This Is The Most Hospitable Town In Alabama

The welcome in the Southern State of Alabama is as warm as the summers, especially in the small town of Oneonta, a quiet community 35 miles north of Birmingham in the picturesque Murphree’s Valley. With a population of around 7,000, Oneonta has a small town feel and has carefully preserved its historic roots, which date back to 1891 when the community was first incorporated.

Downtown, mom and pop stores share the attractive streetscapes which are lined with colorful public art and historic landmarks. The town has a busy schedule of events to entertain residents and tourists alike, including the Covered Bridges Festival which celebrates Blount County’s title as ‘the Covered Bridge Capital of Alabama’.

And if you’re planning a road trip of Alabama’s close-knit communities in this region, we’ve got you covered. Our guide to Oneonta includes a quick look at some neighboring small towns that are worth the drive if you want to extend your vacation.

Things to Do in Oneonta

Downtown Oneonta is a colorful sight. Dazzling murals greet visitors as they explore the streets, the result of an ongoing beautification project that has earned the town a spot on the North Alabama Mural Trail. There are around 20 murals, with more being added as the ‘Paint the Town’ project continues. Take the OBA Art Walk to see this creative local display, and don’t forget your camera as many of the murals are interactive.

See more local art in historic surroundings at the Neely Theater, home of the Covered Bridge Players who have been entertaining Blount County theater fans for over a decade. The theater originally opened in the 1940s and has been the town’s cultural hub ever since.

Of course, no visit to Oneonta would be complete without a trip to see its famous bridges. Oneonta contains two of Alabama’s 13 covered bridges, the Easley and Horton Mill bridges which were built in 1930 and 1935. The Horton Mill Covered Bridge is one of the highest covered bridges in the United States, rising 70 feet above the Black Warrior River.

Shopping and Dining in Oneonta

You can shop for everyone on your gift list in Oneonta and even pick up a souvenir for yourself. Stop by the Pink Porch Market to browse its curated collection of home decor, vintage finds, art, artisanal wares, and more. With its whimsical decoration and homey vibe, this boutique is a must for arts and crafts lovers.

If you can’t find anything to tempt you in the Pink Porch Market, try the M.P. Dawson Mercantile, a quaint store that blends old world charm with modern appeal. From cookie mix to pet accessories and from perfumes to stationary, you could easily lose a few hours browsing their inventory.

If you get hungry after all that souvenir-hunting, grab some refreshment at the Tin Town Tavern, an Oneonta favorite. Serving craft beer and tasty pub fare, this is also a great place to meet and mingle with regular appearances from local musicians and fun, seasonal events.

If you’re more interested in a sweet treat than pub grub, visit an Oneonta landmark, The Meltdown. This family-owned creamery serves gourmet ice-cream and has a mouth-watering range of quirky flavors alongside the classics. Try the Apple Strudel for a hit of autumnal fruitiness or treat yourself to a sundae or an old-fashioned float.

Oneonta Festivals and Events

Oneonta’s lively festivals give visitors the chance to party with locals and get to know another side of the town. Time your visit for fall to catch the legendary Covered Bridge Festival, held the second Saturday of October. The one-day downtown event features an arts and crafts show, a pancake breakfast, car cruise-in, and live music. Tours to the iconic covered bridges are also available so you can get a snapshot of the historic landmarks against the beautiful background of the fall foliage.

Summer visitors won’t miss the fun. Oneonta throws an early summer party every year with its June Fling on the first Saturday of the month. Downtown becomes a hive of activity for the event which has been running for more than 20 years and includes over 100 arts and crafts booths, food vendors, concerts, and a kid’s fun zone.

Also in summer, Oneonta showcases the best of its local businesses with ‘First Fridays’. Downtown businesses stay open a little later on the first Friday of the month from April to July for live music and evening shopping. From May to September you can catch the City Night Market, a local artesian market which takes place at the downtown gazebo.

Day Trips From Oneonta

This area of Northern Alabama is a rural, picturesque hidden gem and a great starting point for a southern road trip. If you’ve time to spare, check out some of Oneonta’s neighbors. A 40 minute drive east of town is Gadsden. Nestled on the banks of the Coosa River, this is a popular spot for those who want a mix of outdoor recreation and cultural activities. Wander the hiking trails and get some scenic shots of the cascades at Noccalula Falls Park before spending a few hours marvelling at the displays in the Gadsden Museum of Art.

Drive an hour southeast of Oneonta and you’ll come to Anniston, a scenic city perfect for history buffs. Here you can spend the whole day in the past, going right back to the prehistoric age with the dinosaur exhibits at the Annison Museum of Natural History up to the Civil Rights era, commemorated by the Anniston Freedom Riders Monument.

Friendly Oneonta

Whether this is your first trip to Alabama, or your fifth, put Oneonta on your travel list to see southern hospitality in action. Quiet and rural yet dynamic and artistic, this little town is full of surprises and smiles. Go shopping for souvenirs in its locally-owned boutiques, hear some live music at the town tavern, or spend the day making new friends at the market. Oneonta takes its name from a Mohawk word meaning ‘stony place’ but this cordial community is anything but stone-faced. Warm and welcoming, you’ll find a home away from home in Oneonta.