25 Fantastic Fall Day Trips from Jacksonville

While summer lends itself to waterparks and trips to our favorite Florida Springs, fall day trips are our favorite. When the air gets a little cooler and you can feel that crispness as you step outside it’s the perfect time of year to explore some place new. There’s no shortage of fun fall activities here in Jacksonville, but sometimes you want to sneak away for a day of fun outside of Jacksonville. We’ve rounded up 25 of our favorite fall trips all just a short drive away and that kids of all ages are sure to enjoy.

Fall Day Trips to a Farm

We have several great farms here in Jacksonville, but when fall rolls around it’s the perfect time of year to explore some other sites in our area. Many of these farms offer family friendly activities leading up to Halloween or Thanksgiving, including some great pumpkin patches you can visit. Ticket sales may be limited so be sure to check online before setting off on your day trip.

Amazing Grace Family Farms

The perfect way to spend a fall weekend. Head out to Amazing Grace on Fridays & Saturdays throughout the month of October to celebrate the fall season. Enjoy the crop maze, picking pumpkins, taking sunflower selfies, enjoying attractions & so much more.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 1 hour
Address: 4251 SR 21, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

Congaree & Penn Farm

You don’t have to travel far to enjoy this farm set up on the north side of Jacksonville. Congaree & Penn is the perfect spot for a family picnic, farm tour, or goat interaction. We love getting a bite to eat at their farm to table restaurant.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 30 minutes
Address: 11830 Old Kings Road, Jacksonville, FL 32219

Conner’s A-maize-ing Acres

Conner’s is a 125 acre working family farm in Hilliard, Florida. The farm is open to the general public for October Fall Farm Days. Load up the family, come out to the country and spend a fun filled day on the farm. Enjoy farm animals, wagon rides out to visit and feed the cows and calves while on your way to the 7.5 acre corn maze. 
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 1 hour
Address: 19856 Co Road 121, Hilliard, FL 32046

Creekside Country Corn Maze

This urban farm has lots of fun activities for kids during the fall season. Be sure to check their Facebook page for times and activities available.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 1 hour
Address: 4265 SE County Road 18, Lake City, FL 32025

Fox Squirrel Corn Maze

Head to Plant City for a corn maze, pumpkins for sale, hayrides, games, arts and craft vendors and good food. There are tons of vendors and lots of activities for the kids.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 3 hours
Address: 3002 Charlie Taylor Road N, Plant City, FL 33565

Hallow Oaks Corn Maze

Located between Alachua and High Springs, Hollow Oaks Corn Maze is family fun for all ages with a maze, hayride and children’s area. They also offer group celebrations and field trips.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 1.5 hours
Address: 18005 NW 190th Ave, High Springs, FL 32643

Newberry Cornfield Maze

Laugh by day and scream by night at the Newberry Cornfield Maze. Take nice stroll through the maze during the day by trying to choose the correct path to find your way out. Beware when darkness falls there is nocturnal life awaiting your entrance at every twist and turn as you try to make your way out.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 2 hours
Address: 20015 2899 Wisteria Farms Road, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

Poppell Farms

Explore a 10-acre maze, wagon rides and a pumpkin patch. Stay after dark on Friday and Saturday nights to explore the maze with a flashlight (it’s NOT haunted).
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 2 hours
Address: 1765 Hyma Poppell Loop, Odum, GA 31555

Roger’s Farm

One of our favorite spots for strawberry picking near Jacksonville, during the fall you can enjoy a corn maze, kid activities and tons of family fun at Roger’s Farm. It’s the perfect stop on a day trip to Gainesville with the kids.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 1.5 hours
Address: 3831 Northwest 156th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32653

Sykes Family Farms

With over 50 years of farming experience, Sykes Family Farms provides folks of all ages with a FARMtastic family fun. They boast a 9-acre corn maze full of “corn-fusing” twists and turns as well as other kid friendly activities.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 45 minutes
Address: 5995 Brough Road, Elkton, FL 32033

Fall Day Trips to Enjoy the Outdoors

Fall is the perfect time to take the kids on a family friendly hike. While there are tons of great hiking trails in and around Jacksonville, sometimes you want a change Whether you’re looking for hiking trails or just a spot for a picnic, take advantage of these outdoor areas to unplug with the kids for a day.

Okefenokee Swamp Park

Explore the wildlife, waterways and habitats of North America’s largest blackwater swamp. Whether you’re looking for a few hours of family fun by land or water there’s tons to do and explore.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 1.5 hours
Address: 5700 Okefenokee Swamp Park Road, Waycross, Georgia 31503

Osceola National Forest

The Osceola National Forest is a peaceful place where people come to escape their busy lives and reconnect with the land. Flatwoods and swamps transport visitors back in time and provide a tranquil setting for first-rate hunting, fishing and swimming opportunities.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 1 hour
Address: 24874 US-90, Sanderson, FL 32087

Ponce Inlet

Home to the tallest lighthouse in the state, this quaint coastal community is an excellent day trip for families. It offer visitors a quieter alternative compared to nearby Daytona Beach.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 2 hours
Address: 4931 South Peninsula Drive, Ponce Inlet, FL 32127

Twelve Mile Swamp Conservation Area

Located in St. Augustine, this outdoor area features 2.8 miles of public hiking, biking, and birding trails. These trails include interpretive exhibits with five points of interest related to commercial timber. Trails are self-guided and open from sunrise to sunset daily.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 30 minutes
Address: 166-230 9 Mile Rd, St. Augustine, FL 32095

Fall Day Trips to a State Park

We love our Florida State Parks, and fall is a great time to get out and explore not just those, but also some Georgia State Parks. Most parks charge a small fee to enter, so be sure to check their website before heading out. Don’t forget, at most parks, kids can complete a Junior Ranger Badge at no additional charge.

Big Talbot Island State Park

Located on one of Northeast Florida’s unique sea islands, Big Talbot Island State Park is home to Boneyard Beach. This area, tucked away from the main trail, is where you can explore and climb on driftwood trees that litter the beach. Take the river ferry from Mayport to add a little adventure on to your day trip.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 1 hour
Address: 15500 Bucaneer Trail, Jacksonville, FL 32226

Crooked River State Park

Located on the southern tip of Georgia’s Colonial Coast, this park is the perfect spot for enjoying the water and the forest. Nature trail wind through forest and salt marsh, and hikers may see gopher tortoises, fiddler crabs, herons and other birds. A nature center features fish, snakes, turtles and other animals native to coastal Georgia.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 1 hour
Address: 6222 Charlie Smith Senior Highway, St. Marys, GA 31558

Fort Clinch State Park

Fort Clinch State Park is just a short drive north, (or for fun seekers take the river ferry from Mayport). This Florida State Park offers hiking trails, a nice beach, a playground and of course, the Fort itself; making it an easy way to spend a full day.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 1 hour
Address: 2601 Atlantic Ave, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034

Fort King George State Historic Site

Located up in Georgia, this state historic site has trails, picnicking and lots of history. You can spend the day exploring and even rent a kayak or canoe to explore by water.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 1.5 hours
Address: 302 McIntosh Road, Darien, GA 31305

Gold Head Branch State Park

Located in Keystone Heights, ​Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park​, one of Florida’s oldest state parks. Not only is it one of the oldest state parks, it is also home to a 5.4 mile stretch of the Florida National Scenic Trail. There are rolling sand hills, and a deep ravine with crystal clear streams that feed into Little Lake Johnson.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 1 hour
Address: 6239 State Road 21, Keystone Heights, FL 32656

Stephen C. Foster State Park in Georgia

This remote park is a primary entrance to the legendary Okefenokee Swamp, one of Georgia’s seven natural wonders. Spanish moss-laced trees reflect off the black swamp waters, while cypress knees rise upward from the glass-like surface. Spend the day observing wildlife and exploring the trails of this stunning state park.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 2 hours
Address: 17515 Highway 177, Fargo, GA 31631

Other Favorite Fall Day Trips

Rounding out the list of favorite fall day trips are a few favorites that are consistently in our must-do fall bucket list. Fall is the perfect time to visit a theme park since crowds tend to be lower once everyone goes back to school and the weather is much nicer for walking around.

Kennedy Space Center

The perfect educations theme park visit that kids (and adults) of all ages will love. Fall is the perfect time to visit because the kids are back in school and it’s not nearly as hot outside. If you can, try to plan a trip during a launch!
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 2 hours
Address: Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953

Kingsley Plantation

Located on Fort George Island are the owner’s house built about 1798 and the remains of 25 slave cabins. This historic site makes a great day trip with the kids and it’s one of the National Park sites in Jacksonville where they can earn a Junior Ranger Badge during your visit.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 1 hour
Address: 11676 Palmetto Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32226

Micanopy

This small, walkable town named for a great Seminole chief. There are lots of nice antique stores to browse and restaurants where you can grab a bite to eat. It’s the perfect day trip if you’re looking to relax and do a little window shopping.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 2 hours
Address: 607 NE Cholokka Blvd, Micanopy, FL 32667

World Equestrian Center

The perfect fall day trip from Jacksonville for your little horse lover. This multi-purpose facility that is home to world-class equestrian competitions along with canine and sporting events, polo fields, several expo centers, and on-site dining.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 2 hours
Address: 1390 NW 80th Avenue, Ocala, FL, 34482

Wild Adventures

Just a short drive away, in Valdosta, Wild Adventures packs in all the fun of a theme park with the animal encounters of a zoo. There’s tons of rides to keep little and big kids busy during your visit.
Approximate Distance from Jacksonville: 2 hours
Address: 3766 Old Clyattville Rd, Valdosta, GA 31601

Looking for more great day trips from Jacksonville?