Autumn Trips, Leaf-Peeping and More

Festivals & Entertainment

• Time travel to “Terror Town” in Williamsburg from Sept. 2 – Nov. 2. But beware! There’s more lurking at this 19th century western town than what meets the eye.
• There’s mutton but fun in Waynesville at the Ohio Renaissance Festival. The festival is open on weekends from Sept. 3 – Oct. 30.
• Coast into the season at Cedar Point’s 25th HalloWeekends (select days & nights, Sept. 15 – Oct. 30). You can also head to Kings Islands for their Halloween Haunt (select nights, Sept. 23 – Oct. 29) and the Tricks and Treats Fall Fest (select days, Sept. 25 – Oct. 30).
• Rise up at ZOMBIEzi Bay! The waterpark in Powell transforms into a spooky spot for Halloween from Sept. 16 – Oct. 30.
• Find gourdeous works of art at the annual Jack Pine Glass Pumpkin Festival in Laurelville from Sept. 23-25.
• Get comical at Cartoon Crossroads Columbus. The comics, art, and animation festival features amazing guests. This year’s festival runs from Oct. 6-9.
• Join the best Halloween traditions with Trick-or-Treat Fest at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo (Oct. 7-30) and Boo at the Zoo at Columbus Zoo & Aquarium (Oct. 14-16, 21-23 & 28-30). Or check out Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s HallZOOween (Oct. 15-16, 22-23 & 29-30); Akron Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo (Oct. 15-16, 22-23 & 29-30); and Toledo Zoo & Aquarium’s Little Boo (Oct. 20-21).
• Have a haunting good time at Ohio History Connection‘s “All Hallows Eve” special event, which takes place the weekends of Oct. 8, 15, 22 & 29.
• Find fun for the family when you visit The Bob Evans Farm Festival (Oct. 14-16). You’ll experience exciting entertainment and unique demonstrations the entire family will enjoy. Devour farm favorites and participate in fun contests!
• Go gaga for gourds when you see who wins the coveted “Great Pumpkin Trophy” at the Circleville Pumpkin Show. The iconic event (Oct. 19-22) is one of the nation’s largest pumpkin festivals, and full of your favorite pumpkin delicacies.
• Dress to impress with Columbus’s iconic Highball Halloween on Oct. 22.
• Rock out at VetsAid 2022. The concert at Columbus’ Nationwide Arena on Nov. 13 features Joe Walsh (of The Eagles) alongside performances from artists like Dave Grohl, Nine Inch Nails, The Black Keys, and The Breeders.
• Take possession of your sporting spirit as The Ohio State University Buckeyes square off with rivals University of Michigan Wolverines on Nov. 26. Looking for more ways to cheer on the scarlet & gray? Check out the surrounding OSU campus area for more things to do and visit the stadium (known as The Shoe) – which was opened 100 years ago on Oct. 7, 1922!

Eerie Encounters

• Glimpse into the paranormal world on a tour of The Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, part of the ever-spooky Haunted Mansfield Trail. For even more bone-chilling thrills, check out Escape from Blood Prison from Sept. 24 – Oct. 30.
• Have a terrifyingly a-maiz-ing time in the Field of Fright at The Maize at Little Derby Creek. Open Friday and Saturday nights from Oct. 7-29.
• Find screams around every corner when you check out Ohio’s haunted houses. From classic attractions like the Hudson Haunted House, the Akron Haunted Schoolhouse and Laboratory, and the Haunted Hydro Experience in Fremont.
• Give yourself a fright at Ohio’s must-visit haunted places. Like Moonville Tunnel in McArthur, infamous for its paranormal activity. For even more spooky fun at the iconic spot, check out Midnight at Moonville from Oct. 8-9.
• Listen to spectral stories of the past on the Historic Roscoe Village Spirit Tour (Oct. 13 & 21-22) and the Garrison Ghost Walk at Fort Meigs (Oct. 21-22 & 28-29). Don’t forget to stop by Fremont for the Spirit Stories at Spiegel Grove on Oct. 28.
• Take a spooky stroll during a Ghost Tour at Historic Zoar Village (Oct. 21-22 & 28-29) or with the Marietta Ghost Trek. Check out more haunted walking tours like those put on by Columbus Ghost Tours and Haunted Tiffin Ghost Walks. Or try the “Queen City is Haunted” tour from American Legacy Tours in Cincinnati and Nightly Spirits’ Cincinnati Tour.
• When there’s something strange, investigate the ghostly sightings of haunted Ohio places like Landoll’s Mohican Castle in Loudonville (where you can hunt for ghosts among the property’s Heyd cemetery).
• Descend into fear as you take on the Sandusky County Dungeon Tours. This adventure that takes you into spirit world of the 1840’s Dungeon and Gallows Exhibition Hall. Or take a frightening tour of the haunted Licking County Historic Jail.
• Be grave at Ohio cemeteries like the infamous Lakeview Cemetery in Cleveland. Or be pirated away when you check out the tomb of “Captain Hook” at Brick Church and Cemetery in Stockport.
• Shine a light on the spirits at Ohio’s haunted lighthouses. From the “Ghost Cat” at Fairport Harbor Lighthouse to the supposed ghostly caretaker who haunts South Bass Island Lighthouse in Put-in-Bay, there’s an illuminating specter in every corner of Ohio.
• Discover details from famous funerals at the Famous Endings Museum in Dover – with artifacts and items from the funerals of Abraham Lincoln, Joe DiMaggio, Princess Diana and more. And indulge your morbid curiosity at the Peoples Mortuary Museum in Marietta.
• Stay the night – if you dare – at haunted getaways like Granville‘s Buxton Inn or Punderson Manor in Geauga County.
• Get witchy and learn about Ohio’s only witch trial (1805). For more witchcraft, check out the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft & Magick in Cleveland. Or shop for all your witchy needs at spots like WitchLab and The Magical Druid in Columbus, Brewing Intuition in Hilliard, and Coven in Cleveland.
• Search for Bigfoot in one of Ohio’s State Parks. The creature was recently spotted at Mohican State Park in Loudonville, although it’s known to call Hocking Hills State Park in Logan and West Branch State Park in Ravenna home.
• Learn the lore of Ohio’s cryptids. From Mothman in Gallipolis to the Loveland Frog, there’s a lot of Cryptozoology to discover!
• Listen to spooky Ohio podcasts like “Ohio Folklore” which explore the state’s folk legends or “Ohio Mysteries” which covers everything from true crime to cryptids and even UFO encounters.

Burr Oak State Park in Glouster 

The Outdoors

• Find adventure when you explore the Inviting Region of Appalachia. This region of Ohio, made up of 32 counties, is home to natural wonders – like Burr Oak State Park in Athens County. This State Park was dedicated in 1952, meaning it’s celebrating its 70th anniversary this year!
• Enjoy second breakfast on Sept. 22’s National Hobbit Day and then journey to the Cherry Valley Coke Ovens at Leetonia Park (which are said to give off “Middle Earth vibes”).
• Fly with the trolls at Aullwood Audubon near Dayton. These natural art structures will enlighten you with their whimsy and charm. And in honor of their one-year anniversary, you can celebrate with the Trolls at Midnight event on Sept. 24.
• Put a roof over your head as you explore Ashtabula County‘s Covered Bridge Trail. And don’t forget to stop by on Oct. 8-9 for the Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Festival!
• Scenic sights await you at Ohio’s 75 State Parks. If you’re on the hunt for spooky thrills this autumnal season, then be sure to head to reputed haunted spots like East Liverpool‘s Beaver Creek State Park and Malabar Farm State Park in Lucas.
• Go on a Fall Color inspired quest! Check out the full color report, courtesy of ODNR, and see stunning views from Ohio’s best fall foliage spots.
• Inspire your future outdoorsiness on a fall hike by exploring thousands of trails with ODNR’s DETOUR trails app. Perhaps it’ll lead you to the Devil’s Icebox formation at Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park in Portage County.
• Pedal into the fall on a bike trail, like the Holmes County Trail in the Inviting Region of Amish Country. It’s also the first trail in the country to also accommodate buggies! You can check out more cycling in Ohio by downloading the Ohio Bikeways brochure for even more routes.
• Take the reins and head out on one of Ohio’s many bridle trails. These horseback riding nature trails give you unique perspective to view Ohio’s changing season.
• Get a bird’s eye view of an Ohio State Park from a fire tower like Mohican Fire Tower in Ashland County or Tappan Fire Tower in Tuscarawas County.
• Go prehistoric when you search for fossils at Caesar Creek State Park near Waynesville. Be sure to stop in and get a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers at the park, then you can hunt away. Or head to the Olander Park System in Sylvania for more fossil hunting adventures. For some indoor fun, pick up a copy of ODNR’s Statehouse Fossils booklet during a self-guided tour of the Statehouse.
• Trivia: The trilobite is Ohio’s state fossil and a highly prized find!
• See amazing works at Ohio’s Native American heritage sites – like the Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks in Chillicothe. They were recently nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Pumpkin Patch at Kuchta Farms in Newton Falls

Family Fun

• Orange you pumped for classic fall activities? Like getting the perfect pumpkin when you stop by an Ohio pumpkin patch – such as Kutcha Farms in Trumbull County.
• Navigate through a corn maze. Check out Ohio’s two corn mazes nominated in this year’s USAToday 10Best “Corn Mazes” list: Maze Craze in New Springfield and Tom’s Maze in Germantown.
• Hay! There’s even more fall fun in Fairfield County. Check out the Trail of Scarecrows, where more than 300 scarecrows adorn homes and shops throughout the county. And this year, several live scarecrows are walking the streets during Fairfield County’s series of Autumn Experiences.
• Chugga Chugga Choo Choo your way around the tracks at Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation‘s fall train rides. Like the Pumpkin Train (Sept. 24 – Oct. 23), Halloween Express (Sept. 30 – Oct. 29), and Trick or Treat Halloween Train (Oct. 22 & 29). Or take a ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad in Summit County and the LM&M Railroad in Lebanon. And it’s all abroad when you visit The Ohio Railway Museum in Worthington.
• Snag the perfect apples for your next fall recipe at an Ohio orchard. If you stop by MacQueen’s Orchards in Holland, be sure to plan your trip around their Apple Butter Weekend on Oct. 1-2 for even more delicious fun.
• Reach for the stars during World Space Week from Oct. 4-10 and check out one of Ohio’s many out-of-this-world attractions. Look towards to sky at John Glenn Astronomy Park in Hocking Hills that’s equipped with a huge sundial and telescopes for your budding astronomer. Or head to Wapakoneta and beyond at the Armstrong Air & Space Museum.
• In the words Winifred Sanderson: “All Hallow’s Eve has become a night of frolic, where children wear costumes and run amok!” Have a spellbinding time with the family at Downtown Middletown‘s Hocus Pocus Halloween on Oct. 16. This family-friendly festival features a costume contest, parade, and movie screening at Sorg Opera House. Or enjoy a move night at-home with some Made in Ohio snacks.
• Take to the trails with the whole family as you explore the Inviting Region of Hocking Hills. Hike the Grandma Gatewood Trail that passes by Ash and Old Man’s Cave … perhaps you’ll even catch a glimpse of the ghosts who are said to haunt these spots. And rest up after exploring the region and get some R&R at the new Hocking Hills State Lodge (which is taking reservations for stays beginning Nov. 1).
• Book your next adventure on ODNR’s Storybook Trails. You may even spot “The Lorax” near the trail at Findley State Park in Lorain County. Maybe you’ll be inspired to read the book again and learn how two Ohio kids changed Dr. Seuss’s opinion on Lake Erie.
• Spend a day at the museum. Stop by out faves like the Children’s Museum of Cleveland, the Mighty Children’s Museum in Chillicothe, or the Children’s Museum of Findlay.
• Go on an IRL field trip by visiting over 50 historic sites in Ohio. Your family can experience everything from ancient Ohio heritage to early 19th century living. Plus, you can snag a digital copy of the map too!
• Visit the old stomping grounds with the family when you head back to college. See some of most unique college museums that house unique collections like the fossil-filled Orton Geological Museum at The Ohio State University in Columbus or Dittrick Museum of Medical History at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.

Fall Flavors

• Taste pumpkin spice and everything nice at these local coffee shops serving up fall flavors. Or just warm up with a classic latte from Fox in the Snow in Columbus’ Italian Village neighborhood.
• Feel presidential as you head to Delaware for a sandwich from The Rutherford Café. This foodie spot makes for the great way to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Ohio-born President’s birthday (Oct. 4, 1822).
• Have a cuppa at one of Ohio’s tea shops. The Dragonfly Tea Room in Canal Fulton is hosting their annual magical “Harry Potter’s Halloween Tea” on Oct. 29.
• Look on the bright cider life when you fill your mug with apple cider from Chillicothe’s Hirsch Fruit Farm.
• Sip seasonal suds from local craft brewers. Try the new “Septemberfest” brew from Columbus’ Wolf Ridge Brewing or the “Circleville Pumpkin Ale” from Portsmouth Brewing.
• Explore a DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area) near you. These specific areas are the perfect locations to toast to #FallinOhio with your favorite Pumpkin Ale.
• Get in the spirit with Ohio’s top distilleries like Hall Brothers Distillery in Dayton and Endeavor Brewing & Spirits in Columbus. Both distilleries were recognized as “Top Spirit Distilleries” at the 2022 U.S. Open Whiskey & Spirits Championships. Or flip through the pages and find inspiration for your own cocktail from Columbus bartender Jesse Hubbard’s book: Punk Rock & Cocktails.
• Have a ghoulish time when you dine at The Haunted House Restaurant in Cleveland Heights. The restaurant takes its inspiration from iconic horror movies — like the “Nightmare on Elm Street” Corn appetizer dish. Everyone will be scarily impressed when you remember that movie takes place in the fictional Ohio town of Springwood.
• Cook up a storm with Ohio-inspired fall recipes. Bonus points if you use native Ohio foods like the pawpaw.
• Raise a glass to the Inviting Region of Wine Country and sip your way along the Appalachian Wine Trail.
• Pair your Ohio wine with Ohio cheese. Get a slice from fave spots in Amish Country like Guggisberg Cheese in Millersburg or Grandpa’s Cheesebarn in Ashland. If you’re looking for more than a slice, check out the Ohio Cheese Guild‘s “Cheese Trail.”
• Showcase your Ohio pride (and appetite) by touring the Buckeye Candy Trail. Sample the best buckeye candies the state has to offer!
• Fill your trick-or-treat bags with candy Made in Ohio. Like the Candy Buttons from Cincinnati-based Doscher’s Candy Co.

Arts and Culture

• Honor International Underground Railroad Month in September by visiting the 42 historical sites that make up the Clermont County Freedom Trail.
• Take in the ambiance of the Inviting Region of Amish Country. This unique section of Ohio takes you through the rolling countryside where you can even stop for penny candy at the End of the Commons General Store in Trumbull County.
• Speak in the “royal we” when you visit Ohio’s castles – like Squire’s Castle in Willoughby Hills.
• Illustrat-ious adventures can be found among the panels on Sept. 25’s National Comic Book. Pick up something new (like the Ohio-based Paper Girls – which is also a new Amazon Prime show!) or stick with a superhero staple you get from Eisner-winning Laughing Ogre comic book store in Columbus.
• Brush up with an artful excursion along the Sandusky County Barn Mural Trail. This drivable 40 mile trail features iconic paintings of several notable Ohioans. Including Presidential birthday boy Rutherford B. Hayes!
• Add color to your fall outings this year with a visit to an art gallery or museum. Pop into Columbus’ Riffe Gallery for the “Ohio Watercolors 2022” exhibit (on display thru Oct. 7). Or venture to the Kennedy Museum of Art in Athens – which is housed on Ohio University’s campus and former site of the Athens Asylum for the Insane. Definitely no ghosts among the artwork there! 👻
• Wander at the works of public art that are part of the Columbus African American Sculpture Tour and the Expressions of Black Culture Public Art Passport in Cleveland.
• Discover history at heritage museums in Ohio. The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage in Beachwood has several core and upcoming exhibits that cover an array of historical and cultural moments.
• Groove to nostalgic vibes and pick up some vinyl at an Ohio record store. A local favorite is Elizabeth’s Records in Columbus. While you’re pursuing the selection of tunes, maybe you’ll pick up a copy of a 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Dolly Parton. After all, Aug. 9 was declared “Dolly Parton Day” in Ohio this year!
• Curl up on with an Ohio-based and inspired books. The newly released Township from Jamie Lyn Smith is a short story collection set in Appalachian Ohio. Looking for more adventure? Then check out Brandy Gleason‘s 100 Things to Do in Ohio’s Amish Country Before You Die. Or if you want a little mystery for spooky season, Ohio’s Celeste Ng has a new book, Our Missing Hearts, releasing on Oct. 4.
• Book your next adventure on the Ohio Literary Trail. Find inspiration for November’s National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) at the steps, or try the Fall Writing Workshops from Thurber House in Columbus.
• Be in the Wright spot to learn about architecture and design. Visit a Frank Lloyd Wright designed home right here in Ohio! The Westcott House in Springfield takes visitors on a one-of-a-kind tour through the home and grounds.

Thrill Seekers

• Swerve into a good time when you go mountain biking in Ohio. Make it a family experience by taking both parents and kids on the trails for “Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day” on Oct. 1. Or check out the 88 miles of trail that make the Bailey Trail System in Athens County (part of the Inviting Region of Appalachia).
• Get your blood pumping as you whiz through the trees at Hocking Hills Canopy Tours or try Tree Frog Canopy Tours in Glenmont. For even more fun, there’s Common Ground Canopy Tours in Oberlin.
• Zip your way to adventure with Valley Zipline Tours in Lancaster and the Wild Zipline Safari at The Wilds animal preserve in Cumberland.
• Take the skies with a hot air balloon ride from Gentle Breeze Hot Air Balloon Company in Warren County.
• You’ll be flying high with a biplane ride from Goodfolk & O’Tymes Biplane Rides in Dayton.
• Drive into your next adrenaline rush with an off-road ATV tour at NevilleBillie Adventure Park in Logan.
• Feel the need for speed at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington. Here you can get behind the wheel and fuel your adrenaline rush by handling high-performance vehicles.
• Revel at Ohio’s best back roads motorcycle rides. If you travel on your bike through Northwest Ohio, you might encounter the Headless Ghost Rider of Elmore!
• It’s Nerf or nothin’ when you gear up at Foam Warriorz Columbus. Grab a Nerf of choice and head into the 6,000 square foot arena for an “I Love the 90s” inspired adventure.
• Gear up for a day of excitement at local paintball courses like LVL UP Sports in Grove City.
• Relish the opportunity to play one of the most popular sports for 2022 – pickleball! Pick up a paddle at a court near you, or check out Pickle Shack in Delaware or Columbus’ Pickle & Chill (opening in Oct.).
• Channel your inner Lumber Jack with an axe throwing adventure at spots like Cleveland’s Class Axe, Columbus Axe Throwing, or Wild Axe Throwing in Dayton.

Choose Your Own Adventure

• Have an app-solutely fun time planning your trip Ohio adventure with travel inspiration from the newly redesigned Ohio Travel Guide app. Available for download in both the Apple and Google Play app stores.
• Tap that app and find new ways to explore Ohio. From Westerville Library’s History Tours and the ArtLens app from the Cleveland Museum of Art, to the The Cbus ArtWalks App (available in Apple and Google Play) – you’ll find something new to discover each time you swipe.
• Namas-baa and exhale when you try Goat Yoga. Goats & Yoga on Harrison Farm in Grove Port combines the relaxation of Vinyasa flow with a side of adorable farm animals.
• Spend a purrfect afternoon (or National Cat Day on Oct. 29) at an Ohio cat cafe. You’ll be feline fine after checking out Kitty Brew Cafe in Mason, Gem City Catfe in Dayton, affoGATO Cat Café in Cleveland, or Kitty Bubble Cafe & Bar in Columbus.
• Take to the open waters with The Sandpiper. This Toledo-based tour guides you through the sights of of the city right from the glistening waves of the Maumee River. During the fall, enjoy the 2-hour “Fall Color Cruise” or the “Halloween! Book Cruise.”
• Explore hidden gems in the Inviting Region of Historic Marietta – where you can take a ride along the Ohio River on the Valley Gem Sternwheeler.
• Hit the road to find travel inspiration throughout Ohio’s Inviting Regions. And if you’re heading Southbound on I-71, pull over at the Warren Rest Area and snap a pic at the #OhioFindItHere sign!
• Feel the heat when you visit an Ohio glass-blowing studio or museum. At the Ohio Glass Museum in Lancaster, you can learn about the history of practical and artistic glass applications. Or see masterful glass works inside the Glass Pavilion at Toledo Museum of Art. For a more hands-on experience, book a class at Glass Axis in Columbus’s Franklinton neighborhood.
• Get crafty. Create fall-scented magic at Petals & Wicks in Hamilton, check out Columbus’ Makers Social (a full service bar and DIY shop), or learn to crochet with tutorials from TLYarnCrafts.
• Don’t get board this season! Lots of local libraries let you check out board games, like Bexley Public Library or Mentor Public Library. If you’d like even more game time, pick up the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s CINCINNATI ZOO-OPOLY and Kids Against Maturity from Plain City’s Nutt Heads Games. Or go classic with a round of UNO, who’s inventor, Merle Robbins, is from Ohio.