West Alabama gets delightfully mild winters, making it a great place to be in during the season. While many snowbirds flock to the beaches in the state’s coastal areas, more and more people are discovering the small town rural charm of West Alabama communities.
Take a look at some of the best winter activities you can do in the area.
Nature activities
Surrounded by raw nature, there are endless opportunities for outdoor activities in West Alabama even during the winter.
- Hunting
- Fishing
- Birding
West Alabama has one of the longest deer season and some of the best recreational hunting and fishing in the United States. In addition to deer, other game you can hunt in the winter are woodcocks, squirrel, quail, and waterfowl like duck and coot. Various hunting methods are permitted, including shotgun, crossbow, and bow.
The nearby Talladega National Forest offers numerous hunting camps with topnotch lodging and facilities. You’ll also find great hunting destinations in Marengo County near the city of Demopolis, including Chickasaw State Park, which has mostly been converted into a Turnipseed-Ikenberry Physically Disabled Hunting Area.
All around West Alabama are lakes, creeks, and rivers where fishing is abundant all year round.
The Talladega National Forest features lake and pond fishing, as well as river and stream fishing. The Payne Lake Recreation Area offers year round fishing, as well as boating, picnicking, and swimming. Other recreational areas end fishing season in December, while others open in January, so you’ll never run out of options on where to cast bait. Go to this page to learn more.
West Alabama is an amazing destination for birdwatchers. Almost anywhere in the region, you’ll find a great location to spot bald eagles, barred owls, Carolina wrens, Chipping Sparrows, Downy Woodpeckers, and many more. Some of the best birding places here include:
Go to this site for more information on West Alabama birding trails.
Golf
Winter is a great time to break a sweat and hit the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama. Hailed by prestigious publications like New York Times and Wall Street Journal, the trail is considered the “largest golf course construction project ever attempted.” It’s a collection of 26 Robert Trent Jones-designed golf courses across 11 sites in Alabama, with a total of 468 championship holes, all open to the public.
One of these sites is Capitol Hill in Pratville. Featuring three 18-hole championship courses, this highly rated golf facility hosts the LPGA’s Guardian Championship and the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Championship. Part of the Marriott at Capitol Hill, playing at this site is not just a fantastic golfing experience but a treat for all senses, as well.
Christmas on the River Fair in Demopolis, AL
Demopolis’s Christmas on the River Fair has become one of the most anticipated events in the Southeast since it started in 1972. This week long festival is attended by thousands of visitors every year, coming from various parts of the country to revel and celebrate with the locals.
The event kicks off with the “Lighting of the Love Trees”, and culminates in a spectacular parade of lavishly decorated floats on the Tomigbee River. Other activities during the week include a performance of the local theater group Canebrake Players, a staging of the nativity scene, candlelit tours of historic homes, and the Alabama State Championship BBQ. Other attractions include an arts and crafts fair, a children’s parade, and more.
Holiday shopping in Selma, AL
Find unique gifts amid a festive holiday atmosphere at the Selma Holiday House. Now on its 41st year, this annual bazaar features a wonderful array of locally made crafts and baked goodies at the Selma Performing Arts Center. A homegrown tradition, the bazaar brings locals and visitors together every year, fostering great community spirit and holiday cheer. Part of the proceeds go to Selma’s Old Depot Museum.
Cultural events
In nearby Tuscaloosa, you can enjoy cultural events that add to the festivity of the season.
- The Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra stages its Annual Holiday Celebration at the Moody Music Building and Music Hall, where they perform with different guest performers every year. For 2019, the Prentice Concert Chorale, Shelton Singers, and the Alabama Choir School will be joining them.
- Theatre Tuscaloosa, one of Alabama’s largest community theaters, presents various plays and live performances every year at their home in the Bean-Brown Theatre in the Martin Campus of Shelton State Community College. Their year-end performances are one of the winter events to look forward to in West Alabama.
Want to learn more about the wonderful lifestyle in West Alabama? We will be glad to help. Check out our blog and call Bill Mackey Real Estate today at 334-289-8470 or send an email tobill@billmackey.com.
