It’s beginning to feel like fall and we are all for it! And there’s nothing like fall colors — bright red, dreamy gold and rich orange hues. Visit one of these close-to-home spots and take in nature at its finest.
Here are 10 One-Tank Trips for Ultimate Fall Foliage Viewing:
Rocky Fork State Park
Rocky Fork State Park is home to a gorgeous lake on the foothills of the Appalachia. Home to many species of wildlife including an eagle family, herons, osprey, bass and turkeys. The hills around Rocky Fork turn vibrant colors of yellow, orange and red with stunning sunsets year round. While you’re there, take a short ten minute drive to Amish country for delicious fall treats.
9800 North Shore Drive Hillsboro, Ohio 45133
Cincinnati Nature Center
Boasting 1,600 acres and 20 miles of trails, Cincinnati Nature Center is the largest member-supported nature center in the country. For kids, the main attraction is the PlayScape — plants, soil, and water can be touched and manipulated, creeks stomped in and logs built with. Admission is $10/adults, $6/kids 4-12, free for members and kids under 4.
Cincinnati Nature Center, 4949 Tealtown Road, Milford, OH 45150
Glenwood Gardens/Highfield Discovery Garden
This Great Park offers some of the most picturesque hikes in town. It’s 335-acres complete with formal gardens, prairies, forests and wetlands, as well as a 1-mile paved trail and the 1.6-mile Wetland Loop nature trail. For kids, nothing beats Highfield Discovery Garden — a straight-from-a-fairytale experience that’s extra magical this time of year. A Great Parks Vehicle Permit is required.
Glenwood Gardens, 10397 Springfield Pike, Cincinnati, OH 45215
Mt. Airy Forest
Mt. Airy Forest is definitely a hidden gem in Cincinnati. The main attraction for families is the Treehouse for Everyone, a wheelchair accessible tree house that is so fun to explore. There is also an arboretum, plenty of picnic spots and many swing sets to enjoy.
Mt. Airy Forest, 5083 Colerain Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45223
Pyramid Hill
Pyramid Hill is an outdoor museum comprised of over 60 monumental pieces of sculpture in an environment of meadows, forests and gardens. The art at Pyramid Hill stands out in a way that’s impossible to miss; you’ll traipse through woods to find rustic sculptures, encounter colorful creations standing front-and-center in a field and admire bright spectacles across rolling fields.
Pyramid Hill, 1763 Hamilton-Cleves Rd., State Route 128, Hamilton, OH 45013
Hueston Woods State Park
Hueston Woods State Park spans over 3,000 beautifully wooded acres and features hiking and biking trails, camping, fishing and more. Take a family hike on one of the park’s 12 trails — most are under a mile long, making this a very kid-friendly experience!
6301 Park Office Road, College Corner, OH 45003
Neltner’s Farm
Neltner’s Farm is a family owned property in Northern Kentucky, just 25 minutes from downtown Cincinnati. It’s easy to reach, just off the AA Highway, for those in Kentucky, Ohio, or Indiana, and it offers all of the fall fun you can imagine. We love this farm for so many reasons, and one of them is the natural beauty of the property. It’s a lovely valley farm, with open space for the kids to roam, animals grazing on the hill, and pumpkins perfectly positioned in the patch. It’s basically an idyllic children’s book come to life — and fall is *the* time to visit!
Neltner’s Farm, 6922 Four Mile Rd., Melbourne, KY 41059,
John Bryan State Park
Located about 1.5 hours from Cincinnati, this park features a limestone gorge created by the Little Miami River, a portion of which is a national natural landmark. It also includes boating, fishing, rock climbing, disc golf and hiking and biking trails. The fall foliage at this Southwest Ohio gem is hard to beat. (While you’re in the area, stop by Young’s Dairy — there’s always something fun happening at Young’s, and fall is the absolute best time to explore this family-friendly farm!)
3790 State Route 370, Yellow Springs, OH, 45387
Whitewater Valley Railroad/Metamora, IN
Metamora, IN, is one of the most charming towns you’ll ever visit. Metamora is a historic canal town and home to many shops, restaurants and B&Bs — and Whitewater Valley Railroad. The hour and a half ride through the Whitewater River Valley is gorgeous and serene. A constant mix of woods, farmland, and peeks of the Whitewater River throughout. The train ride stops for two hours in Metamora — just enough time to take in all the colors of fall.
Whitewater Valley Railroad, 455 Market St., Connersville, IN 47331
Hocking Hills State Park
Hocking Hills is famous for its gorgeous hiking trails and stunning waterfalls, and fall is *the* time to visit. Surprisingly, this Ohio treasure is just a two hour drive from Cincinnati, making it a very doable fall day trip!
Logan, OH
