
And diverse music? Well what is the capital of American Idol? Yes, it’s Birmingham, with Taylor Hicks, Ruben Studdard and Bo Bice. The music is plentiful and nice. Jazz, blues, gospel, alternative, rock, country, new punk, sacred harp, bluegrass and reggae are all around. But you'll also enjoy classic entertainment in the form of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and top-class, all-singing, all-dancing, Broadway shows.
Today’s social scene is the picture of diversity as well, with folks of all ethnic backgrounds enjoying and learning from one another, arguing issues of the day, and sharing professional and social time together in an era that has made the bad old days almost invisible. Head to the Pepper Place Saturday Market where locals and tourists alike gather to socialise and enjoy cooking demonstrations. Take a rug and picnic to Railroad Park in the heart of downtown, enjoy the company of locals as you listen to live music.
Fancy a ball game? Head to Regions Field voted the best new baseball park in the USA. Spring through summer, grab the popcorn and a cold beer a enjoy a game here.
How about a round of golf? With the development of the state's Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, Alabama has become the Godfather of the Great Golf. Birmingham boasts two of the courses along the trail, one of which is the third longest course in the world!
For all its small town charm, Birmingham is a sophisticated community with a vibe that you won't necessarily encounter in other like-size cities. It's hard to put a finger on the particulars of it, but it's here. Include Birmingham in your Bon Voyage Deep South holiday and come experience it yourself....