50+ Things to do this Fall in Columbus

Fall is here again, bringing with it all the seasonal fun. There’s always so much to do this time of year, which is why I love putting together this list for a little 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 27th – November 2nd. Returning this fall, the Conservatory’s Botanical Garden will be transformed with thousands of pumpkins, mums, ornamental cabbages, and more—creating a vibrant seasonal display. Explore two charming pumpkin houses, a larger-than-life overflowing cornucopia, and two whimsical “trees” adorned with pumpkins and colorful autumn foliage.
Harvest Blooms is included in General Admission.

Pumpkins Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory from 5 to 9 pm Wednesdays, Thursdays & Sundays and 5 to 10 pm Fridays & Saturdays during October 15-19th, 22-26th & 29-Nov 2nd. Discover more than 700 hand-carved pumpkins glowing throughout themed displays—pirates, creepy crawly spiders, dancing skeletons, and even aliens landing among the leaves. Each pumpkin is creatively carved by our talented Conservatory staff, volunteers and members. Wander, wonder, and don’t miss a photo at the iconic pumpkin house! Admission is not included in general admission.

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
• The Farm at Marengo Lakes – Marengo, 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 20th – October 31st.

Boo at the Zoo. 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 10th-12th, October 17th-19th, and October 24th – 26th.

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.

Fall Outdoor Movie Nights:

• Flicks and Tricks at The Yard at Easton Town Center. October 3rd and October 10th – two fun nights of Halloween-themed outdoor movies and mystical fun for all. 
• Movies at the Commons. Moana 2 on Friday, September 5th.
• Movie Nights at Topiary Park. Ghostbusters on September 25th
• Sunset Movie Series at the Commons: Goosebumps on October 2nd, Hocus Pocus on October 9th, The Goonies on October 16th, Wicked on October 23rd, and The Nightmare Before Christmas on October 30th

Save the Date:

• CAPA Haunts the Palace on October 23rd from 4 to 7 pm
• Columbus Oktoberfest on September 5th – 7th
• Electric Fair on Gay on September 6th from 12 pm to 6 pm
• Harvest Fair at the Columbus Commons on September 6th from 12 to 4. Free fun for the whole family!
• The Pickwick Place’s Flannel Fest on September 13th – 14th and 20th – 21st.
• Adult Bookfair on September 14th from 11 am to 6 pm at Land-grant
• Scioto Fest at Scioto Audubon Metro Park on September 19th and 20th.
• Scrawl on September 20th from 12 to 8 pm and September 21st from 10 to 6 pm
• Taste of Downtown on September 20th from 11 am to 4 pm
• Family Sundays at Land Grant September 28th and October 26th from 11 am to 2 pm
• Open Streets 614 on September 28th and October 26th from 12 pm to 4 pm.
• Columbus Coffee Festival on October 4th and 5th
• Fall Frolic for All on October 4th and 5th.
• Columbus Italian Festival on October 10th from 5 to 11 pm, October 11th from 12 to 11 pm, and October 12th from 12 to 7 pm
• Halloween at Thurber House on October 11th from 1 pm to 4 pm
• Oakland Nurseries 44th annual Fall Festival on October 11th and 12th at all locations
• Circleville Pumpkin Show from October 15th through October 18th, open 10 am to 10 pm daily

Happy Fall!