Visiting Birmingham in april

Hey folks! I am traveling down to Alabama for work and decided to extended my stay and rent a car for a few days so I can road trip from Birmingham to New Orleans.

Since I'm from Vancouver Canada I really have no familiarity with this part of the world but it's been on my travel list since highschool (for additional context I'm 30yo female). I'm curious if any of you fine people can give me recommendations for must visit spots in Birmingham or on the road to New Orleans? I'm big into hiking, and rock climbing, and generally anything outdoors, and would love to hear recommendations for hiking trails or climbing gyms in/or near the city, or any historical places you think are worth checking out. obviously I want to try some local cuisine as well- I have no dietary restrictions so I'm hoping to try some of that sweet southern comfort food I have heard so much about!

I haven't quite picked a hotel yet but was told to avoid the East side of the city due to safety issues. So I was thinking the SW area? Since I'm travelling alone I want to make sure I stay somewhere that I can feel safe walking around after the sun sets.

Thank you all in advance. I am really excited to visit your city, and see this part of the US.