Fall in Huntsville – The Huntsville Mom

 

 

Fall in Huntsville

 By Jessica Aguirre-Cantrell

The Huntsville Mom

The humid temperatures have been exchanged for cool, crisp mornings. The foliage is beginning to turn vibrant hues of reds and orange. The feel and the sights all signal that fall has finally arrived in the Tennessee Valley.

Fall in Alabama is an extraordinary time because it gives us a reprieve from the summer swelter and gives us an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and our local agricultural communities and landscape. It is a season of change full of harvesting, golden days and cozy weather.

One of our first stops every year is to our local apple orchard. Scott’s Orchard offers pick-your-own apples Thursdays-Sundays from September until the end of October.⁠

Nothing says fall quite like a stroll through the orchard, picking the perfect apples, with an apple slushie in hand! 

Apple picking is a great way to get outdoors and enjoy the sights of the season, and it gives families a chance to try new recipes afterwards. Scott’s Orchard makes visiting easy with online ticketing and red wagons available for use in the orchard. Everything is picture perfect. 

Each year, I love trying my hand at new recipes with the apples my family bring home. Apple pie, apple butter, apple crisp, caramel apples, and mulled apple cider are some of my favorites that I’ve tried. The smell that fills my home reminds me of why I love this time of year.

Scott’s Orchard has a variety of apples on-site and does a great job of showcasing how each variety can best be used. Their store is full of fresh products made in store or by local artisans. 

Another fall favorite event is a day at the pumpkin patch. We have several to choose from in our area, and my family visits Tate Farms and Lyon Family Farms both each year because there’s so much to do at each. 

The pumpkin patches are a full day’s worth of fun, and each local farm has plenty on site to see, do, and eat! Tractor rides, pick-your-own pumpkins, petting zoos, corn mazes, and corn cribs are all fun stops for our family each year. Local farms are an important part of our community, and we love taking the day to enjoy the labor of love that these local farmers have produced. 

Speaking of farmers, fall is the perfect time to stop by our local farmers markets. Green Street Market, The Market at MidCity, and the Madison City Farmers Market are all so enjoyable with the fall weather.

Enjoy locally grown food and produce from a variety of vendors. Take a stroll through to try new things and meet new faces. There is no shortage of foods to try. We are lucky that in our area, we have a great variety of locally grown fruits and vegetables, along with local artisans. 

Fall also brings about an event unique to Huntsville, the Maple Hill Cemetery Stroll. This season’s tradition held in historic Maple Hill Cemetery brings to life over 200 years of history.

More than 75 costumed characters come to life to share Huntsville’s rich history in a unique setting. This free event features special exhibits, an antique auto display and scavenger hunts for kids of all ages. Take a stroll through the largest and oldest cemetery in Alabama to learn more about Huntsville’s past and those who shaped the future of Huntsville and Alabama.

With almost 80,000 people buried within its grounds including governors, bricklayers, paupers, the famous, and the infamous, there are plenty of stories to be told. Those buried in Maple Hill include five governors of Alabama, five United States senators, and numerous other figures of local, state, and national recognition. Maple Hill is located east of the Twickenham Historic District.

This family friendly gathering is held annually on the 3rd Sunday in October. The grand monuments, manicured landscaping, and fall colors all welcome visitors to the most unique experience for the season. 

Happy fall, y’all! Get outdoors and enjoy the season. You won’t be disappointed!

 

Jessica Aguirre-Cantrell is a wife of 10 years, a mother to Atticus and Camila, and an educator.  She is a first generation American, and holds dear all of the values of family, education, and the American dream learned from her father and family in Mexico.

Jessica holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in Instructional Leadership. She helps oversee the English Learner (EL) department for her local school district, serving as an advocate and resource for teachers, students, and families. She has a passion for education, writing, helping families, trying new things, and for creating memories.

“My goal at The Huntsville Mom is to do MORE of what I love and to help others find inspiration and information easily in one spot. I love making memories and living life to its fullest!”