Things To Do In Birmingham
Discovering Birmingham
Birmingham skews young. With nearly half its population under 25, it’s a youth-centric city that brims with cheerful optimism. For proof, mall-shop at The Bullring and The Mailbox, see creative street art on the vintage-loving East Side or take to the scintillating nightlife on Broad Street.
What Are The Top Attractions To Do In Birmingham?
Bullring Shopping Centre
It’s all bull. A giant bronze one, to be precise. This 5-ton statue stands at the middle of the mall, ready to charge. Charge your credit card at one of 140-odd stores, including big-brands like Gap, Armani Exchange, Forever 21 and G-Star Raw, plus English department store stalwart Selfridges. Afterwards, grab a treat from Millie’s Cookies and count your purchases
The Mailbox
Bring a healthy appetite … for shoes! This building has gone from Royal Mail sorting centre to the hottest mall in town. Dandy up at fashion shops like Emporio Armani, or mix it up with a medi-pedi and a facial at Harvey Nichols. Whether you’re catching a film at the Everyman Cinema or dining out bistro-style, there’s always something happening here.
Symphony Hall
The orchestra is in session. Cue strings, woodwind, brass and percussion – and with a ding of the humble triangle, the music begins. See a performance by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and hear the orchestra reach a thunderous crescendo. Rock, pop and stand-up comedy shows are regular fixtures, in a venue celebrated for its acoustic flexibility.
Broad Street
Broad tastes or niche needs? Whether you’re after a buffet or a balti, Broad Street has got you covered. This is Birmingham’s most renowned strip, packed to the brim with all-you-can-eateries and intimate canalside restaurants. After dark, join the young, fabulous and infinitely stylish to party the night away at Jongleurs, Mooch Bar or Gatecrasher.
Hippodrome Theatre
No hippos were harmed in the making of this theatre. Or cast in a production. Home to the Birmingham Royal Ballet, many a lithe body has piqued and pirouetted across the stage since it first opened in 1895. Outside of ballet season, the theatre hosts the works – opera, pantomimes, dramas and a never-ending parade of West End shows. Book early for tickets.
National Sea Life Centre
“Where were you on World Turtle Day”? May 23rd’s festivities may not be celebrated far and wide, but this centre takes them seriously. Every year, they draw attention to the plight of turtles in the wild. See them, plus blacktip reef sharks, horseshoe crabs, Gentoo penguins and a big fat floppy Pacific octopus while walking the transparent underwater tunnels.
