When it comes to Huntsville, there's something about fall that makes you want to get outside, eat all the seasonal foods, and pack as much as you can into the weekend. Luckily, there are plenty of things to do in Huntsville during the fall that make it easy to do all three.
If you're planning a weekend trip to Huntsville, Alabama, here's a quick itinerary that takes you from downtown Huntsville to the mountains and throughout Madison County, making sure you have plenty to do for the perfect fall weekend.
Friday: Dinner and a Huntsville Ghost Walk
After checking into your hotel, start the weekend with dinner downtown. If you're in the mood for Southern food, Commerce Kitchen is a great option and puts you right in the middle of downtown. If you want to keep things casual, check out MELT Huntsville, or try Namu for something a little different.
After dinner, it's time to experience one of Huntsville's favorite October traditions, the Huntsville Ghost Walk. Tours start at Harrison Brothers Hardware, right around the corner from Commerce Kitchen, and you can choose between three routes: Old Town, Twickenham, or Haunted Downtown. Tours last about 90 minutes, giving you a chance to explore downtown while learning a little Huntsville history and maybe a ghost story or two.
Fun fact: If you choose the Old Town route, keep an eye out for Huntsville's Salem Witch House replica on Walker Avenue. The home was built as a nearly exact exterior replica of the famous Witch House in Salem, Massachusetts, making it a pretty cool photo stop during a fall weekend in Huntsville. Be sure to check the Ghost Walk schedule and grab your tickets ahead of time.
Saturday Morning: Hike or Pack a Picnic
You can't visit the Tennessee Valley in the fall without taking in the mountain views. Start Saturday at Blevins Gap Nature Preserve, but how you experience it is completely up to you.
If you're ready to get moving, hit one of the trails and enjoy the fall colors along the way. If hiking isn't your thing or you're traveling with little ones, pack a family picnic and enjoy the scenery and mountain views instead. Either way, it's an easy way to spend a fall morning outside.
Saturday Afternoon: Pick Apples or Pumpkins
There's no fall vacation without a trip to a pumpkin patch or apple orchard. So whether you're more of a pumpkins or apples person, there are options for both.
For pumpkins, head to Tate Farms near Meridianville, AL. This is a great option for families because there's so much more to do than just pick out a pumpkin. You can make an entire afternoon out of the pumpkin patch, fall activities, and plenty of fun for the kids.
If apples are more your thing, head to Scott's Orchard near Hazel Green, AL. You can pick your own apples during select dates in the fall, or keep things simple and stop by for fresh apples, local treats, and, of course, one of their popular apple cider soft serve ice cream cone.
Saturday: End the Day With a Local Pour
After spending the day enjoying all the fall activities, slow things down with a local drink. If you're a wine person, head to La Famiglia Vineyards & Winery. Depending on when you visit, you may be able to enjoy a wine pairing or special event. They also typically have food trucks on Saturdays, so grab something to eat, enjoy a glass of wine, and take in the vineyard views.
If beer is more your thing, head to Campus 805. You'll find plenty of food options along with two local breweries, Straight to Ale and Yellowhammer Brewing. Straight to Ale also offers a free brewery tour on Saturdays at 3 p.m., so you can get a little Huntsville history with your local beer.
Sunday: Brunch and a Little More Huntsville History
Before heading home, start Sunday with brunch downtown at The Standard Social Market. Grab breakfast, take your time, and then head out for one last look around Huntsville.
October is Huntsville History Month, and throughout the month, Visit Huntsville offers free Guided History Tours through some of the city's historic neighborhoods. Tours last around 60 to 90 minutes and don't require reservations, making this an easy way to fit a little more Huntsville history into your weekend.
If the tour schedule doesn't line up with your visit, take a self-guided stroll through one of the historic districts instead. Then grab one last coffee from Honest Coffee Roasters, enjoy downtown for a little longer, and call it a wrap for a weekend in Huntsville.
