Best Spots in Alabama: Autumn in Alabama is more than just a canvas of pretty huesit’s a tapestry woven with iconic events like lively festivals and the heartbeat of football. World Atlas recently unveiled their top choices for the “7 Best Places to Experience Fall in Alabama,” and we’re thrilled to share the list. Stick around to find out if your cherished spot made the cut.
1. Alabama National Fair
For a dose of old-fashioned enjoyment, look no further than the Alabama National Fair in Montgomery each fall. While the festivities for 2023 have already concluded, make sure to mark this event on your 2024 calendar for a guaranteed good time.
The Alabama National Fair has been celebrated in Montgomery since 1954 and now runs for ten days in early to mid-October. Mid-fall is ideal fair weather in Alabama, when it is warm but not oppressively hot, and the leaves are beginning to reveal their autumn colors. The fair has the expected assortment of fun attractions, like midway rides, food vendors, stage shows, livestock exhibits, floral displays, and artistic competitions. By WorldAtlas
- Location: Montgomery, Alabama
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2. Cheaha State Park
Alabama’s highest point offers sweeping, breathtaking views, especially during the autumn season.
Cherokee Rock Village is the name of a rocky outcropping on Lookout Mountain, as well as the privately operated recreation park of which it is a part. Rock climbers flock here for both the climbing options suited to all skill levels and the seemingly endless views that await them. The park also offers a playground, pavilions, camping, and 14 miles of hiking trails. Beyond Cherokee Rock Village, Lookout Mountain provides one of the most impressive panoramas found anywhere, especially in autumn, with as many as seven different states within view under ideal conditions. By WorldAtlas
- Location: 2000 County Rd 70, Leesburg, AL 35983
3. DeSoto State Park
Even though taking a dip might not be on your agenda during North Alabama’s fall, DeSoto State Park still promises an incredible experience.
Like Cherokee Rock Village, DeSoto State Park is located along Lookout Mountain, which is, more accurately, a long ridge. The state park does contain some rock climbing sites, and it is best known for its 30+ miles of hiking and biking trails, including an accessible boardwalk trail. These trails often lead to the parks numerous waterfalls, the largest of which, DeSoto Falls, cascades down more than 100 feet. Suppose you prefer to stay in your car while leaf peeping; a drive through DeSoto State Park offers excellent foliage views along the forest-lined access roads. By WorldAtlas
- Location: 7104 Desoto Pkwy NE, Fort Payne, AL 35967
4. Green Mountain Nature Trail
As a Huntsvillian, Green Mountain Nature Trail holds a special place in my heart. The covered bridge, picturesque trails, serene lake, and weathered dock all contribute to its charming beauty.
The Green Mountain Nature Trail is a 72-acre oasis on the southeastern side of the bustling city of Huntsville. The parks 1.5-mile walking trail passes by Green Mountains Centerpiece, the serene Sky Lake, which beautifully reflects the fiery fall colors on a clear day. During the peak season, around late October and early November, the parks elms, azaleas, dogwoods, and other trees reveal a soothing yet invigorating mix of colors. By WorldAtlas
- Location: 5000 Nature Trail Rd SE, Huntsville, AL 35803
5. National Peanut Festival
It’s not autumn in Dothan without the National Peanut Festival. A beloved event for our team at The Bama Buzz, this festival is a must-do on the Alabama bucket list.
If you are a fan of peanuts or just a fan of quirky community festivals, make plans for a fall trip to the small city of Dothan in southeastern Alabama. As the self-proclaimed Peanut Capital of the World (although competitors like Suffolk, Virginia, beg to differ), Dothan hosts the annual National Peanut Festival each year in early November. Spanning ten days, the sprawling festival includes live entertainment, midway rides, agricultural displays, livestock shows, and lots of peanut-related foods and activities, including a Miss Peanut competition. By WorldAtlas
- Location: 5622 US-231, Dothan, AL 36301
- Dates: November 3-12, 2023
6. The University of Alabama
Growing up in Alabama, fall and football are practically inseparable. Whether you cheer for the Tide or not, gameday in Tuscaloosa is an experience that people travel from far and wide for.
While cooler weather and colorful leaves are welcome signs of autumn, for many Alabamans, the main fall attraction is the arrival of college football season.
College football is a huge deal all over the state, especially in big-time university towns like Auburn, but the city of Tuscaloosa stands alone because of the sustained success of the University of Alabamas football team, which has won six national championships since 2009. Fall football Saturdays bring 100,000 fans to Bryant-Denny Stadium and tens of thousands more to the surrounding area, transforming Tuscaloosa into a football mecca that is hard to match anywhere else. Even if you are not a big college football fan, gameday is a sight to behold! By WorldAtlas
Our Reader’s Queries
What is the number 1 attraction in Alabama?
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center stands as the top tourist spot in Alabama.
What is the prettiest place in Alabama?
1. Little River Canyon
2. Sipsey Wilderness
3. Red Mountain and Park
4. Noccalula Falls
5. Walls of Jericho Trail
6. Bankhead National Forest
7. Cahaba River
8. White Cliffs of Epes
What’s the nicest area in Alabama?
Nestled in northern Alabama along the Tennessee River, Huntsville frequently earns spots on national rankings for its unique combination of Southern charm and cutting-edge tech sectors. The city offers a diverse range of employment opportunities, catering to both local enterprises and major Fortune 500 corporations.
Is there anything fun to do in Alabama?
Explore the diverse attractions in Alabama, from enthralling space travel exhibits to immersive showcases of civil rights movement heroes. For enthusiasts of the sport, indulge in a round of golf on one of the nation’s premier courses.