When a new family moves to the Rocket City, one of the first things we like to tell them is to take the kids to the Huntsville Botanical Garden. “It’s my favorite place in the world,” six year-old Lucy likes to tell her friends. While HBG is fun year-round, there’s just something about visiting in the Fall that we like best. Don’t just take Lucy’s word for it… here’s why we love it too!

Our Top 10 Fall Activities for Families at the
Huntsville Botanical Garden in 2023

1. Festifall Celebration

This two-month Fall celebration encompasses All Things Fall! As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to change color, there’s no better place to connect with nature and enjoy the beauty of autumn than the Huntsville Botanical Garden during Festifall. Be sure to visit September 2 – October 31, 2023.

2. Legendary Scarecrows

With a picturesque Pumpkin Patch, nothing says family fun like the ever-popular Scarecrow Trail at HBG! The scarecrows are wacky, whimsical, and wondrous, and as always, created by local community members.

3. Family Campouts

Ready to take your little ones camping but not sure how they’ll do? HBG has some wonderful Family Campouts planned where you can tent camp inside the Garden in a safe, enclosed (and fun!) environment! Mark your calendars for October 13 – just be sure to reserve your spot online in advance.

4. 2023 Fall Break Kid’s Camp

HBG offers a STEM camp option for all of Fall Break week October 2-6, 2023. Extended care options make it easy to attend – even around work schedules. There will be fun activities planned every day just for kids! Sign up here – spots are going fast!

5. So Many Photo Opportunities!

Between the gorgeous Fall mums, seasonal pumpkin displays, and the tractor & wagon scene, September – October is a great time to head to HBG with your camera and your family.

6. HBG Fall Plant Sale

Did you know the fall is the BEST time to plant trees, shrubs, and perennials in your garden? In 2023, September 23 – 24 will be the 13th year The Garden will share its native trees and shrubs, ornamental plants, assorted berries, and select herbs with you! They also offer a limited number of specially selected pollinator trees and shrubs at their Fall Plant Sale.

7. Learn Something New

Kids love the Huntsville Botanical Garden, and there’s a great program that combines nature and STEM  just for kids in grades K-8! Nature Academy classes are a two-hour adventure into science at the Garden led by our certified educators. They are open to all homeschool, public school, and private school students in the area. Pre-register in advance.

Got a Little One that loves nature? Then Seeds to Sprouts is just the program for you! For ages 2-5, this unique program is an opportunity for children to discover the wonder of nature and science at a young age. Through stories, guided exploration, and STEM activities in the Garden, Seeds to Sprouts allows your little one to develop an appreciation of the natural world that will grow with them for years to come.

8. The Garden Railway

A very popular spot on HBG grounds, this adorable miniature train runs through a model European village. features a church, fire station, restaurant, and homes amid a waterfall, two ponds (with fish) and a stream. Forests, a bog area, and a farm complete the scene.

9. Purdy Butterfly House

The nation’s largest open-air butterfly house is open through September and is home to over 1,500 native butterflies (and some turtles, too). Enjoy a stroll among our winged friends and the waterfalls, ponds, streams, and lush vegetation.

10. BOOtanica at HBG!

BOOtanica is returning HBG this year! BOOtanica is all about Halloween, costumes, crafts, games, music and more. The entire family will love spending a spooky night in the Garden and the kids will have a great time trick or treating among the Scarecrow Trail.

 

To get the full 411 about all that is happening in and around the Tennessee Valley this fall including information on Fall Break Camps, Pumpkin Patches, Trick/Trunk or Treating options, Halloween Parties, and more, why not mosey on over to the full 2023 Fall Activity Guide. Then be sure to share the scoop with your friends so you’ll see familiar faces when you are out and about this fall season.

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• 5 Reasons to Be a Member of HBG
• This is Your Sign to Have a Scarecrow Day