Florida really isn’t known for colorful fall leaves and cold weather but we do have some really cool fall activities. Check out this Ultimate Gainesville Fall Bucket List and make plans to enjoy the best of Florida’s fall. How many can you check off?
- Watch Florida Gator Football. Fall and football are forever intertwined. Go out and root for the home team at a Florida Gators Football game. The weather’s great, tailgating is fun for the whole family and your supporting the local community. Go Gators!
- Go to the Homecoming Parade. The largest student run parade is right here in Gainesville. There are over 120 participants with local charities, businesses and student organizations making grand appearances. Check their website for details.
- Decorate for Fall. No, really decorate for fall. Not one pumpkin and a wreath on the door. Go all in. You know you want to. Get a few small bales of hay, a few different size pumpkins (different colors too!) and create a fall decoration centerpiece in your yard. Take plenty of pictures.
- Visit a Pumpkin Patch. Gainesville is full of great pumpkin patches. You can choose from the Alachua Pumpkin Patch, Abiding Savior Lutheran Church Pumpkin Patch, Rogers Farm Corn Maze and Fall Festival and several more. There’s more than pumpkins with most boasting hay rides, games and even bounce houses.
- Make Your Halloween Costume. If you’ve bought Halloween costumes for the past few years, bring out your creative streak and make your Halloween costume this year. Get creative and make an awesome, award winning costume. See what ideas you can get from Pinterest and let loose.
- Build a Bonfire. Flannel, cinnamon and fires. We here in Florida might be able to escape the flannel, but a great bonfire captures even the warmest of blood. The smell of a great outdoor fire, combined with ‘smores and a hot drink really compliment a great autumn time.
- Visit a Fall Festival. There are lots of small farms and large farms alike that host great Fall Festivals. Coon Hollow is great place that’s close to Gainesville with an amazing Fall Festival. Every Fall Festival worth it’s pumpkins has a corn maze, animals to watch and feed, a pony ride and a hay ride.
- Go Hiking. Florida’s fall weather is amazing so why not enjoy it? If you want to explore some great hiking right here in and around Gainesville, don’t look far because there are opportunities everywhere. Check out these 30 hiking adventures sure to get the blood pumping and the senses pleased.
- Learn to Ride a Horse. Or dust off your old skills. If you want to enjoy a horse ride or teach the kids, there are several farms who can help. Check out this listing of six different places in or close to Gainesville who rent horses and provide lessons.
- Visit a Farmers Market. Fall brings bounty and our local farmers markets are stocked. There are over a half dozen farmers markets in the local area, including Gainesville, Newberry, Keystone Heights and High Springs. Here’s a local listing to get you started.
- Build a Scarecrow. Everybody loves a good scarecrow. But how many of us have actually made one? Try your hand this fall by making your own scarecrow to boost your fall decorations and create something fun with the family. Follow these eight simple steps to create your first scarecrow.
