Birmingham to Richmond train

Birmingham may not be the capital of Alabama, but it does hold the crown as both the cultural and entertainment capital of the Cotton State. The second-most populous city, Birmingham was founded during the Reconstruction Period, which followed the American Civil War.

Quietly going about its business as an industrial powerhouse, producing much of America's iron and steel, Birmingham didn't enter the world's consciousness until the Civil Rights Movement one hundred years later. It’s one of the 8 iconic cities on our Martin Luther King, Jr. road trip, as it’s the city where Dr. King wrote his famous “Letter From a Birmingham Jail.” When visiting, be sure to stop at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute to learn more about the city’s civil rights history.

Today known as America's 'Magic City,' new life has been blown into downtown Birmingham in recent years. Its streets have been cleaned up, allowing the city's historical gems such as the Alabama Theater to shine once more both by day and by night.

The Birmingham Museum of Art contains the most extensive collection of artworks in the southeastern United States. It's connected to the nightlife districts of Five Points South, Lakeview, and Uptown by a series of charming tree-lined public squares. Close by Five Points South also lies Red Mountain's Vulcan Park, home to the world's largest cast-iron statue. It was made for the St. Louis World Fair of 1904.

Birmingham is an important regional hub linking the Deep South, the Appalachian Mountains, and Piedmont. Travelers can easily reach other noteworthy destinations in the U.S., including Dallas, Phoenix, and Montgomery, thanks to the hundreds of bus and train routes to and from Birmingham.

Richmond’s rich culture is a product of its coastal geography and multiethnic make-up. Visit Steveston, one of Richmond's iconic fishing villages that's also home to two National Historic Sites, to take in the city's long-standing marine history while enjoying stunning seaside vistas. Nature lovers can get out onto the water to spy on orcas or venture inland to watch the dozens of migratory bird species that touch down in town from winter to spring.

Popular heritage sites with no admission fee include the International Buddhist Temple, Richmond Museum, and Richmond Art Museum, offering visitors a great way to explore local culture on a shoestring budget. Known for its Chinese influences, Richmond offers some of the most authentic Chinese food found on this side of the Pacific in the Golden Village or along the Dumpling Trail. The Richmond Night Market also serves up a mouth-watering selection of street food hailing from all corners of the Asian continent.

Richmond is not far from Vancouver International Airport, which provides flights across North America and is also home to an award-winning gallery of indigenous artworks. Bus and rail networks serve the region while regular ferries run to Victoria through the scenic Strait of Georgia.