Around the rest of the U.S. people are celebrating the glorious season of fall by unpacking their scarves, enjoying a nice pumpkin spice latte and doing anything outdoors without breaking a sweat. Meanwhile, in Florida, Sept. 23 means nothing other than another day above 90 degrees and the oncoming flood of seasonal residents.
While most every other state has four seasons -- winter, spring, summer and fall -- the Sunshine State is broken up into only two seasons: wet and dry, according to News 6 meteorologist Candace Campos. Wet season in Florida usually begins in late May and dry season starts by mid October.
That doesn't mean Florida doesn't benefit from earlier sunsets that help cool down the temperatures and make being outside bearable. Here are all the ways the Orlando area can still partake in fall festivities without the seasonal weather.
Enjoy fall flavored drinks over ice
It seems like the Pumpkin Spice Latte is back on the menu earlier every year. It's kind of become a fall tradition.
Floridians know to ask their baristas to make their PSLs iced to enjoy it on an 80-degree October day. This year, Starbuck's introduced the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew. If you've ever tried the vanilla cream cold brew it's just like that, but topped with a pumpkin cream cold foam and a dusting of pumpkin spice. Basically, it's fall on ice.
Not into the flavors of fall? Ask for a Cafe con Leche over ice and thank me later.
Sip on seasonal beers
If you prefer your dose of seasonable change in alcohol form, Florida has a range of craft breweries offering seasonal flavors from gourd-flavored IPAs to chocolate stouts.
Rock Pit Brewing, in SoDo, is planning several seasonal beers that will be on tap for its Halloween-Oktoberfest bash called RockPitOberfest, happening Oct. 25-27.
Head brewer Danny Diaz said the brewery is collaborating with Bowman Hill Brewery to create the Polter Spice beer, a pumpkin spice marshmallow latte porter. That should be on tap soon.
Diaz said RockPit is also planning a Caramelized honey Vena lager, an Oktoberfest beer and a few other German specialty beers.
See a full list of Central Florida breweries here and be sure to check their websites for seasonal offerings.
Go to the beach, springs instead of raking leaves
While the northern U.S. gets to spend the weekend raking-- and jumping in-- leaves, Floridians can take a hard pass on that chore and instead go to the beach or visit a natural spring. October, November and most often December are perfect month for soaking in the sun, paddle boarding or kayaking without ever breaking a sweat.
Here's a list of some of Central Florida's most scenic kayaking spots.
Wear bug spray while Trick or Treating
If you're new to Florida and celebrating Halloween for the first time, there are a few things to know.
- If you buy a pumpkin more than a week before Hallows Eve, don't carve it. The Florida humidity will turn your gourd into a ghoul within a few days. It's best to wait until a day before or make it a day of carving tradition.
- Bugs: Pack the bug spray in the red wagon while taking the kids around the neighborhood trick or treating.
- Melted candy: Chocolate doesn't respond well to being carried around in a plastic bucket in 80-plus degrees. If you're pulling the red wagon, maybe put a cooler in there, too. If all else fails, just stick the candy in the freezer after door-knocking.
Enjoy movie night outside
It's a great time to enjoy a movie outside. Yes, drive-in theaters still exist in Florida. For a fun throwback evening or to introduce someone to the under-the-stars experience, several drive-ins are within a reasonable driving distance from Orlando. Click here to see a full list of drive-in movie theaters and enjoy that Florida "fall" weather.
Celebrate Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest kicks off in Munich, Germany, Sept. 22, and runs until Oct. 7, but residents in Central Florida can enjoy a taste of Germany all year round. From Bavarian beer to the bratwurst with sauerkraut, you can find it all within driving distance at a handful of restaurants that offer authentic German cuisine. Here is a list of German eateries around the Orlando area.
Visit a pumpkin patch
It's time for a new profile picture to celebrate the season. No where is better to snap your seasonal selfie than one of these local Instagram-worthy pumpkin patches.