For more information on a perfect Florida vacation go to: as.VISITFLORIDA.com

View a slideshow of AAA members' photo contest entries.
>>Florida Snapshots

By Tom Wuckovich

There are more than enough reasons to visit Florida for the best vacation experience ever. But imagine spending your next visit in one of the world’s most recognized destinations without having to deal with crowds or lines; getting tee times that are the most desirable, or having your pick of a prime spot on the beach. That is what you will most likely find every fall in Florida, when kids are in school and the summer exodus to the Sunshine State has waned. But while the temperatures are falling, the hot deals are still going on!

Theme Parks

A Florida trademark, theme parks such as Disney World, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, SeaWorld, Universal Studios and many others still attract great numbers of visitors, but not quite the throngs of the previous months. It’s the perfect opportunity for you to explore and experience these exciting venues without getting stressed by the long lines and seemingly endless waits for rides or shows. The air is crisper, the skies are bluer, and the atmosphere is still electric.

Parks offer discounted ticket packages and hotel accommodations throughout the months of October and November, and many resorts also are advertising various specials, which often include some special events. Visit as.VISITFLORIDA.com for more information.

Festivals and More

A grandfather takes his grandson fishing. photo by: Visit Florida

The gentle fall winds sweep in festivals celebrating a wide variety of events. From Pensacola to South Beach, there are festivities for everyone to enjoy.

Film lovers and admirers traveling from destinations around the world come together to attend Fort Lauderdale’s International Film Festival (www.fliff.com). Known for an extensive variety of independent films and documentaries, the 21st annual festival will feature free seminars, festive galas, and competitions for students and international filmmakers. One of the world’s most prestigious film festivals, it will be showing films throughout South Florida from mid-October through mid-November.

Each October, fishermen flock to Destin, the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” to participate in the annual Destin Fishing Rodeo (www.destinfishingrodeo.org) and try their luck at searching for king mackerel, marlin, grouper and more. Fishermen compete for daily, weekly and overall prizes in men’s, women’s and junior angler categories throughout the month. For those land dwellers, Destin has an abundance of shops and golf courses to keep you occupied.

October also brings the soothing sounds of jazz to Florida with the Art and Jazz on the Avenue festival in Delray Beach (www.SouthFlorida.com/events). Festival guests are invited to stroll down Atlantic Avenue to explore art displays and sample a variety of food while listening to live music. End your day at this spectacular outdoor event by building sand sculptures and enjoying a warm sea breeze as the sun sets over tranquil waters. Atlantic Avenue also offers a mix of antique and gift shops, clothing boutiques, art galleries and so much more. The brick sidewalks, historic architecture and friendly merchants will truly make your shopping spree a memorable one.

Fall in Florida doesn’t mean the absence of colorful flowers.

Scenic Gardens

Fall is the perfect season to stroll through Florida’s many scenic gardens. Plentiful throughout the state, Florida’s more than 40 luscious gardens can easily be added to your itinerary, regardless of your vacation destination.

Florida’s capital city, Tallahassee, is home to the tranquil Alfred B. Maclay State Gardens (www.ssnow.com/maclay). The heart of these gardens is the lush greenery and leafy foliage arrangements, which stimulate the senses. For orchid lovers, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota (www.selby.org) offers a dazzling floral experience and was named one of America’s Top Ten Botanical Gardens by Country Living Gardener Magazine in 2003.

Slightly more exotic is South Florida’s Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (www.fairchildgarden.org). This distinctive 83-acre botanic garden offers a broad assortment of rare tropical plants and is a leader in tropical plant research.

Enjoy the opportunity to experience tranquil butterflies at Butterfly World in Coconut Creek (www.butterflyworld.com). The world’s largest butterfly habitat, Butterfly World is home to thousands of brilliantly colored butterflies, eight species of hummingbirds and a wide variety of tropical plants.

Nature Trails

Even though Florida is well known for the glitz and glamour of the roller coasters and palm trees, the state also is home to approximately 4,000 miles of nature trails—from the depths of the Everglades to the heights of the tallest trees in the Apalachicola National Forest. These parks and trails offer excellent opportunities for discovering the unique natural beauty of Florida’s wildlife, by land or sea.

Great Golfing

A couple dines at World Golf Hall of Fame. photo by: World Golf Hall of Fame

For the active, or occasionally active golfer, there are more courses here than any other state in the country. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced golfer, Florida’s golf courses can challenge even the most talented players.

Beginning in Northwest Florida, Panama City Beach offers enthusiasts a chance to experience golfing at the Marriott’s Bay Point Resort Village (www.baypointgolf.com). This course exhibits 36 holes of championship golf between two golf layouts, including the Nicklaus Golf Course, which opened in the fall of 2005. This is the first Jack Nicklaus design in Northwest Florida. Both courses have incredible practice areas that feature manicured putting greens, sand bunkers and driving ranges. The Meadows Course at Bay Point is meticulously maintained in a beautiful atmosphere. Both courses are situated in Northwest Florida’s natural terrain of scrub oaks, pines and saltwater marshes.

Going a little farther east, Amelia Island Plantation (www.aipfl.com) offers three extraordinary, challenging and beautiful courses, including five picturesque ocean holes. With the sandy dunes so close to the Atlantic, you can enjoy the scenery without having to leave the course. Ocean Links, designed by Pete Dye and Bobby Weed, is a 36-hole structure including the 6,500-acre Oak Marsh Golf Course and the beautiful, seaside Ocean Links Course. Perhaps the most noted course at Amelia Island is Long Point, designed by Tom Fazio.

Just south of Jacksonville, the Tournament Players Club (TPC) of Sawgrass (www.tpc.com) is a 6,974-acre course that beckons serious golfers. Considered by many to be Florida’s “Number One” golf destination, TPC was designed by Pete Dye to challenge the world’s best golfers and to offer the ultimate golfing experience. Perhaps the most famous course at TPC is the Stadium Course, home to the PGA’s Player Championship.

Ritz Carlton’s new golf course. photo by: Ritz Carlton

Also, just down the road is the World Golf Hall of Fame, (www.wgv.com) the ultimate destination for the celebration and recognition of golf’s greatest players. There are two championship courses at the village—King & Bear and Slammer & Squire.

Moving toward Central Florida, Ocean Hammock Golf Club (www.palmcoastresort.com) doesn’t just offer a course—it offers 90 holes of championship golf. Boasting the highest course rating in the state, it is the only resort with signature designs by former pro greats Nicklaus, Palmer and Player.

Sarasota on the West Coast has welcomed the new Ritz-Carlton golf course, designed by architect Tom Fazio. The par 72 layout is situated on 315 acres of tropical landscape.

There are many places and things in Florida to choose from, but fall is definitely one good choice for when to visit.

Back to top