What does your family most look forward to in the fall? Do you drive through your part of the state to see the spectacular fall colors? Do you have traditions that involve festivals, fashion or flavors? As soon as the weather starts to change, most people’s minds shift toward cool weather gear and steaming hot beverages. Whether your fall favorites involve pumpkins, parties or Pilgrims, Ohio has opportunities for every taste. Celebrate fall with these activities.
Annual Pumpkin Patch at Glass Axis
The whole family can enjoy this event the first weekend in October in Columbus. Artists and instructors help individuals make their own glass pumpkins in workshops that run most of the day. Glass pumpkin workshops are available to those 12 years of age and older for a $59 registration. Younger children can make a mosaic pumpkin tile for $15 with adult supervision.
Whether you participate in a workshop or not, you’ll have the opportunity to browse and buy unique glass pumpkins created by artists from across the state.
North Market Harvest Festival
Local Matters Local Foods Week culminates Saturday, October 9, with the North Market Harvest Festival. Local Matters offers cooking demonstrations, harvest produce, kids’ activities and live music. Enter your favorite pie recipe in the Harvest Festival baking contest for a chance to win $100 in gift certificates.
Fall Foliage Trains
Take a train ride to see fall foliage at Hocking Valley Scenic Railway. Trains run Friday through Sunday throughout October. Rides last a little more than two hours and stop at Robin’s Crossing, a reconstructed village from the 1840’s.
Check out the blacksmith shop or join in the dancing to music played by antique instruments. When you’re back on the train, drive by a canal, pass historic towns and follow the Hocking River as it meanders through hills dressed in fall’s splendor.
The Scareatorium
Access two haunted houses for one $20 admission. The Scareatorium features a 3-D Funhouse and terrifying escape rooms and runs September through November. The Northland Asylum sits on the site of a real mental institution and was voted one of Ohio’s top 10 haunted attractions by the Zanesville Times Recorder.
Sight of Music
Experience the opening reception of The Sight of Music at the Cultural Arts Center on September 29. Steve Abbot, the facility’s curator and poet, invites you to explore how music is part of humanity. Free admission.
Full Moon Zip Lining
Experience an unforgettable adventure as you glide through four sky bridges and five zip lines at night. Zipzone Outdoor Adventures offers full moon zip lining November 3 and 4 between 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.
The Dinner Detective
Dine, laugh and help solve a murder mystery every Saturday night from the first weekend in October through the end of December. Non-costumed actors hide as guests in the crowd, so you may be sitting next to the culprit!
No matter what you’re doing this fall, don’t let a leaky roof dampen the fun. Contact Able Roof for a quick, affordable solution with a lifetime warranty.
