When you think of Florida, you probably imagine sprawling beaches with rolling waves. You probably think of a hot sun beaming down on a summer’s day. And while Florida is hot year-round, that doesn’t mean they don’t have seasons. Typically, Florida seasons are broken up into wet and dry seasons, but Florida has autumn like everywhere else.
While the autumn changes are less dramatic than in the country’s Northern regions, that doesn’t mean they don’t happen. There is typically a break from the humidity during October as the weather begins to shift slightly. While Southern Florida is mostly palm trees and beaches, Northern and Central Florida have a different climate and different regional flora and fauna, meaning that in some places, the leaves do change color and fall out.
Regardless of the weather, fall in Florida is a special place to be. Fall is about more than leaves changing color and pumpkin patches. It is about autumn-themed festivals, celebrations, and community gatherings, and there are plenty of different regions of Florida that are full of fun fall activities.
While not typically considered a fall hotspot like New York and Massachusetts, Florida has plenty to offer tourists looking to spend their autumn in a new locale. Let’s look at some of the best places in Florida to get away to this fall season.
Miami:
Miami is the quintessential Florida city. Miami is an internationally known city with its white-sand beaches, bustling nightlife, and top-notch food scene. When you think of Miami, your mind might not go straight to autumn. Miami is a Southern Florida city with palm trees and ocean, you’re not likely to see many red and yellow leaves here. While Miami is better known for South Beach and celebrities than anything fall-related, that doesn’t mean they don’t have a ton of great autumn events.
Several different autumn festivals make fall in Miami exciting. This year, for the first time, Tinez Farms is throwing a Fall Festival. With a pumpkin patch, hay bale mazes, live music, and pop-up food vendors, Tinez Farms will feel like an autumn wonderland. Another farm throwing a fall event is Phil’s Berry Farm. A fall music festival, this event will have live music, drinks and barbecue, and a family-friendly atmosphere.
The Panhandle:
The Florida Panhandle is a stretch of land on the most Northwestern point of Florida. Bordering on Georgia and Alabama, the Panhandle has some of Florida’s most popular destinations. With well-known locations like Panama City Beach and Pensacola, the Panhandle is right on the Gulf of Mexico. Its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico makes the Panhandle a region with some of the best beaches in America while not being anywhere near as expensive as Miami or Palm Beach. The Panhandle’s weather remains the same in the fall, but their cities bustle with different fall-themed events.
One of the biggest events of the fall in all of Florida takes place in the Panhandle. This would be the Mattie Kellie Arts Foundation’s 26th Annual Festival of the Arts. Taking place at the end of October, the festival will feature 65+ artists from the United States and Europe displaying incredible art in various mediums. The festival will also have live music and a beer garden and is located in Destin. Other major Panhandle festivals include Suwanee Halloween and Panama City’s Fall Fest.
Jacksonville:
Jacksonville is one of Florida’s cities experiencing a significant boom. Its population and economy are surging right now, and there is a ton going on in this city. Jacksonville is Florida’s most populous city, located on the Northeastern side of the state. Jacksonville is a coastal and temperate city, so like the other Florida areas mentioned, you’re not going to see many trees changing colors. However, the Jacksonville autumn events more than makeup for the lack of natural fall scenery.
Jacksonville and its surrounding areas have an abundance of fall events that make it an excellent visit for all autumn lovers. In Orange Park, just outside of Jacksonville, the iconic Fall Festival has its 39th annual iteration. There’s something for everyone at the Fall Festival with live music, 30 different food vendors, and local farmers and craftspeople selling wares. Another major fall event in Jacksonville is Fall Season at Amazing Grace Farm. With pumpkin picking, corn mazes, and farm animals, this event is fun for the whole family.
There are tons to do and see during autumn in Jacksonville and Florida as a whole. Take advantage of the fantastic weather and the fun events and enjoy an autumn for the ages.
