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Top 11 Things To Do In Birmingham in 2026 For Locals & Tourists
Quick summary
- With your friends: Battle against aliens & explore wild worlds at Sandbox’s VR experience or showcase your football skills at TOCA Social.
- With your family and kids: Spend time at playful and interactive spots, such as Treetop Golf’s jungle-themed mini golf, chocolate-filled Cadbury World, or outdoor downtime at Cannon Hill Park.
- With your partner for a romantic day out: Opt for a break to get brunch in some of Birmingham's popular brunch spots. If you're looking for something slower, experience more intimate moments at the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, and then walk around Brindleyplace's canals.
- In the evening: Grab a cocktail and challenge your friends at Lane7’s games or explore the atmosphere (and beer) at the Old Joint Stock for a memorable group night out.
Are you in the city for the weekend and looking for some interesting things to do in Birmingham?
Or, perhaps, you’re a local who wants to spend some quality time with your partner, children, or friends?
From a romantic day out to having the best time with your friends, we’ll walk you through some of the 11 best things to do in Birmingham that both tourists and locals can appreciate.
Things to do in Birmingham with friends
If you’re looking for some interesting activities to do with your friends, you can explore the following:
Battle against aliens or explore wild worlds at Sandbox VR
Location: Unit 25A, Grand Central Shopping Centre.
From battling zombies to taking on intergalactic missions, you’re going to leave the normal world at the door when you step inside Sandbox VR.
Bullring’s Sandbox VR is a full-body, room-scale virtual reality experience that is ideal for groups of friends looking for an unconventional way of spending a Saturday afternoon.
But it’s not just another arcade: it’s a full-body experience where you move, duck, and high-five your mates while you battle against aliens or explore wild worlds together.
➡️ This ‘’weatherproof’’ activity can also be an amazing option for birthday parties and mixed-age groups.
And the funniest part of it? Watching everyone try to walk normally straight after, because your brain is still half in the virtual world.
You can expect big thrills, some silly poses and excellent group photos afterwards.
Note: Sandbox VR doesn’t serve food; however, you can arrange catering in advance for special events.
To book your adventure, you can call 0121 400 9888 or book from here.
Show off your football skills at TOCA Social
Location: 11 Saint Martin's Walk, Birmingham B5 4BU.
This one is for the football lovers!
TOCA Social in Bullring mixes casual dining with energetic play: think interactive games, social boxes, and a lively bar atmosphere.
You can choose between showing off your football skills in the world’s first interactive football experience or drinking signature cocktails.
Perhaps you can try the former after the latter.
Note: Unlike Sandbox VR, TOCA Social does offer food. You’ll be able to choose between a variety of foods, including American diner classics, street Asian favourites, and Latin American delicacies.
TOCA Social can be a brilliantly joyful mash-up of food, drinks and interactive football games that makes for a perfect outing with your besties after work.
The cheering from other groups will also make you feel like a football legend, but that’s a bonus.
➡️ If you plan on visiting TOCA Social during the weekend, we highly recommend you book in advance to avoid waiting on arrival.
Take a stroll along Colmore Row
Location: 55 Colmore Row.
Colmore Row forms the heart of the Colmore Business District (CBD), which is a vibrant area known for high-profile professional services, historic architecture, modern developments, and a lively mix of bars, restaurants, and cafes.
We’d recommend a stroll along Colmore Row for first-time visitors to the city who want to experience how elegant Birmingham can be with its breathtaking Victorian-era buildings.
The real joy of that stroll is going to be in the details: the carved stone facades, the little courtyards and the surprising pockets of calm between busy junctions.
It is also the perfect place to stop for brunch, enjoy a coffee and watch city life go by with your friends.
If you look closely, you’ll also be able to find hidden gems and small independent shops that will make exploring feel personal rather than touristy.
And, if you’re walking around in the evening, you’ll notice that the area softens into a classy buzz, as the fashionable locals start going to bars and restaurants.
💡 Local tip: Early mornings are surprisingly peaceful. If you want to take nice pictures and grab a quiet coffee, the best time to go would be before or after the morning rush hour. You could also walk into the Jewellery Quarter, which is a few minutes' walk away.
Things to do in Birmingham with your kids
Visiting Birmingham with kids changes it all; now, let’s look at the child-friendly activities that you can do.
Spoiler: There are quite a few of them that can also be fun for adults!
Share a laugh at Treetop Golf
Location: Ground Level, Bullring.
Treetop Golf is a beginner-friendly mini golf course in Bullring that feels like a jungle adventure.
There are two 18-hole indoor golf courses that you’ll be able to choose from:
- Tropical Trail.
- Ancient Explorer.
Both of them are packed with twists, turns, and a few surprises.
Treetop Golf is perfect for families who want something active, but still relaxing, when the weather is grim.
It’s the perfect place to share a laugh while also bringing out the competitive nature of your kids.
There’s also a bar area, where you can compare your scores and enjoy a bite to eat while pretending that your hole-in-one was entirely skill and not luck.
Alternatively, you can refuel with Pizza Cabana’s handmade pizzas, try The Thirsty Toucan’s tropical cocktails, or grab a locally roasted coffee from the Jungle Buzz Café.
You can check Treetop Golf’s pricing information here. There’s no need to book.
Learn more about chocolate at Cadbury World
Location: 69 Linden Rd, Birmingham B30 1JR.
Experience a nostalgia-fuelled, chocolate-soaked day out at Cadbury World, a fun activity for people of all ages.
It’s a valid half-day option for kids who love Cadbury’s chocolate and would like to learn more about it with a self-guided experience.
The experience takes you through the story of chocolate and the people behind Cadbury’s brand with playful exhibits, interactive zones, and free samples that will leave you with a smile.
💡 Local tip: If you arrive right at opening time, you might get more free samples because the staff are still in a generous mood.
You also cannot leave Cadbury World without visiting its chocolate store that offers the largest range of Cadbury products in the UK.
Take it slow at Cannon Hill Park
Location: Russell Rd, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8RD.
When you and your children are tired from all of the mini golf and chocolate fun at Cadbury World, you’ll probably feel like you deserve a reset.
A nice spot to reset and also spend some quality time with your family would be Cannon Hill Park, which has a boating lake, wide lawns, play areas for children, and the Midlands Art Centre right in the heart of it.
Locals love using this green escape for picnics, gentle walks, or simply enjoying the sunshine in the summer period.
Note: Cannon Hill Park is restricted after its evening hours, and you will only be able to walk around it if the gates are still open at night.
Things to do in Birmingham with your partner
Birmingham can be a romantic place with the right person. Here are some of the activities we’d recommend for couples:
Go for brunch in some of Birmingham’s best brunch spots in Bullring
Location: Moor St, Birmingham B5 4BU.
If you want to experience Birmingham’s vibrant culture at its finest, while tasting some of its amazing food, we’d recommend you go for brunch at some of Birmingham’s best brunch spots.
Bullring offers 19 brunch spots, where you and your partner can go for all-day dining and get Instagram-worthy coffee and bites.
From fluffy pancakes and smashed avocado on sourdough to indulgent eggs Benedict and specialty coffee, brunch here is all about quality, creativity, and atmosphere.
You’ll be able to slow down, indulge, and enjoy Birmingham’s diverse and ever-growing culinary scene.
Alternatively, you can try to find brunch spots in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, Digbeth, and the city centre, so that it can be easy to explore the city afterwards.
Visit the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
Location: Chamberlain Sq, Birmingham B3 3DH.
The Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is a brilliant mix of history, art and curiosity that will keep you happily occupied for at least a few hours.
Whether you are a proper art fan or just fancy a relaxed cultural wander, this museum is an accessible and rewarding place to discover Birmingham’s creative side.
You’ll be able to find impressive Victorian collections, galleries packed with interesting objects and rotating exhibitions that are always worth checking out.
The museum is best for tourist couples who love fine art and want to learn about the city’s local history.
The place is a calm and educational alternative to the busy streets and queues at the other attractions in the city, and an excellent bonding activity when you want to slow down and soak up the local culture.
And the best part of it all? The entry is free (not for some major exhibitions, though), which makes it a lovely spontaneous stop on a wet day.
The building itself has character, and the gallery cafés are perfectly suited to lingering over a cup of tea and a cake between exhibits.
Spend time around Brindleyplace’s canals
Location: Eleven Brindley Place, Birmingham B1 2LP.
If the weather is looking good, you should not miss visiting Birmingham’s canals in Brindleyplace.
Every local would tell you that it’s a classic Birmingham experience that includes waterside cafés, modern bars and restaurants, public art and an easy, flat route for people-watching.
It’s a romantic place to relax after a museum visit or before an evening out with your partner.
You’ll also be able to hop on a narrowboat tour to see the city from a different angle and appreciate Brindleyplace’s lovely mix of scenery, food and atmosphere.
Things to do in Birmingham in the evening
If you’re looking for activities to spend in the evening with your partner or friends, we’ve got just the right places for you.
Challenge your friends at games in Lane7
Location: L6-L7, Bullring.
Lane7 is a playground for grown-ups: think bowling, pool, darts, shuffleboard, karaoke, and beer pong.
You know, the activities that you love winning against your friends at.
The bar is ideal for adults who want to do more than just drink, especially when you want to celebrate an occasion the right way.
You’ll be able to grab a cocktail, challenge your friends on your favourite game, and keep your night varied with different fun activities, including:
- Bowling with up to 7 players per lane.
- Ping pong at Lane7’s popular neon tables.
- Darts with a smart tech scoring.
- A playground with 7 different games, where you can light up and move your body.
- American pool with up to 8 players per table.
- Shuffleboard with up to 8 players per table.
- Beer pong.
- Karaoke with up to 8 people per pod.
- Floor curling with up to 8 players per lane.
- The Gun Show with up to 4 players per pod.
The food menu is also shareable, so you’ll be able to get a snack with your mates between the frames.
Note: After 7 PM, Lane7 becomes an adult-only place and a physical ID is required. Make sure to book in advance.
Have a drink at the Old Joint Stock
Location: 4 Temple Row W, Birmingham B2 5NY.
Last but not least, you can grab a drink at the Old Joint Stock with your buddies, a legendary local pub.
The Old Joint Stock is set in a stunning old building where the décor leans into theatrical charm.
The pub is ideal if you and your friends are looking for a place to either have a cosy pint or a well-made cocktail.
If you’re lucky, you’ll also see the pub’s live entertainment on top of its friendly and theatrical atmosphere.
Sitting upstairs can also make you feel like you have discovered a hidden pub within a pub.
On quieter nights, it is one of the cosiest places in the city for a proper, unhurried drink.
Spend some quality time together in Bullring, Birmingham’s biggest attraction
Regardless of whether you’re visiting Birmingham on a short trip or are simply looking for a fun idea to hangout, Bullring offers a wide variety of fun activities and unmissable moments.
From fighting off zombies with a VR headset to scoring a hole-in-one at adventure mini golf, you can spend your time off at Bullring.
You can plan your visit to Bullring here to see how you can visit us by car, taxi, train, bus, or by bike.
If you’re visiting the shopping centre with a car, you can also register for our smart parking solution that eliminates tickets and reduces queues, so you can focus on enjoying your visit to Bullring.
