Our First Gulf Coast Fall: Pumpkins, Oktoberfest & Beach Sunsets.
My whole life, fall meant crunchy leaves, sweatshirts, and that first frosty morning that warned you winter was on its way. This year, fall looked a little different. Think flip-flops, palm trees, and a pumpkin spice latte (still hot, of course!) with the windows wide open.
Matt and I wanted to soak up every bit of our first Gulf Coast autumn. Here's how we spent it.
🎃 The Patch in Lillian, Alabama
A fall without a pumpkin patch? Not happening. We took a short drive across the Alabama line to The Patch in Lillian, and it was so much fun.
We spent the afternoon wandering around, checking out all the vendors, and walking through the pumpkin patches. We loved watching the kids run through the corn maze and play on the swing. Their excitement was contagious! We also stopped to visit the animals, which (as a pet mama) was one of my favorite parts.
And can we talk about the apple cider donuts? They're a MUST. Warm, sweet, and so delicious. Don't leave without them!
🍺 Flora-Bama Oktoberfest
If you've never been to the Flora-Bama, it sits right on the Florida–Alabama line on Perdido Key, and it's a true Gulf Coast landmark. Their Oktoberfest was a blast, and the best part? It was completely free, and you even got a free beer!
There was a buffet, live music, and the best atmosphere. Everyone was there to have a good time. Raising a glass with the Gulf breeze in your hair is pretty hard to beat.
👻 A Little Spooky Fun
We kept Halloween low-key this year, but we did get our spooky fix that week on the Haunted Pensacola walking ghost tour. If you missed my full post about it, you can read all about our Haunted Pensacola ghost tour here!
🌅 Sunset Picnics on the Beach
My favorite fall moments weren't at a festival at all. They were the simple evenings on the beach. We've done several sunset picnics this fall. We pack some food, find our spot in the sand, and just relax. No phones, no rush, just the sound of the waves and the sky turning every shade of pink and orange.
Sitting there with my toes in the sand in the middle of fall, I had more than one "pinch me" moment. This is our life now!
Do We Miss Minnesota Fall?
Honestly? Not really! Minnesota fall is beautiful, but it's SO short. It feels like you blink and it's already freezing. Here, we got to enjoy fall activities, beach days, and time outside without ever having to bundle up or freeze. We loved every warm, sunny minute.
What I Learned From Our First Gulf Coast Fall
Fall here is more of a feeling than a weather report.
You can still have your pumpkin patches, apple cider donuts, and festivals, just in sandals.
Some of the best memories come from the simplest moments, like a picnic and a sunset.
Trading frostbite for beach sunsets? I'd make that trade again in a heartbeat. 🍂🌴
Tell me in the comments: what's your favorite fall tradition? Would you trade sweater weather for beach weather?
XO - Kari Lynn
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