Dothan
Around Dothan
Illustration made for Popchat
Metro area · Alabama · 154k people
Dothan
Locals say Wiregrass · “Peanut Capital of the World”, “Hub of the Wiregrass”
The sweet heart of the Wiregrass
Deep greenEarth brown
Welcome to the Wiregrass! You'll find sweet tea, friendly folks, and a whole lot of peanut pride. Whether you're here for the festival or just passing through, make yourself at home.
Clubs for Dothan
No clubs for Dothan yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Dothan. 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 Dothan. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Dothan Opera House Historic venue hosting concerts and plays.
- Wiregrass Museum of Art Contemporary art in a historic power plant.
- Adventureland Family rides and water slides.
- Dothan Area Botanical Gardens Themed gardens and walking trails.
- Landmark Park 135-acre living history park with historic buildings and farm animals.
- National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds Site of the annual peanut festival.
- Outdoors Fishing in local ponds and lakes
- Outdoors Hiking at Landmark Park
- With kids Visit Adventureland
- With kids Explore Landmark Park
- Evenings Live music at the Dothan Opera House
- Evenings Country line dancing at local honky-tonks
- Locals love Peanut farms
- Locals love Barbecue joints
Through the year
- National Peanut Festival October Huge fair with rides, concerts, and peanut-themed contests.
- Dothan Opera House season year-round Performances including plays, concerts, and comedy.
- Dothan Area Botanical Gardens Spring Plant Sale April Plant sale and gardening workshops.
- Dothan's Fourth of July Celebration July Fireworks and family activities at Westgate Park.
- Dothan Christmas Parade December Holiday parade through downtown.
Dothan has a humid subtropical climate with hot, muggy summers and mild winters. The best time to be out is spring or fall. Best: Spring and fall are perfect for being outside.
Talk like a local
- “Wiregrass”
- The local name for the region.
- “Peanut Capital”
- Dothan's nickname as the peanut capital of the world.
- “Goober”
- Slang for peanut.
- “Y'all”
- Southern plural of 'you'.
Getaways
- Panama City Beach White sand beaches and spring break vibes.
- Lake Eufaula Fishing, boating, and lakeside relaxation.
- Enterprise Home of the Boll Weevil Monument and Army aviation.
- Troy Visit Troy University and the Pioneer Museum.
Local flavour
Rooting for Alabama Crimson Tide, Auburn Tigers, Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Braves
Eat and drink
- Boiled peanuts Signature snack
- Sweet tea Southern staple
- Barbecue Pulled pork, ribs
- Fried chicken Comfort food
Where people go
- Peanut farms Rolling fields of peanuts
- Cotton fields White bolls in autumn
- Pine forests Tall longleaf pines
- Small-town diners Grits, biscuits, and coffee
- Barbecue joints Smoke-filled, wood-paneled
- Fishing ponds Catfish and bass
Heritage and traditions
Dothan, the Peanut Capital of the World, is proud of its deep agricultural roots and the warm, down-home hospitality of the Wiregrass region. Locals celebrate the land that grows the world's best peanuts and the close-knit communities that make this a great place to raise a family.
This time of year in Dothan
- National Peanut Festival and high school football Fall Fall is the biggest season for community events.
Say it like a local: “fixin' to” — About to
Festivals
- Wiregrass Quilt Show Spring Annual quilt exhibition showcasing regional quilters' craftsmanship.
- Geneva Tomato Festival June Celebrates the local tomato harvest with tastings, contests, and a parade.
- Dothan Art in the Park Spring Local artists display and sell works in the scenic Westgate Park.
- Dothan Christmas in the Park December A drive-through light display at Westgate Park.
Landmarks with a story
- Dothan Commercial Historic District A collection of early 20th-century buildings along Main Street.
- First Baptist Church of Dothan A historic congregation with a Gothic Revival building.
- St. Columba Catholic Church One of the oldest Catholic parishes in the area.
- Geneva County Courthouse A neoclassical building in Geneva.
- Henry County Courthouse in Abbeville A historic courthouse with a clock tower.
- Headland's Historic District Antebellum and Victorian homes along tree-lined streets.
Food traditions
- Peanut soup A historic dish from the peanut belt, often served at local restaurants.
- Peanut butter pie A creamy Southern dessert that's a staple at church suppers.
- Fried green tomatoes A Southern classic made from unripe tomatoes, often served with remoulade.
- Tomato sandwiches Fresh slices of tomato on white bread with mayonnaise, a summer favorite.
- Collard greens with ham hock A slow-cooked side dish served at family gatherings.
Music and arts
- Country and gospel music traditions Rooted in the region's rural heritage.
- Quilting and folk art Handcrafted traditions passed down through generations.
- The Dothan Opera House hosts touring Broadway and classical performances A cultural centerpiece.
- Bluegrass jam sessions at local venues Informal gatherings of musicians.
A little history
- 1885 Dothan founded as a railroad town.
- Early 1900s Peanut farming boom due to boll weevil devastation of cotton.
- 1942 Fort Rucker established for Army aviation training.
- 1950s Dothan becomes a regional medical and retail hub.
- 1970s National Peanut Festival grows into a major event.
Rivalries
- Alabama Crimson Tide vs Auburn Tigers College football's Iron Bowl.
- Dothan High School vs Enterprise High School Friday night lights rivalry.
- Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints NFC South showdown.
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Fishing tournaments on local lakes
- Outdoors Fishing in the Choctawhatchee River
- Outdoors Hunting deer and turkey in pine forests
- With kids Visiting the Dothan Public Library
- With kids Going to the movies at the Dothan Cinemas
Locals speak with a Southern drawl, often using phrases like 'y'all' and 'fixin' to'. The term 'Wiregrass' refers to the native grass of the region.
Only here
- Dothan is known as the 'Peanut Capital of the World.'
- The National Peanut Festival is the world's largest peanut-themed event.
- The Wiregrass region is named for the native wiregrass (Aristida stricta).
- The city's name comes from the biblical 'Dothan,' meaning 'law' or 'custom.'
New here? A few tips
- The weather is hot and humid in summer; be prepared for thunderstorms.
- Try the peanut butter pie and boiled peanuts.
- Learn to say 'y'all' and 'fixin' to.'
- Traffic is light, but watch for tractors on rural roads.
- The National Peanut Festival is a must-see in October.
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Part of Dothan area
Nearby
Every areaOzarkAlabamaWhere the pines meet the sky and the tea is sweetEnterpriseAlabamaWhere a pest became a point of pride.BlakelyGeorgiaWhere the peanuts grow and the rivers run slow.MariannaFloridaWhere the Chipola runs clear and the pines touch the sky.EufaulaAlabamaWhere the lake meets Southern grace.TroyAlabamaSmall-town warmth, Trojan spirit.BainbridgeGeorgiaWhere the Flint River meets southern charmPanama CityFloridaWhere the Gulf meets Southern charm.
Dothan, 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.