Extended Weekend Getaways According to the Ohio Department of Development, there are 440 festivals and events happening across the state, reaffirming that Ohio is indeed in “The Heart of it All.” From thrilling harvest celebrations and leaf peeping, to exploring the Haunted Happenings, to rooting for the home team at a football game, check out these inspiring adventures and find more things to do by checking out the official Ohio Fall Events Guide.
Experience the Thrill of the Ride
Ohio’s theme parks transform into festive destinations each fall, offering a mix of family-friendly fun and spine-chilling thrills. At Cedar Point in Sandusky, HalloWeekends bring the park to life with haunted mazes, scare zones, and spooky live shows, along with daytime activities perfect for younger guests like trick-or-treating and pumpkin decorating. Kings Island near Cincinnati also celebrates the season with Tricks and Treats Fall Fest by day—featuring games, crafts, seasonal food, and costume contests—while the park turns frightful at night with Halloween Haunt, one of the region’s largest Halloween events. Even smaller attractions, like Coney Island Park in Cincinnati, host fall-themed festivals and light displays to capture the spirit of the season. Whether you’re seeking haunted houses that test your courage or autumn fun for the whole family, Ohio’s parks deliver plenty of seasonal excitement.
Follow the Curated Trail
From donuts to ice cream or exploring covered bridges or presidential history, you can discover one-of-a-kind experiences on your next road trip through any one of more than 140 adventure trails featured on Ohio.org. It’s easier than ever to build your own unforgettable journey through the Heart of it All. The list has been divided into five different areas to explore or choose one of the statewide trails. Featured trails have been curated by the TourismOhio office, local tourism organizations, regional chambers of commerce, and county convention and visitor bureaus.
Explore the Historical Side
A bedroom display in a historical log cabin
Restored to its former glory, the 1795 Beedle Log Cabin located in Lebanon was originally constructed in August of 1795, by William Beedle, his grown son, and four son-in-laws. This cabin, as well as four others, a church and a blockhouse were the beginnings of the first settlement in Warren County, five miles west of Lebanon, Beedle Station. This cabin is the last remaining building from that settlement and thus, the oldest log structure in Warren County.
Named in honor of Neil Armstrong, first man to set foot on the moon, the Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Wapakoneta chronicles Ohio’s contributions to the history of space flight. Among the items on display are a F5D Sky Lancer, the Gemini VIII spacecraft, Apollo 11 artifacts and a moon rock. In the museum’s Astro-theater, multimedia presentations of the sights and sounds of space unfold against a starry background. July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong descended the lunar excursion module’s (LEM) ladder. The Apollo 11 crew completed the greatest journey in human history by putting men on the moon and setting the course for the future of the nation’s space program.
Root for your Team
Fall in Ohio means the return of game-day traditions and some of the most exciting sports matchups of the year. College football takes center stage as the Ohio State Buckeyes kick off their season, drawing fans from across the state to Columbus for the energy and pageantry of Saturdays in the Horseshoe. At the same time, the Cleveland Browns spark Sunday excitement in the NFL with a loyal fan base that turns every home game into a citywide celebration along Lake Erie. The action doesn’t stop there—professional soccer heats up with the Columbus Crew, Major League Soccer champions and fan favorites at Lower.com Field, while the Cleveland Monsters hit the ice in the American Hockey League, thrilling hockey fans with fast-paced play at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. From tailgates to power plays, fall sports in Ohio bring communities together and keep the competitive spirit alive well into the season.
A Fin-tastic Time at the Aquariums
As the fish and other marine life just keep swimming at Ohio’s aquariums, the Greater Cleveland Aquarium has around 70,000 square feet of fun. Housed inside the Powerhouse on the West Bank of the Flats, this attraction lets you learn about aquaculture from Lake Erie to the greatest coral reefs.
A family-fun and educational attraction at Put-in-Bay IS NOW OPEN after undergoing a $6.2 million renovation. The Aquatic Visitors Center, operated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), has long been a main stop for families visiting the island to learn all about Lake Erie and its ecosystem through hands-on displays. Closed during the 2024 season, the community is excited about its rebirth and guests cannot wait to experience the new exhibits.
Continue down to Central Ohio for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. At “Shores and Aquarium,” you’ll see all kinds of water-dwelling species, including the zoo’s manatee residents.
Or make your way over to the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium. This Northwest Ohio attraction first opened on May 31, 1939, then renovated and reopened in 2015.
