11 Enchanting Things To Do In the Fall In Ohio

Don’t miss out on these incredible things to do in the fall in Ohio.

The aroma of pumpkin spice and warm apple cider fills the air as we embrace the arrival of fall. Autumn is a season of change, as we welcome cooler temperatures, harvest flavors, and enjoy witnessing the dazzling display of color.

Pumpkin farms, apple orchards, charming small towns, and corn mazes come to mind when making a fall bucket list. We have partnered with Ohio. Find It Here. to highlight fascinating things to do in the fall in Ohio that you need to incorporate into your itinerary.

The Sunflower Festival At Gorman Heritage Farm

Fall festivals are always a favorite as it is a great place to bring the whole family. In Cincinnati, the sunflower fields are in full bloom during the Gorman Heritage Farm Sunflower Festival. Visit this historic farm for an afternoon full of live music, hayrides, pumpkins, craft vendors, food trucks, farm animals, and more.

Guests can cut their sunflowers at a cost per stem, take a mule-drawn carriage ride or enjoy a cold beer in the Beer Garden.

Planning Tip: The festival typically takes place the first weekend in October. In 2022 it takes place on October 1st and 2nd.

Go Apple Picking At Cherry Hawk Farm Apple Orchard

One of the best places to add to your fall bucket list is the Cherry Hawk Farm Apple Orchard. A quick twenty-minute drive from the Columbus Zoo will have you filling your basket with all the tender, tasty apples you can pick.

Cherry Hawk Farms has all the favorites such as Gala, Red Delicious, Fuji, and more. They even provide apple pickers to reach those tempting apples that are too high.

Planning Tip: Depending on the time of your visit Cherry Hawk’s sunflower field may be in bloom. Check out their website for updates and for picking schedules.

Take The Family To Castaway Bay

Plan your fall break with a getaway to the newly renovated Castaway Bay in Sandusky, Ohio. Castaway Bay is a bright, colorful resort full of family-friendly activities in addition to its huge indoor waterpark. Kids of all ages will find something to do at the 38,000-square-foot indoor waterpark, from splashing in the water playground to zipping down the slides.

Castaway Bay is only minutes from Cedar Point, making it the ideal spot to stay if visiting the park.

Planning Tip: Castaway Bay is aimed at kids ten and under. However, there is plenty to do for the entire family. Book early, as weekends tend to fill up quickly.

Enjoy Fall At The Farm At Blooms And Berries

One of our favorite fall traditions is making a pilgrimage to our favorite local pumpkin patches. Blooms and Berries Farm Market is one of our local farms that hosts a fabulous Fall on The Farm event that attracts families far and wide.

The smell of grilled hot dogs and brats fills the air while guests sip on caramel apple cider floats. Farm animals are on display, with select weekends having a petting zoo. My daughter’s personal favorite is the giant inflatable pumpkin bounce pad.

Take a wagon ride out to the pumpkin patch, grab a cold beer at the Beer Garden or try to escape the corn maze!

Planning Tip: Tickets to Blooms and Berries Fall on the Farm are only sold online. You must purchase them before arriving.

Plan A Weekend Exploring Ohio’s Islands

The perfect time to visit Ohio’s Islands is during the fall season, when the fall foliage starts to take over the islands. The crisp air blowing off Lake Erie has guests pulling on cozy sweaters and sipping on hot lattes while zipping around the island on golf carts.

Start your island adventure by hopping about the Miller Boat Line to ferry to your island of choice. From the calm tranquility of Middle Bass Island to the lively downtown on Put-In-Bay, the islands are full of adventure.

Tour the old wine cellars at the historic Lonz Winery on Middle Bass Island, take a tour of a crystal cave on Put-In-Bay, or visit Glacial Grooves on Kelley’s Island. Each island has lodging options for guests, including resorts and private rentals.

Planning Tip: A decent amount of planning goes into visiting Ohio Islands if you have never been. Check out our complete guide to planning a trip to Ohio’s Islands.

Bike Along The Scarecrow Row at Otto Armleder Park

Biking along the Scarecrow Row at the Otto Armledar Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, is a fun fall outdoor adventure. The Scarecrow Row is a fall art installation of scarecrows set along the winding pathways of Otto Armedar Park.

The trail is 1.9 miles and is shared with bikers, joggers, and walkers. The trail is very flat, making it a perfect spot to bring newbie bike riders. Kids will love seeing all the different scarecrows along the route.

Each year they raise funds for a non-profit organization; this year is Madi’s House, which helps young people battling addiction and mental health illnesses.

Planning Tip: Scarecrow Row goes on from Oct 3rd, 2022- Oct 30th, 2022.

Go Leaf Peeping At Hocking Hills State Park

Hocking Hills State Park is one of the most inviting areas in Ohio during the fall. The park comes alive in a blaze of fall colors as you go through the miles of trails. Take a stroll to Ash Cave, discover the secrets of the Rock House, then take a picnic to enjoy Old Man’s Cave.

Hocking Hills is a beautiful place to take a scenic drive with spectacular views. It is a leaf peepers paradise. Rent a cozy cabin, stay in a Tiny House or relax at the Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls.

Planning Tip: Check out this article for even more great things to do and see in Hocking Hills.

Have A Picnic At A Castle

Did you know Ohio is home to a handful of historic castles? Pack a picnic to enjoy at Squires Castle in Cleveland for a fall treat. The castle is located in the North Chagrin Reservation and offers free admission to the castle.

Other notable castles throughout Ohio include Loveland Castle, Landoll’s Castle, and Ravenwood Castle. Many of the castles are rumored to be haunted. Around Halloween, many castles offered spooky events around the eerie hauntings.

Discover Ohio’s Charming Small Towns

Plan a fall getaway to explore Ohio’s charming small towns in between harvest festivals and haunted houses. Trendy boutiques proudly display the latest fall fashions, smells of pumpkin spice whiff out of local coffee shops, while the sounds of live entertainment drift from the local farmers market.

To help inspire your fall getaway, we highlight four small towns full of history and outdoor adventures.

Check Out The Ancient Earthworks In Chillicothe

Chillicothe is a small town near central Ohio known for its rich Native American history and culture. While their popular outdoor drama, “Tecumseh,” may only run during the summer months, it is during the autumn months that guests embrace all the beautiful trails and parks.

The Ancient Trail

The Ancient Trail makes its way through Chillicothe with a stop at the Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, where guests can walk among ancient mounds. These mounds were built between A.D.1 and A.D. 400 by the ancestors of modern American Indians as ceremonial gathering places for people near and far. The Earthworks are nominated for a UNESCO World Heritage destination for 2023.

Get Outdoors

Continue your outdoor adventure in Chillicothe with stops at Great Seal State Park, Junction Earthworks / Arc of Appalachia, and the Earl H. Barnhart Buzzards Roost Nature Preserve. The Adena Mansion and Gardens is another lovely spot to explore.

Downtown Chillicothe

A significant revitalization has been taking place in downtown Chillicothe, with many new businesses entering the scene. Grab a table at R Kitchen on Paint for a fabulous lunch, enjoy coffee from Paper City Coffee, then stop at one of the many boutiques selling items from botanicals to antiques.

Round out your visit with stops at the Lucy Hayes Heritage Center, The Chillicothe Railway Museum, and the Mighty Children’s Museum.

Planning Tip: If you want something unique to do in Chillicothe, take a class at the Geode Yoga Dome. 

Explore The Spooky Side Of Athens

Many people venture to Athens this time of year for their iconic Halloween Block Party. The Block Party typically takes place the last Saturday in October. It is estimated that roughly 10,000-30,000 party-goers dressed in costume ascend upon the city of Athens to partake in the Halloween fun.

If the Halloween Block party isn’t your scene, pay a visit to a few of the haunted sights around Ohio’s most haunted city.

Athens Lunatic Asylum

The eerie mysteries that shroud the Athens Lunatic Asylum have intrigued and peaked curiosities for years. Now known as The Ridges, the Athens Lunatic Asylum was in operation from 1874 to 1993. The Asylum saw various patients, including civil war veterans, children, and those deemed mentally unwell.

The hospital became known for its infamous lobotomy procedures, electroshock therapy, hydrotherapy, and psychotropic drugs. 

In the cemeteries that surround the Asylum, there are 1,930 patients buried. Many of the graves are only marked with a number. Of those patients, it is the sad story of patient Margaret Schilling, whom locals claim haunt the property to this day.

Today the Ridges is owned by Ohio University. Visitors can still go inside a portion of the old Asylum, which has been converted into the Kennedy Museum of Art.

Tour Ohio University’s Campus

Many ghost stories circle nearly all the buildings on the West Green. One of the most notorious ghost stories in Ohio is that Washington Hall on campus is haunted by an entire basketball team of high school girls who were killed in a bus accident. Other buildings are claimed to be built atop Native American burial sites and old cemeteries.

Complete your itinerary by checking out our top things to do in Athens, Ohio.

Plan A Shopping Trip To Fall At The Round Barn in Lancaster

If you are planning a visit to Hocking Hills, plan a visit to the darling town of Lancaster, especially if Fall at the Round Barn is happening.

Fall at the Round Barn is a Vintage & Made Market that offers rows upon rows of homemade goods, boutique clothing, and vintage finds. The Fall at Round Barn is when all the cute fall decor, clothing, and mums appear! 

Don’t be alarmed when you see guests bringing in empty wagons. They know they will be leaving with tons of great local products.

Planning Tip: Fall at the Round Barn happens September 23-25.

Things To Do In Lancaster

Whether you are planning a visit for the day or the weekend, there are plenty of fun things to do in Lancaster for the whole family. Sit on the patio at a local winery, shop trendy boutiques or tour the Ohio Glass Museum!

Soak in breathtaking views of Lancaster by climbing to the top of Rising Park’s Mount Pleasant. Arguably one of Ohio’s most spectacular views, Mount Pleasant overlooks the city of Lancaster with the surrounding foothills in the distance.

Did I mention Lancaster is home to a covered bridge trail? Covered bridges pair beautifully with a stunning fall backdrop. Our complete guide will help you plan your perfect itinerary for exploring  Lancaster, Ohio.

Whether you enjoy hay rides, scenic drives or haunted attractions, we hope we have inspired you to enjoy all the fun things to do in the fall in Ohio.

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11 Enchanting Things To In The Fall In Ohio