Reviewed by: Selah Vetter
9 insider tips for new college students in Birmingham, including where to shop, park + eat
New to The Magic City? From where to get groceries to free attractions, we got you covered. Keep reading to learn all the ins and outs that every new person in Birmingham needs.
Where to grocery shop
1. Piggly Wiggly
If you’re looking for local grocery, Piggly Wiggly has so much to offer. They have lots of Alabama farmer’s meats and plenty of local dips, salsas and chips.
LOCAL PRO TIP: Piggly Wiggly is also referred to as The Pig and has some of the best mac and cheese in their deli.
- Bluff Park: 2148 Tyler Rd Suite 104, Hoover, AL 35226
- Clairmont: 3314 Clairmont Ave, Birmingham, AL 35222
- Crestline: 41 Church St, Birmingham, AL 35213
- Homewood: 3000 Montgomery Hwy, Homewood, AL 35209
- North Birmingham: 2500 29th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35207
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
2. Publix
For Southern grown produce and decent weekly deals, Publix has a Midtown location close to UAB and a new store that’s already broken ground in Irondale.
- Midtown location: 230 20th St S, Birmingham, AL 35233
- Hours: Sunday-Saturday 7AM–10PM
3. Local Source
For more fresh Alabama produce, shop at Local Source. You can purchase frozen grass-fed meats from Sylacauga and goods from Alabama makers in a quaint and inviting space.
- Location: 2009 15th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35205
- Hours: Sunday-Thursday 10AM–7PM | Frday-Saturday 8AM–7PM
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
More grocery shopping
- Food Giant is returning to Birmingham’s West side coming in 2023.
- Although there isn’t a physical store in Birmingham, Kroger Co. delivers groceries to most zip codes around here. Get your grocery shopping online here.
Parking
When you’re new to the city, parking can be the most intimidating thing about getting around. Check out some of our handy guides to parking around town:
FUN FACT: Birmingham uses the ParkMobile app on our parking meters around town, so if you don’t have any quarters you can still pay digitally.
Where to eat
4. Al’s Deli & Grill
Listen, we all know you’re not gonna be cooking full-course meals during move-in week and Al’s is the perfect spot for late-night dining.
- Location: 1629 10th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35205
- Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 11AM–11PM
5. Giuseppe’s
Just off UAB’s campus, Giuseppe’s Cafe has been a Birmingham staple for almost 20 years, and our Facebook commenters recommend everything on the menu. They also have a new look, so give them a try!
- Location: 925 8th St S, Birmingham, AL 35205
- Hours: Monday-Thursday 11AM-9:30PM | Friday 11AM-10PM | Saturday 4-10PM
- Website | Facebook | Instagram
6. O’Henry’s
A coffee shop is a college student’s studying oasis. As a new student, you’ll want to know about the locally loved coffee shop, O’Henry’s. It’s also down the road from Samford’s campus making it the go-to study spot.
- Location: 569 Brookwood Village, Homewood, AL 35209
- Hours: Sunday 7AM–6PM | Monday-Saturday 6AM-6PM
- Website
7. Mr. P’s Deli
A short drive from Samford’s campus and you’ll find yourself at Mr. P’s Deli, a quaint deli in Bluff Park. After you order a tasty sandwich to go, walk over to Lover’s Leap, a secluded area overlooking the trees of Homewood.
- Location: 813 Shades Crest Rd, Birmingham, AL 35226
- Hours: Monday-Saturday 8AM–6PM
- Website
Browse through our directory of over 260 locally loved restaurants.
BONUS
- 20 must-try cheap eats for under $10 in Birmingham
- 20 of the best cheap eats in Birmingham under $20
- 11 popular hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Birmingham + what to order
Where to find attractions
8. Birmingham Botanical Gardens
As a new person making their rounds in Birmingham, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens is a hot spot you need to check out. With walking tours, yoga classes and fun events and camps, there’s something for everyone. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.
You can also buy native and indoor plants to spruce up your new home in the Magic City.
- Location: 2612 Lane Park Rd, Birmingham, AL 35223
- Hours: Sunday-Saturday 7AM-6PM
- Website
9. Birmingham Museum of Art
The thrilling exhibits and programs at Birmingham Museum of Art (BMA) showcase an inclusive story of Birmingham and art globally. Admission is free, making it student-friendly. BMA believes that art should be accessible to everyone, so tour soon as you navigate downtown.
- Location: 2000 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35203
- Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10AM–5PM | Sunday 12–5PM
- Website
BONUS: Don’t miss, Emelle native, Thorton Dial’s “I Too, Am Alabama” a new exhibit at UAB’s Abroms Engel Institute of Visual Arts.
More attractions to explore
- Walk the trail at Vulcan Park.
- Stroll through Pepper Place Market + admire the local makers.
- Take a self-guided tour of Sloss Furnaces.
- Visit the studios at MAKEbhm, a fave for local creators.
How are you finding your way around in our city? Let us know on our Facebook, Instagram + Twitter.
