Recreation
 |
 |
With its mild, year-round climate, Birmingham is a haven for outdoor activities.
Year-round golf on one of the area's 20 courses is a favorite activity for sports participants. One of the courses, Greystone, hosts the Bruno's Memorial Classic, a major seniors PGA Tournament each year. Local courses include Shoal Creek, which has hosted two PGA Championship Tournaments, and The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, which has led to the area being listed on several "top travel destination" lists.
Fishing and boating are within easy access to one of three major Alabama Power Company Impoundments that are within one hour of downtown Birmingham. The Warrior River, which flows within 20 minutes of downtown, offers access to over 16,000 miles of navigable waters from the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes via the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway.
There is also an abundance of swimming and tennis facilities, and hiking and camping are avaialble at any of several area parks including Ruffner Mountain Nature Center, Oak Mountain State Park, Rickwood Caverns State Park and others.