In celebration of comedian Joe Lycett’s new series, United States of Birmingham, a city itinerary has been launched as the ultimate alternative way to experience the city.
The checklist, ’10 Things You Need to Do in Birmingham, UK’ includes trying a balti in the city’s original Balti Triangle, experiencing the famous number 11 bus service and paying homage to Bird’s Custard in Digbeth.
The itinerary is downloadable from the Visit Birmingham website, and features favourites such as the Black Sabbath bridge, the city’s canals ,and the Pen Museum in the Jewellery Quarter, home to the Queen Mother’s Pen. The pen was loaned to Joe to sign Friendship Agreements with officials from the North American Birminghams during the four-part series.
The new Sky Max series chronicles Joe’s mission to put his beloved home city on the global map by heading to North America, which has no fewer than 18 Birminghams. They stretch from Canada’s Saskatchewan province, down the East Coast, through the Midwest and into the Deep South of the continent. Lycett explores the history of each Birmingham and their cultural commonalities with his home city in the UK.
Self-appointed Second City Ambassador Joe Lycett said, “Birmingham is the greatest city in the whole world and this is a handy check list of the best things to do there, thereby making these the best things to do in the whole world.”
Each of the ten items on the new check list is inspired by an iconic moment in the Sky show, and by Birmingham’s vast and vibrant heritage. The city welcomed a record 47.5 million visitors in 2023, up 4.5% on the previous 12 months, with tourist spend rising to £9.25 billion.
Becky Frall, Head of Tourism at the West Midlands Growth Company, said, “The United States of Birmingham’s ‘10 Things You Need To Do’ itinerary is a fun, eccentric way of exploring many of the city’s brilliantly unique tourism venues, attractions and landmarks. This must-do checklist should make Birmingham residents feel proud of what we have on offer here, and give our many domestic and international visitors a fresh, quirky way of experiencing the city.”
To download the check list, head to visitbirmingham.com. Joe Lycett’s United States of Birmingham is available on Sky Max and streaming service NOW.
