Columbus Parent | The Go-To Guide: 26 of Our Favorite Spots for Fall Family Fun

Whether you prefer pigskin or pumpkin spice, changing colors or changing temperatures, fall in Central Ohio is a special time.

From local farms that open their doors to visitors to spooky Halloween events, there are seasonal activities for all ages.

To help get you in the spirit, Columbus Parent has compiled a roundup of some of the most popular spots for fall fun—many of them low-cost or free.

Ongoing events are listed first, followed by those with fixed dates.

FALL FARM EVENTS

Sept. 8 to Oct. 29

Lynd Fruit Farm

9399 Morse Road SW, Pataskala (corn maze is at 9851 Morse Road SW);lyndfruitfarm.com

Lynd Fruit Farm will offer an 8-acre “Lyndiana Jones” corn maze and a mini maze. The $11 admission ($10 for seniors, free for kids 2 and younger) also includes other activities, such as a bounce house and a barrel train. Timed tickets can be purchased online. Apple picking and entertainment are available select days. A market is open daily. Orchard wagon rides are $3, free for ages 3 and younger.

Sept. 9 to Oct. 29

The Orchard & Co.

7255 U.S. Route 42, Plain City;theorchardandcompany.com

The Orchard & Co. is a popular spot for pick-your-own apples, but the business also offers a lineup of kid-friendly activities such as wagon rides, farm animals, pedal cars, zip lines and more. Admission is $14, $5 for seniors and free for ages 2 and younger. Additional activities including paintball and fishing are available.

Sept. 16 to Oct. 29

Freeman’s Farm

6142 Lewis Center Road, Galena;freemansfarm.com

Freeman’s Farm will again hold its annual fall festival, drawing families from Delaware County and beyond. Take a hayride, shop the farm market, snack on fresh kettle corn, pick a pumpkin and more. Admission is free; there is a charge for food and some activities, which vary throughout the season.

Sept. 16 to Oct. 28

Leeds Farm

8738 State Route 36, Ostrander;leedsfarm.com

Fall activities at this family farm include hayrides, a gravity room, paintball, farm animals, slides, zip lines and more. Special events, such as the popular Witches Night Out, are held throughout the season. Regular admission (sold online in advance only) is $15 to $20 for ages 3-54, $5 for ages 55 and older and free for ages 2 and younger. There is an additional charge for some activities.

Sept. 16 to Oct. 29

Pigeon Roost Farm

4413 National Road SW, Hebron;pigeonroostfarm.com

The farm’s Great Pumpkin Fun Center features standard and mini corn mazes, as well as activities including zip lines, slides, a corn wagon, games and a chance to see farm animals. Admission is $11, free for children younger than 2. An on-site market sells pumpkins, décor and food.

Sept. 23 to Oct. 29

Lehner’s Pumpkin Farm

2920 State Route 203, Radnor;lehnerpumpkins.com

Lehner’s offers a variety of activities each fall, such as corn mazes, pumpkin bowling, a play barn, farm animals, paintball and rides. A pick-your-own pumpkin patch and a gift shop are on-site. Many activities are included in the base admission, which is $13 for ages 3-59, $5 for seniors and free for ages 2 and younger. Activities are limited on weeknights, when admission is $6.

Sept. 24 to Oct. 30

Hidden Creek Farms

581 S. Galena Road, Sunbury;hiddencreekfarms.com

This working farm welcomes visitors for its fall festival, featuring hayrides to the pumpkin patch, farm animals, pony rides, a pumpkin slide and a straw maze. Admission is $9, $5 for grandparents and free for children younger than 2. Some activities cost extra.

Sept. 24 to Oct. 29

The Maize at Little Darby Creek

8657 Axe Handle Road, Milford Center;mazeandberries.com

A 9-acre corn maze is the focal point at the Maize at Little Darby Creek, complemented by activities such as a petting zoo, games, laser tag, pedal carts and slides. Admission is $12 in advance or $16 at the farm, $6/$10 for ages 60 and older and free for ages 2 and younger. Additional activities, including pumpkin picking and hayrides, are available. A “Field of Fright” is offered Friday and Saturday nights in October.

Sept. 28-Oct. 31

Circle S Farms

9015 London Groveport Road, Grove City;circlesfarm.com

Fall Fun Days at Circle S includes corn and sunflower mazes, hayrides, a petting zoo and a straw barn. Pumpkin picking is available for a fee, and a market offers seasonal treats. Admission is $11 per person, free for children younger than 2.

SWEET AND SPOOKY FUN

Sept. 22 to Oct. 29

ZOMBIEzi Bay

Zoombezi Bay, 4850 Powell Road, Powell;zombiezibay.columbuszoo.org

Zoombezi Bay will again host a Halloween-themed nighttime event geared for teens and adults. ZOMBIEzi Bay visitors can experience four haunted houses, two scare zones, select Adventure Cove rides and more. Admission is $29.99 to $33.99, $44.99 for adult night events. Parking is $10, free for zoo members.

Oct. 1

Upper Arlington Fall Fest

Fancyburg Park, 3375 Kioka Ave., Upper Arlington;upperarlingtonoh.gov

This year’s event incorporates an NFL tailgate, with the Browns and Bengals games shown on-site. Other activities at this city event include pumpkin carving, hayrides, a corn maze, a petting zoo, a corn pit and apple cider pressing.

Oct. 6-29

Boo at the Zoo

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, 4850 Powell Road, Powell;columbuszoo.org

The wildly popular Boo at the Zoo puts a sweet twist on spooky season. Families will find activities for all ages, including nighttime lights, animal adventures, a trick-or-treat trail, costumed characters, shows, giant pumpkin carving and more. Boo at the Zoo, which takes place Fridays through Sundays, is included with standard admission. Costumes are encouraged.

Oct. 7-8

Oakland Nursery Fall Festival

All locations; oaklandnursery.com

The garden center’s annual fall event features a variety of seasonal fun, such as hayrides, bounce houses, pig rides, games, entertainment, pumpkin carving, a fishing derby and more. The lineup varies by location. Admission is free, but there is a fee for some activities.

Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28

All Hallows’ Eve

Ohio Village, 800 E. 17th Ave., Columbus;ohiohistory.org

This popular, family-friendly event evokes Victorian-era Halloween entertainment, with a retelling of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by a massive bonfire as a main attraction. The event also includes a lighted pumpkin path, fortune telling, roaming characters, pumpkin carving, crafts and games, and a 19th-century masquerade party. Timed-entry tickets for the evening event are $18 for adults, $14 for ages 4-12 and free for ages 3 and younger.

Oct. 11-29

Pumpkins Aglow

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, 1777 E. Broad St., Columbus;fpconservatory.org

During this annual evening event, the conservatory’s grounds are illuminated with hundreds of carved pumpkins. Enjoy family-friendly activities, explore the pumpkin patch and two pumpkin houses, and experience an “alien invasion.” Decorations also include a lighted pumpkin tunnel and skeletons in the gardens. Admission is $26 for adults, $22 for seniors, $15.50 for children ages 3-12 and free for ages 2 and younger.

Oct. 13, 14, 20, 21

Haunted Statehouse Tours

Ohio Statehouse, 1 Capitol Square, Columbus;ohiostatehouse.org

These tours take visitors on a nighttime trip through the Statehouse’s darkened chambers and hallways to explore Ohio history. The event is recommended for ages 12 and older. Tickets are $15 for adults and $7 for children ages 12-17 and must be purchased at statehouseshop.com.

Oct. 14

Boo & Brew

Polaris Fashion Place, 1500 Polaris Parkway, Columbus;polarisfashionplace.com

This event offers something for all ages, with children’s activities, food trucks and beer tasting for adults. Kids can participate in a costume contest, check out a pumpkin patch, play on inflatables and more. Admission is free.

Oct. 16-18

Golden Bear Scare

Smith Nature Park, 1270 Fishinger Road, Upper Arlington;upperarlingtonoh.gov

This annual event from the Upper Arlington Civic Association takes visitors through a haunted forest, guided by a “Scare Ranger.” The experience is tamer for little ones early in the evening, then gets spookier for older kids. Visitors will encounter witches, zombies and the like. Admission is free.

Oct. 18-21

Circleville Pumpkin Show

Downtown Circleville; pumpkinshow.com

The Circleville Pumpkin Show is an all-encompassing celebration of pumpkins, food, pageants and more. Highlights include live entertainment, children’s activities, the biggest pumpkin contest, rides and parades. Admission is free.

Oct. 19-20

Dublin Halloween Spooktacular

Dublin Community Recreation Center, 5600 Post Road, Dublin;dublinohiousa.gov/events/halloween-spooktacular

Dublin residents flock to Coffman Park for this annual family event sponsored by the city. Activities include performances, a hay maze, a trunk-or-treat trail and crafts.

Oct. 19-22

The Great Westerville Pumpkin Glow

Heritage Park, 60 N. Cleveland Ave., Westerville;parks.westerville.org

Walk a trail of glowing jack-o’-lanterns and exhibits and participate activities such as axe throwing, mini golf, bounce houses, pumpkin bowling and more. Admission to the nighttime event is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and children ages 3-15 and free for ages 2 and younger.

Oct. 22

Candy by the Carload

Seldom Seen Park, 3232 Seldom Seen Road, Powell;cityofpowell.us

Powell businesses and organizations pass out candy and other Halloween goodies to kids in costume. The event is free but registration is required.

Oct. 22

Trick or Treat Trail

Gallant Woods Park, 2151 Buttermilk Hill Road, Delaware;preservationparks.com

Children can don costumes and collect treats from characters along an “enchanted” nature trail, as well as decorate a pumpkin, go on a hayride and view insects. Gallant Farm is open during this free event.

Oct. 26

KidX Candy Crawl

Polaris Fashion Place, 1500 Polaris Parkway, Columbus;polarisfashionplace.com

Polaris Fashion Place will host indoor trick-or-treating around stores in Center Court. The event also features activities such as games, an animal show and a costume contest. The event is free.

Oct. 26

Pickerington Haunted Village

Olde Pickerington Village, Center and Columbus streets;ci.pickerington.oh.us

This free annual family event features trick-or-treating at local businesses, hayrides, ghost tours and a haunted museum and haunted house.

Oct. 27

Great Gahanna Goblin Fest

Academy Park, 1201 Cherry Bottom Road, Gahanna;gahanna.gov/parksandrecevents

The event includes a trick-or-treat trail, a hayride and live entertainment. The event is free, but parking registration is required.

This story is from the Columbus Parent section in the September 2023 issue of Columbus Monthly.