8 Amazing Fall Getaways For Orlando Residents
From Martin County, Florida to New Bern, North Carolina, we've rounded up eight incredible destinations for Orlando residents.
Shephard’s Beach Resort
Shephard’s Beach Resort is Florida’s Premier Entertainment Resort! Located on South Clearwater Beach, it features large balconies with spectacular views of the Gulf of Mexico. The Resort’s centerpiece is the Famous Tiki Beach Bar and Concert Stage, perched over their white sand beach.Enjoy local and international bands performing daily while watching the dramatic sunsets. Explore our new restaurant Cove Kitchen & Bar, featuring a causal elevated dining experience. Or dine outside on the large Tiki Deck.
Dance the night away in the Wave Night, the area’s only beachside club. Exclusively for the resort guests is the SOAK BAR featuring a wide variety of tropical drinks. Private poolside cabanas are available for your added enjoyment.
So don’t just come for the SUN, TROPICAL POOL, WHITE SAND BEACH, WATERSPORTS, MUSIC, DANCING, TROPICAL DRINKS, GREAT FOOD, and AWESOME ROOMS; also come for the excellent service and loads of FUN! Mention the code “FALL24” when booking to receive 20% off any day of the week.
Call 800.237.8477 or visit Shephards.com – Use Promo Code: FALL24. Valid until 12-15-24
Clearwater Jazz Holiday
October 17 – October 20
The Clearwater Jazz Holiday is a four-day and four-night, world-class, live, music festival, enjoyed by thousands of fans taking place the third week of every October and now in its 45th year. The music festival has evolved from a series of concerts on the back of a flatbed truck and at venues around Clearwater into an annual, international, music festival that draws tens of thousands of visitors each year to beautiful Coachman Park in Clearwater, against the backdrop of the Gulf of Mexico, warm breezes, brilliant sunsets, and one of the world’s greatest beaches. The festival features a combination of legendary and relevant musical artists and a gathering of an amazingly diverse fan base.
Over its 45-year history, a long and impressive list of legendary jazz talents have made stops in Clearwater such as Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Mann, Dave Brubeck, Tito Puente, Stephan Grappelli, Stan Getz, and the Count Basie Orchestra. The Jazz Holiday’s modern-day, diverse line-up covers a wide array of musical styles: straight ahead and smooth jazz, swing, blues, jamband, rock, folk, Americana, funk, and Zydeco and showcases a new generation of artists, emerging stars, and classic legends including Tony Bennett, Earth, Wind & Fire, Chicago, Bonnie Raitt, Trombone Shorty, The Avett Brothers, Brandi Carlile, Gov’t Mule, Esperanza Spalding, Marcus Roberts, Mindi Abair, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Medeski, Martin & Wood, Soulive, Christian McBride, Bela Fleck, Boney James, Brian Culbertson, Spirit Family Reunion, Amos Lee, Lake Street Dive, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, Buddy Guy, Gladys Knight, Commodores, Kool & The Gang, UB40, Grace Potter, Sheryl Crow, Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins and the list goes on and on…. 45 years has shaped a unique magical and magnetic destination experience built on incredible community support.
The true magic stems from those who built, shaped and implemented the experience, many of which share a multi-generational bond with it. The festival is organized and supported by the Clearwater Jazz Holiday Foundation. The Foundation’s dedicated and engaged Board of Directors is composed of community leaders, who oversee production of the festival and various innovative education and outreach initiatives.
The Foundation also orchestrates the popular Jazz Force committee of lead volunteers who work tirelessly to operationally implement the four-day celebration every October and manage hundreds of services needed to accommodate thousands of visitors. The Foundation’s wonderful family of corporate and strategic partners and its popular High Note Society membership help to sustain and grow this timeless tradition. Clearwater Jazz Holiday programs are also funded in part by grants from the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture and the Florida Council on Arts & Culture and the Pinellas County Commission through the Cultural Development Grants Program of the Cultural Affairs Department.
For more information about the 45th Clearwater Jazz Holiday, please call (727) 461-5200, or visit ClearwaterJazz.com or facebook.com/ClearwaterJazz.
Discover Milledgeville, GA
Where History Meets Serenity
Escape the noise of daily life and find your perfect retreat in Milledgeville, Georgia! This charming town blends rich history with exciting outdoor activities, making it an ideal spot for your next adventure. Start your journey in historic downtown Milledgeville. Walk along oak-lined streets and admire the preserved antebellum buildings, each with its own unique story. Visit the Old Governor’s Mansion, a stunning Greek Revival home that was the residence for Georgia’s governors from 1839 to 1868. While you’re in the area, don’t miss Andalusia, the home of famous author Flannery O’Connor, which offers a glimpse into her life and works. Take a guided trolley tour to learn fascinating stories from Milledgeville’s time as the state’s fourth capital and beyond. 
For those who love water activities, Lake Sinclair is a refreshing paradise. Spanning over 15,000 acres, this beautiful lake offers endless boating, fishing, swimming, and water sports opportunities. Rent a kayak or paddleboard to explore the peaceful coves or relax on the sandy shores and soak up the sun. With its scenic views, abundant wildlife, and calm atmosphere, Lake Sinclair is perfect for creating lasting memories with family and friends.
Milledgeville boasts a vibrant and diverse restaurant scene that will delight any foodie. From Southern comfort food to international cuisine, there’s something to satisfy every palate. Enjoy fresh, locally sourced dishes at charming cafés, savor gourmet meals at upscale restaurants, or indulge in sweet treats at delightful bakeries. Relax in one of Milledgeville’s welcoming accommodations. Choose a cozy bed and breakfast, a historic home, or a lakeside cabin, and find the perfect place to rest and recharge. Experience Southern hospitality at its best, with friendly hosts eager to make your stay as comfortable as possible.
Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or simply looking for a peaceful retreat, Milledgeville invites you to explore, relax, and make unforgettable memories. Visit and experience the charm of this historic gem!
For details, visit visitmilledgeville.org
Daytona Beach
Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort
From the historic Clock Tower and bandshell to the fishing pier and boardwalk, the oceanfront has fun and activities for everyone. The Daytona International Speedway and One Daytona complexes offer excitement and luxury shopping and entertainment. Plus, historic Main Street and Beach Street have a variety of boutique shops and restaurants that come alive with the culture of the fresh & new Daytona Beach.
Amidst the fun of the city is the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort. As one of the largest resorts in the region, the oceanfront Hilton has a multitude of amenities available. Outdoor amenities include two resort pools with cascading waterfalls, beach Cruisers, spikeball and boogie boards. The property features 8 different dining outlets, such as McCoys Rum Room and Don Ricos Sports Bar & Grill. The Fitness Center offers state-of-the-art equipment for all exercise and relaxation needs.
Orlando residents can enjoy our oceanfront rooms for less! We offer a Florida Resident’s Rate Up to 30% off of our best rate. Learn more here!
For details, visit www.daytonahilton.com
The Palm Beaches
Discover Family Fun and Educational Experiences in Florida’s Cultural Capital®
There’s so much more to The Palm Beaches than its 47 miles of coastline and crystal-blue waters. This is a region full of family friendly cultural experiences and inspiring arts adventures. Here’s a look at some of the must-see destinations that are just waiting to be discovered:
1. Palm Beach Zoo Get up close and personal with some of WestPalm Beach’s wildest residents, such as flocks of flamingos, black bear brothers, playful otters and even a baby sloth. Visitors of all ages can spend the day learning about conservation efforts, endangered wildlife, and what it takes to protect their habitats at the Palm Beach Zoo.
2. Henry Morrison Flagler Museum Climb into a real Pullman car and travel back in time to the Gilded Age at the Henry Morrison Flagler= Museum, a marvelous estate in Palm Beach that tells the story of Henry Flagler and the development of Florida’s East Coast. Get a glimpse into how America’s titans lived during the turn of the century while you explore this museum’s historical exhibits.
3. Mounts Botanical Garden Explore the natural beauty of Mounts Botanical Garden, a 20-acre tropical oasis in West Palm Beach while learning about unique plants on a kid-friendly Treasure Trek.
4. Boca Raton Museum of Art Explore the contemporary and modern artworks at the Boca Raton Museum of Art. With its diverse exhibits, fun installations, and The Art School offering hands-on creative classes, this museum is perfect for inspiring and engaging art lovers of all ages. Bring the whole family for a day of creativity and discovery.
The Palm Beaches offer a myriad of cultural experiences to enjoy. And this is just the beginning. Plan your visit to Florida’s Cultural Capital® and uncover all of the arts, history, wildlife, and more beyond our beautiful beaches.
For more information visit palmbeachesculture.com
Franklin County
Embrace the Pace Along Florida’s Forgotten Coast
Tucked away along Florida’s Northern Gulf coast is a two-lane coastal highway that meanders through the quiet coastal communities of Apalachicola, St. George Island, Carrabelle, Eastpoint, and Alligator Point. This is Florida’s Forgotten Coast, a protected oasis with quiet beaches, wooded trails, and deep-water access to excellent year-round fishing and boating.
Located about an hour south of Tallahassee, Franklin County’s quiet coastal towns that stretch along the coast are the last vestige of the Florida you remember from childhood.
Today’s nature-based tourism businesses in the area are committed to preserving and sustaining that coastal heritage and environment. As a result, Florida’s Forgotten Coast is attracting a new generation of visitors looking to embrace the pace of a Florida remembered.
WHAT TO DO HERE?
Love water? Rent a kayak or paddleboard to explore the area’s many river sloughs, sandy coves, salt marshes, and bay shallows. Fall is great for fishing along Florida’s Forgotten Coast – book a charter or take a relaxing sunset tour of Apalachicola’s historic waterfront aboard one of several eco-tour boats.
Wildlife abounds. The area is one of the most productive biospheres in the world and is a seasonal flyway for several migrating birds and butterflies. The Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve and Visitor Center in Eastpoint features a wooded boardwalk trail, touch tanks, and displays for children to get up close and personal with marine life.
Beach lovers will appreciate that Dr. Stephen Leatherman (a.k.a Dr. Beach) has ranked St. George Island State Park Beach among the top in the country. This beach park features nine miles of undeveloped shoreline with accessibility amenities and has some of the region’s finest fall birdwatching opportunities and camping facilities.
The towns of Apalachicola and Carrabelle feature unique boutiques and fine restaurants. The area’s beauty has inspired a thriving artist community and a blossoming of art galleries. The area hosts several other events, including the annual Florida Seafood Festival, an Oyster Cookoff, and a Chili Cookoff on St. George Island. There are accommodations throughout the county to suit every taste.
Historic Lighthouses. Franklin County features two historic lighthouses – one on St. George Island and one along Highway 98 east of Carrabelle. Both are important maritime landmarks with a colorful past.
Florida’s Forgotten Coast is the perfect drive-time getaway to get away from it all this fall. Plan your getaway soon at Floridasforgottencoast.com/simple.
South Florida
Martin County
Dreaming of an easy, breezy getaway? Escape the crowds in Martin County, one of South Florida’s best-kept secrets. Conveniently located on Florida’s East Coast, Martin County is a real gem that celebrates small-town life and that hard-to-find “Old Florida” feel. Boasting beautiful natural landscapes from ocean, to river, to lake and everything in between! Building restrictions have limited structures to four stories, preserving breathtaking views.
Here in Martin County, we know a thing or two about natural beauty. Our waves and warm waters are beloved by surfers, and our golden sand beaches are perfect for sun-seekers and snapshots. Martin County is especially inviting during the fall months, so make plans to explore the outdoors and experience our iconic autumnal events.
Come experience our latest development: Explore Natural Martin. This comprehensive ecotourism program offers a variety of free guided eco-tours all year long! Martin County, with its 22 miles of beautiful beaches, over 100,000 acres of parks and conservation lands and the ecologically-diverse Indian River Lagoon, has no shortage of natural lands to learn about and explore. With stewardship at the heart of this program, Explore Natural Martin has officially partnered with Leave No Trace, the internationally known non-profit dedicated to promoting responsible outdoor recreation. Come join us!
To learn more and to sign up for up for upcoming events, please visit ExploreNaturalMartin.com
Fall for New Bern
Escape the crowds with a long weekend in New Bern, North Carolina.
Fall is a special season in New Bern when the town bursts to life with vibrant colors, festive food, and eagerly anticipated events.
Famed as North Carolina’s first capital, the birthplace of Pepsi, and the setting of Nicholas Sparks’s best-selling novel “The Notebook,” New Bern is now in the spotlight with new nonstop flights. Don’t miss the chance to fly with Breeze Airways from Orlando International Airport. Fares are priced at a nice low cost and get you to the North Carolina coast in only 90 minutes.
New Bern’s Coastal Carolina Regional Airport is also hassle-free, with a quick 10-minute ride to downtown. Set against the vibrant hues of autumn foliage, take a leisurely stroll along the riverwalk where the Neuse and Trent Rivers converge. Embrace the season by celebrating the spirits from New Bern’s past on a Ghost Walk.
Experience the lively restaurant and bar scene, featuring delicious seafood, renowned Carolina style barbecue, and fresh sushi.
Curious? It’s time to indulge in fall flavors at VisitNewBern.com/FL
