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I have never been to either of these cities...but they have always been grouped together in my mind...relatively similar metro populations, both major southern cities which in eyes of many have had major declines, both very historic...which do you think would make a better couple day vacation?
In terms of what I tend to enjoy in a vacation...mostly just exploring downtowns and neighborhoods, parks, etc...not so much into museums or music/night scene...though there are exceptions.
I'd say Memphis. Even though you're not much into museums or music, I think those things give Memphis more of an edge from a visitor's point of view (e.g., Graceland, Beale Street, Rock 'n Soul Museum, Lorraine Motel/Civil Rights museum). Both have nice downtowns with a good historic urban fabric in place, but I'd also give Memphis the edge here too since it also has had more new development but these days, Birmingham is catching up quick in that area.
Memphis is more gratifying for a visitor than Birmingham for sure.
Birmingham isn't as touristy while Memphis has Graceland, Lorrain Motel, Beale Steet, Peabody Place, the Riverfront etc. Bham does have a Civil Rights Museum, but Memphis' attractions are far more popular.
I wouldn't go to Memphis. Beale street is fun for one night and the rest of down town is pretty dead. Sound studios is the only interesting thing in Memphis.
Civil Rights Museum and the places among the Civil Rights Trail (16th Street Baptist Church, Kelly Ingram park).
Rickwood Field (oldest standing pro baseball park)
Barber Motorsports (largest Motorcycle Museum around, as well as an Indy/F-1 track)
Vulcan (world's largest cast iron statue atop Red mountain, museum gives good history of the area)
Sloss Furnace (ca. 1880 pig iron furnace, and the first National Historic Landmark designee for heavy industry)
Botanical Gardens (Japanese garden is quite special, but recent bad weather may have put the damper on things).
Fine Dining (Lots of Beard winners, nominees and finalists)
Barbecue
Neither really, but forced to choose, I'd choose Birmingham simply for the edge of culture waaay over Memphis TN. The southside of bham around 5 points has far more character than anything in Memphis TN. Beale Street is a dump compared to the offerings from 5 points/UAB area to Homewood, The Summit, to English Village area. Birmingham's topography is far more interesting, and Bham is a short drive to Huntsville Space FLight Center of NASA which is a waay superior attraction than anything close to Memphis TN . Birmingham has better lakes such as Oak Mountain, Lake Purdy, etc etc....Memphis centre has the muddy nasty-looking Mississippi River and McKellar lake which is a thorough joke.
I think Graceland, Sun Studios, and the Lorraine Motel are more interesting myself. It depends on what the OP is into.
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Originally Posted by jakabedy
Birmingham has:
Civil Rights Museum and the places among the Civil Rights Trail (16th Street Baptist Church, Kelly Ingram park).
Rickwood Field (oldest standing pro baseball park)
Barber Motorsports (largest Motorcycle Museum around, as well as an Indy/F-1 track)
Vulcan (world's largest cast iron statue atop Red mountain, museum gives good history of the area)
Sloss Furnace (ca. 1880 pig iron furnace, and the first National Historic Landmark designee for heavy industry)
Botanical Gardens (Japanese garden is quite special, but recent bad weather may have put the damper on things).
Fine Dining (Lots of Beard winners, nominees and finalists)
Barbecue
Dont forget Mountain Brook Village. Beautiful and a very unique shopping experience for those who tire of malls.
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