Florida in Fall
Florida in Fall, why not? Well, ok, yes there’s a risk of hurricanes. But, if you are lucky enough to book a week when the risk is low, watch the weather closely, and have the ability to change dates if needed, you can really get a great experience out of Florida in the fall. Are YOU ready for some powdery white sand that feels like sugar and clear emerald water?
My Favorite Florida Fall Destination
Coastline Area: Pensacola to Rosemary Beach
Cities: Fort Walton Beach, Destin or Pensacola
Months: September – October
Minimum: 3 days
Preferred: 5 – 7 + days
Average Air Temp: 75 – 80 degrees
Average Water Temp: 79 – 83 degrees
Why travel to Florida in the fall you say?
- Less crowded on the beach.
- Cheaper all around (flights, hotels, etc).
- Hotel and Condo availability.
- Less driving traffic congestion.
- Less wait time for attractions and restaurants.
- Cooler weather.
- Unobstructed beach views.
Pensacola
One of my favorite beach cities for complete luxurious relaxation. It was named by USA TODAY as the “Best Florida Beach”. It is surrounded on three sides by water. Pensacola is full of history, prestine beaches, shipwrecks, a lighthouse, and spectacular vistas. It was once the earliest European settlements in the U.S. Today, a large United States Naval Air Station, the first in the United States, is the base of the famous Blue Angles flight demonstration team and the National Naval Aviation Museum. Pensacola Beach is your perfect destination for lazy beach days, amazing food, and endless opportunities for fun. Everything on Pensacola Beach is within walking distance, allowing you more time on the beach. A huge positive in my book.
My Favorite Hotel
Hampton Inn Pensacola Beach
Featuring ocean front balcony rooms, a tiki bar, free hot breakfast, and free parking. At the time of this article, they also had a pool-sharing agreement with neighboring hotels.
My Favorites
Flounder’s Chowder House
Flounder’s Chowder House, established in 1979, you can’t miss the 55 foot shrimp boat next to it’s restaurant. Rich in local history, this restaurant will give you hours of entertainment and great food. It has several bars, outdoor sand volleyball, live entertainment, a restaurant, and a gift shop. Be sure to visit, you won’t be disappointed.
Flounder’s Classic Stuffed Flounder
Flounder’s Chowder
Known as “Florida’s Best Kept Secret”, it was initially platted in 1925 and named after a province in Spain. Many of the scenes in the film Jaws 2 were filmed here. It is located 25 miles east of Pensacola and about 15 miles west of Fort Walton Beach. Here you will find the Navarre Beach fishing pier, which is currently the longest fishing pier on the Gulf of Mexico and the state of Florida. It extends 1,545 feet long and stands 30 feet above the water. Visitors can rent a fishing pole at its bait & tackle shop. Not interested in fishing, no problem, you can walk across the pier for $1, completely worth the price for its breathtaking views, especially at sunset. Afterwards, be sure to stop at Windjammers on the Pier for delicious food and beachside views. Ready for some evening entertainment, try Juana’s Pagodas with its bar surrounded by a sand floor.
My Favorites
Crab Cakes at Windjammers on the Pier
Next to Okaloosa Island and rich in Native American history dating back some 14,000 years. It’s home to Eglin Air Force Base, the largest Air Force base in the free world. You can hear the “sounds of freedom” from war exercises and games all the way from Pensacola to Destin, by military fly overs on the beach almost daily. Visitors to the area can also enjoy the Air Force Armament Museum filled with artifacts and aircraft from WWI to the present. Kids (and adults alike) may enjoy the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park filled with penguins, dolphins, turtles, stingrays, and alligators. And historians can enjoy the Indian Temple Mound Museum housing the finest collections of prehistoric ceramics in the Southeastern United States.
My Favorite Resort
The Island Resort at Fort Walton Beach. A family-friendly resort with everything you could want. Right on the beach, a pier with seasonal evening live entertainment, a restaurant, mini golf, outdoor pool and spa, and a ton of activities for kids. It’s my all time favorite resort and one we return to as a family every year.
Destin
A very popular destination, and my other favorite beach city, has over 3.5 million visitors each year. Known as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village”, it claims to have the largest fishing vessel fleet in the state of Florida. It has 13 beach access points with lots of activities such as snorkeling, sailing, diving, water sports, excursions, boat ramps, marinas, and fishing. For family fun you can enjoy water parks, museums, zoos, golf, cruises, and even learn to make sandcastles on the beach. The Destin Harbor Boardwalk and the HarborWalk Village offer shopping, restaurants, live entertainment, dolphin cruises, water sport rentals, zip lining, weekly fireworks, and seasonal festivals. With so much to do, what are you waiting for?
My Favorites
Harbor Boardwalk and the HarborWalk Village
The Back Porch
Popular seafood restaurant with views of the ocean. You can also rent beach chairs and umbrellas for the day next to the restaurant.
Beaches of Destin
Not even the small storms and pockets of rain in Florida can take its beauty away.
Sea Life
Miramar Beach
Your destination for family-friendly luxury resorts and private beachfront homes. Known for its more luxurious tranquil area of beaches, it’s a popular area for weddings. Silver Sands Premium Outlets, one of the nation’s largest designer outlet centers, is found here. For family fun, you can visit The Village of Baytowne Wharf.
My Favorite Resort
Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa
Luxury at its finest. You won’t need to leave the resort. It has fine dining, shopping, spa treatments, golf, and water sports.
The Village of Baytowne Wharf
Seaside and Rosemary Beach
Seaside is well known for its pastel-colored homes with porches and white picket fences. Rosemary Beach is master planned community influenced by the New Orlean’s French Quarter and European Colonies in the West Indies and Caribbean. Here you will find many boutiques, shops, restaurants and people out walking or biking. Definitely worth a day trip here, as it is quite beautiful and has lots of activities to enjoy.
Do you have a favorite area to stay in Florida?
What about your favorite lodging, restaurant, or activity?
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This article is dedicated to:
My son, Chris, his girlfriend Brittany, and her children Acelynn and Ayden.
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