Do Orlando North

10/30/2026

Ever heard of Florida’s version of Bigfoot? Meet the Skunk Ape! 👣

Long before the neighborhoods crept into the woods around Geneva and Chuluota, the swamps of Seminole County were said to be home to something else. The Skunk Ape is described as standing over seven feet tall, covered in matted hair, with a smell so foul that people claim they catch the stench before they ever see it.

Sightings here go back to the 1960s. Locals tell stories of something large crashing through the palmettos or caught in their headlights on a lonely road, only to vanish into the dark. Skeptics chalk it up to bears or the swamp playing tricks on tired eyes. But the folks who swear they’ve seen it tend to believe otherwise.

The Skunk Ape is just one of many local legends we dug into. Read the full list of haunted places and stories in Orlando North here: https://doorlandonorth.com/top-15-haunted-places-orlando/

Now we want to hear from you. Do you know any local legends or ghost stories from around Seminole County? Drop them in the comments. 👻

10/29/2026

Looking for haunted places near Orlando? Central Florida has plenty, and the stories go back generations.

Seminole County is home to haunted breweries, eerie lakes, historic homes, and local legends you can actually visit. A lake with a chilling murder legend in Lake Mary, a Sanford brewery with five resident ghosts, and a historic Longwood home whose original owner supposedly never left, and so much more! 👻

We rounded up all 15 haunted spots in our latest blog. Read the full list and plan your own visit here: https://doorlandonorth.com/top-15-haunted-places-orlando/

Tag the friend who’d actually be brave enough to go.

📍 Orlando North, Seminole County

10/28/2026

10/23/2026

Some of the oldest living things in Central Florida are hiding in Seminole County. 🌲

Bald cypress trees are native to Florida’s wetlands, and they’re built to last. These trees can live for well over a thousand years, growing tall along riverbanks and swamps where their signature “knees” poke up from the water. They play a huge role in the ecosystem, filtering water, preventing erosion, and giving wildlife a place to call home.

Want to see them for yourself? Head to Big Tree Park and Spring Hammock Preserve in Longwood, where you can walk among towering ancient cypress and see a piece of old Florida still standing.

📍 Big Tree Park & Spring Hammock Preserve - Longwood, FL

10/21/2026

🎃🔭 SPOOKY STAR PARTY 🔭🎃
📅 Saturday, October 24 | 5–10 PM
📍 Emil Buehler Planetarium at Seminole State College

Join us for a night of stargazing, spooky activites, hair-raising science, and of course… CANDY! 🍬

✅ FREE and open to all
✅ No tickets needed, just show up!
✅ Costumes encouraged, so dress in your Halloween best 👻

🕔 5–8 PM: Hands-On Fun
Science and engineering demos, live animals, theater performances, spooky storytime and more!

🌙 8–10 PM: Night Sky Observing
Look through telescopes with the Emil Buehler Planetarium and Central Florida Astronomical Society.

🍕 Food and drinks for purchase (while supplies last)
🎒 Bring your trick-or-treat bag! We will be handing out lots of candy (while supplies last).

Special thanks to our partners: SSC Physical Science, Nerdbirdssc , Center for Fine and Performing Arts at Seminole State College, Biology, Nursing, Grindle Honors Institute, Seminole County Public Schools, plus the Avian Reconditioning Center, Bat Conservancy, and Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens! 🦉🦇🦎

👉 Tag a friend you’re bringing!

10/21/2026

Who says you have to leave Central Florida to feel fall? 🍂

This season, Seminole County has a whole lineup worth the short drive north of Orlando. Trick-or-treat through the Central Florida Zoo, hear ghost stories along the Wekiva River, walk a downtown ghost tour in Sanford, catch fall on the Cross Seminole Trail, or sip a seasonal coffee flight in Lake Mary.

🎃 Save this one and check them off before the season slips away.

We rounded up 20+ ways to do fall in Seminole County. Find the full list on our blog:

https://doorlandonorth.com/fall-activities-near-orlando-seminole-county

10/15/2026

10/14/2026

Leave it wild, leave no trace. 🌲

October is Florida Greenways and Trails Month, and Seminole County FL is a pretty great place to celebrate it. From boardwalks and wetlands to quiet, tree-covered trails, these wild spaces give you a side of Florida you won’t find at the theme parks, all just north of Orlando.

Keeping them beautiful is on all of us. Stay on marked trails, pack out your litter and your dog’s waste, keep pets leashed, respect the wildlife, and keep the noise down so everyone can enjoy the quiet.

Ready to find your trail? Check out Seminole County Parks, Trails and Recreation to discover all 9 wilderness areas in Seminole County and visit our website to plan your next Central Florida trip!
👉 www.DoOrlandoNorth.com

10/14/2026

Manatees spotted at Wekiva Island!!! 👀🥰

As the temperatures start going down, the chances of seeing manatees in the Wekiva River go up! You can book an adventure with Paddleboard Orlando to explore the river and spot wildlife up close. 🛶

10/14/2026

Looking for a unique shopping experience near Orlando this fall? ✨🔮 Dear Universe Apothecary is a metaphysical shop in Historic Downtown Sanford, just 30 minutes north of Orlando. 💎 A huge wall of crystals sourced straight from miners, plus handmade crystal jewelry. 📚 A room full of books and tarot cards, and a wall of hand-dipped incense. ☕️ Over 200 tea blends, some mixed by the owner and inspired by romantasy book characters (if you know, you know 😉). 🔮 You can even book a tarot or mediumship reading with the owners. 🍂 A cozy, spooky season stop worth adding to any Central Florida trip. 📍 Dear Universe Apothecary, Downtown Sanford things to do near orlando | metaphysical shop near orlando | crystal shop sanford fl | downtown sanford shopping | fall things to do central florida | tarot reading near orlando | spooky season orlando | unique shops near orlando