There’s something magical about fall in northwest Ohio. As the temperatures cool and the leaves begin to change, pumpkin patches, apple orchards, family festivals and fright-filled attractions begin popping up across the region. Whether you’re looking for daytime adventures with the kids or haunted experiences after dark, here’s a look at some of the area’s family-friendly events from September through Halloween.
Apple Orchards and Pumpkin Patches
Bennett’s Orchard
August 1 through October 31
Monday-Friday: 9am-7pm | Saturday: 9am-7pm Sunday: 10am-5pm November and December Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm | Sunday 10am-5pm
5647 Consear Rd., Ottawa Lake, MI
734-854-2523
For generations, Bennett’s Orchard, just north of Toledo, has been a favorite stop for fresh apples, cider and fall treats. Families can browse the orchard’s seasonal offerings, enjoy fresh cider and baked goods, and take home locally grown produce. Adults can also visit the Broken Barrel Hard Cider Co. tasting room, which features hard cider made from apples grown right on the farm.
Erie Orchards and Cider Mill
Monday-Saturday: 9am-7pm | Sunday: 11am-5pm
1235 S. Erie Rd., Erie, MI
734-848-4518
Erie Orchards and Cider Mill offers something new nearly every weekend throughout the fall. In addition to fresh apples, cider, doughnuts and other seasonal favorites, families can enjoy special events throughout the season, including the Apple Festival, Harvest Festival, Pumpkin Festival, Kids Weekends, Cider Making Weekend, Halloween Weekend and Halloween Treat Day. Hayrides, farm tours and a well-stocked market make it a favorite fall destination just across the Michigan border.
Haslinger Orchards
Monday-Saturday: 9am-5pm | Sunday: 11am-5pm
7404 U.S. 6, Gibsonburg
419-288-2567
A fifth-generation family farm, Haslinger Orchards is known for its fresh-pressed apple cider, homemade apple butter and wide variety of apples. During September and October, visitors can enjoy pick-your-own apples and pumpkins, then browse the farm market for seasonal produce, local honey, jams, fresh doughnuts, cider slushies and other fall favorites.
Fleitz Pumpkin Farm
September 8 through October 31
Daily, 10am-7pm 7133 Seaman Rd., Oregon
419-836-7613
A family-run favorite since 1989, Fleitz Pumpkin Farm has grown from a small roadside stand into a beloved fall destination. Enjoy a day filled with pre-picked pumpkins, corn mazes, including one of the area’s first, and a unique corn kernel play area. Say hello to the goats, grab a cider slushie and don’t miss the Snack Shack’s famous doughnuts, doughnut corndogs, mini doughnuts and fresh kettle corn. All activities are open during business hours, making any visit a great time for fall fun.
Gust Brother’s Pumpkin Farm
Labor Day through Halloween
Daily, 9am-7pm 13639 Mulberry Rd., Ottawa Lake, MI
517-486-2237
A full farm-day retreat featuring pumpkin picking, barnyard animals, a corn maze, weekend hayrides, hot cider, cider slushies and doughnuts made fresh on-site. Be sure to explore the farm’s 5 acres of U-pick flowers and sunflowers, making it an even more colorful stop for fall family fun.
MacQueen’s Orchards
May through October: 9am-7pm
7605 Garden Rd., Holland
419-865-2916
Whether you’re picking apples, browsing the farm market or treating yourself to something from the bakery, MacQueen’s Orchards is a fall favorite for northwest Ohio families. Visitors can enjoy Pick Your Own apples and pumpkins from mid-September through the third week of October, shop for seasonal produce and gifts, and experience one of the area’s most well-known orchards.
Pumpkin Pete’s and Gwen’s Gourds
Opening day: Saturday, September 19
Friday: 4-8pm | Saturday and Sunday: 9am-8pm
10988 Neiderhouse Rd., Perrysburg
Make Pumpkin Pete’s and Gwen’s Gourds part of your fall tradition with pumpkins, gourds and rotating food trucks. It’s a relaxing autumn stop just outside Perrysburg.
Wheeler Farms
September 19 through October 31
Friday: 5-10pm | Saturday: Noon-10pm | Sunday: Noon-6pm
11500 Obee Rd., Whitehouse
Make your way through Wheeler Farms’ family-friendly corn maze and enjoy a relaxing day surrounded by the sights and colors of autumn. Campfires, fresh country air and wide-open spaces make it an ideal destination for families, while evening corn maze adventures offer an extra challenge for those bringing a flashlight.
Fall Festivals and Activites
Boo-To-Do in Downtown Waterville
Thursday, October 29 | 5-7pm
Downtown Waterville
419-878-5188
Wear a costume and stroll through downtown Waterville to be part of this family-friendly Halloween tradition. Local businesses welcome young trick-or-treaters with candy and treats, while food trucks and a festive atmosphere make for a fun-filled evening.
Grand Rapids Apple Butter Festival
Sunday, October 11 | 10am-5pm
Downtown Grand Rapids
419-832-1106
One of northwest Ohio’s most beloved fall traditions returns with a full day of small-town charm and seasonal fun. Browse hundreds of juried craft vendors, enjoy live entertainment, watch historical demonstrations and costume re-enactors. Be sure to take home a jar of the festival’s famous apple butter.
Northwood Fall Festival
Saturday, October 10 | Noon-6pm
Central Park, 6000 Wales Rd., Northwood
Celebrate the season at Northwood’s annual Fall Festival, where families can enjoy an afternoon of live entertainment, delicious food, local vendors and activities for all ages. Browse more than 60 vendors, cheer on the community parade and soak up a favorite fall traditions.
Sylvania Fall Festival
Saturday, October 17 | 2-8pm
Sunday, October 18 | 10am-4pm
Centennial Terrace, 5773 Centennial Rd., Sylvania
419-882-2135
One of Sylvania’s favorite fall traditions returns for another weekend of family fun. This year’s festival moves to Centennial Terrace as construction continues in downtown Sylvania, but visitors will still enjoy local vendors, food trucks, live entertainment, family activities, a cornhole tournament and the annual Fall Festival Parade on Sunday at 1pm. It’s the perfect place to celebrate the season and experience the best of the Sylvania community.
Oak Harbor Apple Festival
Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11
Downtown Oak Harbor, 161 W. Water St., Oak Harbor
A northwest Ohio tradition for generations, the Oak Harbor Apple Festival welcomes more than 25,000 visitors each year for a weekend filled with family fun and small-town charm.
Browse more than 120 vendors, enjoy delicious food and live entertainment, explore the Kids Zone and catch crowd favorites like the Grand Parade, Classic Car Show, baking
contest, cornhole tournament and the Apple Festival Royalty Court. Admission is free.
Frights
Haunted Waterville Tours
September 12, 17, 24, October 1, 8, 17, 22 and 31 Tours at 5:15pm, 6pm, 6:45pm, 7:30pm and 8:15pm
The Robbins House Museum, 114 S. River Rd., Waterville
Step inside the historic Robbins House Museum before setting out on a horse-drawn trolley ride through downtown Waterville. Along the way, guests will hear eerie tales of local hauntings from ghost hunters and mediums, including several new stories added for this year’s tours. Children 12 and younger receive a free T-shirt to remember the experience.
Fall Fun at the Toledo Lucas County Public Library
Main Library, Maumee Branch and Sylvania Branch
The Toledo Lucas County Public Library is celebrating the season with hands-on programs for kids throughout October, including Fall Craft Fun, Fall Is for Pumpkins, Halloween Craft Party, Batty About Bats!, Booook Bash, Exploding Pumpkins and a Spooky Scavenger Hunt. Visit the online events calendar for registration information and additional October programs.
Panic in the Pines at Bowlander Farm
Saturdays, October 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31
Nighttime haunts: 8-10pm Daytime Fall Fun: Saturdays and Sundays, October 3, 4, 10 and 11, 11am-4pm
3525 N. Bolander Rd., Genoa
During the first two weekends of October, families can enjoy daytime farm fun and animal experiences. After dark, the farm transforms into Panic in the Pines, featuring a haunted hayride, eerie walking trail and haunted woods.
Toledo Zoo Events
Buckeye Broadband ZOOtoberfest
Friday, October 2 | Evening event Adults 21 and older can enjoy craft beer, live entertainment and animal encounters during one of the Zoo’s signature fall events.
Pumpkin Stomp & Chomp
Saturday, October 24 | During Zoo hours
Watch many of the Zoo’s animals stomp, smash and snack on pumpkins during special enrichment activities.
Harvest Fest
presented by Superior Credit Union October 1-31 | During Zoo hours Celebrate the arrival of fall with giant pumpkins, festive decorations, seasonal treats and all of your favorite Zoo animals.
Little Boo presented by Meijer
October 15 and 16 | 10am-3pm Designed especially for children ages 5 and younger, Little Boo offers a not-so-spooky Halloween celebration with trick-or-treating, entertainment and photo opportunities.
Pumpkin Path
October 17 and 18 | 10am-4pm Trick-or-treat stations, live entertainment and festive activities make this one of the Zoo’s favorite fall traditions.
