Explore Birmingham’s Attractions on a 2-Day Trip

Go Around the National SEA LIFE Centre 

No trip to Birmingham is complete without taking a tour of the National SEA LIFE Centre. While this is a fabulous attraction to explore with children, it is also a great for adults as the exhibits are impressive.

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What is your favourite sea creature? You can see everything from the mischievous penguins and friendly turtles to the shrewd octopus and brightly coloured clownfish. <o:p></o:p>

Learn all about the animals that have been rescued by the centre, find out everything you need to know about the rarer residents and marvel at the inquisitive inhabitants and their daily routines. Tanks are home to everything from sharks and eels to seahorses and otters.  

Attention Chocoholics! <o:p></o:p>

Cadbury World is fantastic destination for families visiting Birmingham. There’s lots to keep kids of all ages entertained for hours, from the activity zones to the tasting areas. <o:p></o:p>

You can even create your very own chocolate concoction to eat at the time or take home with you. Take a 4D chocolate adventure in the cinema and enjoy the thrill of the Crunchie Rollercoaster and the excitement of piloting a Cadbury Crème Egg airship. Learn how your favourite chocolate bar is made, head to the interactive stations in Purple Planet where you can play in chocolate rain and travel 1,000 years back in time in Mexico in the Aztec Jungle. <o:p></o:p>

Of course, no trip to Cadbury World is complete without a trip around the  on-site chocolate-filled shop!<o:p></o:p>

Birmingham is well known for its shopping. Whether you want to hunt for a bargain at the local markets or spend hours indulging your inner shopaholic in one of the large malls, there’s plenty of shopping to enjoy. <o:p></o:p>

The Bullring and Grand Central are the two most popular centres, and both are home to plenty of shops and places to eat and drink. You can buy everything from fashionwear and shoes to jewellery and technology in the sprawling malls. High street favourites such as Boots, New Look and H&M stand alongside Radley, Swarovski and Swatch.<o:p></o:p>

And if you get hungry along the way, you can stop to refuel mid-shop. Carluccios, Café Rouge, Nando’s and Wagamamas are some of the most popular places to take a break and fast food outlets like Burger King, Costa Coffee and Greggs are great if you want to grab a quick snack.  <o:p></o:p>

One of the most impressive museums in the city is the modern Thinktank Museum. Many of the innovative displays are interactive, which fascinates visiting children. You can find out what powers a steam engine and how the human body processes food and drink, as well as marvel at the 360-degree view of the digital planetarium. <o:p></o:p>

There’s an outdoor play area, more than 200 hands-on displays and four floors of historical collections that will amaze both children and adults. The Marine Worlds Gallery, the Science and Industry Collection and the outdoor Science Garden are all worth enjoying, while the Planetarium will take you on a tour to outer space. <o:p></o:p>

If you love to delve into history, spend half a day exploring The Pen Room where you can learn all about the history of writing. <o:p></o:p>

This unique museum is fascinating and you can also take part in all kinds of activities including calligraphy classes, writing your name with a Braille machine and making a personalised nibs for a pen. It’s also free to get in, so it’s the perfect place to go if you are visiting on a budget. <o:p></o:p>

If you want to get out of the city and into the countryside, go on an adventure around Sandwell Valley Country Park. It covers a whopping 2,000 acres making it a wonderful place to visit if you want to get out and about away from the hustle and bustle of the city. <o:p></o:p>

Whether you want to enjoy some bird spotting, hire bikes and cycle round the park or tie on your walking boots and go for a hike, there’s plenty to see and do in the great outdoors in the park. Run by the local council, Sandwell Valley Country Park is well worth a visit if you want to explore the natural side of this modern city. <o:p></o:p>

If you fancy enjoying a weekend away in Birmingham, there are lots of Accor hotels to stay in throughout the city. From Novotel and Ibis to Etap, check out the full range of hotels in Birmingham that are ideal for both busines and leisure travellers.