ROAD TRIP WORTHY EXCURSIONS. | | As October’s crisp air rolls in, fall events are popping up at every turn. There are more scenic stops, festive detours, and seasonal adventures than I could ever fit into one newsletter—so buckle up and visit MyOhioFun.com for even more ideas to add to your autumn road-trip itinerary. ~Diane | | 🍎 APPLE BUTTER STIRRIN' FESTIVAL | | |
October 16-18, 2026
Historic Roscoe Village celebrates autumn with the 55th annual Apple Butter Stirrin’ Festival. “An official America 250-Ohio featured event, in Historic Roscoe Village. Ride a canal boat, explore historic buildings, discover the new Roscoe Shoppe, meet Johnny Appleseed, enjoy a kids’ area, chainsaw carving, artisans, live music, fresh apple butter, local food, craft beer, and more.”
| | LET'S TAKE A TRIP TO "THE WILDS". | | |
Muskingum County - Ohio Foothills
After miles of winding roads and rolling Ohio Foothills countryside, arriving at The Wilds feels like pulling into another world. More than 10,000 acres of reclaimed land have become a sanctuary for endangered species and one of North America’s largest conservation centers—a remarkable success story and a memorable road trip destination.
| | MORE OHIO FOOTHILLS EXPERIENCES. | | |
Ohio Foothills
Get lost in the stalks at McPeek’s Mighty Maze, a 5-acre corn maze in Coshocton County, Ohio. Perfect for all ages, it features a day filled with activities that include...
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Ohio Foothills
A road trip to Coshocton and Historic Roscoe Village isn’t complete without a ride aboard the Monticello III Canal Boat. This 45-minute journey in a historic canal boat, pulled by a team of draft horses, offers a memorable step back in time.
Saturdays & Sundays thru October 18th.
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Ohio Foothills
Dates: October 9-11, 2026
Time: 9am-5pm
Location: 234 Autumn Rd. SW, Carrollton
Admission: $10 a car load.
Featuring historical buildings, and equipment, food vendors, over 100 artisans, a flour mill, saw mill and much more
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Ohio Foothills
AGE OF STEAM ROUNDHOUSE MUSEUM
Dates: October 16-17, 23-24, 2026
Location: 213 Smokey Lane Rd. SW, Sugarcreek
A family-friendly evening of ghostly tales and stories of railroad legends, led by the light of an old oil lantern. Experience our 90-minute tours led by a staff storyteller who will thrill you and chill you as they lead you around the roundhouse and our steam locomotive collection during the dark twilight hours of autumn.
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Ohio Foothills
Reeves Victorian Home and Carriage House Museum
Dates: October 16-17
Time: 7pm-10pm (tours hourly)
Location: Dover, OH
Reservations required.
Hear about strange occurrences in the Home, as well as unusual Victorian superstitions and funeral practices.
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Ohio Foothills
VICTORIAN HOUSE MUSEUM
Date: October 31, 2026
484 Wooster Rd., Millersburg
Guests will explore the grand Victorian mansion while uncovering fascinating stories from its past, along with recent ghost sightings and unexplained happenings reported inside the historic home. Two tour sessions will be offered, with attendance limited to 15 guests per session to provide an intimate experience. Admission is $20 per person.
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| | MORE FALL FESTIVALS & EVENTS. | | ASHTABULA COVERED BRIDGE FESTIVAL | | |
October 10-11
Load up the car and head to Ashtabula County for a fall road trip. Every 2nd weekend in October, the volunteers at the Ashtabula Covered Bridge Headquarters invite visitors to come celebrate and experience all of the 19 covered bridges that are scattered around the county. From the largest to smallest in the state, this festival excursion will leave you with plenty of memories and even a little covered bridge architectural knowledge. At various locations there will be live music, crafters, kids activities, and more. Make sure you stop at the Harpersfield Bridge (1225 Harpersfield Rd. Geneva) for additional activities.
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Date: October 10, 2026
Time: Noon-8pm
Location: Downtown Kent
German inspired food, Brews from local brewers, live music, German dancing, themed 5K and 1-mile walk. Steinholding competition and more.
| | | MEDINA COUNTY FALL FOLIAGE TOUR | |
Dates: October 10-11, 2026
Time: Noon-5pm
Each year, the tour highlights 8-12 places of interest that can include farms, agribusinesses, historical societies, and special events – among others.
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Date: October 17, 2026
Location: 233 W. Shoreline Dr., Sandusky, OH
Put on your best witch costume and head to Sandusky.
"For a chance to win $5,000.00 CASH, to participate in the parade, the dance, the opening spell, and to be eligible for the specials and discounts, you need a ticket!"
| | | CIRCLEVILLE PUMPKIN FESTIVAL | |
Dates: October 21-24, 2026
Location: Downtown Circleville
Crowning of the largest pumpkin. Parades. Events. Live entertainment. Food vendors and more. FREE admission. A great family-friendly even.
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SCARE ON THE SQUARE
Date: October 17, 2026
Time: 3:30 pm-9:30pm
Location: Downtown Wadsworth
Trick-or-Treating, Circus Shows, Petting Zoo, Zombie Costume Contest, Thriller Flash Mob when the sun sets, and more.
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APPLE BUTTER FESTIVAL
AND OX ROAST
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Century Village
Dates: October 10-11, 2026
Time: 10am-5pm
Location: Burton, OH
Watch — and help stir — apple butter bubbling in copper kettles over an open fire, tuck into a hot ox-roast sandwich, and spend a crisp fall day on the historic Village grounds.
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Date: October 10, 2026
Time: 10am-4pm
Location: 3774 Orweiler Rd. Mansfield, OH
Watch a Bald Eagle return to the wild at 11am. Food trucks. Live Birds. Crafts. Games. Bonfire and more.
$20 vehicle.
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Franklin Park Conservatory
Date: October 7–11, 14–18, 21–25 and 28–November 1
Location: Columbus, OH
Guests can wander through an autumn wonderland illuminated with dazzling displays featuring pirates, spooky pumpkins, under-the-sea mermaids and performing skeletons. Plus more.
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OAK HARBOR
APPLE FESTIVAL
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Dates: Oct 10-11, 2026
Downtown Oak Harbor
The community comes alive with 120+ vendors, delicious festival food, live entertainment, one of the area’s largest parades, a classic car show, 5K and kids run, contests, children’s activities, local performances, and plenty of apple-inspired fun.
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ALL HALLOWS
Sanderson Sister Soirée
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CASTLE NOEL
Dates: October 17 & 30
Location: Medina, OH
Join Winifred, Mary, and Sarah as they put a spell on you with a hilarious, interactive performance filled with comedy, crowd play, and their signature spooky charm. This immersive soirée blends live entertainment, storytelling, and audience participation into a Halloween experience like no other.
| | | Timbuk Farms premier flower festival has been extended thru October 25. Pick your custom bouquet at Caroline’s Flower Fields and enjoy themed weekends, workshops, special activities, a Kids Fun Farm, local vendors, yummy food trucks, and more. Reserve your tickets for this family-friendly event today! | |
A DONUT SHOP WORTH IT'S OWN ROAD TRIP.
Are you one of those people who will drive miles to find the best tasting donut? If so, you owe yourself a road trip to Zanesville, Ohio, because this donut stop moved into my list of the top 5 best tasting donut shops in Ohio. Not only did it make my list, but this past June, Donald’s Donuts earned the “#1 Donut Shop spot in America in the USA TODAY 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards!”
What to order: The correct answer would be one of each, but if you have limited tummy space I would have to push you in the direction of their cream sticks. The dough is light and airy and there is just the right amount of filing and frosting. I am such a fan of maple frosting and their version did not disappoint. There donuts are very reasonably priced.
Do not just run in: Grab one of their diner stools and enjoy your fresh baked donut with a cup of their brewed coffee. While I savored my tasty treat, I met some wonderful locals who were excited to share their favorite donuts. I also learned why it is so important to get there early before the donuts run out. Along with the cream sticks, the fritters are also hot commodities.
Why stop: Because if you don’t you will never know why Donald’s Donuts is such a road trip destination.
Seize the day: Add this local favorite to your next Zanesville – Ohio Foothills road trip.
📍 2622 Maple Ave., Zanesville,
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Don’t make this Ohio road trip mistake!
Hey fellow road warriors!
What is the most important stop on YOUR road trips?
I always get asked how I create my road trip itineraries. Here is one of my tricks. I make sure my road trips always combine:
📍One anchor attraction.
🍴One local food stop.
🛍️One interesting shop/town.
🌳One unexpected discovery.
That’s how I turn a few hours into a full day of exploring.
For example, I recently planned an Ohio Foothills trip to Baltic and Sugarcreek, OH. I planned my day around these four stops:
📍Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum - Sugarcreek
🍴East Main Kitchen, Baltic
🛍️Main Street shopping - Baltic, OH
🕰️World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock – Sugarcreek
Then as I traveled through the area, I looked for other interesting things to do. I share a link to my Baltic-Sugarcreek area adventure below.
Keep on exploring!
~Diane
Creator | Ohio Travel Inspiration
| | | FEATURED FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENT | | |
at Rockin'-R-Ranch
2026 Open Saturdays and Sundays
Sept 26 thru November 1, 2026 | Time: Noon-5pm
Location: 19066 East River Rd. (SR 252) Columbia Station
10 Minutes from Strongsville Mall.
clevelandhayride.com
Old West Pumpkin Festival on a Pumpkin Patch Farm. Includes All Day Long Unlimited Activities for 1 Low Price! Unlimited Pumpkin Patch hayrides through the not so scary hayride trail, pony rides, Live Stage Costume Character Kids Stage Show, huge pumpkin patch slide, animal petting farm, straw mountain, caterpillar crawl activity area, Old West Town, Children's Haunted House (with no live actors), face painting, paint your pumpkin purchased, free trinkets and more! Accept cash or credit cards at ticket office. Delicious Fair food, food tents, pumpkins, gem mining, and souvenirs also available for purchase. Open to public. No Reservations necessary.
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Dates: October 10-11, 2026
Times: Saturday, 11AM-7PM and Sunday, Noon – 5PM
Place: DeRivera Park, DeRivera Park on the corner of Delaware Avenue and Hartford Avenue in Downtown, Put-in-Bay.
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Date: October 24, 2026
Location: Put-in-Bay
This event invites you to experience Halloween a little early, with a mix of spooky fun and festive excitement. The local taverns will be decorated in Halloween themes, and the downtown streets of Put-in-Bay will be filled with people in costumes. Join in for one of the final weekends of the season, where the island transforms into a Halloween haven!
| | | 🍂Fall experiences.🍂
Enjoy an outing with friends or the whole family. | | |
-at Rockin’-R-Ranch
19066 East River Rd (SR 252), Columbia Station
10 Minutes from Strongsville Mall
440-236-5454 | spookyranch.com
2026: Open: Sept 25 thru November 1
Hours: Fridays & Saturdays 7-11:30 p.m.
and Thursdays & Sundays 7-9:30pm starting October 8.
Top rated haunted house. Over 30 plus years of scares and fun! 5 Awesome Attractions for 1 Low Price! The Famous Haunted Hayride, The Haunted Barn, Extreme Nightmares, Blood Slingers Saloon, Monster Vision in 3-D. The most technically advanced haunted hayride and haunted attractions in Ohio. Nationally Ranked in top haunts in the Country. 30- foot creatures, larger than life Hollywood sets, special effects & scenes. Scream park. Fair food, foot tents pumpkins and souvenirs available for purchase. We offer different levels of scares from mild to extreme with different packages to choose from for families and anyone wanting the scariest haunted house ever. Will accept Cash at ticket booth or credit cards. No Reservations necessary. Open to the Public.
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