North Alabama Blog

In the South, everything is cause for a celebration. We celebrate art, barbeque, catfish, flowers, music, people; you name it! And with spring approaching, warmer weather means that people are getting back outside to enjoy the outdoors, and what better way to do so than at an annual festival. North Alabama is a special place with many unique festivals.

Jerry Brown Arts Festival in Hamilton

March 2-3

A must see for this spring is Hamilton’s highly acclaimed art festival where one-of-a-kind creations and masterpieces from juried artists from across the Southeast will be on display. Now in its seventeenth year and designated an official Alabama Bicentennial event, the Jerry Brown Arts Festival (JBAF) is set for March 2-3, 2019, and confirmed for this year’s event are over 60 artists from Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, Arkansas, North Carolina and South Carolina who will be creating and demonstrating throughout the weekend.

First Fridays Florence

March 1

First Fridays Downtown Florence is now entering its 13th year of bringing together people of all ages for a music, art and cultural celebration. In 2018, festivalgoers can expect to see some of their favorites, including the pumpkin drop in the fall in the center of Court Street and Mobile Plaza and the popular antique and vintage car shows. This year will also have special events and themes to correspond with the state of Alabama’s Bicentennial Celebration. Hours are 5 to 8 p.m. and admission is free. The event will go on rain or shine. Parking is available on surrounding streets and in the City of Florence public parking garage (behind Ricatoni’s Restaurant).

We live in a social media world, and we have learned to look at our surroundings through the lens of social media. It's like we've all become mini photographers looking for the best setting to create the best-looking post on our social accounts. Check out our list of the most Instagrammable places - one from each of the 16 counties we represent - in north Alabama that were chosen by our followers.

As friends and family select the perfect gifts, they imagine the look of excitement on loved ones' faces when the package is opened. North Alabama is home to many unique attractions, and when it comes to finding that perfect unique Christmas gift, look no further than north Alabama for one-of-a-kind gifts that are made right here in north Alabama and are sure to bring a smile to loved ones’ faces.

It’s almost Christmas break, and the kids will be out of school and in your hair. What is there to

'Tis the season for lots of merriment! Check out these fun north Alabama Christmas events and add them to your must-do list this holiday season.

Galaxy of Lights at Huntsville Botanical Garden in Huntsville – November 23 through December 31

Santa’s Village in Huntsville – November 23 through December 23 from 5-9pm

Christmas at the Falls – Noccalula Falls Park – November 22-December 23 and

North Alabama certainly is not lacking on beautiful places to hike. Check out these amazing locations and the hiking tips we have listed at the bottom of the post. And get out there and explore!

Bankhead National Forest

Cane Creek Canyon Preserve

DeSoto State Park

Hurricane Creek Park

{photo by @lattadventures}

Lake Guntersville State Park

Little River Canyon National Preserve

Monte Santo

There are so many reasons to love October: cooler weather, leaves changing, and all things haunted. Check out these cool - and maybe a little bit scary - haunted events all over north Alabama.

Athens Haunts Walk

In celebration of Halloween, Athens-Limestone County Tourism is offering haunted walking tours next month giving visitors and locals a chance to explore the town by night. Held every

Covered bridges are scattered all around North Alabama and remind us of the way things used to be.

Blount County has the most in North Alabama, which has earned the county the "Covered Bridge Capital" title. There's a Covered Bridge Festival each October to honor and remember Blount County's covered bridges.

Here's a list of North Alabama's covered bridges that are still standing:

Easley Covered

There’s a saying that says fall is a southerner’s gift for surviving summer. If that is indeed true, North Alabama’s fall gift is gorgeous, vibrant fall foliage. And North Alabama has many breathtaking spots to see some colorful scenery.

1. Blount County: Horton Mill, Old Easley, or Swann covered bridges and Rickwood Caverns State Park

2. Cherokee County: Cherokee Rock Village, Little River

Anne of Green Gables said, "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers." So are we, Anne.

October has a different feel to it: crisp air, colorful foliage, pumpkins, festivals, and the list goes on. It also has a spooky edge to it as well, and there are several haunted walking tours across the region that tell of the paranormal activity in north Alabama.

Here are several North Alabama