Let me tell you why this time of the year is the best time to visit and travel to my home state of Florida.

I’ve lived in Florida for almost 20 years now and absolutely love it! The beaches are close, the weather is wonderful for most of the year, I can garden all year long, and there are so many places to visit and explore besides the House of the Mouse.

Mr. G and I have learned that the best time to visit areas in Central Florida is from November to April. We enjoy walking and exploring in nice weather, not having to worry about heat exhaustion, and enjoying a nice meal outdoors.

So, in this post, I will focus on those months and also share posts of places we have visited in Central Florida over the years.

Weather

What more can I say about the weather in Central Florida than it’s warm 99% of the year! While the state boasts an average of 237 days of sunshine each year, we do have our cold days. But it’s not often and usually lasts only a couple of days.

During these late fall and winter months, the humidity is lower and since hurricane season is over, it rarely rains. So, you can plan in advance and not worry about your day being spoiled by rain and enjoy beautiful sunny skies. Even the beaches are so nice to visit when it’s cooler.

• A Day at the Springs and the Beach
• A Day in Untouched Florida in Citrus County
• The Bok Singing Tower
• Daytona Beach
• Small Town Authentic Florida

Bugs & Critters

Coming to Florida means you will encounter some bugs and see some critters. Oh, let’s be real. You will encounter a LOT of bugs. But, the good news is, from November through March, there aren’t as many out wanting to “bug” you.

The cooler nights keep most of them away and make exploring even nicer. If it’s cooler the reptiles, lizards, and snakes, brumate over the winter here. This means they aren’t looking for food and find somewhere underground to rest.

If you do enjoy seeing birds, January through early April is a great time to see shorebirds, waterfowl, wading birds, passerines, and raptors. October through December is the time when most birds start heading to our area for the winter months. Shorebirds, colonial birds, white pelicans, and other migratory birds arrive in greater numbers. Florida has many wildlife preserves and those are usually the best spots to go birding.

Manatees are seen especially this time of the year. In the colder months, manatees look for warm water and often swim up rivers like the Suwannee River and Crystal River or enter springs like Wakulla Springs, Weeki Wachee Springs, or Homosassa Springs.

• The Beauty of Homosassa Springs
• Airboating in Florida
• Gatorland + Gator Mini Golf
• Day Trip to Spook Hill
• Forests to Pastures in Northeast Florida

Crowds & Traffic

Since Florida is a desirable place to visit, if you are wanting to see places besides the attractions, the crowds are not as bad. Taking back roads and enjoying the scenery is another way to avoid crowds and traffic.

You may not be able to avoid some tourists on your visit, no matter the month, but you can do yourself a favor and avoid peak travel periods like the beaches and main attractions during spring break and summer. And that goes for pretty much all the beaches and attractions in Florida. Destination cities like Orlando, Miami, Tampa, and Naples, can get crowded during peak season. 

• Where to Enjoy Fall in Florida
• Pinewood Estate Christmas Home Tour at Bok Tower
• Christmas at Leu Gardens in Orlando
• A Step Back in Time with Marjorie Rawlings

Prices

Visiting Florida and not spending a lot of money can be done. It really depends on your destination. Summer for the attractions and beaches is the most expensive time to visit.

The cheapest months to fly to Florida are September, May (except for Memorial Day weekend) and early June before schools let out. Some of the less expensive areas to visit include Clearwater Beach, Jensen Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Panama City Beach, and Marathon in the Florida Keys during the late fall and winter months.

You will find lower prices normally while visiting the beaches, hotels, homes, and condos from November to March. Especially the further north you are in Florida. Visiting quite little towns is the ideal time to find more places to stay at reasonable prices. One exception would be St. Augustine during the Christmas holidays. Crowds and prices are high.

• Lake Apopka Wildlife Trail
• Old Spanish Sugar Mill and Springs
• Exploring Florida’s Space Coast
• The Rich Heritage of Tarpon Springs

My Favorite Places

If you’ve been with me for a bit you know that I love to take pictures and share them with you. Gardens, small towns, and home tours are my favorite places to visit in Florida. I listed several of my favorite places to visit above.

There are so many more gardens I want to visit but the timing has to be good to see all the beauty of the blooming plants. The Bok Tower and Lou Gardens are two of my favorite places to visit in Central Florida. Flower peak time is usually January. Crowds are low, the weather is perfect and so much to do. The Florida Botanical Gardens, Kanapaha Gardens, and Marie Selby Botanical Gardens are on my list to see next.

Kennedy Space Center is such a fun place for the whole family. The shuttle there is so impressive. My favorite animal attraction is Gatorland. There is so much to see and do and enough critters to last a lifetime. There is also a water park area for the kids to enjoy when it gets hot. Go early to watch the gators wake up in the morning. Give them a call just to listen to the answering service. It’s a hoot!

With a little planning, a trip to Florida can be exciting, not break the bank or literally boil your skin and blood. I hope to see some of you in the future.

If you are visiting My Life Abundant for the first time, thank you for stopping by. If you’ve been here before, welcome back. Thank you for taking the time to share part of your day with me.

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