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BirminghamBirmingham is Alabama's largest city, with nearly one million people living in the metropolitan area. Although it is a world-renowned financial and medical center, its sophistication has not come at the expense of its Southern charm. The foothills of the Appalachian Mountains provide the backdrop for its tall buildings; cafés still specialize in country-fried steak and butter beans; and its history as a center of segregation has been transformed into a future that celebrates African American heritage. Because it has retained a true Southern distinctiveness, it has been
called the last major Southern city in America.
The city Birmingham is rich in diverse architecture, with sleek office buildings as well as historic homes and landmark churches. Tree-lined streets, parks, the botanical gardens and the Birmingham Green, a landscaped promenade running through the city, mean visitors never feel far from nature. Trendy neighborhoods have come alive in Birmingham, complete with antique shops, coffeehouses, bars, restaurants and nightclubs, notably the Lakeview District, originally a resort area at the turn of the 20th century, now full of stylish entertainment options, and the Five Points South District, an eclectic area of restored historic buildings now popular with local university students. Most significant, perhaps, is the Civil Rights District, a six-block section of the city in which major civil rights events took place. Here visitors can tour the 16th Street Baptist Church, the site of a bombing that killed four African American girls. The church was rebuilt and today continues to serve the community as an open-door institution. Also worth a visit is the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, which tells the story of African-American life and the struggle for equality through arresting multimedia exhibitions.
Getting Around: Walking is enjoyable within certain areas, such as Five Points South, though getting from district to district on foot can be challenging. However, Birmingham boasts Alabama's largest transit system, with Metro Area Express (MAX) providing fixed-route buses and vintage trolleys. Bus service ends at 10pm. Some trolley routes stop earlier, though others continue to run until midnight. There are several taxi companies offering 24-hour service.
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