The Fall Season is the season of family fun and events and Florida has a perfect blend of family-centric venues and activities. From haunted houses to pumpkin patches and fall festivals, you and your family will find plenty to keep you entertained this Halloween and throughout the fall season.
Related Blog: A Guide to Hidden Gems and Local Favorites: Plan Your Family Trip to Southwest Florida
Bradenton
Bradenton is located in the Southwest portion of Florida, and has many fall activities to do when you're in this area. Here are some ideas that are kid friendly:
Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival
Get ready for the 33rd annual Pumpkin Festival at Hunsaders! The festival opens on October 19th and runs every weekend until Halloween from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Enjoy some weekend family fun with hayrides, a corn maze, a petting zoo, homemade ice cream, and tons more! Admission is only $15 and children 10 and under are free. There is a $5 charge to park, but many of the activities at the festival are free. Admission to the festival and parking are cash only. There are ATMs available, but we suggest bringing cash to avoid fees.
Sarasota
Fall is the perfect time for spooky and family-friendly activities. Check out these fall activities for the family in Sarasota, Florida:
The Ringling Museum
If you're looking to take a trip back in time or simply enjoy a fun all-day event, check out the Ringling Museum in Sarasota. Here, visitors can learn about circus history and watch circus acts like acrobats and jugglers performing on stages throughout the museum. There is also an exhibit featuring original circus memorabilia from circuses that once operated in Florida, including P.T. Barnum's circus that toured Florida during the 1800s.
Fruitville Grove Pumpkin Festival
Fruitville Grove is ready for its 36th Annual Pumpkin Festival! The festival is every weekend in October from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Halloween and admission is free! You only have to pay $5 for parking to enjoy everything they have to offer. With fun activities like hay rides, mini train rides, live music, and delicious foods, you can’t go wrong at this festival. There’s also a costume contest every Saturday at 2 p.m.! Some vendors accept credit cards, but many are cash only, so you may want to be prepared. ATMs will be available.
Fort Myers
There are plenty of activities to get you in the Halloween spirit in Fort Myers, Florida, and some that don't involve scary costumes. Here are a few fun fall activities for the family to do when they travel to Fort Myers, Florida, for a getaway:
Southern Fresh Farms Fall Festival
Starting October 5th, come out and enjoy the Southern Fresh Farm’s annual festival every weekend through November 3rd from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. Admission is free and the $5 for parking will help with their parking lot improvement! There will be pumpkins for sale, tractor rides, hay rides, lots of food trucks, local vendors, face painting, live music, and opportunities to pet and feed farm animals.
Historical Attractions
If you want to learn more about the history of Fort Myers, take a visit to the Edison and Ford Winter Estates. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, good friends Henry Ford and Thomas Edison would come down to their estates for the winter. The site is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and there are also guided tours available. You can visit the Mound House on Fort Myers Beach to learn about the customs of the Calusa Indians who lived on this unique archaeological site that sits atop a 2,000-year-old shell mound.
Lakes Park Halloween Express
As soon as Lee County Park reopens, head over to the Railroad Museum of South Florida’s Train Village for this year’s Halloween Express! Each seven-car miniature train takes passengers of all ages through a dazzling route of lights, decorations, and synchronized to music. Get your tickets before Halloween is over: Tickets are just $5 for ages 6+ and kids under 5 can ride for free when they share a seat with an adult!
St. Pete and Tampa Area:
Whether you're in the Indian Shores or Madeira Beach area, these autumn activities will get you into the the fall spirit.
Savor St. Pete
On Saturday, November 2nd, and Sunday, November 3rd, there will be a celebration of food, wine, craft beer, and premium spirits in Vinoy Park. Enjoy culinary experiences from some of the area’s top restaurants and taste wine from all over the world as well as local and national crafted beers. General admission tickets start at $115.
HarvestMoon Fun Farm
Fall season activities at HarvestMoon Fun Farm are available from September 28th to November 3rd. There are plenty of activities for the family like visiting the pumpkin patch, riding the cow trains, a petting farm, and more! They also recently started offering beer and wine on weekends and on their Haunted Nights. So come on out for a great time!
Make the Most of Your Family's Florida Getaway
Fall and Halloween are important times of the year for families, and it's especially important to make the most of your family's Florida getaway during this time. So, before leaving, don't forget to visit Smugglers Cove for a round of mini golf!
Smuggler’s Cove has five locations throughout Southwest Florida and has been voted the best mini golf in Florida five years in a row. With their pirate-theme, spooky skeletons, and live alligators, it is a perfect place to visit during the fall season! Smugglers Cove welcomes costumes, and even hands out treats to guests who wear their costumes on Halloween.
