Exploring Northwest Florida

The Complete Northwest Florida Travel Guide to Beaches, Shopping, Attractions, Hotels, Museums, Nature and more

It’s here, it’s here, my favorite time of year!

I love the fall, even though we really don’t have “fall” in Northwest Florida – no falling leaves at least, but we do have a sort of color change. As the sun moves southward, the gorgeous blue-green waters of the gulf become even more vivid, accentuating spectacular sunsets, and the snow white sand really seems like snow as the holidays approach.

...and the sun sets on another fabulous day at the beach. Thanks to Christine Walker for this gorgeous photo.

Traditionally, it’s harvest time across America and Northwest Florida is no exception. From the native Muscadine grapes and local fruits and vegetables to a wide variety of seafood, the region celebrates with many festivals scheduled from September through November. You’ll find seafood festivals in Pensacola, Destin, and Apalachicola along with music festivals, celebrations of beer and wine, and even a professional rodeo.

In September, there's still plenty of beach time left and the beaches are less crowded. Oh, and September is Be Kind to Editors and Writers Month. Just thought I'd throw that in.

October is a great time to get outdoors and do some hiking and camping and maybe tell some spooky stories and haunted happenings by the campfire. Northwest Florida is home to a number of haunted places, including the Pensacola Lighthouse and the town of Monticello, named the South’s most haunted small town by ABC News. October is also National Book Month so if you’re looking for books about Northwest Florida I have several book reviews for you to choose from.

November means it's time to start thinking about the holidays and family times. November is Family Stories Month, Aviation History Month (perfect for our two super aviation museums) and Native American Heritage Month.

There really is a lot happening in the region in the fall, so to get you started, here are my picks for …

Top Five Things to do in the Fall in Northwest Florida

1. Visit a Northwest Florida Winery

2. Eat fresh-caught seafood at a Northwest Florida Fall Festival

3. Find haunted places

4. Play a round of golf on a championship course

5. Go hiking in a Northwest Florida State Park

Fun at the Destin Seafood Festival

Do you enjoy Exploring museums or art galleries? We have some great galleries and a lot of talented local artists. Like to shop ‘til you drop? You can spend days shopping for antiques and hunting for bargains and unique gifts. Are you a Foodie? Try eating your way through the variety of seafood, barbecue and down-home-southern-cooking restaurants. It will take you a while.

Our state and national parks and preserves include the Gulf Islands National Seashore and the Apalachicola National Forest and offer a wide variety of outdoor adventures. It's still a great time for beachcombing and several of our beaches have been named Best Beach in America by Dr. Beach.

Fall is also a great time to enjoy our many waterways and water recreation. Several major rivers run through Northwest Florida including the Aucilla River, the Apalachicola River, the Choctawhatchee River and the Blackwater River, all perfect for fishing and boating. In fact, some of the best boating in the country can be found right here, so if you enjoy kayaking creeks and bayous or sailing on broad waterways, you’ve come to the right place.

Sailing on the Choctawhatchee Bay

So all in all, fall is a great time for some Northwest Florida travel and sightseeing. Exploring the backroads and hidden highlights is easy, just come along with me. We're going Exploring.