The Retreat at Mountain Brook is ideally positioned for residents who want to enjoy the outdoors and all the fun that summer in the South offers nearby including a wide variety of parks, nature trails, and everyone’s favorite summer sport—baseball.
Just down the road from The Retreat, you’ll find the Flora Johnston Nature Trail a 2.2 loop that offers easy to moderate hiking and trail running. For other wildlife activities, you can visit, hike, explore and volunteer at Ruffner Mountain, a 1,040 acre urban nature preserve in the heart of Birmingham, Alabama providing science and nature education programming, 14 miles of trails, and a protected area for thousands of species of native flora and fauna. Also, each Tuesday in June from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. the organization is hosting a Habitat Garden work day for those who enjoy gardening activities. And, dogs are allowed on leash at both the Flora Johnston Trail and Ruffner Mountain trails.
For those who appreciate viewing beautifully planted and maintained gardens, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens are a few miles from The Retreat and open daily 365 days a year. Right now, daylilies, roses and hydrangeas are in their peak season according to the website.
A bit further in the heart of downtown Birmingham lies the Parkside District, a mixed-use development that includes living spaces, restaurants, and two of Birmingham’s crown jewels, Railroad Park and Regions Field, home to the Birmingham Barons.
The Birmingham Barons are a Minor League Baseball team based in Birmingham, playing in the Southern League, as a Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. Home games are held at Regions Field, a state-of-the-art 8,500 seat facility in downtown Birmingham which opened its doors in April 2013.
Come and enjoy any of the 45 home games left during the June to September season. The ballpark features a variety of unique seating areas that offer an intimate atmosphere and unique views of the downtown skyline, UAB, Children’s Hospital, Vulcan and Red Mountain. Each home game features a different promotion such as “Thirsty Thursdays” featuring beverages for just $2, fireworks night, dollar hot dogs, and Family Sundays just to name a few. Individual game tickets can be purchased here.
Meanwhile just across the street a variety of free activities take place at Railroad Park, so named for its proximity to the Norfolk Southern and CSX rail lines that run through downtown Birmingham. The 19-acre green space lies along 1st Avenue South, between 14th and 18th Streets in the Parkside District.
Each week at 6 p.m. a free fitness class is offered. Get Healthy on the Railroad is an eight-month (March through October) exercise program offering a variety of exercise classes every weekday at 6:00 p.m. Classes include: Monday, Hip Hop Cardio®; Tuesday, Bootcamp; Wednesday, Zumba; Thursday, Yoga and Family Fun Friday.
Also, Tuesdays at 8 a.m., a Senior Fit a weekly exercise class focusing on strength, balance, endurance, and flexibility is offered. It’s a great way to stay healthy and meet new people, all while having some fun too.
And if all that exercise has you thinking of better managing your eating choices, you can join the Get Healthy on the Railroad Cooking Classes, on the first Sunday of every month through September. These healthy nutrition classes are FREE to attend and led by area non-profits from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. on the Regions Bank 17th Street Plaza.
Also, this June for those adventurous types who enjoy it, the park will host a family camp out night June 22. Tickets are $29 and can be ordered here. The camp is offered to families with children only, and campers will enjoy activities such as arts and crafts, a scavenger hunt, giant lawn games, camp games, and more. Also, healthy snacks, delectable dinner options, and a nourishing breakfast will be provided by Publix Supermarkets and a build‐your‐own trail mix bar will be offered.
Finally, to cool your whistle or grab a bite to eat anytime, you’ll find Good People Brewing located nearby at 114 14th Street. Another brewpub, Monday Night Brewing, is scheduled to open later in 2019.
So, plan to visit these amazing places this summer that assist Birmingham in staying true to its nickname, The Magic City. There is great summer fun to be had at many locations near The Retreat at Mountain Brook!
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