Although I live less than an hour away from Birmingham City Centre, it’s not very often I visit. Whether it’s lack of time or lack of funds, Birmingham is often something that I save for special occasions – like Christmas shopping or birthdays!

When asked if I wanted to spend the day in Birmingham, I thought it would be a great way to explore the side of the city I don’t normally see. From canalside restaurants to rooftop bars, I wanted to venture outside of the Bullring and Grand Central Station.

Although we didn’t get a chance to do everything on this list, spending the day in Birmingham has definitely shown me that it’s not just for special occasions and is worth the day trip to visit.

One of the main reasons people visit Birmingham is to go shopping at the Bullring shopping centre. With a wide variety of shops and department stores, the Bullring is a great way to get your shopping done without having to go into London. With Selfridges, Debenhams and House Of Fraiser just minutes away from each other, it’s the ideal place to go if you like a bit of variety. In terms of other shops, you will find a lot of the Midlands flagship stores for brands such as H&M, Topshop and River Island. Specialist stores include Victoria’s Secret, Disney Store and NYX.

Just outside of the Bullring you can visit the famous Birmingham Bull.

Not far from the Bullring you will the World’s Biggest Primark, opening just a few short months ago in 2019. With 6 storeys of Primark’s finest, you could easily spend half a day wandering around the store looking for bargains.

When you’re not shopping for clothes, accessories and homeware there’s also an in-store Disney-themed cafe, salon and nail bar for you to enjoy.

Depending on how long you have to spend in Birmingham, bottomless brunch at Gas Street Social is a great way to spend a few hours enjoying the sunshine whilst sipping unlimited prosecco. With a canalside view and delicious brunch options, it truly is an escape from the hustle and bustle of the Bullring just moments away.

Although there are plenty of bottomless brunch options in Birmingham, Gas Street Social is in one of the cities most unique locations. If you want a luxurious shopping experience once you’ve finished brunch, you’re just seconds away from the popular Mailbox shopping centre.

If you are going to be stopping at the Mailbox it’s definitely worth visiting the Marco Pierre White Cocktail Bar on the 25th floor. With 360 degree views of the city, you can enjoy a gin and tonic with a view.

Golf is probably one of the last things on your mind when visiting Birmingham, however, Digbeth is home to one of the popular Ghetto Golf mini-golf courses. With just a few dotted around the UK, this truly unique experience is something that needs to be booked well in advance if you’re planning on visiting. We learned this the hard way and unfortunately, the weekend we were planning on visiting was fully booked.

With quirky courses, crazy cocktail and delicious food – this mini-golf course is strictly adults only. You have been warned. 

Located a short five-minute walk from Ghetto Golf, you will find the Digbeth Dining Club. Open Thursday through Sunday, the Digbeth Dining Club is host to a variety of different street food vendors. Whilst you do have to pay a cover to get in, it’s worth it when it comes to the incredible food options. From fried chicken and burgers to cheesecake and waffles, it’s definitely worth looking at what’s available when you’re visiting.

If you’re looking to see a show whilst you’re visiting the city then it may be worth checking out what’s on at the Birmingham Rep theatre. Located just a short walk from the Bullring and Grand Central Station, you can spend the day exploring the city and still make it there in time for an evening show. If you’re looking to visit the theatre, it’s recommended you book your tickets in advance.

There are various different parks surrounding the city so if you’re looking for a break from the hustle and bustle, they’re the ideal place to go.

Finally, if you’re looking for some family-friendly activities that EVERYONE will love, why not head to one of the many attractions on offer? My personal favourite is Cadbury World, but the others are definitely worth a visit too!