A new alternative itinerary for tourists visiting Birmingham has been launched to celebrate the Sky Max series Joe Lycett’s United States of Birmingham. The comedian’s documentary series, which explores links between his home city and its 18 namesakes across the world, has sparked a light-hearted but heartfelt checklist of local landmarks and experiences.
Balti Triangle
Titled 10 Things You Need to Do in Birmingham, UK, the downloadable guide from Visit Birmingham offers a mix of iconic sites and eccentric nods to the city’s cultural quirks. From eating a balti in the original Balti Triangle to pledging allegiance under the “United States of Birmingham” flag at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, the itinerary presents a tongue-in-cheek yet celebratory tour of the Second City.
Black Sabbath Bridge
Other highlights include listening to the show’s playlist on the Black Sabbath Bridge, eating a Curly Wurly by the Bullring bull, and riding the entirety of the city’s famed outer circle Number 11 bus. Visitors are also encouraged to visit the Pen Museum to see the Queen Mother’s Pen – loaned to Lycett in the show to sign “Friendship Agreements” with officials in other Birminghams.
‘Second City Ambassador’
The Sky Max series follows Lycett on a transatlantic mission to connect Birmingham, UK with the 18 other Birminghams dotted across the United States and Canada. The comedian, who crowned himself the “Second City Ambassador”, declared: “Birmingham is the greatest city in the whole world and this is a handy checklist of the best things to do there, thereby making these the best things to do in the whole world.”
More than just laughs
Tourism leaders say the campaign is more than comedy. It reflects Birmingham’s unique culture and global appeal.
Becky Frall, head of tourism at the West Midlands Growth Company, said: “This must-do checklist should make Birmingham residents feel proud of what we have on offer and give visitors a fresh, quirky way of experiencing the city.”
Record tourist numbers
The campaign coincides with a record tourism year for Birmingham. The city welcomed 47.5 million visitors in 2023, up 4.5% from the previous year, with visitor spending rising 17% to £9.25 billion.
Councillor Sharon Thompson, Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council, praised the initiative: “This is a fantastic way of paying tribute to Birmingham’s distinctive sense of humour, unwavering spirit – and of course – this brilliant new show.”
The full checklist is available at visitbirmingham.com/united-states-of-birmingham.
