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Inspiring Spots Within Your Reach - A Guide to Columbus Ohio

Ultimate Guide to Fall Fun in Central Ohio 2025: U-Pick Orchards, Pumpkin Patches & Family-Friendly Festivals

Your 2025 guide to fall in Central Ohio: U-pick apple orchards, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and family festivals across Columbus & beyond.

Fall is hands down my favorite season. The crisp mornings, the trees dressed in their best colors, and everything smelling like apples and pumpkins… it just doesn’t get better. Oh, and football? Always a bonus. But what I really love is exploring Central Ohio’s farms — from pumpkin patches and apple orchards to the best fall festivals — and seeing all the magic they bring to the season. Here’s my updated 2025 guide to make sure you don’t miss a single hayride, pumpkin donut, or corn maze adventure

{FYI – The bold title in each section will take you directly to the business’s website for more details and updates.}

•U-Pick Apple Orchards•

Bust out the boots and baskets; it’s time to harvest some apples, make some apple pie, and drink some apple cider!

Tip: Make sure to check social media and/or website before going. Sometimes all the delicious apples get picked quicker than expected or sadly, sometimes mother nature doesn’t help out and things get a bit ruined.

•U-Pick Pumpkin Patches•

Whether you walk to the patch or ride a wagon or grab pre-picked pumpkins, your family will love exploring and picking from these local pumpkin patches.

• Fall Festivals on the Farm •

Central Ohio has so many great fall festivals during September and October. Each is a bit different, but you’ll find the classics among them all – hayrides, pumpkins, activities, animals, and FOOD!  
  • Circle S Farms (Grove City)
    • Season: Mid-September through October
    • Daily Hours: 9 a.m.–7 p.m. (consistent with “Fall Fun Days” info)
    • Enjoy hayrides, a Fun Barn, petting zoo, corn & sunflower mazes, and the Bale Cave. A perfect backdrop for fall photos!
  • The Pickwick Place (Bucyrus)
    • U-Pick: Apples & flowers (seasonal—check availability)
      • Special Events:
        • Flannel Fest: Sept. 13–14 & 20–21
      • Apple Bash: Sept. 27 (apple samples, café specials)
    • Fall Activity Weekends: Saturdays & Sundays in October (corn maze, apple cannon, trike track, etc.)
    • Deck the Stalls: Nov. 7–8 & 14–15 (holiday shopping kickoff)
    • Location: 1875 North Sandusky Avenue, Bucyrus, OH 44820
  • Dupler’s Pumpkin Land (Newark)
    • Season: Sept. 12 – Oct. 31 (Opening Day: Sept. 12)
    • Hours: Sunday–Friday 12 p.m.–7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
    • Admission: $5 (ages 3+ and adults); kids 2 & under free
    • Activities include slides, Wacky Web, Mystery Maze, Story Trail, haunted room, games in the pole barn; wagon rides ($3) and paintball ($5/50 shots) on weekends.
  • Olentangy Caverns (Delaware)
    • Season: Sept. 20 – Oct. 31
    • Activities (daily): Pumpkins for sale, rubber ducky races, cornhole, scavenger hunt with a prize, plus new attractions in 2025: giant tube rollers and a straw bale obstacle course.
      • Special Sunday Events:
      • Sept. 14 — Puppet Show w/ Mr. Puppet (2–2:45 p.m.)
      • Sept. 21 — Sedgie the Hedgehog & Kids Magic Show (3:30–4:30 p.m.)
      • Sept. 28 — 500‑lb Pumpkin Carving w/ Gus the Squash Carver (12–4 p.m.)
        Location: 1779 Home Road, Delaware, OH 43015
  • Leeds Farm (Ostrander)
    • Season: Sept. 20 – Oct. 26; plus Friday, Oct. 17 (10 a.m.–5 p.m., weekends only)
    • Pre‑purchase tickets to save $4! Admission includes nearly all farm activities: mountain slides, pedal carts, Tube Time, Pumpkin Express, Grainary, hayride, and more (Big Zip is extra).
    • Location: 8738 Marysville Rd., Ostrander, OH 43061
  • Lehner’s Pumpkin Farm (Radnor)
    • Season: Sept. 21 – Oct. 27
    • Admission includes 40+ activities: jump pillows, barn play area, swingline, corn maze, giant Legos, and more. Paid extras: Giant Sling Shot ($1/2 balls), Paintball Target Shooting ($3 for 25 or $5 for 50).
  • Pigeon Roost Farm (Hebron)
    • Season: Sept. 14 – Oct. 31 | 10 a.m.–7 p.m. (closed Mon–Tues)
    • No charge for market, pumpkin area, or parking (credit cards only). Over 20 acres of fall fun, plus weekend-only activities like wagon rides, concessions, paintball, face painting, and crafts.
    • Location: 4413 National Rd. SW, Hebron, OH 43025
  • Van Buren Acres (Hebron)
    • Season: Sept. 7 – Nov. 3 (Wed–Sun, 10 a.m.–7 p.m., weather permitting)
    • Fall blooms from Sept. 9 – mid‑Oct. (sunflowers & zinnias) and corn maze from Sept. 9 – Oct. 31. Admission includes corn & soybean mazes, hay rides, jumping pillow, barrel train, putt-putt golf, pig & duck races, slides, and more.
  • Young’s Dairy Farm (Yellow Springs)
    • Season: Sept. 21 – Oct. 27
    • Expect pick-your-own pumpkins, Cowvin’s Corny Maze, wagon rides (including haunted ones), friendly animals, pumpkin treats, ice cream, deep-fried goodies, and more.
    • Location: 6880 Springfield Xenia Rd., Yellow Springs, OH 45387
  • Hidden Creek Farms (Sunbury)
    • Season: Sept. 21 – Oct. 27 | Weekends 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; plus Friday, Oct. 18 (10 a.m.–4 p.m.)
    • Entrance fee $9 (ages 2+), $7 (grandparents with grandkids). Fall fun includes hayrides, pony rides ($5), The Great Pumpkin Slide, pumpkin tunnel, kids’ arcade, straw maze, and farm animals.
Read about our trip to Young’s Dairy Farm

• Corn Mazes •

Fall is the perfect time to have fun exploring a corn maze, and our local farms are famous for plotting a spectacular crop in the shape of a creative-themed maze.

• Fall Events •

Central Ohio is FILLED with large and small events over the next few months. But, of course, this isn’t a complete list; that would be impossible! Instead, I’ve narrowed this list down to events I am most excited about and are family-friendly.

September Events

  • Columbus Oktoberfest | Sept. 5–7 | Ohio Expo Center
    • Celebrate German heritage with polka bands, tasty food, and family-friendly fun. Admission is free (parking fees apply).
  • Lithopolis Honeyfest | Sept. 5–6 | Lithopolis
    • Celebrate all things honey with bake-offs, arts and crafts, live music, and plenty of sweet treats.
  • Harvest Fair at Columbus Commons | Sat, Sept. 6 | 12–4 p.m.
    • Enjoy farm animals, inflatables, face painting, a pumpkin patch, and apple cider in the heart of downtown.
  • Hank’s Low Country Oyster Festival | Sun, Sept. 14 | Gay & High St, Downtown
    • The second annual festival features live jazz, oyster shucking, southern dishes, and more. Admission is free; food + drinks available for purchase.
  • Market Day in Worthington | Sat, Sept. 20
    • Worthington’s longest-running festival with 160+ exhibitors, handmade crafts, and family fun in Old Worthington.
  • Pumpkin Float and Flick | Sat, Sept. 20 | 6–10 p.m.
    • Float your carved pumpkin on the pond, stroll the lantern-lit trail, and catch Wicked under the stars with snacks, face painting, and more.
  • Scrawl | Sept. 20–21 | Franklinton Arts District
    • A two-day arts festival featuring murals, DJ sets, food trucks, and local brews.
  • Harvest Blooms at Franklin Park Conservatory | Sept. 27–Nov. 2
    • Thousands of pumpkins, mums, and cabbages fill the gardens alongside giant pumpkin houses and a pumpkin tree.

October Events

  • Columbus Coffee Fest
    • October 4–5 at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Hilliard. A celebration of roasters and coffee culture from across the Midwest, featuring tastings, workshops, and local vendors. Website
  • Ohio Gourd Show
    • October 3–5 at the Delaware County Fairgrounds. Explore gourds of all shapes and sizes, plus gourd art, craft supplies, demonstrations, and workshops. Admission and parking are free! Website
  • Columbus Italian Festival
    • October 10–12 in Italian Village, with a special Prevue Dinner on October 6 at The Berwick. Enjoy authentic Italian food, live entertainment, and family fun throughout the three-day celebration. Admission is $10, free for kids under 12. More Info
  • Boo at the Zoo
    • October 10–12, 17–19, and 24–26 at the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium. The zoo transforms into a Halloween wonderland with treat stations, costumed characters, and festive decorations. Included with regular admission.
  • Pumpkins Aglow at Franklin Park Conservatory
    • October 15–19, 22–26, and 29–November 2 at Franklin Park Conservatory. Hundreds of hand-carved pumpkins light up the gardens with enchanting displays like pumpkin houses, dancing skeletons, and a spooky forest. Website
  • Circleville Pumpkin Show
    • October 15–18 in Circleville. One of Ohio’s biggest fall traditions, drawing visitors from around the world for giant pumpkins, parades, rides, and endless pumpkin-flavored treats. Admission is free.
  • The Great Westerville Pumpkin Glow
    • October 16 at Heritage Park in Westerville. Wander through trails lined with thousands of glowing carved pumpkins arranged in magical, themed scenes. No tickets will be sold at the event, so plan ahead!
  • HighBall Halloween (Short North)
    • October 26 in the Short North Arts District. One of the nation’s most elaborate costume parties, blending runway fashion with a massive outdoor street party. At HighBall, you are what you wear!

Don’t miss all the fall fun at Olentangy Caverns this Fall!

• Flavors of Fall •

One of the best things about fall is all of the seasonal flavors. Whether it’s a pumpkin donut from a local farm, sipping apple cider on a crisp fall day, or enjoying a pumpkin latte — Fall food and drink feel like the warm hug we all need.
  • Apple + Pumpkin Donuts from ALL the local farms {my favorite}
  • Maple Chai from Coffeeology
    • 43 N Sandusky St, Delaware, OH 43015
  • Pumpkin Spice, Maple Walnut, Apple Crisp and Chai Spice Buckeyes from The Buckeye Lady
    • 4493 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214
  • Pumpkin Sticky Bun from Pattycake Bakery
    • 3870 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214
  • Pumpkin Cream Puff from Schmidt’s Sausage Haus’
    • 240 E Kossuth St, Columbus, OH 43206
  • Pumpkin Spice Latte from Stauf’s Coffee Roasters’
    • Multiple Locations
  • Jack-Oat-Lantern Latte from Crimson Cup
    • Multiple Locations
  • Bourbon Tasting at Opa! in Delaware
    • Fun Fact: They have one of the LARGEST whiskey/bourbon selections in the midwest.
    • 18 S Sandusky St, Delaware, OH 43015
  • Pumpkin Pancakes from Sunny Street Cafe
    • Multiple Locations
  • Hot Chaider from Roosevelt Coffeehouse
    • Multiple Locations
  • Pumpkin Donut from Buckeye Donuts
    • 1998 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201
  • Pumpkin Cake Roll Ice Cream from Jeni’s
    • Multiple Locations
  • Pumpkin Spice Éclair from Pistacia Vera
    • 541 S 3rd St, Columbus, OH 43215
  • Pumpkin Spongies from Bake Me Happy
    • 106 E Moler St, Columbus, OH 43207
  • Worx-toberfest from Restoration Brew Worx
    • 25 N Sandusky St, Delaware, OH 43015

Take a Hike

Trees are pretty any time of year, but fall is when they turn into natural show-offs, turning the most amazing colors. Once the leaves fall, they get extra crunchy, adding some fun for the kids! Here are a few of my places to take the girls.

Top Five Ohio Fall Hikes – Ohio.org

• Fall Roadtrip Ideas for Families •

Here are a few trips we’ve taken during the fall season in Ohio. If you need more ideas, head right over to the Ohio.Find it Here website. It is FILLED with road trip ideas and even itineraries.
Explore Athens
Visit Amish Country
Daytrip to Van Buren Acres
Fall Foodie Roadtrip in Central Ohio
Young’s Jersey Dairy Farm

Happy Fall! Wishing you a fantastic season ahead!

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