Autumn in Alabama
An interactive map on the Alabama Tourism Department’s website allows visitors to see the predicted autumn colour change for each weekend this season. The map, a list of recommended viewing sites and an autumn colours driving route are all available on the state tourism website.
Large concentrations of hardwoods make Alabama State Parks some of the best places to enjoy the autumn colour change. Joe Wheeler has an excellent viewing spot next to the dam and near the cabin area on the Lawrence County side. Autumn scenery can be found at DeSoto State Park at Little River Canyon and DeSoto Falls. Monte Sano has views of the Tennessee Valley along the Warpath Ridge Trail and its overlook. Cheaha’s Bald Rock and Pulpit Rock trails both have excellent views. Cheaha is the highest point in the state at 2,407 feet above sea level.
With cooler days and lower humidity, autumn hosts a variety of outdoor festivals. Lee Sentell, director of the Alabama Tourism Department, recommends several events designed around being outdoors and enjoying the autumn weather.
Outdoor events scheduled for every autumn include the Anniversary of the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge in Decatur that will feature guided bird-watching field trips and nature hikes, wildlife education presentations, children’s nature programs, hayrides and more. Cullman’s Oktoberfest celebrates the city’s German heritage with food, music, and arts. The National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores is one of the nation’s premier outdoor festivals with arts & crafts and plenty of shrimp.
Break’n’Bread at Birmingham’s Railroad Park features signature dish tastings from nearly 40 local restaurants. The city of Mentone celebrates its annual Colorfest with a weekend of arts & crafts, family activities and live entertainment.
The Alabama Renaissance Fair in Florence transforms the city’s downtown park into a medieval experience. The National Peanut Festival in Dothan on celebrates annually and is the nation’s largest peanut festival. The Pike Road Arts and Crafts Festival in the city of Pike Road features an arts and crafts market on the grounds of the historic 19th century Marks House.
Alabama Frontier Days in Wetumpka feature reenactments from French Colonial times to the Early American period. Nearly 200 songwriters from across the country will be performing in venues all along the Alabama Gulf Coast during the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival and The Annual Oyster Cook-Off features all-star chefs and live entertainment in November in Gulf Shores.
For more information on any of the above email alabama@deep-south-usa.com
