Posts by Julia Sayers Gokhale
Condé Nast Traveler has released its annual list of best places to travel in the upcoming year, and Birmingham tops the list of 22 destinations. Included in the food travel category, Birmingham sits alongside Serbia and Trøndelag County, Norway. Some of the other destinations on the list—broken into categories of Arts & Culture, History, Transportation, […]
OWA, the amusement park and entertainment destination in Foley, Alabama, has announced plans for a new waterpark coming in 2022. And the best part? It’s largely indoors, so it can be enjoyed all year long.
Talking turkey is a finely honed skill of Mike Pentecost, the founder and owner of Woodhaven Custom Calls. This Alabama native has been hand-making turkey calls for 21 years—and his are known for being the best of the best when matching wits with the elusive bird. “I’ve spent a lot of time in the woods. […]
Montgomery, Alabama, is packed with history, landmarks, and some good food to boot. The opening of the National Memorial for Peace and Justice in 2018 has since drawn visitors from across the country (and around the world) to Montgomery. If you haven’t yet been to the memorial and its neighboring museum, consider planning a day […]
Buc-ee’s in Leeds is now open, which means it’s time to make a visit to this Texas-sized travel center. Originally opened in Lake Jackson, Texas in 1982, Buc-ee’s has since expanded to include locations throughout Texas, Georgia, and two in Alabama (the other is in Robertsdale). In addition to being a convenient roadside stop due […]
It all started with compost. When Connor Knapp decided to give up a job in Antarctica to move home to Huntsville, he launched a business with his family to sell compost at the farmers market. Since Connor’s brother-in-law Caleb had been mixing teas made from ingredients in his garden and Connor had always wanted to […]
Drexell & Honeybee’s, a donation-based restaurant in Brewton, is holding a fundraiser to be able to continue providing meals to those in need. Musician Maxamiliano Nelson wrote a song called “I Was Hungry (and You Fed Me)” for Drexell & Honeybee’s, and is giving 100% of the proceeds of his song downloads to the restaurant. […]
It’s officially Carnival season — the period of time after epiphany (January 6) and before Lent (starts Ash Wednesday) — which means Mardi Gras celebrations are beginning to kick off. And you know what goes hand in hand with Mardi Gras? King cake. No Mardi Gras would be complete without this sugary sweet delicacy topped […]
A new Italian deli has opened in Birmingham — and it’s located inside Ore Mercantile, a micro-retailer offering men’s and women’s clothing, home accessories, and locally sourced items. The large store in Avondale expanded its space late last year and added Ore Deli & Bodega, offering deli sandwiches, fresh-made sides, and takeaway goods like meats, […]
New year, new you, right? Well, at least that’s what they say. You don’t need to do anything drastic, but if you’re looking to get back in a fitness routine after quarantine (most gyms have re-opened with COVID safety procedures in place), there are plenty of workout studios in Alabama ready to host you. From […]
To help combat the difficulties restaurants are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Birmingham Restaurant Week is holding its annual Winter Edition to highlight and support local restaurants. The event, which will be held January 14–31, will showcase more than 40 restaurants offering special menus for takeout or socially distanced in-person dining. Prefixed two- or […]
Ringing in the New Year in fun and unique ways is a tradition for many places in Alabama. Several embrace their history, heritage, and quirky attributes through ball drops and celebrations geared specifically to their city. From a peanut drop to a meteor strike, here are five unique ways Alabama celebrates New Year’s Eve. Although […]
When Krystn Keller’s three-month-old son Elliott developed a rash on his face, she was told that it was just standard baby eczema and should go away if she switched laundry detergent. However, over the next nine months, Elliott’s condition worsened. The Kellers saw 14 doctors, tried prescription creams, bought soap for sensitive skin, and had […]
It wouldn’t be the holidays without festive, extravagant Christmas light displays! From drive-through parks to illuminated caverns to glowing zoo animals, here are the best places to see Christmas lights in Alabama. (Be aware that some activities may be limited due to COVID-19 safety precautions.)
The inaugural Black Restaurant Week is debuting in Alabama December 11. The 10-day event is designed to celebrate the flavors of African-American, African, and Caribbean cuisine nationwide. Patrons are encouraged to support Black-owned restaurants in their area by dining out or ordering food to go. Founded in 2016, Black Restaurant Week aims to introduce businesses […]
‘Tis the season for gift giving. This year, consider shopping local for all your holiday gifts. It’s especially important to support small businesses who may have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our state is home to many talented artists, makers, and clothing designers from whom you can purchase local, Alabama-made gifts. From home decor […]
Looking to get your Christmas tree this weekend? Most people put up their Christmas trees either Thanksgiving weekend or the first weekend of December. There are several Christmas tree farms in Alabama offering choose-and-cut experiences and fresh-cut evergreens. In addition to the fun of picking out your tree, many of the farms also offer festive […]
Play a round of 18 with the family over Thanksgiving weekend — but we’re not talking about golf. Selwood Farm is a family-owned hunting preserve in Alpine, Alabama that holds bragging rights for opening the state’s first sporting clay course in 1990. Thanksgiving weekend is a busy one for Selwood Farm (they’re closed on Thanksgiving […]
Thanksgiving might look a little different for people this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether you’re spending Thanksgiving at home instead of with relatives or having a virtual Thanksgiving, why not take the stress of cooking off your plate? Here are 20 restaurants that are offering Thanksgiving takeout in Alabama. You might not even […]
2020 has been a difficult year for restaurants, but that hasn’t stopped several new ones from opening up in the Magic City. Here are 10 new restaurants and eateries to try that have opened in Birmingham this year, from fine dining to casual burger joints to global cuisine. Most are offering takeout, curbside delivery, and […]
Learning about the democratic process is important, even at a young age. Because of this, Milo’s Hamburgers has teamed up with local schools to educate children on how voting works. The initiative, called Milo’s Civics, is a fun, nonpolitical, interactive program going on through the month of November. The 30-minute program, which can be in-person […]
At a new art exhibit in Decatur, you’ll see art made from discarded items — including thread spools, pill bottles, tin cans, bird nests, and more — arranged in a beautiful and organic way. Trace Barnett, a lifestyle blogger, author, and TV personality, is turning trash into treasure at his debut art exhibit at the […]
Did you know you can order free pizza to be delivered to your polling place while you’re waiting to vote today? If there’s a long line at your polling place and you’re starting to get a little hungry, there’s an organization called Pizza to the Polls that’s delivering free pizzas to voters, volunteers, journalists, and […]
The fall foliage in Alabama is starting to peak this week in North Alabama and next week in central Alabama. Our state tends to get a later leaf peak, with colors at their best end of October through the first two weeks of November. With cooler temperatures and some sunny days ahead, it’s the perfect […]

