Huffman - Birmingham, AL

Huffman began as the endpoint for a group of settlers traveling down through Virginia and South Carolina along the Georgia Road in 1822. The community named itself after Daniel Huffman of Virginia. As Birmingham began to flourish Huffman saw an influx in settlers and merchants in the area, and the Huffman Academy was formed, which began the rural area's transformation into a suburb of the city throughout the early 20th century, ending with the neighborhood's annexation. The area retains its education-focused and community-driven suburban atmosphere.

Drive south along Interstate 59 to enjoy the aircraft displays and memorabilia of the Southern Museum of Flight. The interactive displays document the history of aviation in the region for adults to enjoy, and kids love the A-12 Blackbird in the museum's outdoor display.

Residents head west along Huffman Road for a quick bite to eat at one of the area's many fast food and chain restaurants or east along Gadsden Highway to enjoy some of the local favorite spots unique to Huffman. Whether you're in the mood for authentic international cuisine or a familiar flavor from something a little closer to home, Huffman has what you're looking for just around the corner.

Located in Pinnacle Square, Cajun Steamer nails the authentic spice and savory flavors of Creole-style cooking. Split an appetizer of fried dill pickles with your group while you wait for the main course. Cajun Steamer's signature voodoo chicken comes buried in mounds of crawfish meat topped with bacon and caramelized onions and should not be missed.

Situated between Huffman and Trussville along the Gadsden Highway, Tortugas Cafe 280 brings patrons back time and time again for its take on the Chicago-style deep dish pizza. Invite a friend or three to help you tackle one of the restaurant's enormous pizzas. Order the traditional for a blend of fresh Italian ingredients baked within gooey mozzarella cheese and marinara sauce. The deep dish pizzas take a while to make, so call ahead if you know what you want to arrive right as your order comes out of the oven.

T-Bones Authentic Philly Style Cheesesteaks and Hoagies delivers on its promise of cheesesteaks good enough to bear the Philadelphia name. Regulars order the Famous Philly with a side of ranch fries. The friendly owner loves to chat and was a Philadelphia native himself, lending an authenticity to the cheesesteaks you can't find anywhere else in Birmingham.

Head south into Irondale for a taste of the Birmingham nightlife scene without having to travel downtown. Bourbon Street Bar & Lounge brings out an energetic crowd every night of the week with karaoke and dancing. Order the baby, the bar's signature cocktail, for a generous bottle filled with gin, sugar and lemon.

Interstate 59 and Route 75 flank Huffman to ensure easy access to the area via automobile and provide residents with the means to reach downtown or the surrounding countryside. Birmingham does not have access to ride-share services such as Uber or Lyft, but the local taxi companies provide residents with transportation to and from the city. Check Huffman Road if you're looking to hail a cab.

Public parking can be found freely throughout the neighborhood, and cyclists can take advantage of the biking lanes present on many of the area's major roads. Huffman's distance from downtown means most residents rely on an automobile to get around, though the Birmingham Jefferson County Transport Authority provides bus stops along Huffman Road and Parkway East.

Head to Huffman's east end for a relaxing afternoon in the sun at Tom Bradford Park. Bring the dog along for a walk on-leash through the area's nature trail, or pack a lunch to enjoy on one of the picnic tables while your kids get some of their energy out on one of the park's numerous playgrounds.

Drive the family south into Irondale's historic downtown district to celebrate along with the local community for a day each September at the Whistle Stop Festival. The outdoor stage features live performances from a number of local acts, including bands and dance troupes, and a variety of vendors sell local food, arts and crafts well worth checking out.

The cost of living for the Huffman area averages 3 percent higher than in Birmingham. One month's rent for a typical one-bedroom apartment in the area costs an average of about $490. Residents can expect to pay $1.25 for a ride along the CTA bus line into downtown Birmingham, and bars in the area charge an average of $5 for a pint of beer. Birmingham gas prices tend to hang around 10 percent beneath the national average.

Residents drive to the southwestern edge of Huffman to take advantage of the wide range of shops within the Parkway East Huffman Shopping Center. Browse the racks at Payless Shoesource and pick up some entertainment for the evening at the local Redbox or Gamestop before grabbing groceries to restock the fridge from Walmart. Other local grocery store options include Save-A-Lot, ALDI and Kangaroo Express.

Open every Thursday from the end of May through September, the Gardendale Alabama Farmers Market invites the local area to come out and browse vendor stalls on a sunny afternoon. Bring your dog along on-leash as you purchase a range of organic produce, freshly baked bread, farm raised meats and handmade arts and crafts from the Birmingham area.

Those willing to head a little further into downtown Birmingham can add a few vinyls to their record collection from Seasick Records. This popular shop sells a variety of music of all genres including both vintage records and new releases. Can't find what you're looking for? Ask the staff to place an order and stop in to pick it up when it's available.