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.
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 ushering in autumn in Central Florida.
Showcase of Citrus Pumpkin Ponderosa
At Clermont’s Showcase of Citrus, join in some fall fun during the third annual Pumpkin Ponderosa. Families can pick pumpkins, feed farm animals, enjoy fall-themed arts and crafts, play outdoor games, go on hayrides and indulge in autumn bites and beverages. Highlights include fresh orange juice mimosas, creamsicles and fruit slushies.
HOURS: Sept. 18-Nov. 28; 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily
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 sixth 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 socially distanced family fun.
HOURS: Sept. 25-Nov. 7; Thursdays-Sundays
ADDRESS: 16651 Schofield Road in Clermont
PRICE: $20 per person (before fees), tickets must be purchased in advance. Children ages two and younger enter for free.
MORE INFO: southernhillfarms.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. On Friday and Saturday nights, brave souls can attempt the Haunted Halloween Maze or Dark Forest Trail of Terror. The experience can be topped off with food available at the farm, plus alcoholic beverages.
HOURS: Sept. 24-Oct. 30; 6-10 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays
ADDRESS: 5849 Lake Catherine Road in Groveland
PRICE: $6 per person (fall maze and scavenger hunt), $11 per person (haunted maze, advance ticket), $16 (dark forest, advance ticket)
MORE INFO: lake-catherine-farms.square.site
Corn Maze Orlando
Corn Maze Orlando is sporting a “Florida Cowboys” theme for this year’s event. Masks will be required for entry, and no tickets will be sold at the gate. Tickets to the corn maze do not include admission to the pumpkin patch.
HOURS: Oct. 2-Nov. 30; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving Day
ADDRESS: 15239 Lake Pickett Road in Orlando
PRICE: $15 per adult, $12 per UCF student, $10 per child (before fees). Children ages 2 and younger get in for free.
MORE INFO: cornmazeorlando.com
Santa’s Fall Fun Farm
In Eustis, Santa’s Christmas Tree Forest transforms into a destination for fall fun, now celebrating 14 years of the “A Lot of Pumpkins” pumpkin patch. The farm features horse and pony rides, a bounce pillow, mazes and other children’s activities. Families also can also opt to visit the petting zoo, take a hayride or explore food and drink options. A “Horror in Headphones” walk-through audio experience is available for visitors ages 18 and older.
HOURS: Open Friday-Sunday Oct. 2-31 (check website for hours)
ADDRESS: 35317 Huff Road in Eustis
PRICE: Admission prices start at $5 and vary by date
MORE INFO: santaschristmastreeforest.com/pumpkins
Long and 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, a cafe and hayrides. This season, the farm also will also host several nighttime maze opportunities.
HOURS: Oct. 1-Dec. 12; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and 12-5 p.m. Sundays
ADDRESS: 26216 County Road 448A in Mount Dora
PRICE: Maze admission ($15) includes two corn mazes, a tree maze, rope maze, mist maze, super slide and more. Hayrides are $4 and fishing for kids is $2. Children ages 3 and younger get in for free.
MORE INFO: longandscottfarms.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: Oct. 9-Nov. 7; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
ADDRESS: 5601 N. Canoe Creek Road in Kenansville
PRICE: $10 for ages 3 and older, $20 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: Sept. 17-Nov. 14; 4-8 p.m. Fridays, 12-8 p.m. Saturdays and 12-5 p.m. Sundays
ADDRESS: 950 Tavares Road in Polk City
PRICE: Kids ages 3-12, 65 and older, military — $12, Adults 13 and older — $15. Attractions included in price.
MORE INFO: harvestholler.com
Club Lake Plantation Fall Festival
The plantation’s venue at Club Lake in Apopka transforms into a fall wonderland for the month of October. Visitors can find hayrides, a corn maze, pumpkin patch, country store, and an area for playing sports. “Pumpkin chunkin'” and tennis ball launching from an air cannon are also available. The pumpkin patch and country store offer free entry.
HOURS: Oct. 2-31; 12-6 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
ADDRESS: 3403 Rock Springs Road in Apopka
PRICE: Thursday-Friday $6.95 (hayrides additional), Saturday-Sunday (hayrides included) — $13.95; 10 percent discount for military and up to five people.
MORE INFO: clublakeplantation.com
St. Luke’s Pumpkin Patch
This church is opening its pumpkin patch for visitors to find a variety of gourds for carving, displaying or eating.
HOURS: Oct. 18-30; 3-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
ADDRESS: 4851 S. Apopka-Vineland Road in Orlando
PRICE: Pumpkins $1-$30
MORE INFO: st.lukes.org
Did I miss any fall festivals or pumpkin patches? Find me @PConnPie on Twitter and Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com. For more fun things, follow @fun.things.orlando on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
