Reviewed by: Cindy Hatcher
How to do football bye weeks this fall on Alabama’s Beaches
Reading time: 3 minutes
Sponsored
While fall Saturdays in Alabama are synonymous with football, they hit differently when it’s a bye week, especially when the skies are clear and blue—and you’re getting used to temps that are finally just right.
Hey, your favorite teams use these times for R&R. Shouldn’t you?
On your break from watching the goal posts, cruise on down to the Gulf Coast for a fun adventure this fall at Alabama’s Beaches.
Read on for our tips on why, when and what to plan now for your trip.
2025 fall football bye weeks
Bye weeks are golden for players to rest, recover and refocus—and ideal for us devoted fans to take a beach reset that maintains our energy without missing a game.
Fall trips to Alabama’s Beaches mean smaller crowds, and overall pleasant conditions to admire the Tide and glorious Orange-and-Blue sunset landscapes when cooler temps make it a little less Blazing. (Please say you see what we did there.)
Speaking of, here are the bye week dates for our most popular teams among local fans:
🐘 The University of Alabama: Sept. 20 + Nov. 1
🦅 Auburn University: Oct. 4 + Nov. 15
🐉 UAB: Sept. 27 + Oct. 25
🐾 Samford University: Oct. 11
When the going gets good
Living in Birmingham, we’ve got less than five hours between us and the beach, so make the getting there part of the adventure. While the drive is relatively short, you could plan full days getting down and back and discover some places that become new beach-trip traditions.
- Load up fall playlists + take turns with friends DJing.
- Pack snacks + share those, too.
- Scan your route for off-the-beaten-path eateries.
- Stop for historic markers + natural attractions you may have passed before.
Ideal days in fall at Alabama’s Beaches
Once you’ve arrived, here’s what your days can look like:
🌅 Morning: Start the day watching the sunrise from a paddleboard, grab coffee at a local roaster and explore the trails at Gulf State Park.
🪂 Midday: Rent a personal watercraft, glide over the water parasailing or kayak through the back bays.
🤗 Afternoon: After lunch at a marina seafood spot, visit a nature center before sliding into a spa session.
🎶 Evening: Catch live music dockside and sip cocktails before calling it a day.
Ooo, and speaking of cocktails …
Say a toast to the Bushwacker’s golden anniversary
A creamy, milkshake of a drink, the boozy Bushwacker blends chocolate and coffee flavors and is a staple on Alabama’s Beaches. Everyone’s celebrating its 50th birthday this year, so make a point to have one at your favorite beachfront bar.
Check out the Bushwacker Trail for everything to know about this tasty drink, its many variations and where to find them.
Booking your bye weekend beach trip
Ready to plan your fall beach weekend? Here are easy trip tools and ideas for couples, friends, solo adventures and more:
Book your stay now so you can skip off the sidelines to enjoy the salty air this fall at Alabama’s Beaches.
Sponsored by:
