The ultimate Columbus fall bucket list
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With the calendar flipped to September, Ohioans are gearing up for a busy season of corn mazes, wagon rides and pumpkin patches.
Why it matters: No other Midwestern state loves its fall festivities quite like Ohio, and family farms across the Buckeye State are reaping the benefits.
State of play: Ohio leads the region in agritourism, Ideastream Public Media reports, with nearly 900 farms generating income from activities ranging from berry picking to petting zoos.
- It's a lucrative, growing industry. The number of agritourism operations in Ohio nearly tripled between 2002 and 2022, and total annual income now exceeds $30 million.
Our suggestions for fall fun ideas:
🌽 The MAiZE at Little Darby Creek
- This location is known for its gigantic corn mazes and variety of family activities.
- This year's maze celebrates the comic strip "Peanuts" and promotes "Snoopy 4 Prez." 8657 Axe Handle Road, Milford Center.
🍎 Branstool Orchards
- A new favorite of Tyler's, Branstool's apple picking and food trucks make for a perfect afternoon road trip. 5895 Johnstown-Utica Road, Utica.
- Pro tip: Stop by nearby Velvet Ice Cream for lunch and a treat afterward.
👻 Hoover Gardens & Gift Center
- Hoover offers haunted mazes for young and old kids alike. They'll debut during the location's Fallapalooza on Sept. 21. at 182 N. Sunbury Road, Westerville.
Also, there are loads of fall community festivals within an hour's drive of Columbus:
🍅 Fredericktown Tomato Show, Sept. 4–7. The final day features "bathtub races."
🍿 Marion Popcorn Festival, Sept. 5–7. Claims to be the world's largest popcorn festival.
🥒 Ohio Gourd Show, Oct. 4–6. Everything you could want to know about gourds at the Delaware County Fairgrounds.
🎃 Circleville Pumpkin Show, Oct. 16–19. Free, crowded, and the inspiration for Tyler's current license plate.
🕯️ Great Westerville Pumpkin Glow, Oct. 17–20. Where else can you go "pumpkin bowling?"