When the leaves start changing and the air gets cooler, you know what that means: fall is coming. From pumpkin patches and apple orchards to hikes and hayrides, there are so many ways to celebrate the season with your family. Whether you’re looking for an afternoon outing or a weekend adventure, these fall activities will help you make the most of the season.
Enjoy the Fall Colors on a Nature Hike
There’s no better way to experience the beauty of the season than by getting outside. Wander through one of the Great Parks of Hamilton County’s many parks and nature preserves, hike the wooded trails at Cincinnati Nature Center, or explore Cincinnati Parks for beautiful places to play. In the Dayton area, Five Rivers MetroParks offers miles of scenic trails, while nearby John Bryan State Park is one of Ohio’s most beautiful destinations for fall leaves.
Pick Apples at a Local Orchard
Nothing says fall like fresh-picked apples. Iron’s Fruit Farm in Lebanon is a longtime favorite, with U-Pick apples throughout the season along with family-friendly farm activities. Hidden Valley Orchards, also in Lebanon, combines homegrown produce with seasonal fun, while Monnin’s Fruit Farm near Dayton features more than 20 apple varieties during harvest season. Up for a day trip? A&M Farm Orchard in Midland is worth the drive.
Find the Perfect Pumpkin
Few fall traditions are as memorable as wandering through a pumpkin patch in search of the perfect pumpkin. Families can find plenty of pumpkins at Shaw Farms in Milford, Burwinkel Farms in Ross, McMonigle Farms in Middletown, Kleather’s Pumpkin Patch in Springboro and Brown’s Family Farm in Hamilton. Young’s Jersey Dairy in Yellow Springs also offers one of Ohio’s most picturesque pumpkin patches, along with plenty of family activities.
Get Lost in a Corn Maze
Challenge the whole family to find their way through one of Southwest Ohio’s corn mazes. Blooms & Berries in Loveland offers both a large seven-acre maze and a shorter version for younger children, plus lots of other activities during their Fall on the Farm event. Tom’s Maze in Germantown features eight acres of twists and turns, including a nighttime flashlight maze. Young’s Jersey Dairy’s Cowvin’s Corny Maze gives families more than a mile of winding paths to explore. Shaw Farms in Milford also has a fun maze that’s perfect for older kids and adventurous adults.
Hop on a Hayride
Hayrides are a classic fall tradition. Country Pumpkins in Dry Ridge, Kentucky, features weekend hayrides alongside plenty of other seasonal attractions. If horseback riding sounds more exciting than a wagon ride, Nation Road Horse Rental in Oxford offers guided trail rides through Butler County’s beautiful fall scenery.
Celebrate at a Fall Festival
Fall festivals are one of the highlights of the season. Annual favorites include Fall Fest at Neltner’s Farm, the Ohio Renaissance Festival and Gorman Heritage Farm’s Sunflower Festival. Families in the Dayton area can also enjoy Learning Tree Farm’s Autumn Fest or the Waynesville Fall Fest, both packed with games, crafts, hayrides and seasonal entertainment. Check out our calendar at ohparent.com to find even more festivals and celebrations.
Take a Scenic Train Ride
Experience fall from a different perspective aboard a scenic railway. LM&M Railroad in Lebanon offers themed excursions like the Pumpkin Patch Express, while Whitewater Valley Railroad just across the Indiana border takes passengers on a relaxing journey through colorful countryside between Connersville and Metamora.
Enjoy Ohio’s Fall Scenery
Southwest Ohio comes alive with shades of red, orange and gold each autumn. Spend an afternoon strolling through Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum, where you’ll find sculptures among the wooded landscapes. Or pack a picnic and head to Hueston Woods State Park for spectacular lake views and brilliant fall foliage.
Trick-or-Treat Before Halloween
The Halloween fun doesn’t have to wait until October 31. Families can enjoy festive trick-or-treat events throughout the region, including HallZOOween at the Cincinnati Zoo and Heritage Village Museum’s Haunted Village, where kids can collect treats in a delightfully spooky historic setting.
However you choose to celebrate, there are so many opportunities to slow down, get outside and create family memories this fall.
