27 Ways to Make it Feel More Like Fall in Hot, Humid Florida!
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Sunny Florida…it’s a great place for a gorgeous beach vacation anytime of the year: a prime destination come winter for countless residents of the Midwest and Northeast who seek a sunny, warm escape from their cold and dreary climates. With world-class theme parks, white sand beaches, endless palm trees, and a relaxing laid-back vibe, it’s no surprise that Florida is and always will be one of the most popular vacation escapes.
However, for those who live here all year-round, the endless summer can get a bit boring and repetitive after some time. Sure, for the first year or 2, having beach perfect summer weather every day is fun. However, for some more than others, this novelty begins to wear off. For anyone who loves the traditional aspects of the fall season, the warmer-than-normal temps and absence of colorful foliage can be a bit of a downer. When I first moved to the state after living in Massachusetts for many years, I really missed the autumn season in particular. I love the cooler temps, leaf peeping, and all the festivals. It’s hard when October rolls around and it is still over 85 degrees.
If you find yourself dreaming of storing away the shorts and flip flops, putting on your coziest sweater, and opening up the window for a brisk fall breeze, you are pretty much out of luck. Personally, I love the fall and winter months, so living here is rough for me. Nevertheless, despite the summer-like weather, I still found ways to enjoy the outdoors and even attended a few fall festivals.
In my guide, I give new transplants some tips to get into the fall spirit in an area known for endless summer. I may be stuck in a state that is hot and sunny most of the year, but I can still find fun and festive ways to make it feel more like the traditional autumn I experienced back home in the Midwest and New England.
1. Decorate your house
Get a whole bunch of pumpkins of varying sizes, along with fall and/or Halloween decor, and display your decor everywhere around your house. Decorate both indoors and out. String up orange lights. If you go all out enough, the weather outside will not even make a difference as soon as you step through the doors of your private fall wonderland. I try to make my home as cozy as possible. Creating your own spooky decor (ghosts, gravestones, scarecrows, etc) doubles as budget friendly Halloween decor, as well as a fun seasonal activity.
2. Attend Mickey’s Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom
October is my favorite time to visit Walt Disney World. Compared to the brutal summer months, the temps are not as unbearable. In fact, nighttime temps this time of year are usually pleasant. The cool down comes just as Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party takes place.
There are so many advantages of attending this special event (which requires a separate entry ticket) including next to no wait times for the majority of rides, entry into the park at night when the hot sun won’t be shining in your face, and most importantly, more Halloween inspired fun than you could ever possibly imagine!
This is one of my favorite Halloween events I’ve ever attended despite it being located in Florida. So, if you are missing the traditional Halloween vibe, definitely book your tickets in advance (it often sells out). In addition to amazing holiday decor everywhere, you will also be treated to trick or treat stations (yes adults are welcome too!), a Halloween parade and fireworks show, spooky music and a special stage show (I love the Hocus Pocus villain show). It’s a fabulous time to enjoy special rides, treats, shows, and decor.
More info & pics from Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
3. Check your local theater for special horror movie screenings
Most AMC theaters screen the 1978 classic Halloween sometime in October. Additionally, you can check local theaters to see if anyone is screening any old classics. If you live near Tampa, the gorgeous historic theater downtown hosts Halloween classics throughout October. A few years back they screened Child’s Play with a special appearance and Q&A session with Alex Vincent who plays Andy!
Seeing a horror movie classic on the big screen is a fun and festive way to get out of the house while still enjoying the special ambiance that goes along with the season. Plus, the theater has AC so no need to worry about the heat.
Recent Halloween screenings at the Tampa Historic Theater have included old favorite like Hocus Pocus, Friday the 13th, and Poltergeist, along with new classics like The Conjuring and It Follows. i love seeing these old movies on the big screen especially if I missed them the first time around. One of the things I love most about Tampa area theaters is that they always play a lot of my favorite 80’s and 90’s era classics on the big screen.
4. Design your own costume
Halloween is so much more fun when you have some type of festive craft project to keep you busy and excited in the weeks leading up to the holiday. It creates a little bit of anticipation and gives you something to look forward to. And it’s so much more fun and creative, not to mention cheaper, than those pricey store bought costumes. No idea where to start? Look to Pinterest for inspiration.
5. Check out a scary book at the library
Typically this time of year, your local library or book store will have a special section dedicated to scary books. I am a fan of all Stephen King novels. I also love reading ghost stories and books dedicated to the haunted history of specific areas. In recent years, I’ve enjoyed Ghosts of The Bridgewater Triangle after years of living right in the middle of this haunted area. Chicago Haunts was another fun read for someone who grew up in the city. I am sure you can find a special Florida haunts book at any Barnes and Noble this time of year.
Light a few pumpkin scented candles, turn up the AC, take a cozy seat by the fireplace, and enjoy a bone chilling night of scary stories!
6. Plan a road trip up to the mountains
If you just need cozy sweaters, brisk temps, and a bit of fall foliage this time of the year, then plan for a weekend getaway to the Appalachians. Sure, it can be quite a drive depending on where you live in the state. But then again, it’s so worth it for the dramatic change in scenery.
Blue Ridge, Georgia, one of the closest weekend mountain escapes, offers the traditional fall colors, activities, and weather of the season. This gorgeous town marks the start of the Appalachian Trail, so there are plenty of gorgeous hiking opportunities. One easy short stroll with a waterfall is the 2 mile Longcreek Falls hike. Also plan for a ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway which offers picturesque fall color rides the entire month. You can check out my Blue Ridge weekend guide for more activity ideas. I loved visiting this quaint mountain town this time of year. The temperatures are perfect for hiking and exploring the outdoors.
In terms of lodging, I recommend staying in a cabin for a true wilderness experience. You won’t feel like you are in Florida – I promise! I recommend Mt. Laurel Cabins as these beautiful & affordable cabin rentals include rustic decor, extra luxuries like hot tubs and game rooms, gorgeous views of the mountains, and a really peaceful and secluded setting in the midst of the woods. It’s such a nice time of the year to relax outside.
If you are willing to drive a bit further, I highly recommend renting a cabin in Western North Carolina. This area is absolutely magnificent in autumn: the perfect rustic escape from the cities and suburbia, and well worth the longer drive. There are endless hiking trails and waterfalls to explore here. Asheville is a great base destination!
The WNC region offers a lot for nature lovers and the temps are so cool this time of year. You can check out my full WNC tourist guide which highlights a lot of these great waterfalls, hikes, and small towns to explore.
7. Find your perfect pumpkin at a local patch
After moving here, I was happy to learn that I could still attend many of the same festivals I enjoyed growing up in the Midwest. There’s plenty of fun to be had at seasonal pumpkin patches and fall festivals throughout the state. Just because it’s hotter doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the seasonal festivals! For a convenient listing of fall events by county, visit Pumpkin Patches and more.
You may be truly surprised at how many traditional events including corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and hayrides you have to choose amongst. For those seeking “slightly” cooler temps, take a quick drive up to the northern portion of the state.
8. Pick up fresh produce at the Farmer’s Market
Fall is a great time to stroll around your local farmers market. Most cities in this state offer no shortage of year-round markets which is one of the bonuses of living here over the north. Pick up fresh seasonal produce like butternut squash, potatoes, and pumpkin to use in fall recipes. It’s also a great time of the year weather wise to be outside enjoying the fresh breeze and cool-for-Florida weather. One of my favorites is the Saturday Morning Market in St. Petersburg (runs from March-December).
