Kickoff summer with some great Memorial Weekend events and activities across the state. Whether you’re looking to travel or for something to do between Memorial Day Parades–from north to south, we’ve got you covered on your Memorial Weekend plans.

Florence

Want to find the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of Memorial Day Weekend? Take the family up to Florence, AL for a night or two enjoying the historic downtown area where there are plenty of restaurants, shops, and quaint parks nearby. You’ll certainly want to make a trip over to Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve and view the falls, river, wildflowers, and overviews – you can even bring the family dog along!

 

Huntsville

The 24th Annual “Downhome” Soul and Blues Festival

If you love festivals, you won’t want to miss this. Two of the largest annual Blues festivals in Huntsville have merged this year creating the Old School and Blues Festival. The day-long festival will bring popular groups including The Manhattans, the S.O.S. Band, Denise LaSalle and more to John Hunt Park on Saturday. Gates open at 11 a.m on Saturday, May 23rd.

 

Decatur

Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic

The Hot Air Balloon Classic is one of the largest free hot air balloon events in the south. The festival features over 60 balloons with various events for the whole family. The festival also spotlights arts and craft, food vendors, an antique car and tractor show, music, and activities for children. Join the fun in Decatur on May 23rd and 24th.

 

Birmingham

Check out Oak Mountain State Park, Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve, or Red Mountain Park for endless Memorial Weekend activities. From hiking and biking to zip-lining, swimming and fishing, Birmingham parks will keep you busy all weekend long. With fun for the whole family, you can’t go wrong with a visit to local parks.

 

Gulf Shores

Gulf State Park Beach Luau

Head to the Gulf State Park Beach Pavilion for an authentic Luau on Saturday, May 23^rd. Attendees will enjoy performances by the Aloha Islanders, including live hula and fire knife dancers. Dine on a traditional Luau buffet and watch the sunset as you enjoy a true unique experience.

Lake Martin, AL

Memorial Day, the traditional beginning of summer for those enjoying the outdoors, also means plenty of opportunities to enjoy life on the water. Lake Martin is home to the famous Chimney Rock where boaters tie up and bask in the sun. Always be sure to follow the Alabama Marine Police recommendations for conducting safe aquatic recreation, such as wearing approved flotation devices and moderating responsible drinking.

Have a great and safe Memorial Day Weekend, and remember what the day is all about. Check out our post here for the list of Memorial Day Weekend Must-Haves.

Warm weather has arrived! Get ready to kick back and enjoy the summer season. No matter how you choose to spend your weekend, we’ve got the essentials for any occasion. Celebrate summer with our list of Memorial Day Weekend Must-Haves:

 

Sunglasses

Protect your eyes from the summer sun with the Costa Del Mar Fathom 400G Sunglasses. The Fathom 400G is a pair of hard-core sunglasses for hard-core saltwater junkies. The frames combine perfect fit with the best polarized lenses to give you maximum comfort and vision on the water.  Keep them afloat and in place with Chums neoprene sunglasses retainers.

 

 

 

 

Flag Tee

Celebrate the season by representing the red, white and blue with our brand new Flag Tee. The tee is great for Memorial Weekend, and also perfect for the 4^th of July. Grab yours while you can, these shirts are a limited edition print!

 

 

 

 

Sandals

From dock or beach to dry land, these sandals will take you everywhere you need to go. The double layer premier leather sandal offers all the great features found in Rainbow’s single layer leather, but with an added layer of midsole and pin line, which runs from the heel to the front of the arch, for even more comfort and support.

 

 

 

 

Hydro Flask Pint

Keep your drinks cool for hours on end with a cup sturdy enough for any Memorial Weekend activity. True Pint keeps your favorite beverages frosty cold from the first sip to the last. You don’t want to drink cold beer from a coffee tumbler any more than you want warm beer from a glass pint. Hydro Flask combines the best of both worlds, fusing stainless steel vacuum insulation performance with the look and feel of a traditional glass pint.

 

 

 

YETI Hopper

The Hopper is your perfect Memorial Weekend cooler. Grab on to the easy to carry straps, and your good to go for a weekend in the mountains, a round of golf, or a day at the lake. The new cooler features a Hydrolock zipper for the ultimate in waterproof, airtight closures, a Dryhide shell that is both waterproof and weatherproof with resistance to punctures and UV rays, and Coldcell insulation supplying superior chill-holding ability. Available in 20 and 30 sizes to suit your needs.

 

 

 

Boom Swimmer Waterproof Speaker

The Boom Swimmer can be submerged in a meter water for up to 30 minutes making it perfect for the pool, lake, ocean or river. The speaker’s flexible end attaches to nearly anything—strap it to your paddle or backpack for music on the go.

 

 

 

 

 

Patagonia Baggies

Patagonia Baggies styles for the whole family are in stores, including the Baggie Skirt for women. Perfect to throw over any swimsuit–and Baggie shorts even make a great swimsuit alternative with their quick-dry mesh liner and 50+ UPF protection.

 

 

 

 

 

Patagonia Atom Sling

The Atom Sling is the perfect solution to all your traveling needs. Ergonomic and close-fitting sling that secures with a three-point harness is the perfect companion for everyday adventures, and perfect for carrying snacks, sunscreen and whatever else you may need.

 

 

 

Make this Memorial Day Weekend great with gear from Alabama Outdoors. Products available in stores or online while supplies last. (Limited quantities available. Selection varies by location; see store for details.)

Summer is here and with it comes the arrival of the much-anticipated festival season. Whether you’re headed to Hangout, Bonnaroo, Slossfest or any of the countless other festivals, stop by any Alabama Outdoors or shop online to grab your festival essentials. Check out our festival season must-haves below:

ENO

An ENO hammock is your go-to item for relaxation in between shows, and can even serve as an impromptu bed. Personalize and decorate your hangout space with Festy Flags, illuminate with battery powered Twilights Camp Lights, and light the way to your hammock with the Moonshine Lantern—it dims, changes color and even has a strobe setting to keep the party going all night.

 

 

CamelBak

Pack the CamelBak Mini M.U.L.E. for your next festival and you’ll have hands-free hydration all day long. You’ll never miss a beat with the Mini M.U.L.E. on your back.

 

 

 

 

 

Patagonia Atom Sling

The Atom Sling is the strong yet lightweight solution to carrying all of your festival essentials hands-free and with ease. The Atom Sling features a convenient zippered pocket on the shoulder strap to hold all your valuables, and a mesh shoulder strap and back panel will keep you cool in the summer heat.

 

 

 

 

 

GoPro

Capture the festival’s best moments with the Hero4 Black Edition Camera—the most advanced GoPro yet. Carry it around for quick photo-ops, or strap it to your other gear and capture the entire festival in video.

 

 

 

 

 

Chaco

Forget your flip flops and work on your Chaco tan with the best sandals for festival goers. Keep your feet cool and supported while you move with ease, and hook them onto your backpack when you want to go barefoot. With easily-adjustable no-fuss straps, Chaco sandals are the go-to festival shoe.

 

 

 

 

Sunglasses

Protect your eyes from the summer sun with the Costa Del Mar Howler 400G Sunglasses. For a more affordable but equally as functional option, check out the Suncloud Windsor Sunglasses. Keep your sunglasses in place with Chums sunglasses retainers.

 

 

 

 

 

UV Buff Headwear

Pack the UV Buff for stylish and sweat-proof UV protection. The UV Buff keeps you cool while fighting odors and protecting you from 95% of harmful rays.

 

 

 

 

 

Outdoor Tech Buckshot Speaker

Keep music going between sets with the portable, wireless, and Bluetooth speaker. The speaker’s rugged design makes it water-proof and drop damage resistant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beyond Coastal Natural SPF 30 Sunscreen and Ben’s 30% Deet Insect Pump Spray

Pack these along for all day protection that shields your skin from the sun’s rays, and keeps bugs away for hours on end.

 

 

Make this festival season your best yet with gear from Alabama Outdoors. Products available in stores or online while supplies last. (Limited quantities available. Selection varies by location; see store for details.)

We are kicking off our park series with one of Birmingham’s favorite spots, Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve. The preserve sits on 1,038 acres in urban Birmingham, Alabama, and is the third largest urban nature preserve in the United States. The preserve strives to protect and manage Ruffner Mountain as a home for native species of plants and animals, aided through educational and recreational programs. The preserve hopes to foster an appreciation of the natural world within the community.

From the late 19^th century to the mid-20^th century, Ruffner Mountain was mined for iron to be processed at nearby Sloss Furnace. The preserve was founded in 1977 by a grassroots community movement to organize and manage 25 acres of former mine land, growing to eventually encompass 1,038 acres. Today the park maintains over 12 miles of trails, perfect for running, hiking and the enjoyment of nature as a whole. Although entrance to the park is free, a suggested donation of $2 per person is greatly appreciated.

 

Ruffner Mountain’s Conservation Plan includes five biodiversity hotspots. The hotspots are representative of various natural communities of the mountain. Because invasive species have been removed, the plots are managed in accordance to that natural community type. The Preserve is a member of The Alabama Anti-Chytrid Alliance, or the AACA. The AACA is a new group comprised of institutions and professionals that share concern of the spread of the chytrid fungus as well as other various aquatic nuisance species found in southeastern wetlands and amphibian populations. The Nature Center is also a partner with the Alabama Amphibian Netowork, the AAN. The AAN increases awareness of monitoring amphibian populations among the general public. The AAN also provides cover board shelters and tree frog shelters to sample amphibians in our wetlands. These shelters serve as tools for practicing herpetologists as well as students hoping to gain hands-on experience with both amphibian and scientific research.

 

Ruffner Mountain hosts many events each year, with weekly activities in the warmer months. Spring break and summer camps are offered in a weekly format, with the goal of educating and engaging youth in the importance of nature, its inhabitants and conservation.

In addition to summer camps, the park hosts classes tailored to the outdoors. Yoga on the Trail will honor Earth Day with various yoga practices throughout the day. Beer on the Back Porch, the Native Plant Sale, Wine and Cheese Hike and many more events highlight local Birmingham businesses alongside nature.

For nearly 40 years, Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve has been one of Birmingham’s best resources for outdoor recreation.  Visit the park today and help protect Birmingham’s sanctuary for native plants and animals.

Learn more about Ruffner Mountain here, follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.