Whether you’re mourning the loss of summer temperatures or eagerly awaiting fall festivities, one thing is certain — sweater weather is right around the corner. And in Northeast Ohio, those colorful days and crisp, cool nights bring a whole new set of opportunities for family fun.
We’ve combed the area to find the top 20 must-dos for fall. Gather your family and make the most of the season by crossing off some — or all — of the following local activities.
1. Take one last bike ride. There are plenty of paths to choose from in the area, including the Towpath Trail, which currently extends about 80 miles from Cleveland to Bolivar; the 34-mile Bike & Hike Trail, which follows the course of the old Akron, Bedford & Cleveland (ABC) Railroad; and the Cleveland Lakefront Bikeway, which spans the entire length of Cleveland’s 17-mile Lake Erie shoreline from the city’s eastern border with Euclid and its western border with Lakewood.
2. Go apple picking. Ohio’s climate supports many varieties and several area orchards allow visitors to pick their own apples. Patterson Fruit Farm in Chesterland also offers homemade cider to enjoy after your family has worked up a thirst in the orchard. Visit pickyourown.org for a list of local orchards.
3. Take a hike. Between the Cleveland Metroparks, Metro Parks Serving Summit County, Cuyahoga Valley National Park and everything in between, there are dozens and dozens of trails to choose from that represent all difficulty levels. For a more organized approach, check out the Metro Parks Serving Summit County’s 50th annual Fall Hiking Spree, which runs through Nov. 30.
4. Take a ride. Pack a Thermos full of hot chocolate and visit an area farm for a fall hayride — one example is a tractor-drawn tour through the orchard at Mapleside Farms in Brunswick. This non-spooky entertainment is a great option for little ones.
5. Make your own Halloween costumes. Let your children help in the selection and design for a whole-family approach. Not a sewing whiz? No problem — visit Halloween stores, thrift stores and resale shops for non-sew options.
6. Rake leaves. Sure, it may sound like a chore, but younger children love jumping in fluffy leaf piles. To get everyone involved, put your older kids in charge of using the leaves to stuff scarecrows or other seasonal décor.
7. Get spooked. Tap into your inner thrill-seeker by visiting an area haunted house, forest, cornfield, hayride, etc. “Seven Floors of Hell,” located in Middleburg Heights, is ranked in the top 13 best haunted houses in the world. Visit hauntedhouse.com for an up-to-date listing of area haunts. Or try the Psychic Tours and Paranormal Tours of the Perkins Stone Mansion in Akron, summithistory.org.
8. Get lost. Younger or more easily spooked children may prefer to visit a non-haunted corn maze. Northeast Ohio farms like Heavenly Hill Farm in North Royalton offer a variety of challenge levels and themes — there’s a pretty extensive list at pumpkinpatchesandmore.org.
9. Boo at the Zoo. Both Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and Akron Zoo host these evenings of scare-free, trick-or-treat fun for little ones. For information and ticket prices, visit clemetzoo.com or akronzoo.org.
10. Pick your own pumpkins. Visit a local farm to check out the seasonal produce and hand-select your family’s carving canvasses. Many farms also host other events like corn mazes and hayrides, so your family can enjoy several fall must-dos in one afternoon.
11. Soak in the color. Choose a sunny day and go for a drive to enjoy the beautiful fall foliage. Even better, pack a picnic and make an afternoon of it. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources offers a regularly updated Fall Color Report so you can catch the change at its peak. For organized drive suggestions, visit fallcolor.ohiodnr.gov.
12. Attend a local festival. Northeast Ohio offers a slew of autumn events and festivals, including the Geneva Area Grape Jamboree, Sept. 27-28; Burton’s Apple Butter Festival, Oct. 11-12; and the Yankee Peddler Festival in Canal Fulton, held the first three weekends in September. For a complete list, visit NortheastOhioParent.com.
13. Tap into the flavors of fall. Gather the whole family in the kitchen and try a new recipe using local, seasonal produce. Use apples picked at a local orchard or pumpkins chosen from an area farm and cross multiple items off your fall must-do list.
14. Ride the rails. The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, with stations between Canton and Peninsula, offers a unique way to see the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The railroad offers a variety of ticket types, including standard tours, special events and bargains when you pair train tickets with local attractions. For complete information, visit cvsr.com.
15. Relive history. Take the whole family to one of Northeast Ohio’s historical attractions, particularly those with an outdoor element to enjoy the weather, gardens and fall scenery. Some great options include Zoar Village, just south of Canton; Hale Farm & Village in Bath; or even Cleveland’s Lake View Cemetery, the final resting place of many well-known historical figures.
16. Heat things up. Spark up the backyard fire pit or make a bonfire to roast marshmallows, before the nights get too cold.
17. Solve a mystery. With Halloween around the corner, get the family involved in a “whodunit” murder mystery. Stan Hywet Hall hosts several “Murder at the Mansion” events that bring the audience into the plot of a long-ago crime. For price and schedule information, visit stanhywet.org.
18. Enjoy the beauty. Tour some of the area’s finest gardens — some suggestions include Holden Arboretum in Kirtland and the Cleveland Botanical Garden in the University Circle neighborhood — to see the widest variety of species before the snow starts to fly.
19. Get cozy. Even though you may want to enjoy the last warm days, fall is a great time to gather the family — along with some hot cider and homemade treats – and enjoy some indoor time together. Snuggle up by the fireplace to read books or gather around the table for a family game night.
20. Hit the beach. There’s still time to soak in one last Lake Erie sunset before the days get too short and the nights get too cold. From Lakewood Beach Park in Sheffield Lake to Lakeshore Park in Ashtabula, there are dozens of sandy spots along the shores of Lake Erie to take in the view.
