7 Small Towns In Florida Where It Actually Feels Like Fall

Published 4 hours ago

The Travel

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For those who live in Florida, summer isn’t just a season, it’s a lifestyle. With warm weather year-round, some might think Floridians only want sunshine year-round. But there are many in Florida who want to experience the beautiful colors of fall, even just for a little while.

Surprisingly, despite Florida’s southern location and subtropical climate, there are still cozy towns that feel like fall in the Sunshine State. Some of these towns even have trees that change colors. In this list, tourists will discover seven Florida small towns where fall is in full swing already, despite the warm temperatures and sunshine that Florida is known for.

7 Winter Park

Population: 29,816 people

Winter Park, located just outside of Orlando, Florida, is home to a downtown that can rival the cutest places in the U.S., a stunning botanical garden, elegant waterways, and stunning works of art. Some of the wold’s best glass art can be found at the local Morse Museum, while stunning works of sculpture art can be found at the Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens. Tourists who want to visit a historic Andalusian-style farmhouse and museum should visit Casa Feliz.

Known worldwide for its gorgeous gardens, the town of Winter Park has great botanical wonders for tourists to see. Those who want to take a serene stroll through cypress trees should head to Kraft Azalea Garden, while those who love unique plants and landscaping will enjoy Mead Garden.

The best part about Winter Park for tourists who want to experience fall is that the town occasionally gets bright-colored foliage in autumn. Plus, you’ll get some cooler temperatures in the fall season.

Average Fall Temperatures:	63 to 75 degrees
Things To Do:	Mead Garden, Azalea Garden, Casa Feliz, Morse Museum, Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens

6 Fernandina Beach

Population: 13,401 people

Fernandina Beach isn’t only one of the most affordable island destinations for retirement in Florida, but it’s also a great place to find cooler fall temperatures in the Sunshine State. Located on the breathtaking Amelia Island 30 minutes from Jacksonville, this small Florida town promises tourists windswept white sand beaches, Atlantic views, and historic charm.

Originally named after Spanish King Ferdinand VII, this adorable town might be one of Florida’s premier fall destinations.

Known for its beaches with fewer crowds than other places in Florida, tourists can soak up the waves and the sun at Peters Point Beachfront Park and Main Beach Park.

History lovers will enjoy Fort Clinch State Park, where you can learn about Civil War history, gopher tortoises, and ancient sharks. Tourists who want to experience Florida’s northern Atlantic coast in its pristine glory can head to Amelia Island State Park to see nesting shorebirds and monarch butterflies.

Average Fall Temperatures:	70 to 80 degrees
Things To Do:	Fort Clinch State Park, Peters Point Beachfront Park, Main Beach Park, Amelia Island State Park

5 Mount Dora

Population: 17,160 people

Mount Dora, located in Central Florida, is a place where the autumns are cool and occasionally, fall colors can be seen. Tourists to Mount Dora will not only find one of the best downtowns in Florida but also some truly incredible antique-ing opportunities, like the Village Antique Mall.

Visitors will enjoy Florida’s natural world at Palm Island Park, where you can walk over the waters of Lake Dora along a boardwalk, and Grantham Point, where a stunning lighthouse is visible along the lake shore. As with many lakeside communities, tourists can enjoy boating here, too.

Average Fall Temperatures:	65 to 80 degrees
Things To Do:	Village Antique Mall, Palm Island Park, Grantham Point

4 Lake City

Population: 12,449 people

The small town of Lake City in northern Florida is a great place for tourists to catch some cooler fall temperatures and maybe some great autumn colors. Not far from the Georgia border, this small town offers tourists bountiful opportunities to reconnect with nature.

One of the most amazing things to do in Lake City is to visit the incredible Osceola National Forest. Known for its unique flatwoods and cypress swamps, Osceola National Forest is home to one of the most interesting biomes in the U.S.

Lake City isn’t just home to this incredible national forest, however. Other parks include Falling Creek Falls, O’Leno State Park, and Alligator Lake Park. Each of these locations offer tourists the chance to become better acquainted with Florida’s freshwater ecosystems, from placid and still lakes to roaring waterfalls and rivers.

Average Fall Temperatures:	60 to 75 degrees
Things To Do:	Osceola National Forest, Falling Creek Falls, O’Leno State Park, and Alligator Lake Park

3 Port St. Joe

Population: 3,617 people

Located in the Florida Panhandle, the small town of Port St. Joe is known for its cooler temperatures and beautiful beaches. Tourists come from far and wide to enjoy the bountiful nature here, and the cheaper housing costs compared to the rest of the state.

While here, one of the best things to do is to explore St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve. This oceanside park is the perfect place for tourists to go birding, to see migrating monarch butterflies, and to be familiarized with Florida’s local indigenous plants. Tourists can also go kayaking, can hike, and can go canoeing.

Take time to visit the Cape San Blas Lighthouse, an iconic feature of this area, as well as the Florida Coastal Conservancy, where dedicated scientists and volunteers help to protect the sea turtles of the St. Joseph Peninsula.

Average Fall Temperatures:	68 to 80 degrees
Things To Do:	Cape San Blas Lighthouse, St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve, Florida Coastal Conservancy

2 Crescent Beach

Population: 936 people

Crescent Beach, located on Florida’s northeast Atlantic coast just south of the historic Floridian city of St. Augustine, is known for its cooler temperatures, sunshine, white sandy beaches, and easy access to the nearby historic city. This hidden gem on Anastasia Island is home to excellent parks, fortresses, and outdoor sports.

While here, tourists have to check out the incredible Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. This historic landmark is more than 450 years old. Tourists here will be able to experience living history, will be able to explore the vast fortress, and will be able to even see historic weapons demonstrations.

For those who want to enjoy the beach, Anastasia State Park is the place to go. With more than 1,600 acres of beaches, marshes, sand dunes, and maritime hammocks, this state park is a nature lover’s paradise. Due to its northern location, the town experiences some feelings of fall.

Average Fall Temperatures:	70 to 80 degrees
Things To Do:	Castillo de San Marcos National Monument

1 Tarpon Springs

Population: 25,890 people

The small town of Tarpon Springs in Florida, located on Florida’s West Coast near Tampa, is often considered to be one of the most charming towns in Florida. The town has a long history of being a hub for Greek immigrants, leading to a large amount of Greek restaurants and cultural activities.

One of the best facets of this town is its sea sponges. Known as the “sponge capital of the world,” this area is associated with the age-old sponge diving industry. Tourists can visit the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks for free to get a better feel of this practice.

There are so many cool things to do in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Animal lovers should check out the Tarpon Springs Aquarium to see some incredible marine life, while those interested in religious history should see the gorgeous Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Those who want to enjoy Florida’s incredible beaches should visit Fred Howard Park for some fun in the sun and a fall-esque feeling.

Average Fall Temperatures:	70 to 80 degrees
Things To Do:	Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks, Tarpon Springs Aquarium, Fred Howard Park