Reviewed by: Michael Seale
Athens knows how to do fall—cider slushies, Storytelling Festival + more
Reading time: 5 minutes
Apple cider slushies and The Fiddler’s Convention marked the official start of the fall season in Athens, but there are still plenty of fall events in Athens.
Keep reading for a guide to fall in Athens from a local.
Fall experiences in Athens you can’t miss
1. Apple cider slushie + photo-ops at Isom’s Orchard
Fall is in the air at Isom’s Orchard. (Elizabeth Hobbs / HvilleBlast)
Athens knows it’s fall when the “It’s Cider Season” makes its appearance at Isom’s Orchard.
The quaint 4th-generation produce farm harvests its own apples to make their infamous apple cider slushies.
New this year to Isom’s is their pumpkin patch shed, a hay- and pumpkin-filled shaded area that’s now decked out with scarecrows made by the community. You’ll also spot posed skeletons perched at the checkers hay bales and near the kids’ corn pit.
- Where: 24012 US-72, Athens, AL 35613
- Hours: Monday-Saturday 8AM-5PM | Sunday 8AM-4PM
- Instagram | Facebook
2. Story Telling Festival Oct. 22-26
One of my favorite fall core memories from my childhood: The Storytelling Festival. Enchanting storytellers gather with eager listeners under a big pitched tent to bring tales to life.
Hear from animated tellers like Donald Davis, a rural Appalachia native and award-winning author and storyteller (and one of my personal favorites). In between sets, grab a bite to eat from local restaurants and food trucks. It’s a quintessential Athens experience.
Join in on the fun all week, or at least check out the Friday night Ghost Stories.
This year, the festival is donating 40% of net profits to the International Storytelling Center in Jonesboro, TN—this community inspired the Athens festival and was devastated by Hurricane Helene.
- What: 28th Annual Storytelling Festival
- When: October 22-26 (this week!)
- Where: Downtown Athens
- Tickets: buy online or at U.G. White Mercantile
- $25-$95/person | Tickets available for full week, weekend, partial days and single events
- Ghost Stories: $10/person
- $25-$95/person | Tickets available for full week, weekend, partial days and single events
- Instagram | Facebook | Website
Fun fact: If you’ve seen the mural in downtown Athens, the letter “A” features a speaker that pays homage to the Athens tradition.
3. Fall specials at Hi-Plane Coffee, Athens Ale House + Salty Cod
If you’re on the hunt for a PSL or fall drink special, you can find them downtown:
Hi-Plane Coffee is a retro coffee bar located in the old-timey hardware and mercantile store, U.G. White.
- Fall flavors: pumpkin spice, butterscotch, caramel apple butter + more
- Fall treats: Southern fried pies
- Where: U.G. White in Downtown Athens
- Hours: Monday-Wednesday 7:AM-6PM | Thursday-Saturday 7AM-8PM
- Instagram | Facebook
Athens Ale House is a destination hang-out spot in downtown. With craft beer, wine, charcuterie and hors d’oeuvres, this lively spot entertains Athens with live music and a self-serve tap system with 12 options of draft beer.
- Fall drink specials: Marshmallow Mule + Black Martini
- Where: Downtown Athens
- Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 4-9PM | Friday-Saturday 4-10PM
- Instagram | Facebook
Salty Cod is Athens’ own Poppy & Parliament. The English pub is hosting a Halloween combo First Birthday party this weekend complete with a Halloween costume contest, drink specials and more.
- Fall drink specials: Bloody Maria, Vampire’s Kiss, Bog Water, Witch’s Brew + blood Bag Punch
- Available this Saturday
- Where: Downtown Athens
- When: Halloween + First Birthday Party 6-11PM on Saturday, Oct 26
- Instagram | Facebook
4. Athens Amplified fall live music series on the Square
Merchant’s Alley music series is the perfect way to enjoy the ambiance of Athens and the fall air. (Elizabeth Hobbs / HvilleBlast)
Listen to local musicians play in this alley turned art and music space in downtown. There are just a few events left—don’t miss it!
- What: Athens Amplified FREE Happy Hour music series
- Where: Merchant’s Alley in Downtown Athens
- When: Every Friday through the end of October
5. Historic District scarecrows + yard decor
Take a drive through the Historic District to spot Spiderman and more fun scarecrows. (Elizabeth Hobbs / Hville Blast)
Each year, residents of the Downtown Athens Historic District adorn their homes with creative skeletons and scarecrows. Drive through for the spooky vibes and a good laugh.
Bonus: Haunt Walks and Wagon Rides
While this season’s Haunt Walks are sold out, I can’t help but clue you in on the fun, spooky experience of downtown’s Haunt Walks.
Local historians and community members lead Haunt Walks every Tuesday and Thursday in October, aka spooky story tours of downtown. Your Haunted Walk tour guide is dressed up from head to toe and illuminated in a blue light cast by a tour companion.
While on the tour, you’ll hear about the history of different buildings and legends of ghost appearances in downtown. Speaking from experience, it’s a thrilling way to feel connected to Athens’ past and learn some fun (creepy) facts about the shops we pass every day.
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