Things to Do in Birmingham During Your Company Retreat

Few would dispute the huge, often business-saving, role that technology played during the height of the pandemic. Technologies like Zoom, email, and cell phones allowed people to continue working, and while the situation wasn’t ideal, it certainly helped for a time.

However, even fewer could have predicted how much such practices increased technology fatigue, making in-person corporate events and company retreats more welcome than ever for burned out employees and employers alike.

And one such place that’s getting a lot of attention in the company retreat world is Birmingham and the surrounding area. As a close neighbor to Talladega Springs, where Pursell Farms is located, Birmingham has become very familiar to us. As such, we’re often in the position to recommend some things to do in Birmingham to our corporate retreat guests.

Here’s what you need to know if you want to visit Birmingham while you’re staying with us.

Is a Visit to the Birmingham Area the Solution to Tech Fatigue?

Birmingham, Alabama has a storied, even magical history. Named after a city in England, Birmingham came into being in the 1870s. From almost the beginning, it had all the qualities that make up an excellent spot to establish a city.

It was a meeting place for two railroad lines. It’s filled with valuable mineral deposits, including iron.If any place deserves the nickname the “Magic City,” Birmingham would be it.

And with attractions like the Birmingham Zoo, Vulcan Park, and Top Golf, it has become both a popular destination for weekend getaways, summer vacations, and more than a few hybrid/remote team meetups.

Company Retreat Tips: Things to Do in Birmingham

If, between trying to run company production ideation sessions and on-board new employees, you haven’t had a chance to take a closer look at why Birmingham makes such a great place for after-hours fun, no worries.

We’ve put together a list of things to do in Birmingham that will appeal to a broad range of tastes. That makes Birmingham an ideal place to unwind after day-long meetings and breakout sessions at your corporate retreat.

Here’s a look at some spots to consider.

1. Top Golf is the place where high-tech and golf swings collide for hours of all-inclusive fun. With climate-controlled hitting bays, on-site food and beverage offerings, and even a rooftop terrace with firepits, it’s an amazing place to both get the competitive juices flowing and to reduce stress levels in one fell swoop.
2. The Pizitz is what you get when you combine one of Birmingham’s most beautiful historical buildings with a world-class food hall and a bunch of hip people living all in the same place.

The Pizitz is an apartment complex right in the center of downtown, but with its amazing foodie floor, it attracts more than its share of non-residents for drinks, appetizers, dinner, and late-night snacks. For those on your team who love old architecture but still want to enjoy a modern vibe, a visit to the Pizitz is a must. And for movie buffs, the show is always on in the Sidewalk Cinema. (See our next recommendation for more.)

3. Sidewalk Theatre + Alabama Theatre are two of the homes of great cinema in downtown Birmingham. Whether trying to catch some classics or the latest indie releases, these theatres are a wonderful way to spend a few hours with a film-loving team.  
4. Vulcan Park offers visitors a walk back in time – all the way back to ancient Rome and the iron god himself, Vulcan. More practically, aside from the giant statue of Vulcan, the museum at Vulcan Park celebrates Birmingham’s history, including its love affair with the iron ores that made the city – and its famous statue of Vulcan – what it is.
5. Museums in Birmingham count among the finest in the country. Museum buffs have their pick of history museums, houses of fine art, and even a science center. Truly, it’s impossible for the intellectually curious to get bored in Birmingham when they’re armed with a list of some of the area’s best museums.

If you’re not sure where to start, the sights at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, the Negro Southern League Museum, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, and the Birmingham Museum of Art will all make for great conversation starters at dinner time during your corporate retreat.

6. The Birmingham Zoo proves that it’s hard to go wrong when you decide to spend an afternoon at the zoo. Spending time here gives you an excuse to get outside and talk to the animals.

Activities That You Can Do At Pursell Farms

If your group is looking for some quieter pursuits after a day of brainstorming, then all of you might want to explore your options a bit closer to home. Fortunately, we also have a lot to do here at Pursell Farms.

Here’s a look.

7. Golf games and driving range activities, including stay and play options
8. Self-care and massage at the Spa House
9. Bocce ball, pedal boats, hiking trails, and electric bike activities on our grounds
10. Archery for the Robin Hood at heart
11. The Orvis Shooting Grounds
12. Plus on-site entertainment, like live music and dinners with world-class chefs

Final Thoughts on Having a Birmingham-Area Company Retreat

Birmingham is filled with historical buildings, amazing cultural offerings, awesome food, and other wonders too numerous to behold. If you’re thinking about visiting the area for a company retreat and haven’t settled on a spot yet, why not consider Pursell Farms? It has all the advantages of being close to Birmingham and yet, our expansive grounds and numerous activities make it a great place to both work and play.

Reach out today to get a quote for your next company retreat.