Cool Kissimmee

By Amy Shepherd Nance
Published: October 22, 2008
Last Updated On: March 10, 2011

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Family

Theme Parks

History

Kennedy Space Center

Resorts

Outdoors & Nature

Kissimmee

Hotels

Dining

Fall in love with the family-friendly nature of one of Orlando's closest neighbors

Fall is in love with Kissimmee. Spend an autumn or holiday vacation with your family in this Central Florida city, and you'll be, too. The season brings Oktoberfest, cowboy festivals, holiday events and Florida-style "snow" – and the kids won't even need to bundle up.

Events & Festivals

Each fall, the Osceola County Historical Society hosts Pioneer Day to celebrate the area's 19th-century Cracker heritage. Costumed gator trappers, rope winders and soldiers reenact daily life, while demonstrators weave pine needle baskets and carve clay birds. Kids can even try their hand at pioneer chores.

For a this-century experience, head to nearby Kennedy Space Center, where live NASA launches are scheduled for November (launches are subject to change; check website for updates).

The holidays in Kissimmee offer just as many thrills. Famed equestrian act Arabian Nights debuts its Holiday Show in November. Spectators are treated to an enchanting holiday-themed horseback music and dinner show, featuring Santa, gingerbread men, sugar plum fairies and elves.

And even though you're in central Florida, you still can enjoy a winter wonderland. At Gaylord Palms Resort's ICE! attraction, you can tour a wintry landscape carved from two million pounds of ice. You'll find holiday panoramas, ice slides and enormous, 3-D monuments.

If that's not enough chill for you, head to Celebration Town Center's "Now Snowing" event. Walk down the decorated streets, and you'll be dusted with gently falling snow and treated to Charles Dickens carolers.

Outdoor Recreation and Golf

In the fall, the weather is dry, sunny and cool enough to be energizing (without being cold). It's the best time to be outdoors.

Take an eco-tour through a cattle ranch and an unspoiled nature preserve with Florida Eco-Safaris at Forever Florida. The tour offers a rare glimpse into Florida's diverse ecosystems and the chance to see alligators, wild turkey and bobcats.

Chart a course through the woodsy country at Horse World Riding Stables, where even the youngest riders can ride solo. Here, several trails cater to every experience level, from the relaxed beginner to the fast-riding pro.

Explore Kissimmee's waterways with an airboat service, such as Boggy Creek Airboat Rides, where you can soar through the swamps, spotting gators and rare birds (check www.FloridaKiss.com for more operators).

Hit the links this fall on any one of several excellent courses devised by pros such as Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. From well-respected championship courses at luxurious resorts to community greens, Kissimmee provides a range of courses to suit every golfer.

And nature lovers can explore the area's many nature preserves and parks, including Bull Creek Wildlife Management Area, Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area and Peghorn Nature Park and Trail.

Theme Parks & Attractions

Local culture is reinvigorated in the fall, with parks and attractions celebrating every aspect of the season. Nearby Gatorland mixes gators, goblins and ghosts for Halloween and hosts its own fall festival.

Old Town's Safe Trick-or-Treat event invites kids to stop at each nostalgic storefront for candy, and kids can pick their own pumpkin from the Pumpkin Patch at Green Meadows Petting Farm.

At the popular theme parks, special rates and deals abound during the fall season, when the attractions are less crowded. Walt Disney World® Resort celebrates with Epcot's International Food and Wine Festival, and Mickey hosts a Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and a Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom Park. Trick-or-treat among the sea life at SeaWorld® Orlando, or catch Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando® Resort.

Lodging & Dining

Kissimmee lodgings roll out their welcome mats in the fall, when they offer new resorts, special incentives and family-friendly accommodations – plus a range of dining options.

Check out the newly-opened Mona Lisa Suite Hotel for a stylish family getaway or the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate for luxe digs and great golf.

Families will feel right at home at Seralago Hotel & Suites or at the refurbished Clarion Resort & Waterpark.

And with three downtown areas to explore – Kissimmee, St. Cloud and Celebration –you'll never run short of new cuisines to try at top-notch restaurants or souvenirs to collect at unique stores.

To plan your own family getaway to Kissimmee and to see great values for lodging, attractions and restaurants, visit ChooseKissimmee.com or call 407-847-5000.