Oct 17, 2025 - Things to Do
We found the perfect, low-key autumn stroll 45 minutes from Cleveland
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Photos: Sam Allard/Axios
👋 Sam here. The best place I went this week was Schoepfle Garden — a 77-acre botanical garden and natural woodland in the Vermilion River valley.
State of play: I spent two nights at a cozy Airbnb in Lorain County to work on a personal writing project.
- I took a midday jaunt to the Lorain County Metro Parks' property on my parents' recommendation.
Catch up quick: The garden is named for Otto B. Schoepfle Jr., a banker who served for decades as the publisher and CEO of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram.
- He bequeathed his family property to the parks system.
🍁 Verdict: Perfect for a serene, low-impact autumn stroll in the western exurbs.
- I completed most of both trails — one through the manicured gardens, one through the woods adjacent to the river — in about 30 minutes.
Stop by: It's 45 minutes by car from Cleveland and may not be worth a special trip. But it's a lovely oasis if you happen to be in the area.
