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Summit Blvd attaches directly onto Hwy 280. During the holidays it is very hard to travel. Some of the most luxurious shopping is located off of this street, to include but not limited to Saks Fifth Ave, Tommy Bahamas, Barnes and Noble, etc. If you travel on around you will find a few smaller shopping plazas. You are able to do anythingin this area from live, go to the movies, grocery shopping, nice restraunts, etc. The lights often break, so police are directing traffic, which normally slows travel. One of the better sections of town to be in though.

Carraway Blvd is directly off Hwy 280. As you go down the ramp, you entr into a very dangerous section of town. The only decent thing I have found is the hospital located directly off the street. Now the hospital is looking at being closed as well. Most of the restraunts have been closed due to the lack of business. There is still a rally's and KFC opened just below the hospital. Many homeless people will approach you on this street, BE CAREFUL.

John Hawkins Parkway is a very busy street simply because it has the busiest shopping mall in the Birmingham area located off of it. New stores are constantly being opened in the galleria as well as in the plaza across from the mall. Accidents occur often due to people trying to beat the lights on JHP. So when traveling near the area take your time, too many people are already in a rush around the shopping area.

Lakeshore Drive is located just outside of downtown Birmingham. It has a great many number varieties of facilities along the road. To include shopping areas, Sam's club, restraunts to include the Great Wall (wonderful chinese food), a rehabilitaion facility, and hospital. Most major roads in the Birmingham area dead end into Lakeshore Drive. Easy accessible road from nearly anywhere in the area.

18th street south once again goes right by UAB. As a matter of fact, it will take you directly by several eating facilities in the UAB area. Need to go to the Emergency room? yep you guessed it, 18th will lead you straight to it. Parking is a hit and miss in the area, but watch you meters the meter maids patrol the area often and ready to ticket anyone.

Hwy 31 has everything from mall to the mom and pop stores. It runs from Downtown to south Alabama. It'll help you do your shopping for the holidays, to taking one's loved ones to dinner. The street runs through several towns on surrounding neighborhoods. Rush hour traffic is a nightmare, but it is slow moving due to the traffic lights trying to keep it steady. When a wreck happens you are just out of luck. That's birmingham traffic for you though.

Everyone is in a rush, why one may ask. Its so you can travel Elton B Stephens Expressway and come to a dead stop at malfunction junction. This is a very dangerous part of the expressway. Too many people trying to get nowhere fast. You will see people having blown tires, police chases, and not to mention road work everywhere. Be careful whenever traveling this section of town.

If ever traveling Hwy 280 to go to downtown Birmingham, more often than nt you will travel Red Mountain Expressway. It is a nightmare. Slow traffic, people not knowing how to merge with traffic swiftly, lanes quickly ending, not to mention it is where Hwy 31 merges into. During rush hour, you can almost guarantee an acident daily. Avoid this area whenever possible for your safety and mine.

University Blvd also known as 8th Ave south is a nightmare to drive on. If there is ever a need to get to UAB you will have to drive on University Blvd to get there. The hospital as well as the college are accessed from this street. You will find very little parking though. Those that do find parking arrive very early in the mornings and are often there all day. Be careful driving down the street, lights get very tricky and turn quickly.

Morris Ave divides the north and south side of Birmingham. Along the street you will find several shops that hold anything from clothing to antiques. My favorite place to visit is the Peanut Depot. If you like cajun or roasted peanuts, this is the place to go. They make them fresh all day. Outside the shop there will be peanut shells and birds even in the streets ignore any human walking by. The night life has several clubs to offer into the wee hours of the night for entertainment.