Going to Birmingham to cheer on the Iowa Hawkeyes? Here's where to go and what to do
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It's official! The Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team will square off Thursday against Auburn University in Birmingham, Alabama.
Traveling for the game? Here are some things to know to get ready.
How to get to Birmingham
Plane tickets from Des Moines or from Cedar Rapids to Birmingham are listed on Google flights for more than $600 apiece. It’s about a 12 ½ hour drive from Iowa’s capital city.
Family activities in Birmingham
Rickwood Field
If you're a history buff and a sports fan, take your kids to Rickwood Field, the country's oldest baseball field. Built in 1910, the field was known as "the finest minor league ballpark ever." Take some time out of your day to take a tour of the diamond where Babe Ruth, Rogers Hornsby and Dizzy Dean played.
Birmingham Zoo
Check out the lions and red pandas at the Birmingham Zoo. Don't feel like walking? Hop on the train and go around Africa and South America to see the elephants and giraffes.
Take a Birmingham civil rights tour
Learn about the role Birmingham played in the civil rights movement in a guided tour. A combination of driving and walking makes it easy to see all of the top historic sites, including Kelly Ingram Park and the16th Street Baptist Church.
Take a zombie scavenger hunt
Ever wanted to know if you could actually survive a zombie apocalypses? Now you can. The game takes you through the city, where you will have 60 minutes to collect survival items for your colony. With one hour, your team will use your smartphones to search for items on the list to survive. No actual zombies are involved in the hunt, so it is family friendly.
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Top 5 Yelp reviewed restaurants in Birmingham
After surviving zombies, chances are you'll be hungry, so here are some of the top-rated meal spots in Birmingham.
The Battery
A place to bring the foodie friend while watching March Madness. Describing itself as a "high end sports bar," the upscale tavern serves the standard burger, but also short rib poutine and seared salmon. Plenty of TVs along the walls means you don't have to sacrifice your meal to watch the game.
Instagram: @manthebattery
Website: manthebattery.com
Blueprint on 3rd
Blueprint on 3rd is described as a polished-casual American brasserie in downtown Birmingham that pays homage to the regional cuisine. It has a secluded patio with a path that leads to the entertainment district.
Instagram: @blueprinton3rd
Website: blueprinton3rd.com
Social Taco
Authentic Mexican dishes in a lively laid back atmosphere serves up Instagramable food and drinks. Grab some tacos or tlayudas, also known as Mexican pizza.
Instagram: @socialtacohomewood
Website: https://www.socialtaco.bar/
The Essential
The Essential is a brunch, lunch and dinner spot in a bright and airy cafe. They serve burgers, handmade pasta, coffee and cocktails for whatever mood.
Instagram: @essentialbham
Website: essentialbham.com
Yo Chef Surf & Turf Smokehouse
Yo Chef Surf & Turf offers seafood, bowls, meats with a variety of entrees to have something for everyone no matter the craving.
Instagram: @yochef247
Website: yochefsurfandturf.net
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Noelle Alviz-Gransee is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register. Follow her on Twitter @NoelleHannika or email her at NAlvizGransee@registermedia.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: What to do and where to eat in Birmingham for March Madness
