Mountain Brook is often considered to be one of the best places to live, and not just in Alabama either. According to Yellowhammer News, this ‘over-the-mountain’ community was rated towards the top of the best 50 suburbs in the entire United States. Aside from the picturesque surroundings and European style architecture, travelers can also visit many great spots to enjoy nature or learn a little more about Alabama history.
The Crestline Village area is filled with plenty of fun things to do like visiting many of our great local restaurants and attractions. You’ll fine lots of fun activities you and your friends can walk to, as the city is very well planned out with plenty of sidewalk space and crosswalks for pedestrians. Overall, Mountain Brook is a great place to visit if you’re in Birmingham, whether you’re interested in checking out the local nightlife or looking to visit an upcoming local festival or museum one afternoon.
Pictured above is the Old Mill in Mountain Brook. View this map pin for driving directions to get you there.
If you ever find yourself in Mountain Brook, Alabama travel to these prime spots and local attractions to make the most out of your trip. Let’s get started:
Enjoy the Cahaba River Walk
If you ever visit with family in Mountain Brook, Alabama during the Spring, you’re sure to be taken through the Cahaba River Walk, and for good reason. It’s a really good trail to experience if you love nature. The river itself is great for fishing and swimming, and known as one of the most bio-diverse fresh waterways in North America. If you plan to stay dry, enjoy the trail itself and bring a camera so you can take photos of the reserve’s flora and fauna.
If you arrive around midday in the Spring, why not pack a picnic lunch and dine Al fresco under the trees! If you get there at the right time, the Cahaba lilies are in bloom from mid-May to June. People from all over the world descend on Alabama during this time to marvel at the Birmingham area’s most iconic flower, which only grows in Alabama plus some parts of Georgia and South Carolina.
- Cahaba River Walk Park
- 3529 Overton Rd, Mountain Brook, AL 35223
- (205) 802-3877
Check out the Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Next up on our list of things to do in Mountain Brook is a favorite for anyone who loves to stop and smell the roses. The Birmingham Botanical Gardens is a nice place to spend your afternoons, and it’s also Alabama’s largest living museum. You can go there just for relaxation and to walk around exploring the grounds anytime from dawn to dusk year-round. Pick a garden and hang out! One of their best gardens is the Gardens of Nature. This one features plants and flowers which are indigenous to the Southeastern USA. They also have the Gardens of Culture which highlights the area’s human culture. Close to many of our favorite restaurants in the area, this is a top choice for burning off a few calories exploring nature before dinner. It’s also right by the zoo, which is the sightseeing opportunity up next on our list.
- Birmingham Botanical Gardens
- 2612 Lane Park Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223
- (205) 414-3950
The Birmingham Zoo in Mountain Brook
If you want to put your money in a zoo that truly takes care of all its animals, you should visit the Birmingham Zoo. It’s a truly educational experience that can be enjoyed by both adults and children. Aside from the tour, the zoo also gives lectures about the many exotic animals that they keep. A Birmingham attraction open since 1955, they house over 900 animals and feature 230 species from around the world.
- The Birmingham Zoo
- 2630 Cahaba Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223
- (205) 879-0409
Visit Vulcan Park and Museum
One of the most well-known attractions in the Magic City, the Vulcan Park and Museum is a necessary stop for those visiting the area. The first thing you will notice is the 56-foot tall statue of Vulcan, the god of fire and forge. This museum sits on top of the Red Mountain and is a celebration of the industrial heritage of our city. The statue is a gigantic figure made of iron in 1903. Tours are available that take you up to the very top where visitors will enjoy an amazing view of the city below.
- Vulcan Park and Museum
- 1701 Valley View Dr, Birmingham, AL 35209
- (205) 933-1409
Explore Sloss Furnaces
The city of Birmingham is known for its industrial beginnings for sure. Sloss Furnaces is considered to be a historical landmark and one of the most well-known local interests. This place used to be the biggest pig iron blast furnaces in the area for decades. It was closed down in 1971, but the property remained in use since. The site is now host to musical concerts, town festivals and even haunted ghost tours around Halloween.
- Sloss Furnace
- 20 32nd St N, Birmingham, AL 35222
- (205) 254-2025
Find Wildlife in Jemison Park
One of the most celebrated trails hugging the Cahaba River is found in Jemison Park. Named after businessman and entrepreneur Robert Jemison, Jr, this park has 54 acres of land dedicated to hiking and cycling. Perhaps its best feature is the Old Mill you saw at the beginning of this article. The mill used to be a grist mill many years ago.
- Jemison Park
- 2780 Mountain Brook Pkwy, Birmingham, AL 35223
- (205) 802-2400
Enjoy the Sunshine at Highland Park Golf Course
Mountain Brook is not only known for its wild nature trails. You can also play golf here! The Highland Park Golf Course offers a challenging 18-hole game to all travelers. It’s open for everyone to use, unlike the surrounding golf clubs in the area which are exclusive to members. Check it out if you’re in the area.
- Highland Park Golf Course
- 3300 Highland Ave, Birmingham, AL 35205
- (205) 322-1902
Sample Local Favorites at Avondale Brewing Company
Are you a beer lover? Then you must visit Avondale Brewing Company as well. They offer plenty of craft beers to sample, and have live music and events most weekends in their beer garden. To top it all off, the brewery also sits on a historical building which has been a bank, a firehouse, and a saloon at several points in history.
- Avondale Brewing Company
- 201 41st St S, Birmingham, AL 35222
- (205) 203-4546
Shop the City Market at Pepper Place
If you want to go shopping as the locals do, the market at Pepper Place is also a necessary stopover. You can buy nearly anything here from ice cream to local pastries. You must also check out what the artisan booths have to offer each Saturday morning.
- Pepper Place Market
- 2829 2nd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35205
- (205) 705-6886
Checkout the Central Alabama Theater
Birmingham may have the Lyric and the Alabama Theatre, but Mountain Brook also boasts a venue for those interested in professional theater and quality live musical entertainment. Check out the current season page to see what’s the latest at the Central Alabama Theater.
- Central Alabama Theater
- 36 Church St, Mountain Brook, AL 35213
- (888) 870-2477
Must-Try Gumbo at Dyron’s Lowcountry Restaurant
For one of the best culinary experiences in Mountain Brook, you must visit Dyron’s Lowcountry Restaurant. They serve oysters and iconic seafood gumbo that’ll make you think you’re hours away at the Alabama Gulf Coast. Their black iron-seared beef tenderloin and hickory grilled yellowfin tuna are easy favorites.
- Dyron’s Lowcountry Restaurant
- 121 Oak St, Mountain Brook, AL 35223
- (205) 834-8257
Unwind at Carrigan’s Public House
If you’re looking to unwind after a busy day seeing all the sites and shopping at local retail, there’s no better place in Mountain Brook than Carrigan’s Public House. This locally owned and operated bar is a favorite destination that serves a $5 old fashioned every Tuesday from 4 to 9 PM. Visitors to the area who are looking for a good bite to eat should also be aware that Carrigan’s Public House serves a full menu including their amazing Short Rib Sliders and the tasty Bistro Filet. This local pub opens at 4:00 PM every day and close at 11:00, except on Fridays and Saturdays when they’re open till midnight.
- Carrigan’s Public House
- 2400 Montevallo Rd, Mountain Brook, AL 35223
- (205) 582-2221
That concludes our list of stuff to keep you busy in Mountain Brook this weekend. Enjoy your visit, and if you need a place to stay, check out the top hotels and motels near downtown according to TripAdvisor.
This article was proudly brought to you by Service Tech, Inc.
Service Tech, Inc. wants you to stay cool this Summer while you enjoy your time in Mountain Brook . If you’re local to the area or somewhere close by, we’re offering convenient maintenance plans to make sure your heating and air system works at peak efficiency all Summer long in Mountain Brook. Give us a call or fill out our contact form to schedule service. We’re proud to be celebrating over 30 years of service in Mountain Brook and Birmingham.
Service Tech, Inc. is located at 441 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35205
(205) 488-4714
Map by Google
