1. Home
 ›
2. Halloween Train Rides
 ›
3. Alabama

Spooky Hospitality: Alabama's Halloween Train Rides!

Last revised: January 1, 2024

By: Adam Burns

In Alabama you can catch Halloween-themed train rides at the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum in Calera and the North Alabama Railroad Museum in Huntsville.  Both organizations host pumpkin patch events where kids can enjoy a short train ride where they can pick out a pumpkin for carving.  More information about these trips may be found further below.

Other Halloween Attractions

Halloween is a time for spooky fun, and if you're in Alabama, there are plenty of places to get your scare on. Whether you're looking for haunted houses, hayrides, or pumpkin patches, there's something for everyone. If you are looking for something besides just a train ride, here are some of the top Halloween attractions in Alabama.

Atrox Factory 

(Leeds): Located just outside Birmingham in Leeds, Atrox Factory is one of the largest and most intense haunted attractions in Alabama. With over 50,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor scares, Atrox Factory has been voted one of the top haunted houses in the country by Haunted Attraction Magazine. The attraction features a variety of haunted experiences, including a haunted house, a haunted woods, and a haunted carnival. Atrox Factory is not recommended for children under 12.

Nightmare at 3008

(Fultondale): Another popular haunted house in Alabama is Nightmare at 3008, located in Fultondale just north of Birmingham. The attraction is housed in an old warehouse and features over 30,000 square feet of scares. The theme of the haunted house changes each year, so even if you've been before, you're sure to have a new experience. Nightmare at 3008 is open to all ages, but parental discretion is advised.

Arx Mortis

(Killen): If you're looking for a haunted attraction that's a little off the beaten path, Arx Mortis in Killen might be just what you're looking for. Located in the basement of a former hospital, Arx Mortis offers a truly unique and terrifying experience. The attraction features a haunted house, a haunted hayride, and a haunted trail. Arx Mortis is not recommended for children under 12.

ZooBoo - Birmingham Zoo

(Birmingham): For a family-friendly Halloween experience, check out ZooBoo at the Birmingham Zoo. The event features trick-or-treating, a hay maze, a haunted carousel, and more. Kids are encouraged to wear costumes and participate in the costume contest. ZooBoo is open to all ages and is a great way to get in the Halloween spirit without getting too scared.

Tate Farms

(Meridianville): If you're looking for a traditional pumpkin patch experience, head to Tate Farms in Meridianville. In addition to picking out your own pumpkin, Tate Farms offers a corn maze, hayrides, and a petting zoo. The farm also hosts a variety of fall events, including a chili cook-off and a pumpkin carving contest. Tate Farms is open to all ages and is a great way to enjoy the fall season with your family.

Whether you're looking for a terrifying haunted house or a family-friendly pumpkin patch, Alabama has plenty of Halloween attractions to choose from. These are just a few of the top attractions in the state, so be sure to check out what else is available in your area. Happy Halloween!

Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum

(Calera):  The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum has been telling the Alabama's railroad history since 1962 and today offers a wide range of exhibits to see.  They also provide various excursion train rides throughout the year over their 5.5 miles of former Louisville & Nashville track that was originally built by subsidiary Alabama Mineral Railroad. Among their many special events hosted throughout the year is the "Pumpkin Junction" during the fall.  

It is offered during weekends throughout October and usually lasts around 75 minutes, which includes the train ride and time spent at the junction.  The trip departs from the depot in Calera and allows kids the chance to ride out to a local pumpkin patch and pick out a pumpkin for carving.  The "Pumpkin Junction" also includes free family-friendly activities, games and seasonal crafts.

2023 Dates

• October 7 - October 8

• October 14 - October 15

• October 21 - October 22

North Alabama Railroad Museum

(Huntsville/Chase):  Similar to the Heart of Dixie, the North Alabama Railroad Museum offers both exhibits to see and train rides from their restored Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railway depot located in Chase, which is located to the northeast of downtown Huntsville.  

During October they offer their "Punkin’ Pickin’ Extravaganza" which allows the kids to enjoy a train ride and pick out a pumpkin during their trip.  All of the museum's excursions depart from the depot in Chase and the "Punkin’ Pickin’ Extravaganza" is no different.  The train ride lasts about 45 minutes where kids will take a trip to the museum's western terminus at Normal, Alabama (near Alabama A&M University).  Here they will deboard the train at the "pumpkin patch" and pick out a pumpkin.

2023 Dates

• October 14th