Anniston
Around Anniston
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Metro area · Alabama · 116k people
Anniston
Locals say Calhoun County · “Model City”
Anniston · Oxford
Foothills, friendly faces, and a slower pace.
Jacksonville State red
Welcome to Calhoun County, where the hills meet the trailheads. Whether you're here for the Gamecocks or the great outdoors, you'll find a friendly word and a sweet tea nearby.
Clubs for Anniston
No clubs for Anniston yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Anniston. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Anniston. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Cheaha State Park Highest point in Alabama with panoramic views.
- Talladega National Forest Vast forest with the Pinhoti Trail and camping.
- Chief Ladiga Trail 33-mile rail trail from Anniston to the Georgia line.
- Jacksonville State University Home of the Gamecocks and a historic quad.
- Anniston Museum of Natural History Alabama's largest natural history museum.
- Coldwater Mountain Bike Trail Nationally known mountain biking trail system.
- Outdoors Hike the Pinhoti Trail
- Outdoors Bike the Chief Ladiga Trail
- With kids Visit the Anniston Museum of Natural History
- With kids Walk the Chief Ladiga Trail
- Evenings Gamecock sports bars
- Evenings Live music at local venues
- Locals love Mountain biking trails
- Locals love Hiking trails
Through the year
- Calhoun County Fair September Rides, livestock, and fair food in September.
- Cheaha Challenge Spring A challenging bike ride through the Talladega National Forest.
- Jacksonville State Gamecocks football Fall Home games at Burgess-Snow Field bring the community together.
Hot, humid summers and mild winters; spring and fall are the best times to be outside. Best: Spring and fall are perfect for being outside—mild temps and low humidity.
Getaways
- Talladega Superspeedway Catch a NASCAR race or tour the track.
- Noccalula Falls Park See a 90-foot waterfall and hiking trails.
- Birmingham's museums and food scene A bigger city with the Vulcan, Zoo, and top restaurants.
- Rome's historic downtown Charming Georgia town with riverside walks and eateries.
Local flavour
Teams
- Jacksonville State Gamecocks NCAA Division I (Conference USA)
Also rooting for Jacksonville State University Gamecocks (NCAA Division I), Alabama Crimson Tide (college football), Auburn Tigers (college football)
Eat and drink
- Alabama white barbecue sauce Mayo-based sauce, often on smoked chicken
- Barbecue (pulled pork, ribs) Local BBQ joints serve slow-smoked meats
- Sweet tea Staple drink in Alabama
Where people go
- Talladega National Forest Nearby national forest with hiking and camping
- Cheaha State Park Highest point in Alabama, scenic overlooks
- Historic downtown Anniston Victorian-era architecture and local shops
- Appalachian foothills Rolling hills and mountain views
Heritage and traditions
Calhoun County is proud of its Appalachian foothills setting, its military and industrial heritage, and its role in the civil rights movement, all wrapped in small-town Southern charm and a love for the outdoors.
This time of year in Anniston
- Fall leaf peeping Fall Cheaha and the Talladega National Forest show brilliant colors in October.
- Football season Fall Jacksonville State Gamecocks games and high school Friday nights are big.
- Calhoun County Fair Fall A classic county fair with rides, livestock shows, and local food.
- Piedmont Harvest Festival October Celebrates the agricultural heritage with crafts, music, and local produce.
Say it like a local: “fixin' to” — About to – as in 'I'm fixin' to go.'
Festivals
- Calhoun County Fair Fall A classic county fair with rides, livestock shows, and local food.
- Anniston First Friday First Friday of each month Monthly downtown art walk with galleries, music, and food.
- Oxford Christmas Parade December A festive parade with floats, marching bands, and Santa.
- Piedmont Harvest Festival October Celebrates the agricultural heritage with crafts, music, and local produce.
- Cheaha Challenge May A challenging cycling event that draws riders from across the Southeast.
Landmarks with a story
- Freedom Riders National Monument Commemorates the 1961 Freedom Rides and the bus burning in Anniston.
- Church of the Holy Comforter A historic Episcopal church in Anniston known for its stained glass and architecture.
- Anniston Museum of Natural History A regional museum with exhibits on natural history and local heritage.
- Anniston Army Depot A major military installation with a long history in the area.
- Fort McClellan A former Army post, now a training site, with a museum and historic buildings.
- Jacksonville Town Square A historic district with antebellum and Victorian buildings.
Food traditions
- Sunday dinner after church Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and biscuits are a weekly tradition for many families.
- Pimento cheese sandwiches A Southern staple, often served at luncheons and tailgates.
- Catfish and hushpuppies Fresh from the Coosa River, fried catfish is a local favorite.
- Grits for breakfast Creamy grits are a common side with eggs and bacon.
- Pecan pie A sweet dessert often made for holidays and family gatherings.
Music and arts
- Gospel and country music Church choirs and local bands keep these traditions alive.
- Bluegrass jams Informal gatherings in the foothills, often at community centers or festivals.
A little history
- 1961 Freedom Riders bus burning
- 1872 Anniston founded as a planned industrial city by the Woodstock Iron Company
- 1917 Fort McClellan established as a military training post
- Late 1800s Iron and steel industry boomed in the late 19th century
Rivalries
- Jacksonville State vs. Samford FCS conference matchup with local bragging rights.
- Anniston vs. Oxford high school football Calhoun County's biggest Friday night rivalry.
- Game day Friday night lights
- Game day Jacksonville State Gamecocks football
- Outdoors Take a scenic drive on the Talladega Scenic Byway
- Outdoors Visit the Longleaf Botanical Gardens
- With kids See the World's Largest Office Chair
- With kids Visit the Freedom Riders National Monument
People speak with a Southern accent, often a soft drawl, and use phrases like 'y'all' and 'fixin' to'. The Appalachian foothills influence a slightly rural tone, and locals are friendly and informal.
Only here
- The World's Largest Office Chair stands in Anniston.
- The Freedom Riders National Monument is the first national monument dedicated to the civil rights movement.
- Cheaha State Park is the highest point in Alabama.
- The Pinhoti Trail's southern terminus is at Cheaha, making it a start/end point for hikers.
New here? A few tips
- Prepare for hot, humid summers and mild winters. Spring and fall are lovely.
- Learn to say 'y'all' – it's a friendly, inclusive greeting.
- Try the local barbecue and sweet tea – they're regional treasures.
- The nearest big city is Birmingham, about an hour west on I-20.
- The area is hilly; be ready for elevation changes, especially near Cheaha.
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Nearby
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Anniston-Oxford, AL. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.