What to do in Birmingham with the fam - first trip out!

[ThisOldSaddo]

This weekend we (DH, DS12; DD10 and DS8) are meeting my SIL and her two same age as mine.

We're going to a hotel in Brum, three rooms, hotel pool booked, spa. Lovely tapas place booked on Sunday and tomorrow sea life centre.

What else can we do before we have to leave Sunday night?

My kids like skateboarding, art and tech 😆

I've never been to Brum. I like the shops... 🤩 but don't think DH or the smalls will be up for that.

What shall we do?!

(I know it's only Birmingham, but I've not seen my SIL or DNs for a millions years and I've missed them terribly, I cannot wait!).

Think tank is brilliant!

Last time I stayed overnight in Brum we did:

Thinktank science museum
Museum and art gallery (not my thing really but was a group of us)
Shopping
Watched a few buskers/street entertainment
Grand central for a mooch

Otherwise Cadbury world, but I've not heard great things. Or maybe the Black Country living museum.

Also went to the Rage Room (smashing a lot of stuff with a bat, which was very therapeutic) and then a club in the night, but obvs not with kids...

Might be worth seeing if there's anything on at the MAC in Cannon Hill Park and round there for a general mooch?

BMAG (Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery) - right in the middle of Town and close to the canals which gives you a nice area to walk around and plenty of places to eat.
Also around there are 3 nice squares (Victoria, Chamberlain and Centenary, which are nice to stroll through, and the new library which has a viewing gallery to go up to and look out over the City - worth 30 mins to look round and see the Shakespeare Library too.
Could go on a canal boat if you like
Think Tank - slightly outside of the City Centre
BBC Visitors Place in the Mailbox
There are 2 Cathedrals, (St Phillips -CofE and St Paul's - Catholic) but not sure what the visiting arrangements are.

St Martin's in the Bullring is an interesting old Church to look round - down near the market (tho I'm no longer sure what is open)

Caveat - you'd need to check what is open and what needs booking in terms of COVID

The museum and art gallery are unfortunately closed for a refit.

The Mac at Cannon Hill has just reopened but not fully.

Think tank science museum reopens tomorrow!

The views from the Library of Birmingham are great and the building is lovely. Not open on Sunday though .

The lego discovery Centre is near the sealife centre - I think you can upgrade your ticket to do both.

You have to go for a balti!