Birmingham City Centre

The majestic Town Hall sits at the heart of the city of Birmingham, as it has since 1832, with forty marble Corinthian columns welcoming visitors. Classical musicians such as Mendelssohn have played here since the 1800s, making this a musical Mecca for the world. The modern-day Symphony Hall boasts fantastic acoustics and an opulent auditorium. You can catch performances of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra or the Town Hall Gospel Choir, just to name a few. At least once a week, you can catch an organ recital by Thomas Trotter, City Organist, on the massive Town Hall organ.

The Water's Edge, 3 Brindley Place

Sharks, clownfish, turtles and more entertain visitors at the National SEA LIFE Centre, a favorite among Birmingham landmarks. With more than 60 exhibits on life under the sea, this aquarium is one of the most-visited places in the city. An underwater tunnel leads you through a tank that holds 1 million liters of ocean water and more than 2,000 animals. Otters and penguins can entertain your family for hours. The National SEA LIFE Centre hosts a 4-D movie experience and various educational presentations. You can even sign up in advance to feed the penguins.

Villa Park, Birmingham

As one of the oldest clubs in the country, Aston Villa Football Club holds a hallowed place in the history of the sport in Britain. If you've ever wondered what it would be like to stand on the revered pitch of Villa Park or to tour the areas where the team trains, wonder no more. You can do all that and more with an Aston Villa Stadium Tour, one of the most popular attractions in Birmingham. Have a seat on the player bench or imagine interviewing players in the post-match room. Walk through the tunnel where the players enter.

Broad Street, Birmingham

Established in 1925, the Hall of Memory is a tribute to those who died in World War I, World War II and all armed conflicts since 1945. More than 14,0000 Birmingham soldiers gave their lives to the World War II effort alone, and the city never misses an opportunity to honor their memories. The Hall of Memory houses the Remembrance Books, which contain the names of every serviceman and woman lost in each conflict. Throughout the year, various ceremonies are held to remember and honor the memories of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

168 Warstone Lane, Birmingham

In the historic Birmingham Jewellery Quarter, the Chamberlain Clock was established in 1903 in honor of Joseph Chamberlain. He was an activist of the day who helped jewelers fight against unfair taxes. He was an outspoken advocate for local businesses as well. The clock stands at the intersection of Vyse Street, Frederick Street and Warstone Lane. When it was unveiled, this wrought-iron creation featured a clockwork winding handle. Later it was updated to modern electrical components, but over time, it became inoperable again. After several years of disrepair, Chamberlain's Clock was fully restored in 1989.

Colmore Row, Birmingham

St. Philip's Cathedral was constructed in 1715 as a church and became a cathedral in 1905. Heavily damaged in a bombing raid in 1940, St. Philip's was rebuilt eight years later. You can see the original stained glass windows on display today; they were removed just weeks before the bombing to preserve them. Today, St. Philip's is also known for world-class youth and adult choir performances. You can catch them in five services per week as well as concerts. As the third-largest cathedral in all of England, St. Philip's remains one of the most popular attractions for visitors to Birmingham.

68A E Mews, Birmingham

Since 2015, the Grand Central Shopping Mall, part of the Bullring Estate, has been the place to get your shopping fix. You can pick up something for the folks back home, enjoy a fantastic meal or buy yourself some stylish new wardrobe pieces. Food options range from fine dining to casual to fast food and almost any kind of cuisine your palate may desire. 

The proximity to New Street Station makes this destination easy to get to when you want to find all your favorite brands. Grand Central has so many stores and fun things to explore that you might consider staying at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel Birmingham to keep you within walking distance of all the great deals.

Linden Road, Birmingham

Famous for the creme-filled eggs and chocolate and fruit combinations, the Cadbury factory in Bournville offers tours, free samples and interactive activities to more than half a million visitors every year. You can learn more about the history of chocolate and how it's made today as well. As one of the largest confectioneries in the world, Cadbury World is the centerpiece of the town. Bournville was explicitly built to house the factory's workers and their families. To be sure you get in on the day you want to visit, it's best to buy your tickets in advance.