Fall in love with Shores & Islands Ohio all over again in the autumn, when the summer crowd goes home, but the attractions and events keep going. Milder weather allows visitors to continue to enjoy the beauty of the coastline and the seasonal changing colors. Warm, bright, sunny days and crisp, cool evenings mean fall is here and it is one of the most enjoyable times to experience the Shores & Islands region. With the summer season behind us, you might be wondering what there is to do here now? And the answer is…plenty! You’ll fall for the area’s many autumn opportunities. Here are just a few ideas to get you started.
Cedar Point’s HalloWeekends – Cedar Point knows how to celebrate the season. Enjoy not-so-scary fall activities for the whole family, your favorite rides and attractions, live entertainment, and more on select days and nights this September and October. If you want to face your fears, immerse yourself in chilling mazes, spine-tingling scare zones, thrilling shows, and more.
Core Values – Does it get more autumn than apple-picking? Whether a family tradition or a new adventure, be sure hit up a local orchard for the best fruits of the season. Quarry Hill Orchards is a family-owned fruit farm since 1929, offering self-pick opportunities as well as wagon rides and special events. If you’re not into doing the work yourself, visit the market barn where not only can you choose from a wide variety of apples and other fresh produce, you can also enjoy cider, baked goods, dry goods and other pantry items from around Ohio, and fabulous gifts items such as farm shirts and hats. This time of year, you can also pick up hearty mums, pumpkins, and gourds for your fall decorating needs. The adjacent Edison Woods Metropark is a great place to observe the changing colors of the leaves with a stroll through the wooded trails and the Adventure Walkway boardwalk.
Get Scared Out of Your Gourd – ‘Tis the season for spooks and scares. For the grown-ups and more mature youth, an often-favorite part of fall is Halloween and the discovery of all things frightening. If you’d like to learn a little local history and lore, while hearing about hauntings and other mysterious happenings, there are often area walking tours to consider and a driving ghost tour with Firelands Adventure Tours. Of course, fans of haunted houses will not want to miss a visit to Ghostly Manor Thrill Center, home to the original Ghostly Manor haunted house, a Forbes magazine Top 10 haunted attraction and one of USA Today’s Top 20 Haunted Houses. Filled with special effects, ghosts lurk in every corner as you wander through this “old mansion.” This is also home of the Lake Eerie Fearfest, a special haunted outdoor addition to the original Ghostly Manor, available only in the fall.
I’ll Drink to That – Fall is the perfect season to visit a Lake Erie winery, brewery, or distillery to taste craft beverages made from the fruits harvested each year. These establishments vary from tasting rooms to gourmet dining rooms to expansive farm lands with outdoor seating. Check out the Shores & Islands Cheers Trail for 21 craft beverage-makers, happy to welcome your tasting experience this season. You can even earn points towards fun prizes when you download the Cheers Trail digital passport to your phone and check in at participating locations along the way. Please enjoy the Cheers Trail responsibly.
Fall into Fun – A variety of special events are planned for fall. A German-tradition Oktoberfest, along with the Island Hops and Vine Festival, offer fun celebrations along with a variety of Halloween activities for all ages. Don’t miss the annual downtown Sandusky Witches Walk, where hundreds of witches parade the street and dance around the fountain at Schade-Mylander Plaza. The Put-in-Bay Road Races are a fun way to enjoy the island while it’s filled with vintage sports cars. Real racing action takes place at the Put-in-Bay airport, where race-viewing is free! Ohio’s largest one-day festival is celebrated each fall in Vermilion with the return of the Woollybear Festival – attend to learn the woollybear’s prediction for the winter weather ahead. Be sure to check out SHORESandISLANDS.com/events for the latest on what’s happening in the region for the fall season.
And get ready to enjoy fall…it’s a SHORE thing!
