The air is crisp; the colors are changing and every sunny day offers an a la carte menu of festivals, pumpkin patches, flower fields and outdoor concerts across Alabama. From the mountains to the beaches, it’s officially pumpkin patch and fall festival season. Here is a sampling of autumn spots sure to make y’all get outside and enjoy the crunching leaves beneath your feet.

Flowers love the sunshine and crisp fall air and October is the best time to enjoy their blooms before the first frost.  Circles of Colors is a u-pick flower farm located in Notasulga.  The farm boasts hundreds of seasonal dahlias, zinnias, sunflowers, lavender, and lilies. Circles of Colors is open every weekend (weather permitting) from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Sunflower fields offer amazing fall photo opportunities and a few cut stems makes a stunning arrangement.  The Sunflower Patch at Cornutt Farms in Boaz is open every Saturday in October while the sunflowers are blooming.  (Hint:  There’s a pumpkin patch as well, so allow time for extra fun and room for a pumpkin or two on the ride home.)

A quick Google search for Alabama pumpkin patches reveals dozens of seasonal kid-friendly farms featuring hay rides, corn mazes, food, petting zoos, and, of course pumpkins of all shapes and sizes.  Someone should really create an “Alabama Punkin’ Patch Trail.”  Until then, from north to south here are links to some of the most popular.  Check websites for admission prices, optional activities, and operating days/hours.

The Great Pumpkin Patch - Hayden

Open every day through November 6^th, the Great Pumpkin Patch offers family fun for all ages including a wagon ride (with choice of field pumpkin), pony/horse rides, inflatables, petting zoo.  On weekends, there’s a bungee jump.

Visit their website here.

4D Farm - Cullman

Pumpkins and pig races combine for unique family fun at 4D Farm. Open Thursday- Sunday through November 5^th, there’s food, rides, games, and dozens of other activities for kids and adults. Food options range from burgers and pizza to wings and sweet treats.

Visit their website here.

McGee Farm - Florence

Here’s your chance to meet a real farmer in his pumpkin patch. From now through October 31^st, McGee Farm offers a down-home farm experience along with all the usual pumpkin fun. Come hungry and enjoy southern cooking – including homemade pumpkin pie – at The Kitchen.

Visit their website here.

Helena Hollow - Helena

Ten acres of family fun awaits just outside of Birmingham. Helena Hollow is more than a pumpkin patch.  It’s an “AGventure” Farm featuring slides, swings, bone digs, hayrides, and animal petting stations. Helena Hollow is open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in October.

Visit their website here.

Pumpkin Junction - Calera

You can only get there by train, but that’s part of the fun.  Every Saturday and Sunday in October, the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum chugs off to Pumpkin Junction for family fun. Tickets are required for the train, but fun and games at the junction is free. Food trucks and vendors will be on site along with a place to buy a pumpkin.

Visit their website here.

Cornfield County Farms - Wetumpka

A family-owned AGritainment venue, Cornfield County Farms has something for all ages. Farm activities include a corn maze, a sunflower maze, the corn cob canyon, a zipline, and corn cribs. The pumpkin patch is open weekends through October 31^st.  Admission includes a pumpkin and concessions are available on site.

Visit their website here.

Aplin Farms - Dothan

So, mom wants family photos in a sunflower field and the kids just want pumpkins.  Satisfy them all at Aplin Farms where sunflowers are blooming and pumpkins are ready to be picked. Open Wednesdays through Sundays during October, this working farm grows almost 200 varieties of fruits and vegetables. Warning: You may leave with more than a pumpkin.

Visit their website here.

Paradise Pumpkin Patch - Eufaula

There are plenty of pumpkins to choose at this south Alabama farm.  But you can also work a cane mill, use old hand water pumps, hear a working windmill, and browse the barn filled with antique farm equipment, animals and tack. A tractor-pulled hayride that will take you to the corn maze, pumpkin patch, and cotton field.  Paradise Pumpkin Patch is open weekends through October.

Visit their website here.

Autumn’s milder days are perfect for festivals and markets.  From scarecrow rows to Octoberfests, you’re sure to find a celebration just right for you and your family. October just  needs a few more weekends to enjoy them all. Check this list of festivals for a few near you through October.