Are you in need of a date night in the Magic City? As a Birmingham, Al. wedding photographer, one piece of advice I always give my couples is to prioritize time together during the busy season of engagement. Here are some fun date ideas in Birmingham, Alabama that will allow you to enjoy each other’s company – ranging from free to fancy!
If you give any of these dates a try, let me know by taking a photo and tagging me on Instagram at @eleanorlafoy!
1. Find dinner at the Pizitz Food Hall downtown.
Pop-up restaurants range from Ethiopian and Japanese to Italian, so there is food to suit any fancy! They also have one rotating restaurant that stays for a few months to test out the Birmingham market before it launches its own storefront. The Pizitz is in the heart of downtown, so you’re right in the middle of the action and in walking distance to Railroad Park if you desire to take your food to-go!
The restaurants in Pizitz are changing all the time so check out their website for the latest! The possibilities are endless, and oh so yummy.
2. Take a hike at Oak Mountain State Park.
Your date ideas in Birmingham, AL don’t have to be expensive. It’s only $5 per car to get in to Oak Mountain State Park! There are multiple trails, but the best by far is hiking to the top of King’s Chair for a spectacular view. Hold hands, breathe in the fresh air and enjoy nature together while also taking some snacks or a whole meal with you!
3. Visit the Birmingham Museum of Art.
The museum is free and always bringing in new, interesting exhibits. During the summer, the museum also offers an event called “Art on the Rocks.” You can dress up, enjoy mingling in the outside courtyard with new friends and peruse the museum on a beautiful summer evening. This Birmingham wedding photographer is always looking for new, interesting photo locations, and this one is at the top of the list.
4. Schedule a couple’s photo session!
When is the last time you and your significant other took professional photos together? If the answer is “a long time” or even “never,” then consider this your next perfect date night. Head to eleanorlafoy.com/contact and inquire about a one-hour session at a spot that’s meaningful in your relationship. Get dressed up, make some sweet memories and end it with a dinner at your favorite Bham restaurant. You can thank me later.
5. Window shop at The Summit.
Anthropologie, Altar’d State, and Kendra Scott are for the girls, and Allen Edmonds is for the guys! The Summit is a fantastic place simply to walk, eat (Shake Shack, North Italia, Village Tavern, Chopt, etc.), get dessert (Churro Station for the win!) and see a view of the hills from the back patio of Chuy’s.
6. Grab a treat at General and visit Shoppe.
I know they’re the most basic store names, but they’re supposed to replicate a small town general store! General is a quirky, cute restaurant and store all-in-one. They serve pastries, breakfast, lunch, coffee and other drinks. It’s one of my favourite brunch spots, and you can also shop for trinkets while you’re there! Take a few steps down the street, too, and you’ll hit Shoppe, the most idyllic plant store you ever did see. With an abundance of indoor and outdoor plants, gardening accessories and a beautiful greenhouse (that even hosts events!) you will walk away inspired and with a greener thumb than before.
7. Play around of golf together on Robert Trent Jones courses across the city.
On a beautiful spring or fall Saturday, hit the golf cart paths together and enjoy the sunshine, golf course snacks and challenging each other to up your golf game. Don’t worry, if you’re not up for 18 holes, y0u can try playing nine or hit the range! It’s a fun way to be active together, try a new skill and grow your patience. 😉
8. Find treasures at an antique shop.
2nd and Charles is for the book lovers, and the Brass Bear on Valleydale will blow your mind. Wander aimlessly around places like Irondale Pickers and Sozo Trading Company and play a game together to find the weirdest items possible! Additionally, scout out items for your first home together.
9. Catch a show at the Alabama Theatre.
Leading up to the holidays, they play Christmas movies and Birmingham goes crazy for it!! See The Grinch, It’s A Wonderful Life and other classics all grace the Alabama Theatre screen. The rest of the year, they bring in amazing artists for concerts. It’s an intimate yet elaborate venue that is well worth your time and will make your date feel special when you two dress up!
10. Read at the Library in the Forest.
Located in Vestavia, Library in the Forest is tucked away in the woods and provides a calm atmosphere to read and hang out! They have trails outside, so you could take your reading out there, too!
11. Watch some baseball at Regions Field.
There’s nothing quite like a summer night at the baseball stadium. Baseball is for hotdogs, peanuts, fireworks and not reallllly watching the game and flirting instead! Give it a try, even if baseball isn’t your thing.
12. Explore The Villages of Mountain Brook.
Over in English Village, you can dine at the fancy Vino, grab a baguette and coffee Continental Bakery, pretend to be French at Chez Lulu, or drive up to Crest Road for a phenomenal view of the city skyline. This area is totally underrated!
Recently, Mountain Brook Village has exploded with tons of new restaurants and cute shops including Sons Donuts, Jeni’s Ice Cream, Basecoat Nail Spa, and Ladybird Taco! The area isn’t quite finished developing yet, so I can’t wait to see what they add next!
Lastly, Crestline Village is home to some of this Birmingham wedding photographer’s favorites such as Real & Rosemary, Crestline Bagel Company, Slim’s Pizzeria and Craft’s on Church Street! Catch me eating the hot honey jalapeño pizza from Slim’s at every special occasion.
13. Go salsa testing!
Grab chips and salsa (or queso if that’s your thing!) from multiple restaurants around town and have a good old taste test (blindfolded or not). Some Birmingham favourites are Salud Taquería, El Barrio, Rojo and Little Donkey (Ryan and I’s first date spot!). All of them have their own spin. I want to hear your results!
14. Pick up tennis or pickleball.
There are so many courts around town, but here are some fun ones to check out: Overton Park, Veteran’s Park, Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex, Homewood Park. Try singles first to learn the rules, then invite another couple for a double date!
15. Watch a movie at Avondale Park.
Every summer, families and young professionals sit in the outside amphitheater to watch classic movies. Grab a bite to eat at Saw’s or a drink at Avondale Brewing before the movie starts and join all of Birmingham for a family-friendly movie (except you’ll be on a date, so leave the kids behind!).
16. Take a stroll around the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
This is the perfect (free!) place to take a romantic walk surrounded by a variety of beautiful plants and flowers. Each individual garden offers unique scenery that changes with every season, and it has cute little hideaway spots. I’ve photographed sessions here hundreds of times, and it never gets old.
17. Challenge yourselves at Breakout Games or Activate.
These escape rooms will not only challenge your mind but will challenge you and your significant other to work together! Beat the time and try to break out of the game as quickly as possible, and put your significant other to the test.
18. Find the best views — trust me, there are tons.
Let me give you the run-down: Crest Road or Stratford Road in English Village, Vestavia Drive, King’s Chair at Oak Mountain and Vulcan. Birmingham has no shortage of knock-out sunsets! Take a picnic blanket and admire the views from the hills of the Magic City together.
19. Date day at The McWane Center.
Channel your inner child at the innovative and interactive kids museum across from the Pizitz Food Hall. It’s so much to be a kid again and why not do it with the person you’re crushing on?! Their competitive streak might just come out, and it could be the most fun you have in a long time!
20. Rent a car from Dream Drives and cruise around the city.
This is the “fancy” range of date nights, but an unforgettable one for sure. Choose from one of four classic cars and take a sunset ride around the city. Even consider taking some portraits with the car beforehand (that’s when you call me!).
21. Bar hop, but focus on the appetizers
Birmingham has some of the coolest, classiest bars in town! And they make some great food, too. Check out Key Circle Commons in English Village for a crisp drink, and shockingly good hot ham & cheese sandwich. Downtown, you can stop by Bar La Fête and snack on a gorgeous charcuterie plate. One of my personal favorites is Juniper, a fairly new addition outside Forest Park. They’ve got both an exciting, adventurous cocktail menu, and a food menu that will keep you coming back for more!
And there you have it! 21 awesome date ideas in Birmingham, Al. to pick from the next time you and your special someone are looking for something to do in the Magic City. I like to update this blog frequently with fun, new date night spots, so check back in every once in a while for some more inspiration!
