In Florida, the presence of fall is marked not by cool temperatures but by pumpkin spice drinks popping up at cafes and Halloween decorations lining the aisles of stores. If Central Floridians are lucky, the overnight low may dip below 70 degrees.
In addition, a number of Central Florida farms and venues also step up to usher in autumn, bringing pumpkin patches, corn mazes and fall-themed fun to the Sunshine State. Friends and family can go for hayrides, try apple cider doughnuts and find petting zoos at a number of Orlando-area fall festivals.
Here are some festivals, mazes and events celebrating autumn in Central Florida.
Showcase of Citrus Pumpkin Ponderosa
At Clermont’s Showcase of Citrus, join in some fall fun during the fifth annual Pumpkin Ponderosa. Families can pick pumpkins, feed farm animals, enjoy fall-themed arts and crafts, play outdoor games and indulge in autumn bites and beverages. Highlights include fresh orange juice mimosas, creamsicles and fruit slushies.
HOURS: 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. daily, beginning Sept. 23
ADDRESS: 5010 U.S. Highway 27 in Clermont
PRICE: Free admission; some activities extra
MORE INFO: showcaseofcitrus.com
Southern Hill Farms
This Clermont U-pick farm is celebrating its eighth year of pumpkins, apple cider, craft beer, handmade goods, children’s activities, a corn maze, food trucks and big-screen TVs to catch sports. Find a wide variety of gourds to pick from and relish a day of family fun.
HOURS: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Thursdays-Sundays; Sept. 23-Nov. 12
ADDRESS: 16651 Schofield Road in Clermont
PRICE: $21.95 per person (before fees). Tickets must be purchased in advance. Children who are two and younger enter for free.
MORE INFO: southernhillfarms.com
Atwood Family Farms
This Florida family farm hosts visitors in Eustis for live music, food trucks, a petting zoo, a pumpkin patch, a hayride, a sunflower field and more. Visitors can snack on kettle corn or have lunch while exploring all the offerings.
HOURS: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday-Sundays; Sept. 23-Oct. 29
ADDRESS: 36111 County Road 44A in Eustis
PRICE: $15 online, $17 at the door. Children who are two and younger enter for free.
MORE INFO: atwoodfamilyfarm.com
Lake Catherine Farms
In Groveland, this U-pick blueberry farm is hosting a family-friendly scavenger hunt maze, plus two haunted trails for those who dare to enter. Brave souls can attempt the “Catherine Returns” Halloween Maze or Dark Forest Trail of Terror on Friday and Saturday nights. The experience can be topped off with food available at the farm, plus alcoholic beverages.
HOURS: 6-10 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays; Sept. 29-Oct. 28
ADDRESS: 5849 Lake Catherine Road in Groveland
PRICE: $8 per person (fall maze and scavenger hunt), $17 per person (haunted maze, advance ticket), $24 (dark forest, advance ticket)
MORE INFO: lakecatherineblueberries.com
Corn Maze Orlando
Corn Maze Orlando is sporting a “Mission to the Moon” theme for this year’s event. Tickets to the corn maze do not include admission to the pumpkin patch.
HOURS: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Oct. 14-Nov. 30;
ADDRESS: 15239 Lake Pickett Road in Orlando
PRICE: Ticket information is not yet available for this year’s event.
MORE INFO: cornmazeorlando.com
Sunsational Farms
This Umatilla farm brings family fun to visitors with a pumpkin patch, carnival games, bounce houses, ice cream, face painting, food trucks and more. Dr. Grimley’s Haunted Trail pops up on select nights for visitors looking for a fright.
HOURS: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays; Sept. 30-Oct. 28
ADDRESS: 40541 Roger Giles Road in Umatilla
PRICE: Free parking and admission; activity ticket prices vary
MORE INFO: facebook.com
Santa’s Fall Fun Farm
In Eustis, Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest transforms into a destination for fall fun, now celebrating 16 years of the “A Lot of Pumpkins” pumpkin patch. The farm features horse and pony rides, a bounce pillow, a maze and other children’s activities. Families can also opt to visit the petting zoo, take a hayride or explore food and drink options.
HOURS: Open select dates Sept. 23-Oct. 30 (check website for hours)
ADDRESS: 35317 Huff Road in Eustis
PRICE: Admission prices start at $9 and vary by date
MORE INFO: santaschristmastreeforest.com/pumpkins
Great Scott Farms
This 1,200-acre family farm in Mount Dora is bringing back its annual corn maze tradition for visitors. Guests can also find a country market, family activities and hayrides.
HOURS: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; Sept. 30-Nov. 26
ADDRESS: 26216 County Road 448A in Mount Dora
PRICE: General admission is $18 at the gate; discounts are available online. Farm tours are an additional $4 per person. Children who are 3 and younger get in for free.
MORE INFO: visitgreatscott.com
Partin Ranch Corn Maze
This farm, about 13 miles south of St. Cloud, features crop mazes, a pumpkin patch, kids’ activities, combine harvester rides, vendors, pony rides and more. The farm advises visitors to bring cash for vendors and to check their Facebook page for closures based on weather.
HOURS: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; Oct. 7-29
ADDRESS: 5601 N. Canoe Creek Road in Kenansville
PRICE: $15 for those ages 3 and older, $25 for season passes (discounts for military, first responders, seniors, groups and scouts in uniform)
MORE INFO: partinranchcornmaze.com
Harvest Holler Corn Maze
This “down-home farm” near Lakeland features a corn maze, pumpkin patch, farm animals, hayride, a “hay mountain,” miniature golfing, a store with Maw-Maw’s homemade goods and Paw Paw’s Vittles for some “country fixins.”
HOURS: 4-8 p.m. Fridays, noon-8 p.m. Saturdays and noon-5 p.m. Sundays; Sept. 15-Nov. 12
ADDRESS: 950 Tavares Road in Polk City
PRICE: Kids ages 2-12, those 65 and older, military are $12, Adults 13 and older are $15. Attractions are included in the price.
MORE INFO: harvestholler.com
Did I miss any fall festivals or pumpkin patches? Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com.
