Birmingham, AL: Hotel & Motel Planning Guide

When to Visit Birmingham, Alabama

One of the South's sunniest states, Alabama boasts sunny, warm days year-round. Summer days tend to get hot, with temperatures topping out in the 90s. Winters can get chilly, but temperatures rarely dip below 40. Birmingham doesn't experience traditional rainy or dry seasons, but October tends to be the driest month and March tends to be the wettest.There's no bad time to visit Birmingham, but some seasons typically attract more visitors than others. Visit in the summer for hot weather and festivals, but be prepared to pay higher prices for hotel rooms. Plan your visit for spring or fall, and you'll find mild weather, gorgeous fall colors, and lower hotel prices.

Best Hotel Discounts in Birmingham, Alabama

Birmingham hotels offer discounts for select groups. Senior travelers and AARP members can expect discounts of 10 to 15 percent at hotels like Springhill Suites by Marriott Birmingham Colonnade and Americas Best Value Inn & Suites-Birmingham/Calera. AAA members can typically expect discounts of 5 to 10 percent at spots like Hotel Highland Downtown/UAB, Ascend Hotel Collection.

Best Value Options in Birmingham, Alabama

Whether you want to stay near the airport, downtown, or on the outskirts of the city, many Birmingham hotels offer serious value. Stay at one of these midrange hotels for the best values in Birmingham.Near the Birmingham Airport, the Hampton Inn & Suites Birmingham Airport Area offers queen and king rooms and studios with plenty of space for the whole family. Enjoy all the conveniences of home, like microwaves, refrigerators, coffee makers, and even wet bars. Plan your day with the hotel's free Wi-Fi and catch up on work with the in-room work desk. Splash around with the kids at the year-round indoor pool, or sweat it out at the hotel's fitness center. Start each day of your stay on the right foot, thanks to the complimentary hot and cold buffet.Just northeast of Birmingham, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Birmingham Trussville features basic rooms with workspaces and 32-inch LCD TVs. Grab a free cup of coffee in the hotel lobby, or take your pick from the complimentary breakfast buffet each morning. Work up a sweat in the on-site fitness center, and cool down in the seasonal outdoor pool. The Holiday Inn Express also features plenty of event space, making this a smart option for business travelers on a budget.On the south side of town, plan your stay at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Birmingham Colonnade. Spread out in your choice of king suites, double rooms with sofa beds, or studio rooms with sofa beds. Get comfortable with the hotel's luxurious Egyptian cotton sheets, and enjoy late night snacks with the in-room microwaves. Connect with family back home with the hotel's complimentary Wi-Fi, and squeeze in a workout in the seasonal outdoor pool. For a quick bite in the morning, grab a snack at the on-site deli.If you're searching for an upscale stay at a budget price, look no further than Hotel Highland Downtown/UAB, Ascend Collection Hotel. Less than a half-mile from the University of Birmingham, Hotel Highland is just minutes from other major Birmingham attractions, like the Vulcan Statue and the Motorsports Museum. Each of the stylish rooms includes an LCD TV and complimentary Wi-Fi, and the hotel features a convenient 24-hour fitness center and free breakfast each morning.

Can’t-Miss Attractions in Birmingham, Alabama

No visit to Birmingham is complete without a tour of the city's Civil Rights District. Learn about Birmingham's history at the Civil Rights Institute and Museum, tour the historic Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, and catch a performance at the Carver Theater for Performing Arts.Next, step back a bit further in time with a trip to the Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park. The site of a clash between the Union and Confederate Armies, this park now features hiking trails, picnic areas, and an ironworks museum.Head outdoors and explore Birmingham's pre-Civil War Arlington Antebellum Home and Gardens, a historic home on gorgeous grounds. For more outdoor fun, wander through the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, home to the area's largest greenhouse.For some serious summer fun, take a day trip to Alabama Adventure, an amusement and water park. If a low-key day is just what you're looking for, stroll through Red Mountain Park, a 1,200-acre green space that's even larger than Central Park and the perfect spot for a picnic.No matter when you visit, Birmingham's many attractions will educate, impress, and entertain you. Plan a trip to this Southern destination, and learn why people far and wide know Birmingham as Magic City.