Extended Weekend Getaways 
If you enjoy leaf peeping, Ohio’s state parks offer a variety of accommodations including campgrounds, cabins and resort lodges. There are 59 campgrounds at Ohio’s State Parks offering visitors more than 9,700 campsites ranging from full-service to primitive sites. Cabins offer visitors the best of both worlds—the charm of camping and the ease of modern facilities including screened porches, heating and air conditioning, TVs, and full-sized kitchens. And last, but certainly not least, there are ten resort lodges with amenities for the entire family including indoor pools. Forecasting fall color can be challenging, but it’s generally believed that the trees in the northern parts of the state will start to turn colors first. To take advantage of the full season plan your trips to the parks in the north region at the start of the season and then work your way south closer to November. The Farmer’s Almanac also predicts that the area will see peak fall colors during October, with more specific dates depending on the region. Here are the probable dates when we might begin to see changes and peak leaf colors around Ohio are:
- Minimal change: Around Oct. 2.
- Patchy change: Around Oct. 9.
- Partial change: Around Oct. 16.
- Near peak colors: Around Oct. 23.
- Peak colors: Around Oct. 30.
- Past peak colors: Around Nov. 6.
100 Things to Do
Sip seasonal suds from local craft brewers. Try the Operation Pumpkin Porter and 1791 Oktoberfest from Municipal Brew Works in Hamilton. Or the classic PumpCan Spiced Ale from MadTree Brewing in Cincinnati.
Explore a DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area) near you. These specific areas in vibrant cities and charming towns like Bryan, Napoleon, and Ottawa are the perfect locations to toast to fall in Ohio with your favorite Pumpkin Ale.
Take a spirited journey on the Ohio Distillery Trail. The trail includes stops at popular distilleries like Echo Spirits Distilling Co. in Columbus and Hocking Hills Moonshine. Have a cuppa by brewing tea from a made in Ohio company, like Columbus’ E&E Tea Co. You can also enjoy the full high tea experience by checking out local tea shops. The Van Horne Grand Tea Room in Carrollton is a Victorian tearoom that in addition to its collection of teas, serves scones, signature cakes, and homemade soups.
Taste pumpkin spice and everything nice at local coffee shops serving up fall flavors. Warming up with either the Pumpkin Coconut or Pumpkin Marshmallow latte from River Roasters Coffee Co. in Pomeroy is sure to get you in the seasonal spirit!
Look at the bright cider life when you fill your mug with apple cider from Chillicothe’s Hirsch Fruit Farm.
See More on our Things to Do Page.
Charming Ohio Towns
Paint Creek State Park
Paint Creek State Park – fishing
Bainbridge
Often called “Leaf Country, U.S.A.” the main event surrounding that acclaim is the Fall Festival of Leaves on Oct. 17-20, which features arts, crafts, a flea market, an antique tractor show, a classic car show, and more. The festival also offers an opportunity to drive one of the area’s four self-guided Skyline Drives. While you’re in Bainbridge, another great way to celebrate the season’s beautiful fall color is with a visit to Paint Creek State Park. This Ohio state park has a 1,148-acre lake and includes fishing, boating, and swimming, as well as the Highlands Nature Sanctuary, which features beautiful Rocky Fork Gorge and a forest museum. You can enjoy even more outdoor fun by checking out Pike Lake State Park and Pike State Forest – both of which are Bainbridge must-sees! For visitors looking for indoor activities, open wide to learn about dental history inside the Dr. John Harris Dental Museum. This museum is on the site of the first school of dentistry in America, when it was founded in 1827 by Bainbridge’s Dr. Harris.
Circleville Pumpkin Show
Circleville
About 45 minutes northeast of Bainbridge is Circleville, home of the renowned Circleville Pumpkin Show. This annual autumnal event is on Oct. 16-19 and will get you in the fall spirit with music, parades, pumpkin carving, races, contests, and giant pumpkins. Last year at the event’s largest pumpkin contest, the largest pumpkin weighed in at 2,388.5 pounds (a new record!).
A home to Hopewell Culture National Historic Park, this recently UNESCO-designated site is a great way to continue learning about Hopewell Culture.
Bucyrus
Those interested in celebrating one of autumn’s favorite fruits – apples – can find their adventure in this Crawford County charming town.
The Pickwick Place hosts Flannel Fest on Sept. 14-15 and Sept. 21-22, where visitors can enjoy a corn maze and apple cannon, followed by an Apple Bash on Sept. 28 which includes samples, café specials, and more. Don’t forget to check out The Café at Pickwick Place and The Market while you’re there – both spots serve up tasty treats to fuel your fall adventures! During you visit, don’t forget to check out their u-pick apple orchard. Like many places throughout Ohio, The Pickwick Place is an awesome spot to pick apples with your family in the fall.
Cooper’s Mill & Market is another option to find the best homemade jams, jellies, preserves, and sauces, as well as in-store baked goods, candles, and fragrances. Sticking with the apple theme, Bucyrus Copper Kettle Works offers apple butter kettles for commercial and decorative use. They offer tours as well, for anyone interested in learning more about the store and the history of coppersmithing.
Haunted for Halloween
From paranormal hot spots to ghostly sightings, get ready to explore eerie tunnels in southeast Ohio, historically haunted hotels, spooky Ohio state parks, and even two haunted prisons! Whether you are a seasoned ghost hunter or just in it for the thrill, Ohio’s haunted spots are ready to give you a good scare.
Check out this list of the 24 most haunted places in Ohio. You can also download a map of the ”Haunted Ohio: 24 Must-Visit Places“.
The Collingwood Arts Center (CAC) is not only one of the oldest buildings in Toledo, but it’s also considered one of the city’s most haunted places. The Collingwood Arts Center is a registered historical site. The building was once home to a convent, as well as the Mary Manse College and St. Ursula Academy. Now, the Gothic and Romanesque-style space is used for visual arts studios and artists in residence. Visitors interested in serious (but informal) attempts at documenting the paranormal activity of the Collingwood Arts Center can sign up for “Ghost Hunt the CAC” events. Past supernatural sightings include orbs being seen – and photographed – throughout the facility. There’s also a rumor the basement is haunted by the ghost of a nun who died down in its depths. More haunted destinations and attractions are listed in Halloween events.
