The earlier sunsets of fall don’t have to mean the end of outdoor fun — in fact, they can be the beginning of a different kind of adventure. As the air turns crisp and darkness arrives sooner, Northeast Ohio’s nighttime world comes alive with nocturnal creatures, skies full of stars and plenty of opportunities for backyard fun. Best of all, even younger kids can enjoy after-dark entertainment without staying up too late.
So grab a flashlight, bundle up and see what happens when you let the darkness become part of the adventure.
Hikes in the Night
The woods don’t go to sleep when the sun goes down — they simply change shifts. As daylight fades, daytime birds settle in and nocturnal animals wake up. Familiar trails take on an entirely different feel, making even a short evening walk an adventure when children slow down and use their senses in new ways.
Instead of focusing on what they can see, encourage kids to listen. The hoot of an owl, the chirping of katydids and crickets, the chorus of frogs near a pond or the flutter of bats overhead are all signs that the nighttime world is waking up. With a little luck, you also might spot a deer moving through the woods or catch the last flashes of fireflies.
Bring a flashlight, but use it sparingly on a well-known, clear path or take periodic breaks to turn off your light. Allowing your eyes to adjust makes it easier to notice movement, shadows and constellations that appear overhead. When it’s time to turn the flashlight back on, look for spider webs and reflections in animals’ eyes.
When hiking on your own, be sure to take note of park hours and follow trail markers. Many Northeast Ohio park districts offer guided evening hikes throughout the fall, often led by naturalists who can help families identify animal calls, constellations and other signs of wildlife. Check the listings on page 18 for several family-friendly, after-dark programs.
The Season for Stars
Fall is the perfect season for families to give stargazing a try. The evenings are mild enough to spend time outdoors, while darkness arrives early enough so younger children’s bedtimes won’t be ruined. You don’t need expensive equipment to get started; on a clear night, there is plenty to see with the naked eye.
“With young children, it’s not always easy to do a lot of stargazing in the summer months,” says Nick Anderson, senior astronomer and manager of astronomy at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History (cmnh.org). “So I think it’s kind of the best of both worlds in the fall, with comfortable temperatures and earlier sunsets.”
What should families look for? Anderson recommends starting with easy-to-find patterns such as Cassiopeia, whose bright stars form a distinctive W, and the Great Square of Pegasus, which appears high in the southern sky after sunset in fall. The Harvest Moon, the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox, is another easy target; this fall, it occurs Sept. 26. Saturn will also be especially bright when it is opposite the sun on Oct. 4, and can be spotted without a telescope — although you’ll need one to see its famous rings.
While the above objects can be seen in urban areas, head away from city lights this fall to look for the Andromeda Galaxy, which can appear as a faint, fuzzy patch to the naked eye under sufficiently dark skies, according to Anderson.
Backyard Bucket List: Things to Do After Dark |
| You don’t need to leave home to turn an ordinary fall evening into an adventure. Bundle up, head outside and make some memories with these after-dark activities you can enjoy right in your own backyard. |
|
“Andromeda is the nearest major galaxy to us and is the farthest object away from us that you can see with the naked eye,” he says. “At first glance it might not seem all that impressive, but you’re viewing an island of about a trillion stars there.”
Wondering how to get started? Aside from looking with the naked eye, Anderson recommends binoculars as a great tool for beginners, since they’re easier to use and less expensive than a telescope, while still revealing more detail.
“Particularly if you’re in the Cleveland area, hop on down to the museum and check out a planetarium show,” he adds. “We change up our shows every quarter and we begin every single program with a tour of the current evening sky, so you’ll be prepared to head out into the real world and view the actual objects.”
For a deeper dive, try using a free stargazing app to help identify constellations, planets and satellites; attend public observing nights hosted by local astronomy clubs; or head to Geauga Park District’s Observatory Park (geaugaparkdistrict.org/park/observatory-park), recognized by the International Dark-Sky Association as a Dark Sky Park and designed for stargazing and public astronomy education.
Backyard Evening Fun
You don’t have to leave home to make an autumn night feel like an adventure. Once the sun goes down, even a familiar space can become a different place as you turn an ordinary night into a family event — complete with food, games and a reason to stay outside a little longer.
Set up a backyard campout, even if you plan to sleep in your own beds later. Let the kids pitch a small tent, build a blanket-and-pillow fort or string up a hammock. Serve dinner outdoors and plan campfire-friendly food such as foil-packet meals, hot dogs or apple slices sprinkled with cinnamon and warmed over the fire. For dessert, try s’mores with a variety of ingredient combinations.
A backyard can also become the setting for games that feel different in the dark. Try glow-in-the-dark bowling by filling clear plastic bottles with water and adding glow sticks, or set up a glow-stick obstacle course. For a quieter activity, spread blankets on the grass and make up stories about the constellations you can see overhead.
You can even make the darkness itself part of the fun. Turn off the porch lights and spend a few minutes sitting quietly together, letting everyone’s eyes adjust. Then ask the kids what they can hear, smell or see that they couldn’t notice in daylight. A familiar backyard may reveal crickets chirping from different directions, an owl calling from a distant tree or the silhouette of a deer at the edge of the yard.
Whether you’re following a trail after sunset, looking for planets overhead or turning your own backyard into an evening adventure, fall offers plenty of reasons to stay outside a little longer. So grab a flashlight, gather the family and make a little room in your schedule this season for adventures that begin when the sun goes down.
Evening Events at Area Park Districts
Looking for nearby after-dark events? Check out these offerings from local park districts. Be sure to check websites for updates and registration details.
Cleveland Metroparks: Nightlife at Dusk Kayak Tour
On Sept. 17 from 6-8 p.m., enjoy an evening of looking for nightlife around Hinckley Lake from a kayak. Learn paddling techniques and basic boat fitting before hitting the water to watch the sunset and admire nature. As the sun sets, use some fun night lights to paddle with. Hinckley Reservation, 1 West Drive, Hinckley, clevelandmetroparks.com
Geauga Park District: Night Sky Viewing
On Sept. 11 and 12 from 8-11 p.m., if skies are clear, observe the night sky through the Oberle telescope and other telescopes spaced out around the plaza at Observatory Park. There will be a planetarium presentation if it is cloudy. 10610 Clay St., Montville Twp., geaugaparkdistrict.org
Lake Metroparks: UV Sunset Hike – Hunting for Neolites
On Sept. 10 from 7:30-9:30 p.m., venture out at dusk and enjoy the sunset on a Lake Erie accessible shoreline. Hunt for fluorescent geologic treasures deposited here thousands of years ago by glaciers. UV flashlights will be provided. Lake Erie Bluffs, 3301 Lane Road, Perry Twp., lakemetroparks.com
Lorain County Metro Parks: Full Moon Hike
On Sept. 26 from 7-8 p.m., join a hike to the observation mound to try to catch a glimpse of the full moon. Wellington Reservation, 535 Jones Road, Wellington, loraincountymetroparks.com
Medina County Park District: S’more Nature – Bats
On Sept. 24 from 6:30-8:30 p.m., relax with a sweet snack and admire the incredible bats flying overhead. Naturalists will share observation tools and fun facts. Oenslager Nature Center, 6100 Ridge Road, Sharon Center, medinacountyparks.com
Stark Parks: Night Rides on the Towpath
On Sept. 19 from 7:30-9:30 p.m., Join Ernie’s Bicycle Shop for a night bike ride. Starting from Lake Ave. Trailhead, the 14- to 18-mile beginner-friendly ride over flat terrain will have an Ernie’s team member at the front and rear of the group. 135 Lake Ave. NW, Massillon, starkparks.com
Summit Metro Parks: Spree With Me – Harvest Moon
On Sept. 27 from 7-8:30 p.m., take a hike on the 2-mile Chippewa Trail and explore the agricultural history of Silver Creek Metro Park under the harvest moon. 5199 S. Medina Line Road, Norton, summitmetroparks.org