Crisp air, vibrant leaves, and the scent of the season drifting through the breeze—fall has arrived in Shores & Islands Ohio, and with it comes a season packed full of cozy traditions and festive fun. From bustling fall festivals, farm markets, leaf peeping, and scary fun, the region offers endless ways to celebrate autumn. Thrill-seekers can dive into haunted houses, while families can enjoy kid-friendly Halloween events and scenic farmyard adventures. Whether you’re hunting for the perfect pumpkin, savoring local flavors, or looking for a spooky night out, Shores & Islands Ohio is the place to make fall unforgettable.
Fall Hikes to “Leaf” You Wanting More
There’s nothing like the feeling of leaves crunching under your feet while enjoying a brisk walk in the temperate fall air – whether it’s a crisp, cool morning, or the middle of a sunny, warm day, here are some beautiful places to hike to get your foliage fix.
Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve – An easy, paved trail through the woods with a gorgeous payoff…the trail ends at a secluded Lake Erie beach. Reward yourself by enjoying the sounds of lapping waters.
Castalia Quarry MetroPark – This hike is a lovely one around a naturally-reclaimed quarry, surrounded by trees. Enjoy panoramic views of Sandusky Bay and the islands from the observation deck, hike the quarry rim, or take one of the quarry trails to hunt for fossils in the bedrock.
Kelleys Island (new trail below Glacial Grooves) - A National Natural Landmark, Glacial Grooves Geological Preserve on the north side of Kelleys Island are the largest easily accessible such grooves in the world. A new trail debuted this year; the trailhead is just to the left of the grooves. It takes hikers down into the naturally reclaimed quarry floor, where you can look back up at the Glacial Grooves observation deck above you. Bonus, the trail culminates with the exploration of the old stone crusher for the Kelleys Island Lime & Transport Co., now part of Kelleys Island State Park.
Ottawa County Parks District Outdoor Hiking Challenge – Ottawa County, Ohio is home to several outdoor hiking destinations, perfect for fall walking adventures both easy and more vigorous. This free challenge encourages hikers to visit 9 out of 12 featured recreation areas to earn a roll-up camping blanket. There’s even a series of guided walks you can partake in if you’d like to hike with a group.
Hey, Pumpkin!
Looking for some fresh, fall flavor? Time to visit a local farm market! Not only can you pick up the freshest, locally-grown produce, but you can also get your haul of all things fall like pumpkins, apple cider, decorative gourds, corn shocks, and hay bales. Plus, many of these locations also offer farmyard activities and harvest festival atmospheres.
Chef’s Garden Farm Market – Open Wednesday-Sunday for the fall season, pick up regeneratively-farmed, fresh produce for your cooking and baking needs. While there, enjoy the farmyard activities including a corn maze, cow-milking simulator, barrel horses with lassos, straw mountain, and farm-themed games.
Quarry Hill Orchards – The Market Barn at Quarry Hill is open daily for your shopping needs. This season they are overflowing with your fall favorites. The season is also full of special events like the Rural Roots time capsule event and Apple Peak harvest festival. Here you can also pick-your-own apples and visit the on-site Quarry Hill Winery, specializing in fruit wines and exceptional views.
Burnham Orchards – Rooted in tradition, Burnham Orchards is open year-round and daily offering market goods, produce, a bakery, and a hard cider tap room. Applechella is the theme for this year’s weekly fall festivals, held Saturdays and Sundays through the end of October. Activities include hayrides, corn maze, carpet slide, and other kids play areas along with specialty food trucks and craft vendors.
Orchard Farm Stand – While visiting The Orchard’s campus, the farm stand’s market offers local produce, baked goods, honey, and more. Be sure to visit the Spooky Coop – the onsite Halloween-themed, chicken coop bar offering seasonal drinks and snacks.
Fall Festival Time!
While not all related to food, fall festivals seem like the perfect place to relish not just in the sights and sounds of fall, but also the TASTES. Festival season continues through November with a number of community celebrations.
Oktoberfest is a traditional German folk and beer festival, celebrated each fall all over the world now. There are two opportunities to don your Dirndls and lean into your Lederhosen in the region. Twin Oast Brewery hosts their version, Oastoberfest on October 3rd. The neighboring town of Fremont offers a Sauerkraut Oktoberfest October 3 and 4. The village of Put-in-Bay commemorates Oktoberfest with an island-style twist on October 11 and 12.
Craving something sweeter? Apples are surely the fruit of the season, and their harvest is feted at the Oak Harbor Apple Festival October 11 and 12. Here you can enjoy all things made from the sometimes sweet, sometimes tart fruit. Enjoy fresh apple butter, various apples, apple pies, apple dumplings, apple cookies, and more! Additionally, there is a car show, vendors, carnival rides, and entertainment.
Lakeside Chautauqua and the entire Marblehead peninsula celebrates the season as well as the oldest continuously-operating lighthouse on the Great Lakes with the 29th annual Lakeside-Marblehead Lighthouse Festival on October 11. This one-day festival includes a farmers market, hayrides, over 100 arts and crafts vendors, and tours of the lighthouse and Wolcott Keeper’s House.
Ohio’s largest one-day festival takes place annually each fall in Vermilion and is already looking ahead to the next season. The 53rd annual Woollybear Festival, this year on Sunday, October 5, is based on the meteorological tradition of predicting the winter weather forecast by looking at the stripe on the Woollybear caterpillars which are abundant this time of year. Historically, if the orange stripe on the caterpillars’ body is wide, winter will be relatively mild. A thin strip (or more black on the body) predicts a harsh winter ahead. The Woollybear is like the Groundhog in predicting spring. Started by a local Cleveland television weather personality, the legendary Dick Goddard, the festival has come to celebrate his legacy and his love for animals. Filled with traditional festival fare, the event also has some unique events like the Woollybear 500 and Woollybear look-a-like contests for both animals and humans!
Looking for the best food in the region? Wondering what local eateries serves the best burger, who has the best pizza, or where to find the area’s best baked goods? Look no further that the Best of the Bay food competition at Cedar Point Sports Center on November 5. Sample dishes from local restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, and caterers and vote on your favorites in 10 different categories. A great way to get a “taste” of Shores & Islands Ohio!
Ready to scare up some spooky Halloween fun? Head over to part two of the Fall Haul blog for even more events and places to go that are a total scream.
