The best things to do in Birmingham for your next day out
There's great cities up and down the country that offer some of the best museums, restaurants and attractions to explore, and Birmingham is no different. The second capital city behind London is home to hidden gems and entertaining experiences to keep you occupied during a weekend trip or if you're a local looking for something new.
Whether you're after an evening at the theatre, want to shop at some local businesses or fancy stuffing yourself at a literal chocolate factory, there's an endless list of things to do in the city. So, ready to explore? Here are our top picks of the best things to do in Birmingham right now. Enjoy!
Visit the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
Location: Chamberlain Sq, B3 3DH
Best for: Friends, families or solo
This gallery and museum in the centre of Birmingham, just moments away from their main train station, is home to a huge collection of fine art, ceramics, jewellery, natural history and more.
Plus, they have a variety of temporary collections which include VR experiences and stunning paintings. This one is perfect for a free, solo date strolling around or with family and friends!
Eat chocolate at Cadbury World
Location: 69 Linden Rd, B30 1JR
Best for: Friends, families and dates
Yes, there's a literal chocolate factory in Birmingham. Located in the historic village of Bournville, the attraction gives guests the chance to step into the sweet world of Cadbury, with a self-guided tour that explores an assortment of chocolatey zones, showcasing the history, making and magic of Cadbury. Yum!
Shop locally at The Custard Factory
Location: Gibb Street, Digbeth, B9 4AA
Best for: Friends, families and dates
The Custard Factory in the trendy neighbourhood of Digbeth was once was home to Bird's Custard, but now, it's a hotspot for Birmingham's coolest bars, restaurants, attractions, independent businesses, graffiti and much more.
Set across 15 acres of beautifully restored Victorian Factories and just a short walk from the Bullring, the iconic location is the heart of Birmingham’s buzzing creative quarter and is the perfect place to shop, eat, drink or party.
Go see a show at the Birmingham Hippodrome
Location: South Side, Hippodrome Theatre, Hurst St, B5 4TB
Best for: Friends, families, dates or solo
Located just a stones throw away from Birmingham's Chinese Quarter is one of the city's top theatre venues, hosting a variety of show-stopping performances.
Whether you want to sing along to Hamilton, Hairspray or Aladdin or enjoy a more intimate show with the best up and coming talent, the Hippodrome has something for everyone and is a must visit for visitors and Brummies alike.
Stroll around Ikon Gallery
Location: 1 Brindley Pl, Oozells Sq, B1 2HS
Best for: Friends, families or solo
This internationally-acclaimed contemporary art gallery is located in an old school building in Brindleyplace, Birmingham and is one of the best things to do in the city. Plus, it's free!
Stroll around and take in some of the famous artworks in their galleries, take part in a workshop or visit their accompanying shop and cafe for a sweet treat in the city.
See animals at West Midlands Safari Park
Location: Spring Grove, Bewdley DY12 1LF
Best for: Friends and families
On the outskirts of Birmingham is a safari experience like no other, as this attraction allows you to get up close and personal with some of the world's most beautiful animals.
The park includes a four miles of drive-through safari, (yes, that means giraffes stopping traffic and monkeys on top of your car), exhibits and a theme park. Currently, over 100 different species call the Park home, and can be seen either in the comfort of a vehicle or on foot in the walk-through exhibits.
Plus, they offer luxury accommodation, allowing guests to stay overnight in lodges overlooking elephants, cheetahs, giraffes, rhinos, tigers, lions and red pandas.
Get baking at the The Big Birmingham Bake
Location: 110 Floodgate St, Deritend, B5 5SR
Best for: Friends, families and dates
Fancy yourself a pastry chef or baking extraordinaire? Well, put those skills to the test as you can pretend to be a The Great British Bake Off contestant at The Big Birmingham Bake.
Compete in a 90-minute challenge to bake and decorate the best sweet treat possible, with your bake going up against others in front of a head baker. Grab a friend, get the apron on and get baking, Birmingham!
Break out of a Peaky Blinders-themed escape room
Location: 18 - 24 Constitution Hill, B19 3L
Best for: Friends and families
Fancy transporting back to the 1900s to join Birmingham's most famous gang, the Peaky Blinders? In case you didn't know, they were a real life gang based in the Midlands and you can pretend to be a member in this escape room.
Your job? As instructed by Tommy Shelby, find anything which incriminates the Shelby family and destroy it before police officer Campbell’s men arrive to raid the bookies.
Go golfing at Golf Fang
Location: Custard Factory, Gibb Street, Digbeth, B9 4A
Best for: Friends, families and dates
If you love a competitive game to play against friends and family, then head down to Golf Fang in Digbeth for an electric experience. At the golf course, which is decorated with neon lights, paint and graffiti, there's 18 holes to keep you entertained.
Plus, they have fantastic DJs and delicious cocktails and street food on offer, perfect for date night or with pals. May the best person win!
Go shopping in Bullring
Location: Moor St, B5 4B
Best for: Friends, families, dates and solo
If you fancy shopping until you drop, then Birmingham's Bullring shopping centre has over 100 shops and restaurants for you to splash the cash in.
Whether you're wanting to treat yourself to a luxury purchase, support a local business, fill your makeup drawer and more, there's something for everyone in Bullring.
Cuddle with cats at Kitty Café
Location: Grand Central, Unit 12, B5 4B
Best for: Friends and families
Calling all cat people! Inside Birmingham New Street station is a cat café that lets you cuddle with all the feline friends inside. Um, did we die and go to heaven?
The café is also a cat rescue centre, designed with felines in mind with wide open spaces and lots of toys for them to play with. As for the humans, there's a variety of tasty food and drink on offer, plus, the animals are all up for adoptions. P.S., booking is essential!
Paint pottery at Café Craft
Location: 521 Bearwood Rd, Bearwood, B66 4BE
Best for: Friends, families and solo
Channel your inner pottery painter at Café Craft in Bearwood, where you can decorate a ceramic for you to take home. You choose your ceramic, get sketching and painting, then they glaze and fire it for you to pick up a few days later.
Plus, the quaint and calm venue also doubles up as a coffee shop for you to get your caffeine fix!
Get immersed in virtual reality at OTHERWORLD
Location: 20 Bennetts Hill, B2 5QJ
Best for: Friends, families and dates
A stones throw away from New Street Station is one of Birmingham's most unique activities, as you immerse yourself in the world of virtual reality.
Head down to their immersion pods where you can choose from a range of virtual reality games and experiences across genres. Whether you want to be transported into space, fight zombies or become a cook, this is an experience like no other.
Explore StarCity
Location: 32 Watson Rd, Nechells, B7 5SA
Best for: Friends, families, dates and solo
Just 10 minutes away from the city centre is this huge entertainment complex that offers restaurants, a cinema, bowling alleys and more. Whether you want to dig in at one of their food spots or catch a Bollywood film in the theatre, there's something for everyone at StarCity.
Get a sweet treat at Medicine Bakery
Location: Multiple locations
Best for: Friends, families, dates and solo
If you're looking for somewhere to eat in the city, then Medicine Bakery has to be on your list. The artisan bakery, café and gallery has venues in Birmingham and Wolverhampton and offers some of the best sweet treats in the city.
Their unique menus offers brunch dishes, freshly baked cronuts (that's a croissant and doughnut hybrid, FYI!), cakes, breads, pastries and locally-sourced coffee. Plus, their bakeries a great spot for an aesthetically pleasing picture!
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