Birmingham to Greensboro 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.

Consisting mostly of industrial buildings, Greensboro is the type of city that only reveals its charm to those who have given it time. Head over to the Colonial Heritage Center to learn more about the life of the colonists during the first days of the country. The relics here, including the most outstanding collection of colonial-era maps in the country, will certainly leave you satisfied. One of the highlights of the city is the Old Greensborough quarter, which serves as a living time capsule for fans of history. The quarter also hosts some of the best establishments in town, so don’t hesitate to unwind and enjoy a quick bite at a local restaurant. When you need to retreat from the crowd, the Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden and Bog Garden, which features artful sculptures, will be a great choice.

Greensboro’s food scene is expanding rapidly and Table 16 is one of the most famous stars of this burgeoning food scene. The menu incorporates locally-grown produce as well as seasonal dishes whenever possible, making it a great place to try out local staples.

Depending on the bus carrier you are going to travel with, there are several bus stops around Greensboro that you could end up departing from or arriving at. The main Amtrak train station in town is the J. Douglas Galyon Depot located in the center of the city. Greensboro is served by Amtrak’s Carolinian, Crescent and Piedmont lines. The airport serving the city is Piedmont Triad International Airport, which is located in Guilford County.