Summer is slowly making its exit and the air will not be getting crisper nor will the leaves turn brown, but that doesn’t mean we cannot still get into the spirit of the most basic season of them all — fall! Soon, hurricane season will come to an end giving way to endless sunny days, spooky vibes and the smell of everything pumpkin spice wafting in the air. So like we did with summer, we’re rounding up the must-dos of the season all the way from pumpkin patches to the spookiest of places.
Here are all the best things to do in fall in Miami, or as we like to call it, the Ultimate Fall Bucket List — the Miami way:
1. Embark on an adventure in The Little Prince World
Discover the magical story of the Little Prince in this immersive experience coming to Miami this October. Inspired by the book written by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, step into drawings, meet enchanting characters and witness the tale of the Little Prince unfold before your eyes inside a 137 ft-diameter and 45ft-high dome. Don’t miss out on this wondrous adventure and get your tickets here!
2. Catch a free movie at SoundScape Park
Get ready to spend your Wednesday nights at SoundScape Park because Miami Beach’s SoundScape Cinema Series is back! From “Barbie” to “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” they’ll be screening a range of films on the 7,000-square-foot projection wall outside the New World Center. See their full lineup of movies here.
3. Enjoy eerily enchanting Candlelight Concerts
This fall, Candlelight will host some gorgeous Halloween-themed concerts in Miami’s most stunning venues, made more enchanting by flickering candles. Enjoy classic songs from your favorite spooky films, including Beetlejuice, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Psycho and so much more.
Tickets:
- October 20: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics at The Berry Farm
- October 27: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics
- October 28: Candlelight Orchestra: Halloween Special
- November 2: Candlelight Open Air: Celebrating Dia de los Muertos
4. Make the most of the spooky season with these Halloween events
Would it really be fall without Halloween? To fully immerse yourself in the spookiest nights of October, check out bone-chilling haunted experiences, spooky movie marathons, supernatural burlesque, corn maze fun, doggie costume contests and more from our list of activities to enjoy this Halloween in Miami.
5. Stock up on pumpkins at these pumpkin patches
If you need a break from all the frights you’re bound to stumble upon this fall, then you can make your way to one of these nearby pumpkin patches. Whether gathering pumpkins for pie or house decor, pick yourself a perfect gourd to carve for the season, pet farm animals and more. Check out some recommendations below or click here for the full round-up.
- Tinez Farms
- The Berry Farms
- Pinto’s Farm
- The Little Farm Fall Festival
6. Venture into the world and mind of Vincent van Gogh
Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience is a 360º digital art exhibition that invites you to step into the world of the beloved Dutch artist, Van Gogh. This immersive exhibit engulfs you in his artwork by showcasing it all around you with ceiling-to-floor screens — experiencing his art in a whole new way. Grab your tickets now!
7. Attend the South Beach Seafood Festival
If you’re a huge lover of seafood, you’ll want to head to the South Beach Seafood Festival. The massive four-day culinary showcase is back for its 11th year and features the most appetizing bites we’ve seen in a while. From private dinners to wine pairings to Chef Showdown Competitions and the Main Festival Day, sample the best of the best on Wednesday, October 18 through Saturday, October 21. Read all about it here.
8. Go on a stunning fall hike
It’s the perfect time to get out and about. Following a brutal summer — although the heat is still not letting up — it’ll do you well to get a breath of fresh air and take a little adventure. Explore the great outdoors at these Miami hiking trails, perfect for all levels. And don’t forget to bring your camera with you because these gorgeous trails serve some equally gorgeous views! Check out the full list here.
9. Enjoy moonlit Concerts Under the Stars at this rooftop bar
Concerts Under the Stars at Elevar Wynwood will take you back in time with vintage sounds in beautiful that will pay homage to some of the greatest hits we all know. Experience the works of Frank Sinatra, Bossa nova, Amy Winehouse and many more presented by the city’s finest entertainers this fall. Grab your tickets here!
10. Check out the new ‘Friends’ experience
Step inside your favorite show at The FRIENDS Experience, where you’ll get to embody Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Joey, Ross and Chandler as you pose by iconic spots like the fountain and Central Perk. There will also be a wide array of props and costumes from the show. “The One in Miami” will be located at Aventura Mall and will run from October 27 through March 2024.
11. Snap a photo by Coral Gables’ pumpkin arch
Make the most of the season by paying a visit to Coral Gables’ annual pumpkin display on Giralda Ave, where you can take special festive photos with friends, family and even your four-legged pals. The city’s wonderful pumpkin patch is returning too. Learn more here.
12. Delight in fall-flavored drinks and bites
There’s no denying that the fall season brings some of the best flavors on the calendar, like pumpkin spice. Restaurants across South Florida are drawing inspiration from the season to churn up a lineup of fall-inspired menu items. Check them out:
- Pura Vida’s Gluten Free Pumpkin Spice Muffin (available at all locations)
- Jack o’ Lantern Pumpkin Bread at Salt & Straw (Lincoln Road)
- Honeynut Squash and Pumpkin Spice Latte at MaryGold’s
- Mamey’s Autumn Farro and Squash Salad
- Pork and Apple Sausage, Turmeric-spiced Halibut, and Whole Grilled Branzino at Orno
- Basic Witch taco at Velvet Taco (Fort Lauderdale)
13. Party it up at III Points
Year after year, III Points Music Festival brings more than 100 musical performers and a local art showcase to Mana Wynwood. For its 10th edition is this year, October 20-21, artists on the lineup include Fred Again, Iggy Pop, Skrillex, Grimes and Black Coffee, among others.
14. Test your bravery at one of South Florida’s many haunted houses
What’s Halloween without a visit to a blood-curling haunted maze? We’ve rounded up the best haunted experiences in and around the Miami that’ll get your heart pumping, which you can find here — if you dare!
15. Walk through the luminous NightGarden
This dazzling light show is taking over Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens this November and transforming it into a wonderland of lights featuring technicolor flowers, rainbow colored pathways, motion sensing technology and outdoor holograms! Get your tickets to NightGarden here!
16. Check out spooky movies under the stars
Make your way to Rooftop Cinema Club for autumnal nights full of films, food and more. In addition to its lineup of cult thrillers like Scream and The Shining, the venue is featuring all kinds of flicks including When Harry Met Sally, Everything Everywhere All at Once, La La Land, The Nightmare Before Christmas and more.
17. Stop by The Salty Donut’s Brickell pop-up
Get a taste of Miami’s favorite donuts at The Salty’s new pop-up location in Mary Brickell Village, between North Italia and Toscana Divino. They’ll be serving all the coffee, donuts and good vibes from a vintage camper (an ode to their humble beginnings as a weekend-only pop-up in Wynwood), seven days a week, starting Oct. 16.
18. Saunter through South Florida’s picturesque gardens and parks
From the Vizcaya Museum to Morikami Japanese Gardens, beautiful gardens are perfect for a relaxing stroll, but they’re especially lovely in the fall. Check out some of South Florida’s splendid gardens and parks below or click here for a full list!
- Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
- Pinecrest Gardens
- Morikami Japanese Gardens
- McKee Botanical Gardens
19. Head to CityPlace Doral’s annual Día de Los Muertos celebration
CityPlace Doral’s annual Day of The Dead – Día de Los Muertos – celebration is set to return this year and the shopping center will be vibrantly ornamented with calaveras, colorful papel picado, marigolds and more! The month-long activation, starting Oct. 9, will recognize the Latin American tradition and bring the community together through a variety of activities like food sampling, performances by folkloric dancers and mariachis, and a WALLCAST Concert by New World Symphony, which will take place Nov. 2. Learn more here.
20. Celebrate stone crab season with some fresh claws
October 15 designates the official start of stone crab season in Miami which means its time to roll up your sleeves and dig into some extra fresh, hearty claws. To help you find the freshest claws in town we’ve put together a list of the best places in which to enjoy stone crabs in the 305. Find them here.
Weather aside, you’ve finally got all you need to start your autumnal adventure! Enjoy the season’s best activities — from fall festivals and pumpkin picking to seasonal menus and Halloween parties — in Miami this fall. What’s the first thing you’re checking off your bucket list?