As we swap sweltering summer heat for the cozy days of autumn, Alabamians eagerly gear up for a smorgasbord of seasonal fun. When it comes to things to do in Alabama in the fall, we have all the essential experiences: fall foliage hotspots, top-tier pumpkin patches, and perfect-weather festivals – many of them are easy on the wallet, to boot.

Oh hold up now, I said boots, didn't I? Finally, it's boot season. Pick your favorite pair and get ready to explore Alabama's best-kept secrets this magical time of year. You can use this guide to discover a new favorite fall tradition.

Alabama Fall Foliage: Where To Go In Alabama For Fall Foliage

Fall in Alabama means forests ablaze in color, especially in the northern to central parts of the state. While these regions have most of our best places to see fall foliage, even our southernmost portions see some leaf shows later in the season. Overall, leaf peepers should know the fall color wheel starts spinning around here from mid-October to early November. During those few weeks, our mountain foothills, rolling landscapes, and lush forests come alive with vibrant hues creating scenes worth a weekend getaway or, at the very least, a long Sunday drive or hike.

1. Brow Park – Mentone, Alabama

• Location: Mentone, Alabama
• Wow Factor: Panoramic views of the Chattanooga Valley from the brow of Lookout Mountain.
• Need To Know: This park was once a strategic lookout during the Civil War.

Fall is one of the best times to visit the tiny town of Mentone, and the best views of fall color are to be had at Brow Park. From there, you get a jaw-dropping view of the Tennessee River as it winds through the lush Chattanooga Valley. Not only is this park one of the few places to get this perspective without being on private property, it's the perfect spot for a picnic. Needless to say, sunrise and sunset are prime times for a stop.

2. Oak Mountain State Park – Pelham, Alabama

• Location: Pelham, Alabama
• Wow Factor: This place is a hiker's and biker's paradise with over 70 miles of trails.
• Need To Know: Oak Mountain is the state's largest park, so there's even more to explore beyond the trails.

Lace up your hiking boots, grab some water, and keep your camera at the ready as you explore Oak Mountain State Park. The park has scores of trails winding through the landscape, which is most brilliant with fall color the last week of October to the first week of November. You do not have to be a seasoned hiker to have fun here, because there's a trail (or three) for just about every skill level.

3. Cheaha State Park – Delta, Alabama

• Location: Delta, Alabama
• Wow Factor: Cheaha State Park is home to Alabama's highest point, so the views are truly tops.
• Need To Know: Cheaha is the state's oldest park and has withstood the test of time as a favorite, especially in all its fall glory.

If you're looking to one-up other leaf lovers in your fall foliage quest, Cheaha State Park is the highest you can go in Alabama – and that's a fact. As home to Cheaha Mountain, which is 2,407 feet above sea level, this park delivers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding Talladega National Forest. Pack up your gear and choose from many hiking trails and camping options – or drive right up using the Talladega Scenic Byway.

Best Pumpkin Patches In Alabama

You'll be saying great gourd-a-mighty at Alabama's best pumpkin patches when fall rolls around. Many of our family farms and pop-up patches transform into pumpkin paradises, growing more robust every season with new and reimagined activities that keep people coming back over generations. You'll find hayrides, train rides, corn mazes, good eats, and mountains of pretty pumpkins. We assure you these places are the stuff memories are made of – and they'll last far longer than your jack-o'-lantern's grin!

4. Tate Farms – Meridianville, Alabama

• Location: Meridianville, Alabama
• Wow Factor: Over 80 acres of fields for pumpkin picking
• Need To Know: Tate Farms also has over 20 acres of entertainment space with family-friendly attractions.

This family-owned fall attraction isn't just about finding the perfect pumpkin, though with over 80 acres of pick-your-own pumpkin fields, there's plenty to choose from at Tate Farms. If you can't find the gourd you're looking for here ... well, please don't embarrass Linus and The Peanuts gang that way! Beyond great pumpkin hunting, there are over 20 acres devoted to festival-like family fun.

5. 4D Farm – Cullman, Alabama

• Location: Cullman, Alabama
• Wow Factor: Over 50 attractions, including some epic slides
• Need To Know: If you live nearby, you can buy a pass for unlimited visits for the season

Centrally located near Birmingham, 4D Farm is an easy day trip for many folks in the state. With dozens of attractions from an obstacle course to visiting with farm animals, you're sure to find adventures filled with laughter, fun, and lasting memories. Really, can you imagine not having a good giggle watching pig races? 4D isn't just a pumpkin patch but a festival-like destination with gem mining, rides, jumping features, and a pirate ship. It could be the perfect pumpkin or a shiny new gem; either way expect to find a fall treasure here.

6. Pumpkin Junction Via The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum – Calera, Alabama

• Location: Calera, Alabama
• Wow Factor: A nostalgic train ride sets the pace
• Need To Know: Book online to ensure a spot! Seats are assigned and sold to walk-up riders only as available.

Hosted by the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum, trips to Pumpkin Junction are a one-of-a-kind adventure for all ages. You can book tickets in advance for Saturday and Sunday rides throughout October. Once all are aboard, the train travels about 10 minutes to Pumpkin Junction, where you can pick your favorite gourd and enjoy a hayride, crafts, food vendors, and inflatables. You'll spend about an hour at the site before the short ride back.

7. CornDodgers Farm – Headland, Alabama

• Location: Headland, Alabama
• Wow Factor: A seven-acre corn maze with over three miles of pathways
• Need To Know: You can challenge yourself even more with moonlight maze adventures. Bring a flashlight or buy glow sticks at The Crooked Porch onsite.

While there's pumpkin picking aplenty, CornDodgers Farm's name reveals its biggest attraction – the giant corn maze, which features a new design every year. There's a Mega Maze that takes people about 45 minutes to navigate, plus a Fairy Tale Trail for the little ones. The kids' trail includes a reimagined story of Jack and the Beanstalk in which Jack conquers a cornstalk instead. You can enjoy many more activities like gem mining, slides, and pony rides.

Best Fall Festivals In Alabama

Fall brings a true feast of festivals around the Yellowhammer State: If you aren't hoisting a pint at Oktoberfest or munching on boiled peanuts in the Peanut Capital of the World, you might find yourself feasting your eyes on fine art or getting a taste of culture at a Day of the Dead celebration. (Yes, there's plenty of delicious food to be eaten in those last two scenarios, too). If it feels like you're eating your way around the state, just consider it practice for the upcoming winter holidays. And hey, at least these festivals encourage you to walk around and get exercise while enjoying the cooler fall weather.

8. Oktoberfest – Cullman, Alabama

• Location: Cullman, Alabama
• Wow Factor: The community-wide spirit of Gemütlichkeit, a German word for friendliness and good cheer
• Need To Know: Most of the non-stop festivities occur over three days, starting Thursday and concluding Saturday, with the 2024 edition set for Oct. 3-5.

From lively music and dance performances to traditional food and beer, Oktoberfest captures the essence of Cullman's deep German roots. You'll get to experience the best of German culture, from traditional lederhosen and delicious food to clinking glasses with new friends in the spirited biergarten. If you're feeling competitive, there are 5K and 10K races and contests for stein-hoisting brat-eating, pet costumes, and the wildly popular wiener dog races. Live music and cultural exhibits round out this special community event. While you may run up a little tab for brews and brats, admission is free!

9. River Clay Fine Arts Festival – Decatur, Alabama

• Location: Decatur, Alabama
• Wow Factor: This festival celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2024 and is the ninth annual presentation, having skipped a year in 2020.
• Need To Know: The annual chalk art competition is always a big highlight of this show.

While a bit younger than some of Alabama's many excellent art festivals, the River Clay Fine Arts Festival began in 2014 and has consistently gotten bigger and better every year. Held the last weekend of October, this arts extravaganza now features over 70 artists from around the region and beyond. Perhaps the most powerful allure? The many opportunities for young artists to display and make art, plus engaging demonstrations all ages will enjoy. Plus, this compact festival is a hop, skip, and jump to visit other downtown attractions, such as the Cook Museum of Natural Science, and shops and restaurants along the historic 2nd Avenue and Bank Street districts. A weekend pass for Saturday and Sunday will only set you back $5 a person, with adult-accompanied kids age 12 and younger admitted free. Hey, that's a little more cash you can put toward a new piece for your collection.

10. Día de los Muertos Alabama – Birmingham, Alabama

• Location: Birmingham, Alabama
• Wow Factor: Colorful art everywhere you turn – from installations to costumes to makeup to vendors
• Need To Know: If you do nothing else, catch the parade procession of this event to witness a powerful convergence of music, dance, art, and bold colors.

After more than 20 years, Día de los Muertos Birmingham has grown to become one of the "most intricate Day of the Dead celebrations in the Southeast." The event happens annually at Sloss Furnaces National Historic Landmark, a stark backdrop that really sets off the vibrant art installations, vendors, and homemade altars. Performers and attendees alike wear elaborate costumes and makeup (not required, but I say go for it!) as thousands come together to honor the memory of ancestors and celebrate the traditions of this enduring cultural holiday. It makes sense this event is so artful, considering it is the largest event annually benefiting Bare Hands, Inc., an arts nonprofit organization that works to create immersive art experiences and education programs. While adult tickets range from $15 (advance) to $20 (day-of price on Nov. 2), note that youths age 12 and younger are admitted free of charge.

11. National Peanut Festival – Dothan, Alabama

• Location: Dothan, Alabama
• Wow Factor: A celebration of the humble peanut unlike anything you've ever seen
• Need To Know: The festival spans 10 days (Nov, 1-10, 2024) with a packed lineup of entertainment, contests, and exhibits.

You can be a nut for peanuts or simply love a classic country fair and you'll be more than happy with a visit to the National Peanut Festival annual fair. The much-loved legume is the star of the show here in the Peanut Capital of the World. There's a long list of special events, and on the grounds, you'll be greeted with larger-than-life peanut sculptures, a midway with rides, and all the fair food you can eat (yes, including plenty of peanuts). A must-see community-focused aspect of the event is the grand parade through town, which carries plenty of peanut pomp.

Free & Cheap Alabama Fall Activities

On a budget? We have good news. You can roll right into Alabama's fall season with wallet-friendly activities that prove you don't need to break the bank to have a blast. We covered some great festivals already that are also affordable, and we've made room for more. One can never have enough options for free and low-cost family fun, and these savings-savvy adventures will have you singing "Sweet home Alabama!" for sure.

12. Labor Day Celebration At Key Underwood Memorial Coon Dog Graveyard Cemetery – Cherokee, Alabama

• Location: Cherokee, Alabama
• Wow Factor: An unforgettable memorial to the bond between people and their pups – coon dogs, specifically.
• Need To Know: While you can visit this spot any time, the annual (free!) Labor Day celebration will lighten the mood with music and more.

Although fall doesn’t officially start until the autumn equinox in September, there's no reason not to include a Labor Day event on this list, considering it mentally marks the end of summer for many. And honoring endings is what this attraction is all about for people who have had the joy of caring for and hunting with coon dogs. The Key Underwood Memorial Coon Dog Cemetery in the small Northwest Alabama community of Cherokee is a place like no other. Established in 1937 by its namesake Key Underwood for his special hunting dog, Troop, this space is now the final resting place for more than 300 coon dogs. Burial sites range from the very simple to elaborate headstones and other memorials. The Labor Day event brings together visitors from all around for bluegrass music, buck dancing, barbecue, and a liar's contest. We aren't lying when we say you may get emotional here despite the revelry.

13. Conecuh Sausage Festival – Evergreen, Alabama

• Location: Evergreen, Alabama
• Wow Factor: Simply the Conecuh Sausage – a beloved state food and brand for over 75 years
• Need To Know: Alabamians have more to celebrate about Conecuh Sausage as of early 2024 when the company announced a major $58 million expansion in which it added another production facility and over 100 jobs in Andalusia.

Say "sausage"" in Alabama and I bet you someone will say "Conecuh." Or make that, "mmmm ... Conecuh!" The company began when Evergreen resident Henry Sessions started a meat locker company called Sessions Quick Freeze in 1947. From there, he began producing smoked meats, including the hickory-smoked sausage that's so famous today. If you're outside the South, you may not know about Conecuh Sausage – yet. Meanwhile, in Evergreen there's a festival celebrating it annually. Why not make this year the one to get acquainted, if you aren't already? The free festival is held at the regional airport, which plays host to a full plate of activities, including a cook-off, live music, and dozens of vendors offering festival foods, crafts, and other goodies.

14. Alabama Butterbean Festival – Pinson, Alabama

• Location: Pinson, Alabama
• Wow Factor: With over 45,000 people attending, this festival is one of the largest in the state.
• Need To Know: While admission to the festival is free, the festival's vendor and event fees raise money for community nonprofits and schools.

Bucky Butterbean cannot wait to see you (and you him, right?) at the annual Alabama Butterbean Festival, which has become a much-loved community tradition in Pinson since its beginnings in 2006. The festival happens annually on the first weekend of October and honors the locally grown legume in many ways, including arts and crafts, a 5K race, a petting zoo, and plenty of other kid-friendly activities. Admission is free, and so is parking for this downtown Pinson event. Fun fact: The festival made the Guinness Book of World Records in 2010 for cooking up a 1,010-gallon pot of butterbeans.

15. Alabama Renaissance Faire – Florence, Alabama

• Location: Florence, Alabama
• Wow Factor: Creative costumes by performers and attendees alike, plus mesmerizing sights like fire-dancing (don't try that at home!).
• Need To Know: While admission is free, you may want to fill your change purse a bit to pick up trinkets and treasures from the many vendors.

On the final weekend of October, Wilson Park in Florence is officially declared Fountaine-on-the-Green for the annual Alabama Renaissance Faire. Admission is free to see such feats as sword fighting and fire dancing, hear the musical stylings of minstrels and troubadours, and take part in merry maypole dancing. A suit of armor, anyone? If goblets of refreshing beverages and hearty meats are more your speed, this festival has a fine selection to quell those cravings.

We hope our guide to the best things to do in Alabama in the fall and inspire you to explore some spots close to home and perhaps strike out for an adventure to parts of the state you may have yet to explore. If you are planning a little fall trip, be sure to check out our road trip essentials packing list to be sure you're 100% ready for the road.

Now you have all the info you need to make the most of the fall season, please share with us any tips you may have about your favorite spots on the list! We'd also love to hear about any new adventures you have planned.