10 things to experience in Birmingham (then dinner in the Jewellery Quarter)

Looking for things to do in Birmingham? Start with free galleries, canal towpaths and the city's markets, add a guided tour through a Victorian court or a preserved jewellery workshop, and finish with dinner in the Jewellery Quarter.

Birmingham has a lot more to it than shopping. Here are ten experiences worth planning a day around, each with a link to its official page so you can check times and book before you go. We have ordered them so the day ends in the Jewellery Quarter, where we would be glad to cook your dinner.

1. Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

Begin in Chamberlain Square. The open spaces include the Pre-Raphaelite galleries, the Staffordshire Hoard gallery, the Birmingham History galleries, the Round Room and Wild City, a new family gallery. General admission is free and no booking is needed, though some exhibitions charge. Some parts of the building remain closed. Plan a visit to Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

2. The Library of Birmingham

On Centenary Square, off Broad Street, the Library of Birmingham is worth a visit for the building as much as its collections and events. It is closed on Sundays, and the Level 3 and Level 7 terraces are closed until further notice. Library of Birmingham opening hours and events

3. Walk the canals to Gas Street Basin

The Canal & River Trust's one-mile city-centre route runs from Livery Street, under Snow Hill, down the Farmer's Bridge Locks and past Old Turn Junction to Gas Street Basin and the Mailbox. Look for the lines of poetry carved into the lock arms at Lock 8, and the Worcester Bar, where two rival canal companies once kept their water apart. The route also passes close to the Jewellery Quarter, which sits just west of the locks. Birmingham canal walk, Livery Street to the Mailbox

4. A concert at Symphony Hall

The canal walk takes you right past the doors to the International Convention Centre and Symphony Hall. B:Music runs a classical season with world-class orchestras, plus stand-up comedy and a festive programme in December. An evening show gives the day a natural shape. What's on at B:Music and Symphony Hall

5. The Birmingham Back to Backs

On Hurst Street, next to the Hippodrome, the National Trust looks after Birmingham's last surviving court of back-to-back houses. Guided tours move from the 1840s to the 1970s, with fires lit in the grates and the tailor's shop of George Saunders, a Caribbean tailor whose collection is the only one of its kind in the UK. Visits are by pre-booked guided tour only, and a ground-floor tour is available for anyone who would rather avoid the steep stairs. Birmingham Back to Backs, National Trust

6. The Bull Ring Indoor Market

For the city's working side, head to the Bull Ring Indoor Market on Edgbaston Street. The council describes it as one of the UK's largest fish markets, with fresh meat and poultry, exotic fruit and vegetables, clothing and household goods besides. It is open Monday to Saturday. Bull Ring Indoor Market, Birmingham City Council

7. Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum

At Millennium Point, Thinktank has four floors and over 200 hands-on exhibits: MiniBrum, a child-sized city; a 4K planetarium; an outdoor Science Garden; and steam engines, cars and planes from Birmingham's industrial past. It is an easy win with children, and the planetarium also runs evening events for adults. Pre-booking is recommended. Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum

8. Birmingham Botanical Gardens

If you need some green after the city centre, Birmingham Botanical Gardens in Edgbaston has more than 30,000 plants, four Victorian glasshouses, a Japanese garden, alpine, bog and fern gardens, a pinetum and an adventure playground. Opening times change with the seasons, so check the homepage on the day. Birmingham Botanical Gardens

9. Coffin Works, Jewellery Quarter

Now start heading for the Jewellery Quarter. On Fleet Street, at the edge of the Quarter, the Coffin Works tells the story of Newman Brothers, Birmingham's last coffin-furniture maker. When the workers walked out for the final time in 1998, they left everything behind, and the Grade II* listed factory still holds their stock and tools. It also hosts seasonal evening events, including a gothic walk taking in two Victorian cemeteries. Visit the Coffin Works

10. The Museum of the Jewellery Quarter

When the owners of the Smith & Pepper jewellery firm retired in 1981, they locked the door and left the workshop exactly as it was. Today it is the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter on Vyse Street, and entry is by guided tour only, with a demonstration at the jewellers' bench. It is open Thursday to Sunday, and pre-booking is advised. Afterwards, wander out to the Chamberlain Clock, the independent jewellers and the Key Hill and Warstone Lane cemeteries, which Visit Birmingham lists among the Quarter's landmarks. Museum of the Jewellery Quarter

When you're ready to eat: Aara, Jewellery Quarter

Stay in the Quarter for dinner. Aara is at 108-109 Icknield Street, and our menu cooks right across India.

Our roots are in the South. People often find us as a South Indian restaurant, and the Andhra chicken fry, Telangana mutton curry, Chicken 65 and Malabar chicken show why. Then there are the Hyderabadi-style dum biryanis, sealed and slow-cooked, in chicken, lamb, king prawn or vegetable, with bagara rice on the side.

If you grew up in the North, or simply love its food, you will feel at home too. Our tikkas are marinated overnight and chargrilled in the tandoor, and the butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, paneer tikka masala and dal tadka come with tandoori naan or butter roti straight from the oven. Order one dish from each side of the country and share them. Finish with kulfi, a mango lassi or a Masala chai.

We use halal meat in our meat dishes. The all-day menu runs from 12:00 every day, until 22:00 Sunday to Thursday and 23:00 on Friday and Saturday. If you are driving, there are three free spaces in front of the restaurant and free parking on Pope Street.

Aara, 108-109 Icknield Street, Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham B18 6RZ. See the full menu.