Brightline Has a Case for Leaving the Car Home This Fall

Fall in Florida has a particular logic to it: the weather finally cooperates, the event calendar stacks up fast, and the parking situation at every festival, game, and boat show reminds you why you should have taken the train. Brightline is making that case explicit this season, with a rundown of October and November events along its Florida corridor — and the distance from the nearest station to each one.

Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights runs select nights through November 1, with a special midnight train on October 24 — 20 minutes by car from the Orlando station. EPCOT's International Food & Wine Festival continues through November 21 (30 minutes by car). SeaWorld Orlando runs both the family-friendly Halloween Spooktacular and after-dark Howl-O-Scream through October 31. LEGOLAND Florida's Brick or Treat runs select dates through November 1, about an hour by car. The Winter Park Autumn Art Festival lands November 14-15 on Park Avenue, 30 minutes from the station.

The West Palm Beach GreenMarket's 32nd season opened October 3 along the downtown waterfront — a 10-minute walk from the station. The American German Club Oktoberfest runs October 9-11 and October 16-18, also a 10-minute walk, with bands from Germany and Bavarian traditions.

Two November weekends worth planning around: the Boca Raton Fine Art Show on November 7-8 at Sanborn Square (five-minute walk from the station), and the Boca Raton Wine & Food Festival on November 21 with chefs, culinary tastings, wine, and live entertainment — also five minutes on foot.

The Riverwalk Fall Festival is October 17 at Esplanade Park — 10-minute walk. Las Olas Art Fair runs October 17-18 on Las Olas Boulevard, also 10 minutes from the station and easily paired with the boulevard's restaurants and cafes. The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show runs October 28 through November 1 — Brightline riders can take a complimentary station shuttle to Riverside Hotel, then connect to the show by Water Taxi.

Brightline's End Zone Express connects fans to Hard Rock Stadium through Aventura Station throughout the football season. Designated trains include complimentary round-trip shuttle service between the station and the stadium — show your Brightline ticket to board.

South Beach Seafood Festival runs October 21-24 — 15 minutes by car from MiamiCentral, timed to the opening of stone crab season. Halloween at Fairchild: Garden of Shadows runs October 23-24 at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (20 minutes by car). The Miami Book Fair runs November 15-22, with the three-day Street Fair November 20-22 at Miami Dade College — a five-minute walk from the station.

Limited-time fall fares start at $39 for SMART Saver and $59 for SMART Select between South Florida and Orlando when booked at least 14 days in advance. Brightline Passes — available in 10-, 20-, and 40-ride options — go as low as $9 per ride. Schedules and current offers at GoBrightline.com.