Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex – Things To Do With Your Team

As the foremost sports, convention, and entertainment center in the state, it’s very likely that you and your team will be visiting the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex if your next event will be taking place in Alabama. The complex’s sizeable 220,000-square foot Exhibition Hall is only the beginning of the extensive list of features and amenities it has to offer. The Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex also includes the 19,000-seat Legacy Arena; the BJCC Concert Hall and Theater with seating for 2,835 and 1,000, respectively; over 60 meeting rooms totaling; the 838-room Sheraton Birmingham Hotel; and much more.

Since the complex is centrally-located in the heart of thriving, fun-filled Birmingham, there are a lot of great things for everyone to do and see nearby whenever your team isn’t competing. A variety of fantastic and affordable dining options located within walking distance of the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex round out what is sure to be a memorable travel experience for you and your team.

 

Things to Do

Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and Museum

A visit to the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and Museum will surely be an inspiring experience for your whole team; maybe even for you too! Located adjacent to the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and Museum celebrates the state’s rich sports heritage and illustrious hometown heroes. In fact, five out of the top fifteen of ESPN’s list of the top 100 athletes of the past century are Alabamians honored in the hall of fame. They include Jesse Owens, Hank Aaron, Joe Louis, Willie Mays, and Carl Lewis.

At the hall of fame’s 33,000-square-foot museum you’ll find over 5,000 sports artifacts. Notable artifacts and features at the museum include Heisman Trophies won by Pat Sullivan and Bo Jackson, a houndstooth hat worn by coach “Bear” Bryant, as well as life size dioramas, athletic equipment, historic uniforms, and more. 2150 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N, Birmingham, AL 35203

 

McWane Science Center

For never-ending fun and learning take your team to the McWane Science Center, a nonprofit, hands-on museum, aquarium, and IMAX Dome Theater located just under a 20-minute walk from the convention complex. The museum features four floors of interactive exhibits that celebrate science and the wonder of discovery.

At 9,000 square feet, the McWane Science Center boasts a variety of amazing features. These include the Challenger Learning Center of Alabama; The World of Water exhibit that showcases more than 50 species of marine and freshwater aquatic life; and the Alabama Collections Center, which houses precious minerals, fossils, and Native American artifacts from the former Red Mountain Museum. The educational fun continues in the science center’s IMAX Dome Theater. There wide-eyed visitors can experience the sights and sounds of breathtaking films on a 5-story-tall screen surrounded by 3 tons of high-intensity speakers. 200 19th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203

 

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute

You and your team can take a step into Alabama’s past just one mile from the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute is a state-of-the-art, multimedia museum that chronicles the struggles of the Civil Rights Movement that took place throughout the 1950s and 1960s through a variety of interpretive exhibits.

The exhibits at the institute are a captivating self-directed journey through the City of Birmingham’s contributions to the historic movement and ensuing human rights struggles, which altogether make for a solemn, yet meaningful experience that will certainly be one of the highlights of your team’s visit to this historic city. 520 Sixteenth St N, Birmingham, AL 35203

 

Negro Southern League Museum

Although it’s a bit of a ways away from the convention complex at just over a 25-minute walk, the Negro Southern League Museum is a must-see attraction for any and all baseball fans during their visit to Birmingham. Located in the heart the city’s Parkside District, this unique museum tells the story of African-American baseball from a distinctly local perspective.

Boasting over 8,000 square feet of exhibit space, the Negro Southern League Museum showcases the largest collection of original Negro League artifacts in the nation. While at the museum, you and your team will take part in a self-guided tour that chronicles the origins of the historic league, the impact of the Civil Rights Movement on the sport of baseball, and more. 120 16th St S, Birmingham, AL 35233

 

Railroad Park

During your visit to the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, you and your team will likely be spending quite a bit of time indoors. When it’s time to go outside and get some fresh air, take your team to Railroad Park. Located just over a mile away from the complex, Railroad Park is a beautiful, 19-acre green space in Birmingham’s downtown area.

Widely regarded as “Birmingham’s Living Room,” Railroad Park celebrates the industrial and artistic heritage of the city while providing a scenic venue for recreation, outdoor activities, concerts, and various cultural events. With nine acres of open lawn you and your team can enjoy a quick snack outdoors, play a game of catch, or just take in the fresh air.

In addition to the paths that wind throughout Railroad Park, the Rail Trail extends the length of the park and is the perfect place for a stroll or jog amidst picturesque surroundings. At its highest point it Rail Trail features breathtaking city views. An outdoor gym offers additional opportunities for good fitness in the middle of the city and its two playgrounds are perfect if you’re visiting Birmingham with a team of young children. 1600 1st Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233

 

Places to Eat

Mugshots Grill & Bar

The idea for Mugshots Grill & Bar came about when Chris McDonald and Ron Savell, two college buddies, dreamed of owning their own restaurant while they were busy tending bar on beautiful Waikiki beach. In 2004, their dream became a reality when they opened the first Mugshots in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

Now there are multiple Mugshots locations throughout three states, including one just down the street from the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, each serving up delicious food and a good time. The menu at Mugshots features a vast selection of burgers along with sandwiches, salads, pasta dishes, and appetizers like nachos, wings, fried pickles, and more. 2311 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N, Birmingham, AL 35203

 

Sneaky Pete’s

Sneaky Pete’s, a casual hot dog joint, has been serving great food for over 50 years since it first opened in 1966. The original Sneaky Pete hot dog, doused with ample servings of mustard, onions, sauerkraut, and their signature hot dog sauce, has kept Birmingham locals coming through the door for almost half a century.

Today their menu features must more than just that however. In addition to their original hot dog you and your team can also indulge in other tempting options like their chili cheese dog, junk yard dog, bacon cheeseburger, fried chicken sandwich, taco salad, and so much more. 1905 Park Pl, Birmingham, AL 35203

 

Roly Poly

In 1996 the first Roly Poly opened for business in Atlanta, Georgia. Decades later there are now over 50 Roly Poly eateries across 16 states. Fortunately for you and your team, one of those Roly Polys just happens to be a short walk from the convention complex. One bite of their delicious rolled sandwiches is all it will take for you to fully understand why Roly Poly has become such a successful fast casual restaurant chain in such a short period of time.

One of the reasons why is because of the variety of bright, fresh is flavors that go into all of the sandwiches they serve. Nowhere else can you find savory basil chicken salad, crunchy cashews, crisp lettuce, juicy Roma plum tomatoes, sliced avocado, alfalfa sprouts and spicy Thai hot sauce all rolled into a soft tortilla. That’s just one of the over 50 different sandwiches there are to choose from at Roly Poly, in addition to a selection of light, fresh salads and hearty soups. 313 20th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203

 

Paramount

Great food and fun arcade games; can it get any better than that? Probably not! So while you and your team are visiting are Birmingham, be sure to stop by Paramount. Paramount is a popular local restaurant that pairs its delicious takes on classic bar food with more than 20 classic and cutting-edge arcade games.

The menu at Paramount is just as fun as their arcade games. It features everything from conventional fare like burgers, hot dogs, fries, and onion rings to more unique options like The Three Hander, a sandwich jam-packed with house corned beef, fries, tomatoes, pickled jalapenos, creamy slaw, Dijonnaise, and mozzarella on a sourdough bun and the Steak & Wedge salad, which consists of romaine lettuce, flank steak, roasted tomatoes, croutons, and creamy Parmesan. 200 20th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203

 

It’s only fitting that a facility as impressive and accommodating as the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex is located in a city like Birmingham. That’s because, like the convention complex it’s home to, Birmingham is a city that has something to offer everyone who visits it.

No matter how you and your team choose to spend your time in Birmingham, you’re all in store for a great time with plenty of opportunities to make some unforgettable memories.