Weekend Roundup October 9-12
Cue the sad trombone music – Fall Break in Huntsville is coming to a close, but there’s still one more weekend of fun to be had! We’ve listed our favorite weekend picks below, and they had to meet our very specific criteria: free/cheap, fun, and family-friendly. If you don’t see something you like here, browse our Fall Activity Guide or the full Event Calendar.
It’s also a great time to get some delicious Fall produce at one of the local Farmer’s Markets and snag some Fall fashion at the seasonal consignment sales that are happening now!
Mine for Gems
Friday – Sunday
Cost: $3 donation at the door, children under 5 FREE
Jaycee Community Building (map)
Each year, the Huntsville Gem and Mineral Society hosts the Jewelry, Gem & Mineral Show. This show is the LARGEST jewelry and gem/mineral show in north Alabama and southern middle Tennessee! Kids can enjoy the hands-on geology activities, gem dig, and flume mining. Boy & Girls Scouts can even earn their geology badges on a guided tour. Friday and Saturday, 10 AM to 6 PM; Sunday Noon to 5PM.
Concerts On the Dock
Friday from 6-9 PM
Cost: FREE, $2 parking
Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment (map)
The Underhill Family Orchestra have been spreading the sounds of the Alabama Delta since their inception on 2009, playing all over the Southeast and Midwest. This six piece powerhouse brings gypsy jazz and Americana together with soulful rock and roll that will surprise you with something new every time you listen. This popular concert series is a family and pet friendly event so bring your dog leashes, lawn chairs, dancing shoes and hula hoops. Pack a picnic or grab a bite from Chef Will or Happy Tummy.
Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Open House
Saturday, 9AM-5PM
Cost: FREE
Wheeler NWR Visitor Center (map)
As part of the National Wildlife Refuge Week celebration, Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge is hosting an Open House! Come out and bring the kids for a day of outdoor activities. You can fish, learn the basics of archery, target shoot with air rifles, explore the corn maze, join in a bird count, take a tethered ride in a hot air balloon, learn about raptors and see them up close, watch a master flint knapper at work, and take in a nature flick in the auditorium. Ranger Kevin will be available at the catfish pond from 9 till 2 helping anyone age 5 to 12 catch the big one. Children must be accompanied by an adult. More info at 256-350-6639 or see their website for a full schedule of events.
Read, You Will
Saturday at 10AM and 11AM
Cost: FREE
Barnes & Noble bookstores (map)
Head to Barnes & Noble book store near you to learn how to use The Force during their Star Wars Reads Day. Stories, giveaways, costumes, and activities will occupy your little Jedi, at least until the next lightsaber duel. B&N Jones Valley store will get things started at 10AM; B&N Bridge Street at 11AM.
Stroll Through the Cemetery
Sunday from 2:00-4:30 PM
Cost: FREE
Maple Hill Cemetery (map)
Huntsville’s Maple Hill Cemetery is the oldest and largest in Huntsville, with over 100 acres & 80,000 burials. The fall foliage is beautiful, and each year historic costumed personalities tell the colorful tales of Huntsville’s past at the annual Cemetery Stroll. The kids will love to hear the stories and wander through the grounds talking to characters. (You’ll love the Fall photo opportunities!) Be sure to say hello to Lilly Flagg, the famous Huntsville cow!
[box style=”lavender rounded” ]DISCLAIMER: We do our best at Rocket City Mom to provide accurate, useful information about events and activities. This information (such as times and locations) is gathered from user submissions, press releases, local newspapers, signs around town and word of mouth. While we always try to confirm details before they are posted here, sometimes details change or we are given inaccurate information. Whenever possible we link our write-ups to the source in which our information came from and strongly urge you to confirm details before you go, especially when it comes to outdoor events and weather. [/box]Rocket City Mom is a website about raising children in and around Huntsville, Alabama. Started in late 2010 by a local mom and newcomer to Huntsville, Rocket City Mom has grown into a thriving community of local parents and now boasts a staff of four, thirteen regular contributors, and tens of thousands of Tennessee Valley readers making it the #1 Parenting Resource in North Alabama.