Fun Things to Do in the Fall in Ohio with Your Family

Summer is a fun-filled season when families go on vacations, cookout, swim and many more activities. In the fall the kids are back in school and the air is cooler and the days shorter. Many people tend to stick around the house watching television and playing video games when summer comes to an end.

The fun and excitement of enjoying some time together as a family does not have to end when summer comes to a close. There are many fun things to do in the fall in Ohio with your family. The cooler air of fall actually makes it a much better time to enjoy some activities as there is no extreme heat to avoid.

The weekends are a great time to get out and enjoy the fall season. From hiking to cookouts, picnics and visiting some of the beautiful scenery of the outdoors in Ohio.

Every year my family and I plan day trips for the weekends. I will list here some of the great places we love to visit and enjoy in the fall.

1) The Portsmouth Ohio Floodwall Murals

The Portsmouth floodwall is 20 feet high. There beautiful paintings are of many different things and people that are related to Portsmouth or Ohio in General. You will see a painting of a Shawnee Indian village, an 1810 house, the Ohio and Erie Canal, Roy Rogers and much more. There are 52 paintings and all. You can visit the site and take a virtual tour but the murals have to be seen to be believed.

On the other side of the wall is the Ohio River. There is also a very nice picnic area. The scenery is this area is beautiful. It makes for a great family outing to walk along the floodwall and look up close at the amazing and detailed paintings and then go to the picnic area for a nice picnic you can also spend the day fishing along the Ohio River.

2) Hocking Hills State Park

If you enjoy the beauty of a forest and want slip back in time to where you can imagine the Indians living there life and enjoying what nature has then Hocking Hills is the place for you. Hocking Hills State Park is filled with breath-taking waterfalls, deep magnificent gorges, rugged cliffs and much more to explore in nature. Fall is one of the best times to visit as the leaves are turning beautiful colors and the air is crisp, clear and smells wonderful. The heat of summer tends to dry the waterfalls but by fall they are starting to flow once again. There is much to see and explore and after your day of hiking there are plenty of places to picnic or cookout.

3) Ohio Fall Festivals

There are many fall festivals to enjoy in Ohio every year. Listed are just a few.

a) Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Festival

When: October 11-12, 2008

Where: Ashtabula County Fairgrounds in Jefferson, Ohio

Phone: 440-576-3769

Admission is $4 children under 12 are free.

You take a tour of the 16 covered bridges in Ashtabula and there are many contests and children's activity's plus entertainment.

b) Apple Butter Stirrin Festival

When: October 17-19^th

Location: Roscoe Village in Coshocton, Ohio

Phone: (740)622-9310 or toll free 1(800) 877-1830

Admission: $3 under 4 years of age free

The festival offers entertainment from the 60s, 70s and 80s as well as blue grass. There are many activities such as a spelling bee, a hog calling contest, canal boat rides and of course over a open fire is apple butter stirrin.

c) Fall Festival of Leaves

When: Third weekend in October

Location: Bainbridge, Ohio

Contact: info@fallfestivalofleaves.com

Admission: Free

The Fall Festival of Leaves is filled with lots to do. There are flea markets, parades, arts and crafts and a midway with entertainment.

This is a just a sampling of fun ways to spend your fall days. Even if you just take the kids to the park in your area for a picnic or walk through the woods in your own backyard there are many ways to enjoy the beauty of fall.