St. Patricks Day
by kayleigh06
Every St. Patricks day in birmingham, Digbeth is shut down for the St. Patricks day parades. Digbeth is full of little Irish pubs. If you are planning to come to Birmingham when its St. Patricks day then I would steer clear of Digbeth (unless you want to see the parades) because you won't get very far from early hours in the morning untill early hours the next morning!
Escape from the city center...
by TracyG
Escape from the city center and visit one of the many parks, Cannon Hill is probably the most famous. Most people do not end to realise that there is greenery around Birmingham. This park has great gardens and a nice lake, and is located in Moseley just outside the city center.
Symphony Hall
by Imbi
Symphony Hall has been rated as one of the best concert halls in England. Symphony Hall is the home of Birmingham Orchestra and also plays host to visiting orchestras.
It is busy all year round.
Situated in Centenary Square
The car is king
by sourbugger
Birmingham's rail infrastructure is relatively undeveloped compared to other English cities such as Manchester, Nottingham, Sheffield or Newcastle.
Whilst the graphics inside local trains make it look as if the West Midland has a metro system, this is not the case.
A number of lines converge on the seventh ring of hell - otherwise known as New Street station. You will always need to consult a timetable (especially at weekends) if you are planning to use the train, and expect delays.
The only exception to this is the 'Midland Metro' that runs between the centre of Birmingham and Wolverhampton (see other tip).
The 'buzz' (Bus) is the true backbone of public transport in the West Midlands.
Great Italian
by Lyndra about Pizza Express, Brindley Place
Pizza Express is part of a successful Italian franchise found all over the country. The food warrants mention because it is good even if it is a posh fast food chain!
This particular branch on Brindley Place is an excellent starting point for a night out in Birmingham as it is right beside a host of excellent bars on the canal. The food is the usual Italian fare of pizza and pasta but they also do a lovely selection of salads that will line your stomach before a night drinking! The chicken ceasar is gorgeous and their lasagne is also pretty cool. The pizzas are large and tasty.
The only negative is the lack of interesting side orders available to enhance the main meals.