Holidays, Celebrations
7 Reasons to Fall in Love with Fall in Tampa Bay
Don’t get me wrong, I love going up north during the Fall and seeing all of the brightly colored leaves blowing off the trees. It’s beautiful, that’s for sure. But, having lived in Florida now for more than a decade I have come to LOVE Fall in Florida! Still not convinced? Here’s 7 reasons you will LOVE spending the fall season in Tampa Bay:
1. Fantastic Weather
You can’t ask for better weather than Florida in October or November. “Love Bugs” are gone, hurricane season is over, and in Tampa Bay temperatures stay around 78° for a high and 60° for a low. Its a perfect time for outdoor seating at a seafood café. One of our favorites is Frenchy’s Outpost Grill on the Dunedin Causeway. The kids love dancing to the live music and it’s not too hot that you will be sweating!
2. Good Hair Days
Most of the time I step out of the house and my hair is instantly frizzed, but since October and November are Florida’s driest months, my hair usually behaves itself. It also means you need to make sure you drink your water and stay hydrated!
3. Perfect Beach Photos
Have you ever tried taking great family photos in the middle of the summer when it is 90° degree weather? It makes for a cranky family and a cranky photographer. But fall in Florida brings blue skies with hardly a cloud, and a sunny day without all the heat. Plan a Saturday trip to the beach and take family photos to send out at Christmas! (It will make your relatives jealous when they are trying to stay warm by the fire place!)
4. Fun Festivals
Of course we love festivals in Florida, and in October and November there a ton of Fall Festivals, pumpkin patches, and even corn mazes. A new event for us this year is the Pasco EcoFest, November 8-10. At this event there will be a kid’s crafts area on Saturday in Sims Park, a vendor area for eco-friendly businesses, and families can even go geocaching in Starkey Wilderness Park.
5. Football and Tailgating
If you love football, high school, college or pro, there is always something going on here in Tampa Bay. Whether it is a USF Bulls game or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, there are good times to be had by all, and the best part is the weather is perfect for tailgating!
6. Outdoor Malls
While all of you “northerners” are running into your malls to get warm and piling on layer after layer of thermal underwear, here in Tampa Bay, we are strolling the streets out in the sunshine at the Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel. October 31-November 10 is the Fall Fair at the Shops at Wiregrass with rides, games and fun for the whole family. Beginning November 16th, Wiregrass Mall puts on The Symphony of Lights Show. This amazing holiday light show includes a 55’ tree decorated with over 250,000 lights, 47 miles of wire and 2,000 watts of sound. It has become Tampa Bay’s newest tradition to gather at the Shops at Wiregrass to see the tree lights choreographed to music featuring Trans-Siberian Orchestra. You will see strolling carolers, Santa Claus and even a snow flurry or two!
7. Florida Resident Specials
Fall is a great time to get Florida Resident discounts for theme parks. Why? Well, the summertime traffic is gone now that school is in session and snowbirds won’t begin arriving until Christmas (most of them anyway!) Click here for a compilation of discounts available this fall including tickets to Medieval Times, Kennedy Space Center, Legoland, Gatorland, and even Discovery Cove.