9 Things To Do In Florida In The Fall
Lets be honest: Florida doesnt really participate in fall. It is common for the temperatures to stay in the high 80s and 90’s all the way through Thanksgiving, but we’re not complaining! Even though it doesn’t always feel like fall, there are plenty of fall-inspired activities to do. If youre planning a visit to the Orlando area in the next few months, check out some of these awesome activities and events that will get you into the fall mood!
The Spooky Stuff
If youre coming to Florida before, during, or after Halloween, youll probably want to experience some of the mysterious events and attractions that scare the socks off of the locals. From high-level scares at Halloween Horror Nights to some low-key frights, here are some of the coolest and creepiest Halloween attractions in the area:
People come from all over the country to scare themselves silly at Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights. With designated scare zones all over the park, ten out-of-this-world themed haunted houses and an annual live show, Academy of Villains, guests will definitely experience terror at this annual event. If you are planning on spending a night or two at Halloween Horror Nights, consider staying in a vacation rental 20-30 minutes from the park to avoid crazy hotel prices and traffic.
Kissimmee turns into a “ghost town” as Halloween rolls around, and Old Town hosts its own haunted experience. During the day, Old Town is ice cream shops, thrill rides, shops, restaurants and fun things to do. As the sun goes down, the ghouls come out, and Old Town turns into a haunted attraction that feels a little homier but no less terrifying.
If you want to be scared silly out in the middle of nowhere, a haunted tour through the Petrified Forest is the way to go. Walk through the woods in small groups and experience the horror of maniacs and monsters around every corner. If you dare, experience the petrified path on a total eclipse night, where the rules change and the scare tactics go up a notch.
Orlando and its surrounding areas are hot spots for cool bars and restaurants, many of which participate in Halloween and fall-themed pub crawls and food tours. From downtown Orlando to Kissimmee, Davenport and even Winter Park, visitors 21 and up can experience some cool ghouls and brews in the city’s holiday-themed pub crawls.
Greenwood Cemetery Moonlight Walking Tour
For something equal parts spooky and educational, the Greenwood Cemetery Tour takes you through a historic graveyard by the light of the moon. Follow your guide past 100+ gravesites of some of Orlando’s most notable icons. This spooky tour is free, but tickets are required. Tours run on a few select dates through October, November, and December.
Fun For The Whole Family
Lake Catherine Blueberries: Fall Maze & Pumpkin Patch
If Halloween isn’t your thing, or you won’t be here for the Halloween season, many local events are more fall-inspired, such as local pumpkin patches and blueberry farms. Pumpkin patches, corn mazes, hayrides and fall festivals give families a fun way to spend afternoons and evenings in the (slightly) cooler temps. Lake Catherine Farms is locally run and features an adorable general store that sells fresh blueberry lemonade, and even has a bar for handmade cocktails! There is a playground and plenty to do for kids and adults!
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
This special event held at Magic Kingdom after hours and requires a separate park ticket. With a special Hocus-Pocus Live show, breathtaking Halloween fireworks show, trick or treating with Disney characters and a chance for kids to show off their costumes, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is the coolest, kid-friendly Halloween event in Orlando!
Legoland is technically in Lakeland, about 45 minutes from Orlando and many of the areas most popular vacation homes. While it is a bit of a drive, it’s worth it for your Lego-loving family members. Legoland Brick or Treat is a trick-or-treating experience for kids and adults alike. Unlike Disney, you don’t need a separate ticket to get in on the kid-friendly ghoulish action. There are Halloween shows, a state of the art fireworks show and a chance to meet and greet some fun Halloween characters!
If you’re in Orlando for the fall, you have to spend at least a weekend soaking up the sun before heading back home. We have great luxury pool homes available for great rates in October and November, all of which put you a short drive from all of these fun Halloween inspired attractions!
The beautiful thing about Florida in the fall is that you can still lay out poolside, take the family to a local park, or enjoy the local attractions in your summer attire. Hotels book up quickly (and are usually at their peak prices) during this time because of all of the Halloween events, which is why fall is the perfect time to stay in a vacation home! While we can’t guarantee leaves to jump in or fireplace weather, we have sparkling pools and luxury homes to make your fall vacation one to remember!
