Though not really a traditional tourist destination, there is plenty of interest in this large industrial city. Birmingham hotels are designed primarily with business travelers in mind, but should you find yourself passing time in a hotel in Birmingham or even in the area, you may want to find time to visit a few of the local sites.
Birmingham's reputation as an unattractive city may be somewhat overstated. The downtown canal system (with more canals than Venice) give the city a rather unique charm. Unlike Venice, you can actually rent a boat and handle the tiller yourself. If you like the water, be sure to stop by the National Sea Life Centre, where you can stand in a glass tunnel and watch stingrays, sharks and other scary creatures swim past you. Nearby is Brindleyplace, next to the International Convention Centre, with its trendy bars, restaurants, shops and the Ikon Gallery.
The Jewelry Quarter is about a 15 minute walk from the heart of the city. This part of town has been full of jewelers' workshops since the 16th century. The shops are fascinating, and there are bargains to be found. The Craft & Antiques Sunday Market is held once a month. Check with the locals for this month's date.
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