Travel

Top 7 Spots for Visiting Florida in the Fall

Florida vacations in summer mean hot, humid weather and large crowds. Going in fall means you can look forward to milder weather and avoid the crowds. Whether you’ve always wanted to visit the Atlantic Coast, the Panhandle, or the Florida Keys, you’ll find plenty of great destinations to choose from for a fall vacation. These are some of the top places to go during autumn in Florida, especially if you are looking for affordable beach vacation packages.

Naples

Naples in southwestern Florida offers balmy temperatures for beach goers, even in fall. The city also has plenty of other attractions and events to enjoy as well, including the annual Festival of Lights in late November and the Naples International Film Festival. Visit Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens, explore Naples Botanical Garden, and stroll along Naples Pier. Go shopping on Fifth Avenue South or Tin City, dine on seafood, and visit Marco Island Center for the Arts and local art galleries. Everglades National Park is also close by if you’re looking for more outdoor recreation in the area. Naples has various accommodations to choose from during your autumn vacation, including golf resorts, waterfront vacation homes, and high-end hotels.

Tampa

Visiting Tampa during fall gives you a chance to see friendly manatees in the water without dealing with crowds of people. Visit Little Manatee River State Park to see these marine animals swimming past as you explore nature trails through wetlands. Fall is also a good time to visit ZooTampa to see wildlife species from several habitats without the usual crowds. Other fall activities and events include Howl-O-Scream at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Pumpkin Fest at Florida Botanical Gardens and several fall festivals at local farms and pumpkin patches. Tampa has a wide range of accommodations for a fall vacation, including resorts, hotels, vacation homes, and bed and breakfasts. Next-door St. Petersburg offers history and beauty worth taking side trips for also.

Emerald Coast

The Emerald Coast of Florida, located on the Gulf side of the Sunshine State, provides a long stretch of great beach options. Visit Destin for the annual Destin Seafood Festival or Festival of the Arts. Head to Santa Rosa Beach to stroll along the shore or go swimming on warm fall days. Visit Grayton State Beach Park for hiking trails, fishing, paddling, and other outdoor activities. Book one of the pastel-painted Seaside vacation rentals to enjoy a stay in the super-quaint little town along the Hwy 30A coastal route. The Emerald Coast offers many such options for a comfortable and relaxing place to stay during fall, from luxury hotels and resorts to waterfront beach homes.

Siesta Key

Siesta Key on the Gulf Coast offers beautiful beaches and easy access to Sarasota for more attractions and fall events. Enjoy warm days on the beach, go snorkeling at Point of Rocks, and take a marine wildlife tour to look for dolphins and other marine animals. The weather during fall  is also warm enough for parasailing, kayaking, and other water activities. Head to nearby Sarasota for the Downtown Sarasota Craft Festival, Sarasota Pumpkin Festival, and other fun seasonal events. Go dining and shopping in Siesta Key Village. Siesta Key has beach villas, hotels, resorts, condos, beachfront vacation homes, and more for accommodations.

Jacksonville

Jacksonville is a top Florida destination during summer, but a fall vacation lets you enjoy the city in a quieter environment. Milder temperatures offer good weather for hiking at Castaway Island Preserve and Fort Caroline National Park. Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens provides a chance to see elephants, tigers, and other animals with smaller crowds around. The zoo also has fun fall and Halloween activities. Jacksonville offers many fall events for all ages, including pumpkin patches, fall festivals, and corn mazes. Other events include the Pumpkin Spice Festival, Oktoberfest, and Jacksonville PorchFest. You’ll find different types of accommodations in and around the city, from hotels and bed and breakfasts to campsites.

Cape Canaveral

Cape Canaveral typically draws crowds due to the space launches that take place there. However, fall offers a calmer and less crowded time to visit. Head to the Kennedy Space Center, visit NASA, and explore the Rocket Garden. Cape Canaveral has many areas nearby for outdoor adventures and activities in warm weather, including Manatee Sanctuary Park, Center Street Park, and Jetty Park Beach. Other attractions in the area include the Wizard of Oz Museum and Canaveral Lighthouse. Several fall events take place in and around Cape Canaveral, including Taste of Space, Space Coast Art Festival, and Cocoa Village Arts and Craft Fair. The area features a wide range of accommodations, such as campgrounds and RV parks, hotels and resorts, and condos.

Winter Park

Winter Park provides a quaint and old-Florida locale in the fall. The elegant city is next to Orlando if you want to check out the major theme parks minus the crowds. Winter Park has several lakes and waterways, where you can take scenic boat tours. Other activities include golf, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Plan on visiting the Winter Park Autumn Art Festival, which takes place in October. Explore Mead Botanical Garden, and visit the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art. Accommodations in Winter Park include condos, hotels, resorts, and vacation homes.

Cher

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