Best Things to Do in Fall in Orlando

Wakeboarding (a super popular sport here in Florida), paddleboarding and the area's very first Aquapark - a wonderland of bouncy, floating inflatables on which to climb and play are all on tap at the Orlando Watersports Complex. And noobs are more than welcome. Lessons in every discipline are available (none are necessary for the Aquapark!). Wakeboarding, something of an amalgam of surfing, waterskiing and snowboarding, is an enticing and potentially high-adrenaline way to pass time in the Florida sun, while SUP'ing is more staid and relaxing. It's a win-win decision, either way, and visitors of all ages will enjoy the color and bounce of the Aquapark.

From goats at the petting zoo to the super cool insect zoo (your enthusiasm will depend on your comfort level with creepy-crawlies) this Sanford Zoo isn't as small as it may seem. More than 500 animals representing roughly 200 species call this place home, including elephants, llamas, cheetah, apes and a whole house full of reptiles to ooh and ahh over. Active visitors may want to take a turn on the on-site aerial adventure course and everyone enjoys the weekend Keeper Chats. Who wouldn't want to learn more about the zoo's colorful, beautiful residents?

Escape the craziness of the city and spend a delightful fall day among a 50-acre botanical garden just minutes from downtown Orlando. Harry P. Leu Gardens has been a fixture in the city since 1961 since its namesake and his wife, Mary Jane, donated the garden and historical home. It's open every day, except Christmas, from 9 a.m. —" 5 p.m. It cost $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 4 —" 17 and free for children 3 and under. From now through October families can take part on an alphabet hunt. Download the scavenger hunt online and then wind your way through the gardens where you'll explore different plants and discover all the letters of the alphabet. The scavenger hunt is included in the price of admission.

Explore Florida's natural beauty at Wekiwa Springs State Park. Hike through wild, diverse ecosystems, paddle the famous Wekiva River, or camp beneath the stars. Wekiwa Springs offers nature lovers the opportunity to experience a part of Florida that is all too quickly vanishing �" and just minutes from the theme park area. Bring your camera, because wild turkey, black bear, deer, and many species of birds call this park home. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent and guided tours are available. Those interested in exploring the area on horseback may do so on weekends (minimum age: 6). Guided trail rides are $25/per person and run about an hour long.

This year marks three decades of horror legends, scare zones and haunted houses at Universal Orlando Resort. Halloween Horror Nights runs select nights through Oct. 31. The 30th year of this favorite among spook seekers features 10 haunted houses, five scare zones, live entertainment and plenty of frightening surprises lurking in expected places. Famous creepers will make appearances including Leatherface from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Beetlejuice, the Bride of Frankenstein and other nightmarish characters. New this year are scenes from the Netflix show The Haunting of Hill House. If you need a safe zone, you can take a break and enjoy two different shows.

A new after-hours Halloween event debuted this year at Magic Kingdom. Disney's After Hours Boo Bash takes place select nights through Oct. 31. The event is from 9 p.m. until midnight and includes plenty of family-friendly holiday fun. The night includes random cavalcades featuring Disney villains including Maleficent in the form of a fire-breathing dragon. The Cavader Dans will be entertaining guests along Main Street, U.S.A. and other friends, like Chip 'n' Dale and Goofy will be around in their Halloween costumes. Guests also get to feast on complimentary novelty ice cream, popcorn and beverages as well as candy at various different trick-or-treat stations. Specialty food and beverages are available for purchase. This nighttime event also gives guests a chance to ride 20 popular attractions with minimal wait times since the event is limited in capacity. Tickets start at $129 but vary depending on the date.

Starting Oct. 1, the corn maze returns to Long & Scott Farms. This is the 19th year this sweet, tradition will take place, and the theme this time around is dinosaurs. The 6.5 acre corm maze includes riddles, games and plenty of twisty pathways. For an extra special experience, go through the maze at night. The maze is open eight different nights throughout October and November. If the big maze is a little too daunting, there's a .5-acre mini maze that may be more your size. With the exception of Oct. 1, the maze is open Friday and Saturdays and costs $15. The farm also includes a 60-foot slide, castle playground and pumpkin patch. You also can take an audio tour of the farm on a hay ride.

Dark Arts at Hogwarts Castle is back at Universal Orlando Resort. Taking place in Hogsmeade, the spectacle begins with ominous green light and fog that fills the village and signals the arrival of the Death Eaters. They meander through the area practicing dark arts amongst the guests. As the sun falls, the sinister creatures and villains, including Dementors, Aragog, Mountain Trolls and Thestrals, will put on a showcase filled with lights, music and special effects. Guests need to stay on alert for Death Eaters. These devoted followers of Lord Voldemort will appear and lurk among the guests with complete disregard for wizarding laws. This is event debuted in 2019 and is back with even more spectacle.

The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival has been a cult favorite for decades. What's not to love about more than 30 marketplaces offering up food and beverages from all around the world? There's warm raclette Swiss cheese from the Alps, roasted lamb from Australia, pan-fried chicken dumplings from Chins and plenty of other delectable offerings. If you've got a sweet tooth, the Donut Box is a must stop for the Candy Jar Donut. Plenty of the booths offer options for vegetarians, but there's even an Earth Eats marketplace with Impossible dishes. The beverage choices are almost overwhelming, from adult to virgin. New to the festival this year are marketplaces from Kenya, the Lobster Landing, Brew-Wing, and a few other must-trys. The event runs through Nov. 20 and is included with admission to EPCOT. Don't forget you'll also need to make a park reservation for the day you want to go.

After a one-year hiatus, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic is back. Held Oct. 29 and Oct. 30, this outdoor festival features unlimited food and beverage tastings from the resorts various restaurants. There's live music, more than 20 food stations and 100 beverage selections in areas like the beer garden and the bubble lounge. Food samples include apple butter-bourbon barbeque, beef tenderloin from Shula's Steak House and ahi tuna by Kimonos. The event is held on the walkways between the Swan and Dolphin, which provides a picturesque setting and plenty of space to mill around. Overnight packages for the event start at $580 and event-only ticket options are $165 per person.