15 Best Things to Do in Pleasant Grove (AL)

The city of Pleasant Grove, Alabama is also nicknamed by locals as “The Good Neighbour City” for its friendly atmosphere.

It lies around 10 miles west of Birmingham in the suburbs of the city.

Pleasant Grove was founded in 1889 and has a rich history to discover.

With parks, golf courses, museums and indoor events on your doorstep, you will be spoiled for choice.

It’s also a great place from which from which to explore all the attractions of the vibrant city of Birmingham and its surrounding areas.

1. Autobahn Indoor Speedway & Events

If you feel the need for speed, you can reach up to a thrilling 50mph on the electric pro-racing Karts at Autobahn Indoor Speedway & Events.

As you race around the double hairpin bends, try to overtake your competition to be the race winner. If go-kart racing isn’t your thing, don’t worry you can also try your hand at Axe Throwing, which is also on offer at the indoor speedway centre.

It’s a superb place to spend a cloudy day with friends and family, or if you simply fancy a break from sightseeing it’s a good way to let off steam.

2. The Market at Pepper Place

The Market at Pepper Place is a Saturday outdoor market which welcomes almost a quarter of a million visitors each year.

With over 100 tents and vendors in the summer, the stalls are filled with delicious fresh farm produce, baked goods, jams, jellies and artisan crafts.

Some weekends, live cooking demonstrations take place, and you can also enjoy live music as you shop.

It’s one of the best Farmer’s Markets in the area, and it’s only 20 minutes’ drive from Pleasant Grove.

3. RTJ at Oxmoor Valley

The 54-hole picturesque golf trail near Birmingham, Alabama offers something for golf enthusiasts of all levels of expertise.

With 3 pristine 18-hole courses to play – the Ridge, the Valley and the Short Course, you can easily spend a full day here.

If you seek a golfing challenge, the Ridge course will suit you perfectly.

With rolling fairways, dense tree cover and dramatic elevation changes, it features superb par 5s which will really help you improve your game.

You could also play the Valley Course with its slender valleys, tree-lined fairways and lakes, or if you are pushed for time, the Short Course has 18 one-shotters which mostly play downhill.

4. The Atomic Lounge

If you love a good night out, and fancy experiencing something wilder than a craft brewery, venture to The Atomic Lounge.

This fun retro-style bar in Birmingham serves craft cocktails and as the owners really love mid-century costumes, there’s a whole closet available for you to wear during your night out in the bar! Whether you wish to sip cocktails as a Giraffe, as Elvis or as a Squirrel carrying his nut, you can do so.

It’s a fabulous place to come with friends or meet new ones, and don’t forget your camera because your social media selfies will be legendary.

5. Breakout Games

If you love Escape Rooms and want to experience several rooms in one venue, Breakout Games near Birmingham could be for you.

You and your team have just 60 minutes to solve puzzles, crack codes and follow clues in this fun, challenging, adrenaline fuelled escape.

Whether you wish to play the Mystery Mansion, solve the Museum Heist or become a spy in Operation: Casino, there’s something to suit your taste.

6. Activities at Red Mountain Park

In addition to picturesque nature walks through lush woodland, there are also several family-friendly activities to enjoy in Red Mountain Park.

You can take to the skies and soar beneath canopies of trees on a daring zip-lining adventure, pit yourself against friends on a cable rope challenge, or scale 75-foot leaf and vine walls. Whichever activity you decide to do, it’s a fun-packed day for all the family.

7. The Bright Star Restaurant

The Bright Star Restaurant in Bessemer has been serving locals and visitors speciality Greek-style cuisine since 1907. It began as a compact 25 seat horseshoe shaped café/bar and today, it has expanded into a 330-seat restaurant which is popular throughout the southeast region.

Their signature dishes include seafood gumbo, Greek-style snapper and a selection of delicious pies.

In fact, this restaurant is so iconic, it was named an Alabama landmark by Senator Howell Heflin for services to the community and has been voted one of Birmingham’s top 3 restaurants for the last 10 years.

8. Alabama Splash Adventure

A short drive from Pleasant Grove, Alabama Splash Adventure is a fun waterpark suitable for all ages.

With thrilling slides such as Upsurge, Neptune’s Plunge and Kahuna Waves swimming pool, there’s plenty to occupy and entertain you.

If you prefer to stay on dry land there are rides and attractions including “Rampage” a 56mph, 120ft high wooden roller coaster, and the self-explanatory “Drop Zone” which plunges from great heights with a series of drops and bounces.

With places to dine, sunbathe, paddle and a whole host of children’s rides, this fabulous seasonal waterpark, 10 miles from Pleasant Grove makes for a great family and friend’s day out.

9. Bessemer Hall of History

Housed in an old railway depot, Bessemer Hall of History is as intriguing from the outside as it is indoors.

The building dates to 1916 and served passengers travelling to and from Bessemer until the 1970s.

It was re- opened by the city in 1987 as an educational history museum to showcase artifacts and information relating to the city’s steel and mining industries.

If you wish to delve deep into local history this is a fascinating place to start.

10. DeBardeleben Park

While you are in Downtown Bessemer, take some time to stroll through DeBardeleben Park.

The 3-acre park occupies 4 blocks in the city and is home to the World War I monument “Spirit of the American Doughboy”. You can stroll along tree-lined avenues, listen to music from the bandstand, or enjoy soaking up the atmosphere with a take-out coffee.

Throughout the year, the park hosts several events including the ever-popular Bob Sykes BBQ & Blues Festival and the Bessemer Christmas Parade.

11. Legion Field

You can’t visit Alabama without taking in an American football game, and Legion Field in Birmingham is a great place to do so.

The stadium holds a capacity of over 80,000 people at any one time and is currently home to the University of Alabama at Birmingham Blazers team.

If you are travelling through Alabama and plan to stop in Pleasant Grove or nearby, check when the games are playing and time your visit, so you don’t miss one.

You can mingle with like-minded sports fans, enjoy a cold beer or two and cheer on the local team.

12. Birmingham Civil Rights Trail

Birmingham is well known for the role it played during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 60s.

The Birmingham Civil Rights Trail leads you to key landmarks where life-changing events took place which changed America’s history forever.

On your tour of the district, be sure to visit 16th Street Baptist Church, the informative Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and Kelly Ingram Park, where the citizens’ struggles are showcased in a variety of powerful sculptures.

13. Birmingham Museum of Art

Showcasing some of the state’s finest collections of artwork and artefacts, Birmingham Museum of Art is a treat for any visitor.

With around 24,000 paintings, prints and sculptures from different cultures around the world, it’s an exciting place to learn more about the history of each piece.

Highlights include a selection of American art spanning the 18th to mid-20th century, African textiles, masks, ceramics, folk art displays and the Kress Collection of Renaissance Art.

The latter boasts portraits and paintings from Thomas Gainsborough, Pietro Perugino and Jacob van Ruisdael.

When you’ve explored more Native American and Pre-Columbian artifacts inside, venture to The Charles W. Ireland Sculpture Garden.

This stunning multi-level garden features iconic works by Auguste Rodin.

14. Alabama Theatre

Alabama Theatre in Downtown Birmingham is a sight to behold, even if you aren’t watching a performance! To enter the building is to step back in time, the exterior is constructed with Mission/Spanish Revival style architecture, and the interior is a grand and opulent affair which transports you to a bygone era.

With live music concerts, classic black & white movies, symphony orchestras and ballet performances, you are sure to be spoiled for choice.

Check the website to see events showing during your stay in the area, and book in advance so you’re not disappointed.

15. Dine out at Five Points South

Five Points South, Birmingham, Alabama — Five Points South

Five Points South is one of south Birmingham’s premier dining districts.

An affluent area with independent shops, art galleries and lively nightlife, it’s a place to come during the day or after dark.

Diners and foodies come from far and wide to sample delicious cuisine of Highlands Bar and Grill which has featured in over 30 U.S. publications for its food and wine selections.

There’s also the equally as popular Hot and Hot Fish Club – a contemporary restaurant which combines southern flavours with French bistro-style cuisine.

You can find some of the tastiest pizzas in Alabama at Five Points South too.

So, if you’re a foodie seeking the best places to dine close to Pleasant Grove, head to this district south of Birmingham and you won’t be disappointed.