The Best Places to Visit During Fall in Florida

If you're looking for a getaway in the Sunshine State this fall, you're in the right place!

Fall is one of the best times to enjoy Florida. The weather is still warm in September and October, and you may even enjoy some cooler weather as November approaches.

One thing to be aware of is that fall is hurricane season in Florida. Our family lived in Florida for 5 years and experienced 3 separate hurricanes. So while autumn is prime time for uncrowded beaches and lingering warm weather, make sure you book refundable trips to Florida in case the weather does not cooperate.

Aside from the uncertainty of hurricane season, fall is the ideal time to enjoy Florida. Here are some of my favorite spots to visit in Florida in the fall.

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The Best Places to Visit in Florida This Fall

Orlando

Fall is a great time to experience Central Florida's subtropical climate at the theme parks! Many of the parks throw parties, festivals, and unique experiences in autumn, so it's a great way to get your fall fix.

Walt Disney World

If you love fall, but not cold weather, Walt Disney World is the perfect place to get the best of both worlds, thanks to the fall festivals in the parks. The autumn season brings Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party to the Magic Kingdom and the Food and Wine Festival to Epcot.

Epcot's Food and Wine Festival

Food and Wine Festival is a culinary celebration with over 30 Global Marketplace booths around the park. Guests can eat their way through the World Showcase in Epcot.

There is also a concert series, scavenger hunts for kids, and special festival-themed merchandise.

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party is an after-hours event at Magic Kingdom that runs on select nights from mid-August through October 31. The party requires a special event ticket and begins at 7:00 p.m., but guests can arrive at Magic Kingdom as early as 4:00 p.m.

MNSSHP includes trick-or-treating around the park, a special "Boo to You" Halloween parade, a Not-So-Spooky Halloween fireworks display, and shows, dance parties, snacks, and merchandise specific to the event.

This is one of my favorite events at Walt Disney World!

Discovery Cove

We loved visiting Discovery Cove, an all-inclusive day resort in central Florida in late September. The weather was still warm enough to swim, prices are typically lower this time of year, and school is in session so the park won't be as crowded.

At Discovery Cove you can swim with dolphins, snorkel, float in a lazy river, pet a sloth, or relax in a beach chair.

It's a unique experience because 2 meals are included, along with sunscreen, life jackets, snorkel equipment, snacks and drinks, towels, lockers, wetsuits, and parking. Once you arrive at Discovery Cove you can put your wallet away and just enjoy the day.

Universal Orlando

If you have older kids who like chills, thrills, and spooky fun, you need to check out Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando. It runs on select nights and features Halloween-themed shows, haunted houses, and scare zones.

Amelia Island

Amelia Island is a barrier island located off the northeast coast of Florida. The fall months are the perfect time to visit to experience cooler temperatures, especially in the mornings and evenings, quiet beaches, and lots of outdoor activities.

Stay at the Omni Amelia Island Resort where there are myriad activities to choose from on the property. Go fishing, take a nature tour, compete in a round of mini golf, go paddle boarding, take a walk on the resort's private beach, swim in the heated pools, go shopping, or enjoy the gamer's lounge.

If you enjoy history, Fort Clinch State Park is a great place to spend an afternoon. The park also has hiking and biking trails as well as a beach that's popular for shelling and searching for shark teeth.

Downtown Fernandina Beach offers shops, boutiques, restaurants, and ice cream shops, too.

30A

30A is one of the best places to visit in fall in Florida. The temperatures are a bit cooler and the crowds tend to clear out after Labor Day.

If you're looking for a beach getaway, the weather and the ocean water are still fairly warm in early October, so you can enjoy white sand beaches and palm trees while the northern states are bundled up in sweaters and scarves.

There are many communities in 30A to choose from, but I would recommend Watercolor, Rosemary Beach or Seaside.

Destin is another popular destination near 30A with some larger resorts if that's what you prefer.

Key West

You won't find any fall colors in Key West, because it feels like summer all year round here!

This is the southernmost point in the continental United States, so escape to Key West for some beaches, key lime pie, or a visit to one of the most remote national parks in the US - Dry Tortugas National Park.

Our first time visiting Key West was in late November right before Thanksgiving, and the daytime highs were still in the 80s. It almost felt like we were visiting a Caribbean Island rather than a part of Florida!

Don't forget to stop at one of the coffee shops to get an iced Cuban coffee! Cuban Coffee Queen is my favorite.

St. Augustine

St. Augustine is a beautiful historic city located in North Florida, and fall temperatures can range from the high 80s in September to the mid-50s in early November. We lived just 30 minutes south of St. Augustine for 5 years, and it was always exciting if we needed a light jacket in the mornings and evenings in fall.

Fall is a great time of year to visit St. Augustine because the summer crowds have dispersed and you get to enjoy St. George Street, the popular pedestrian thoroughfare, all to yourself.

Stop by St. Augustine Beach, which has a great splash pad for kids and a wide beach with soft white sand, shop in downtown St. Augustine, visit Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, or drink the water at the Fountain of Youth.

If you want a taste of fall, stop by Sykes Family Farm Corn Maze and Harvest Festival.

Tallahassee

Torreya State Park is one of the best places to see beautiful fall foliage in Florida. It's located about an hour northeast of Tallahassee, making Tallahassee the perfect place for a Florida fall vacation.

Torreya State Park has beautiful bluffs and deciduous trees that turn stunning shades of gold, red, and orange in late October.

Fort Lauderdale

This southern Florida city may still have beach weather in fall, but they sure know how to get in the autumn spirit! You can participate in a Pumpkins and Palm Trees event at Las Olas Oceanside Park at the end of October with photo ops, a pumpkin patch, and even an inflatable corn maze.

I would highly recommend staying at the Diplomat Beach Resort in nearby Hollywood Florida, which is one of my favorite hotels to visit with kids. You'll have the best view of sunrise and sunset from the rooms with an ocean view.

Miami

South Florida has a certain draw for those who want to avoid the cold front setting up north. Despite the warm weather, you can still find stereotypical fall experiences like pumpkin patches and haunted houses.

If you're visiting with kids, the slightly cooler air after a brutally humid summer will allow you to enjoy experiences like the Miami Zoo, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Biscayne Bay, and possibly even a day trip to Everglades National Park.

But if the high temperatures are hanging around, cool off at South Beach or stay in the air-conditioned Children's Museum.

Florida is an unexpected fall destination.

Even though you won't have the stereotypical chill in the air or peak foliage like you'll find in other parts of the country, Florida finds its own way to welcome the onset of fall while still embracing its laid-back way of life.