42 Things To Do This Fall in Columbus

Fall is here again and with it comes all the seasonal fun. There is always so much to do this time of year, so I always love putting together this list for inspiration.

Go Apple Picking. Nothing says fall like a barrel of apples and fresh apple cider and there are quite a few spots in the Central Ohio area to choose from:

• Branstool Orchards – Utica, Ohio
• CherryHawk Farm Apple Orchard – Marysville, Ohio
• Lawrence Orchards – Marion, Ohio
• Legend Hills Orchard – Utica, Ohio
• Lynd Fruit Farm – Pataskala, Ohio
• The Orchard & Company – Plain City, Ohio
• The Pickwick Place – Bucyrus, Ohio

Visit the Ohio Railway Museum. The museum offers a glimpse of railroading’s past through exhibits, static equipment displays of electric traction and steam. The museum offers rides on both the streetcars and the Pullman passenger car. Coming in October on Saturdays and Sundays, the “Ghost Trolley,” spooky train rides and halloween decorations will be back.

Experience Harvest Blooms at Franklin Park Conservatory from September 28th – November 3rd. Harvest Blooms returns this fall to infuse the Botanical Garden landscapes and containers with thousands of pumpkins, mums, exquisite cabbages and more. Explore two pumpkin houses along with a larger than life overflowing cornucopia and two whimsical ‘trees’ filled with pumpkins and enchanting and colorful foliage.
Harvest Blooms is included in General Admission.

Pumpkins Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory from 5-9 pm Wednesdays, Thursdays, Sundays, and 5-10 pm Fridays and Saturdays October 9th – October 27th. The Conservatory’s grounds are illuminated with more than a thousand pumpkins carved by staff, volunteers and members. Rediscover familiar favorites like the gardening skeletons, pumpkin houses, and the mesmerizing pumpkin tunnel light show. Experience the expanded alien invasion, the lively talking pumpkins, and dancing skeletons. Plus, keep an eye out for a few new surprises! Don’t forget to have fun with light-up lawn games and hula hoops along the way.

Fall Fun on the Farm:

• Circle S Farms – Grove City, Ohio
• Hartland Farm – Lancaster, Ohio
• Hidden Creek Farm, Sunbury, Ohio
• Leeds Farm – Ostrander, Ohio
• Lehner’s Pumpkin Farm – Radnor, Ohio
• Lohstroh Family Farm – Mt. Sterling, Ohio
• Lynd Fruit Farm – Pataskala, Ohio
• The Maize at Little Darby Creek – Milford Center, Ohio
• The Pickwick Place – Bucyrus, Ohio
• Pigeon Roost Farm – Hebron, Ohio
• Pumpkin Head Pumpkin Patch – Mansfield, Ohio
• Timbuk Farms – Granville, Ohio
• Van Buren Acres – Hebron, Ohio
• Young’s Jersey Dairy – Yellow Springs, Ohio

Take a walk through Hoover Gardens Haunted Maze. Recommended for those 7 and up, (but mine loved it at 2 and 5 years old), the maze features spooky goats, goblins, and surprises around every bend!

Check out the Trail of Scarecrows. Search and admire hundreds of scarecrows scattered throughout 14 communities in Fairfield County. Businesses, groups, organizations, and residents create scarecrows on display all over the area.

Fall Fun at Olentangy Caverns. Head to Olentangy Caverns for Pumpkins and more fall activities from September 21st – October 31st

Boo at the Zoo. Head to the Columbus Zoo to join your favorite Boo at the Zoo Character Ambassadors for a merry-not-scary, frightfully delightful event of spirited fun for the whole family. Get your favorite costume ready, and make plans to visit your Columbus Zoo and Aquarium for this Spooktacular Halloween Celebration. October 11th-13th, October 18th-20th, and October 25th – 27th.

Festivals this Fall:

• Columbus Oktoberfest on September 6th – 8th
• Chalk the Block on September 28th and 29th. The event features artists designing and drawing large scale temporary artworks on the pavement while public watches.
• Groovy Plants Ranch Fall Family Fun Day on October 5th and 6th.
• Harvest Fair at the Columbus Commons on September 7th from 4 to 8. Free fun for the whole family!
• Oakland Nurseries 44th annual Fall Festival on October 12th and 13th at all locations
• The Pickwick Place’s Flannel Fest on September 14th – 15th and 21st – 22nd.
• Scioto Fest at Scioto Audubon Metro Park on September 13th and 14th.

The Fall Color Driving Tour through Blendon Woods. If you have family members with limited mobility or just need to go for a drive, the Fall Color Driving Tour is designed for you at Blendon Woods Metro Park. Follow the signs for the driving tour, which is a little over 2 miles long, and includes a section of the roadway not normally open to general park visitors.

Take a Fall Hike. A few of our favorite fall foliage hikes include: 

• Canopy Walk at Blacklick Woods. Rising 40 feet into the air, this wide boardwalk loops for an eighth-of-a-mile through the canopy of trees, including maples, beech, shagbark hickory and various oaks.
• Dripping Rock Trail at Highbanks Metro Park: A 2.6 mile loop that travels through the forest and along a creek. The fall foliage at peak is quite stunning.
• Five Oaks Trail Loop at Slate Run Metro Park: A 1.5 mile gravel hike that goes through a steep ravine with black shale outcrops.
• Rockstall Nature Preserve: A 1.1 mile loop that takes you through the woods, over creeks, and down a staircase into a holler. The holler is filled with beautiful open faced rock structures and flowing water. This hike is not stroller friendly.
• Sugarbush Trail at Blendon Woods Metro Park: A 2 mile trail that passes through a woods that opens onto a meadow. Heavily populated with many different species of birds.
• Sweetgum Trail at Walnut Woods Metro Park: A 2.3 mile loop through the sweet gum trees, tall pine trees, and wildflower fields. The trail is perfect for strollers and scooters.

Happy Fall!