Birmingham: Self-Guided Smartphone Audio Tour – How to Plan Your Tour

Are you planning a trip to Birmingham and looking for a unique way to explore the city? Consider taking a self-guided smartphone audio tour! With this tour, you can see quirky sites like the heaviest corner on earth and the Museum of Fond Memories, all while hearing from an actor with a knack for hosting tours. Plus, you can do it all in two hours or linger at stops along the way.

In this blog post, we’ll guide you through how to plan your Birmingham smartphone audio tour.

Step 1: Book Your Tour

The first step in planning your Birmingham smartphone audio tour is booking your tickets. You can book your tour with GetYourGuide using this link: book the tour here.

Once you’ve booked your tour, you’ll receive unlimited use before your booking date and after it. This means you can explore Birmingham at your own pace and revisit your favorite stops along the way.

Step 2: Download the App

To access your tour, you’ll need to download the app. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices and can be downloaded for free from the App Store or Google Play.

Once you’ve downloaded the app, you’ll be prompted to enter your booking code. This code will be provided to you when you book your tour.

Step 3: Start Your Tour

Once you’ve downloaded the app and entered your booking code, you’re ready to start your tour. The tour starts at Rotary Trail Birmingham, which runs underneath the street grid.

From there, you’ll learn about the explosive beginnings of this planned city, some quirky facts, and its rich and sometimes dark history, like the tragic children’s crusade that shifted the tide of the Civil Rights Movement.

Throughout this circular tour, you’ll see skyscrapers, including Thomas Jefferson Tower with its mooring mast for blimps to land on, Civil Rights memorials, haunted hotels, and the fan-favorite LED Rainbow tunnels. You’ll also be shown some unusual sites, including the heaviest corner on earth and the Museum of Fond Memories.

Step 4: Customize Your Tour

One of the great things about this self-guided smartphone audio tour is that you can customize it to your interests. If you want to linger at a stop, you can. If you want to skip a stop, you can do that too. The app provides you with all the information you need for each stop, so you can decide how much time to spend at each location.

If you’re short on time, you can complete the entire tour in two hours. But, if you have more time, feel free to linger and explore the sites that interest you the most.

Step 5: Use the Virtual Tour Option at Home

If you’re unable to travel to Birmingham, or you just want to preview the tour before you book, you can use the app’s virtual tour option. This option allows you to explore the tour from the comfort of your own home.

Simply download the app and select the virtual tour option. You’ll be able to explore the sites, listen to the audio commentary, and decide if the tour is right for you.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a unique way to explore Birmingham, consider taking a self-guided smartphone audio tour. With this tour, you can see the city’s quirky sites, learn about its rich history, and customize your experience to your interests.

To plan your Birmingham self-guided smartphone audio tour, simply book your tickets, download the app, and start exploring. With unlimited use before and after your booking date, you can take your time and truly experience everything Birmingham has to offer.

Insider’s Guide to Birmingham: Hidden Gems, Local Cuisine, and Cultural Experiences

Birmingham, known as the “Magic City,” is a fascinating place to visit. It has a rich history, vibrant music and art scene, and some unique cultural experiences that are not to be missed. But beyond the typical tourist spots, Birmingham has some hidden gems that only locals know about. Here’s a guide to the best of Birmingham, with tips and insights that will make your trip unforgettable.

Local Attractions: Hidden Gems Only Locals Know About

While it’s worth visiting popular spots like the Birmingham Museum of Art or Barber Motorsports Park when you’re in town, there are some hidden gems that only locals know about. For example, the Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark is a fascinating spot to visit that not many tourists know about. Once a massive iron-producing furnace, it’s now a museum where you can learn about the city’s industrial past. Other off-the-beaten-path attractions include Ruffner Mountain, an urban nature preserve with stunning views, or the Alabama Theatre, a beautiful historic movie palace that still shows classic films.

Dining Spots: Delicious Local Cuisine and Fascinating Food Culture

Birmingham is famous for its food, and for good reason. From the iconic hot dog at Gus’s World Famous Hotdogs to the decadent fried chicken at Yo Mama’s, you’ll find plenty of delicious local cuisine to try. But Birmingham’s food culture goes beyond what’s on the plate. Did you know that Birmingham is home to one of the world’s largest peanut butter factories? Or that it was once the center of the country’s molasses industry? Take a food tour or talk to locals to discover more fascinating food facts about this city.

Cultural Experiences: Music, Art, and Customs

From jazz to blues to gospel, Birmingham has a rich musical heritage. Visit the Jazz Hall of Fame or Vulcan Park and Museum’s Linn-Henley Research Library to learn more about Birmingham’s musical history. And if you’re in town during the summer, don’t miss the Magic City Art Connection, one of the nation’s top art festivals.

Beyond music and art, Birmingham also has some unique cultural experiences. For example, the historic Fourth Avenue Business District was once the hub of African-American-owned businesses during segregation and is now a must-visit spot. You can also learn about the traditions of the city’s Native American population at the Moundville Archaeological Park.

Local History: Captivating Stories from the City’s Past

Birmingham has a complex history, from its industrial past to the civil rights movement. Visit the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute to learn about the city’s role in the struggle for civil rights and hear the stories of those who fought for justice. You can also visit the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, a landmark of the civil rights movement and a sobering reminder of the tragedies that occurred during this time.

But there are other fascinating stories from Birmingham’s past as well. Did you know that Birmingham was once the home of the country’s first Veterans Affairs hospital? Or that it was once a diverse hub of immigrant cultures and religions? Explore the city’s unique history through these lesser-known stories.

Off-the-Beaten-Path Suggestions: Unforgettable and Unique Experiences

If you’re looking for something truly unforgettable, here are a few suggestions that go beyond the conventional. Take a ghost tour and explore the city’s haunted past. Visit the Birmingham Zoo’s endangered species exhibit and learn about the animals that are at risk of extinction. Or take a hike along the Red Mountain Trail System, where you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the city.

Birmingham may not be the first place that comes to mind when you’re planning a trip, but it’s a city with a unique personality and a fascinating history. By exploring hidden gems, trying local cuisine, and diving into the city’s cultural experiences, you’ll discover a side of Birmingham that few tourists get to see.