Fall might just be one of the best-kept secrets in Northeast Florida.
The summer crowds begin to thin, the weather starts to cool down, and there are still plenty of sunny days made for the beach. Whether you’re planning a weekend in Jacksonville, a few days along the coast, or a St. Augustine getaway, fall gives you the best of Florida without feeling quite as busy as peak summer.
Here are a few of our favorite ways to enjoy Northeast Florida this fall.
Spend a Day at the Beach
Don’t pack away the swimsuits just yet.
Fall in Northeast Florida can still bring plenty of warm, sunny days, making it a great time to enjoy Jacksonville Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Augustine Beach, and the surrounding coastline.
Start with a morning walk along the sand, spend the afternoon by the water, or grab dinner nearby and head back to the beach for sunset.
Bonus: visiting outside the height of summer can mean a little more room to spread out.
Explore Historic St. Augustine
There’s something about St. Augustine that feels especially fitting in the fall.
Spend a day walking along St. George Street, exploring the historic district, visiting local shops, grabbing a drink at a rooftop bar, or walking along the Matanzas River.
Once October arrives, you’ll also find plenty of ghost tours and spooky-season activities around the nation’s oldest city.
Get Outside
When Florida’s summer temperatures finally start to ease up, it’s time to take advantage.
Rent bikes and explore the beach communities, head out on a kayak or paddleboard, walk one of the area’s nature trails, book a fishing charter, or spend the afternoon exploring one of Northeast Florida’s parks and preserves.
If you’ve been waiting for weather that makes you actually want to spend all day outside, fall is your season.
Plan a Jacksonville Day
There’s much more to Jacksonville than the beach.
Spend the morning exploring neighborhoods like Riverside, Avondale, or San Marco, stop for lunch at a local restaurant, browse shops and markets, and catch a Jaguars game or live show while you’re in town.
Jacksonville also has a growing brewery scene, plenty of outdoor spaces, and restaurants ranging from casual waterfront spots to date-night favorites.
Make Time for the Local Food Scene
One of the best parts of any getaway? Deciding where to eat.
Northeast Florida has no shortage of seafood, waterfront restaurants, brunch spots, coffee shops, breweries, and locally owned favorites.
Try somewhere new each night, grab fresh seafood near the coast, or pick up something local and bring it back to your vacation rental for a relaxed night in.
Catch a Fall Event
Fall brings a full calendar of festivals, concerts, markets, sporting events, and seasonal celebrations throughout Jacksonville and St. Augustine.
September kicks off St. Augustine’s Sing Out Loud Festival, while October brings plenty of Halloween events and fall festivals. As November approaches, St. Augustine begins transitioning into the holiday season and preparing for its famous Nights of Lights.
If you’re planning your trip around a specific event, book early—popular weekends can fill up quickly.
Enjoy a Night In
Not every vacation day needs an itinerary.
One of the perks of staying in a vacation rental is having a space where you can actually hang out. Order takeout, cook dinner together, watch a movie, sit by the pool, enjoy the backyard, or break out the games after a full day of exploring.
Sometimes the best vacation plans are no plans at all.
Find Your Fall Stay in Northeast Florida
Beach days, historic streets, football weekends, outdoor adventures, great food, and a little more room to slow down—fall is a pretty good time to experience Northeast Florida.
Joseph Ellen Properties offers vacation rentals throughout Jacksonville, the Beaches, Ponte Vedra, St. Augustine, Amelia Island, and surrounding Northeast Florida communities, with options for everything from quick weekend trips to large family getaways.
Ready for a fall getaway?
Browse Joseph Ellen Properties vacation rentals and find your place to stay in Northeast Florida.