The temperatures may not be dropping just yet, but that doesn’t mean your family can’t get ready for the upcoming season! When we first moved to Birmingham, we had no idea where the best fall family activities were. After spending a few seasons trying them all out, I can definitely say I know which ones are worth a visit. If you’re local or visiting, be sure to check out all of these great Birmingham area pumpkin patches and festivals!
Birmingham Area Pumpkin Patches and Festivals
Alabama Fair
Our first fun festival is the Alabama Fair at the Oak Mountain. The fair opens to the public on September 29 and runs through October 8. There will be food, animal races, live music, and, of course, rides! Funnel cake is calling me name! Kids under 5 are free, and there will be two discount days! $10 Tuesday (Unlimited Rides on Tuesday, October 3rd) and $2 Dollar Day (Rides are $2 each and various food concessions are $2 each on October 5th) are great ways to enjoy the fair without spending a ton of money.
Old Baker Farm
This is “an oldie, but a goodie” for our family. It was the first pumpkin patch we visited when we first moved to the area, and it’s one that we consistently go back to. Admission to Old Baker Farm includes a everything (yes, hayride and a pumpkin too) except food, arts and crafts, and horseback rides. From September 30-October 31, they are open weekdays after 3pm-dark, Saturdays from 9am-dark, and Sundays from 1pm-dark. October 14-15 is “Western Weekend” and October 28-29 is “Cotton Pickin’ Celebration ’17.”
The Great Pumpkin Patch
Next up is The Great Pumpkin Patch located in Hayden. This one will take you about 35 minutes to drive to, so consider it a day trip for the family. Admission to the farm is free! They have great activities like pumpkin picking, inflatables, and a petting zoo. Your cost is based on whatever activity you decide to do. This could be very affordable if all you want to do it pick a pumpkin!
DeSoto Caverns
My family explored DeSoto Caverns for the first time this past summer, and it was a really neat experience. Back again for another spooky year is “Tomb of the Risen Dead.” It sounds ominous, but according to their website “Tomb of the Risen Dead is spooky fun for everyone! Enjoy our festival area including live entertainment ranging from fire dancing to acrobatics to comedic juggling and more!” This event happens every Friday and Saturday night from 6:30pm-10:30pm beginning October 6.
Boo at the Zoo
Another favorite event of ours has always been Boo at the Zoo. This year, they have really made some improvements! One admission gets you in and you get unlimited rides! It always seemed way too pricey to me to pay admission and then pay extra for every single ride you went on. With this new policy, you can either pay for admission only or pay for admission and unlimited rides. Boo at the Zoo begins October 8, but check the website for more dates.
Griffin Farms of Helena
New this year is “The Patch” at Griffin Farms in Helena. Admission includes a hayride and pumpkin, rope climbs, tire swings, mazes, a petting zoo and more! This new pumpkin patch will open October 1, and they will be open every weekend in October. Hours are 10am-6:30pm on Saturdays and noon-6:30pm on Sundays.
4D Family Farms
Cullman, Alabama is the host of 4D Family Farms. Zip lines, slides, a bounce pillow, and an a”MAZE”ing corn maze await families who travel north looking for fall family fun! My girls are getting to experience this farm during their fall field trip this school year, and I am excited to chaperone them! If your family is planning a day trip to Cullman, 4D Farms opens September 29, and their hours are Friday, 2-6pm, Saturday, 10am-6pm, and Sunday, 1-6pm.
Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum
HDRRM is one of our family’s favorites! The Pumpkin Patch Express is a fun way to get the family together for good ol’ fashioned pumpkin pickin’. The round trip train ride takes about 90 minutes and includes pumpkin picking, a hayride, bouncy house, and more family activities. Best of all? Children 2 and younger are free with a paid adult! The Pumpkin Patch Express leaves the station every Saturday and Sunday in October!With all of these amazing fall family activities, where are you going to go first?
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