Glass City’s Favorite Fall Fun | Best Fall Things to Do in Toledo & NW Ohio
For a while, it probably felt like summer would never end in Northwest Ohio. The days are long — nearly as long as your summer bucket list — and the late-night sunsets probably made you feel like that season would last forever.
However, when it inevitably ends and the cool winds of fall are ushered in, don’t despair. Fall is one of the most breathtaking times of year in Glass City, and there are many things to do that allow people of all ages to celebrate the harvest season in the city.
These are just a few of the best fall things to do in Toledo & NW Ohio…
Stroll Along a Local Nature Trail to Experience the Annual Arrival of Ohio Fall Colors
The first hints of fall begin to arrive in Toledo in the last weeks of September and early October. Depending on the year and the current weather conditions, the peak Ohio fall colors show up around mid or late October.
Whether the leaves are just turning, or they are about to peak with brilliant shades of goldenrod, orange and crimson, you will surely enjoy a beautiful fall hike along the many nature trails in and around Toledo.
Toledo boasts an extensive Metroparks system, which means that there are dozens of interconnected trails that will allow you to hike and bike through the canopy of the fall leaves.
Some of the most popular parks in the Toledo region for fall color tours include the Pearson and Secor Metroparks, which are known for their forested trails. In addition, there are five Metroparks located along the shores of the Maumee River, which afford you the opportunity to experience the fall colors and their glittering reflections in the waters below.
Don’t forget to bring your camera along for the hike, because you are going to want to capture these views and remember these blissful moments forever.
Catch an End-of-Season Toledo Mud Hens Game
The Toledo Mud Hens are the local Triple-A Minor League Baseball team in the city, and they have a fan base that extends far beyond its borders. While the Mud Hens delight the crowds at Fifth Third Field during the spring and summer months, you won’t want to miss out on the chance to watch one of their last games of the season in September.
The Mud Hens play through the end of September, and many fans find that this is one of the best times of year to head to the ballpark. The temperatures are cooler and the sun sets earlier, making the ball ark feel festive and alive. The crowd sizes vary based on the time of the game and the current standing of the team, but chances are you will be able to find a game that suits your own preferences during the fall.
Don’t forget, you can make a day of it when you buy tickets to see this ball club in action. Consider grabbing lunch at a local restaurant in Toledo, such as Tony Packo’s Cafe. Or, you can stop by a microbrewery in Downtown Toledo after the game, either to celebrate a win or to nurse the stinging pain of a loss.
Pick a Pumpkin at Fleitz Pumpkin Farm in Toledo Ohio
Located just outside the city limits of Toledo in Oregon, Ohio, Fleitz Pumpkin Farm is the best place to go in order to experience the best that fall has to offer. This family-owned farm has been providing opportunities for fall fun since 1991, and it is a tradition for many Toledo locals to head to the farm each October in order to pick a pumpkin and make memories together.
When you arrive at Fleitz Pumpkin Farm, you will see that there’s a large pumpkin patch filled with hundreds upon hundreds of pumpkins that are ripe for the picking. Take the time that you need in order to wander through the patch and select the pumpkin that is right for your family.
Whether you want a tall and skinny one to craft a goofy Jack-o-Lantern or you simply need that classic, round pumpkin for your porch, you will find the pumpkin of your dreams at Fleitz Pumpkin Farm.
Of course, that’s not all that there is to do at this destination. You can also experience the original Toledo corn maze. This farm has both a one-acre corn maze as well as a larger, five-acre corn maze for those who are up for a challenge. There’s also a free corn maze for the youngest visitors to the farm.
Before your day is done, don’t forget to stop by the snack stand for fresh apple cider and delicious donuts.
Experience the Night of the Living Dead at the Adams Street Zombie Crawl
While those fall days are all about the bright sunshine and the crisp, colorful leaves, the evenings in Toledo can be downright spooky. If you are the type of person who likes your fall season to include plenty of thrills and chills, then consider participating in the Adams Street Zombie Crawl.
This annual event usually takes place in early October on Adams Street between 11th and 21st streets in Toledo. Due to the ghoulish nature of the event, and the fact that participants are allowed to consume alcohol, it is restricted to guests over the age of 21.
Those who do participate are encouraged to show up looking like the best zombie version of themselves, and most people take their costumes very seriously. This is your chance to live like the undead and experience Adams Street as if it was in the midst of a zombie apocalypse.
There is a Zombie Crawl Survival Guide that is published in advance, so keep an eye out for that and read it thoroughly before the event. You are going to want to be prepared for this crawl — it’s unlike anything else in Toledo during the fall.
Head to the Toledo Zoo for Plenty of Festive Fall Fun
There are unique and fun events scheduled at the Toledo Zoo throughout the entire year, but this downtown zoo always schedules extra activities during the fall season. Whether you are a member at the zoo or a visitor who simply wants to check out one of these events, you will surely have a great time at the local zoo.
Families with young children should make it a point to go to the Little Boo or Pumpkin Path events at the zoo.
Toledo Zoo Little Boo
The Little Boo event is a trick-or-treat event geared at children ages 5 and younger. All guests are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes and stroll through the zoo, check out the exhibits and participate in the activities at this event.
Toledo Zoo Pumpkin Path
The Pumpkin Path event is a family-friendly event for visitors of all ages. Not only can you wear your costume to this event, but you also will be able to meet and greet some of your favorite characters, watch performances and listen to live music.
Toledo Zoo Brew
Adults who want to experience the zoo in their own way should consider buying tickets to the Zoo Brew. This annual event in October is an after-hours party in which guests over the age of 21 can sip local Toledo beers and check out the animals at the zoo. There also will be live music and food trucks at the event.
Go Apple Picking at Macqueen’s Apple Barn and Cider Mill
In the Midwest, apple picking is a timeless fall tradition, and fortunately for those living in Toledo, there’s Macqueen’s Apple Barn and Cider Mill. This massive apple orchard is the place to be in the fall, with all kinds of fun-filled activities for visitors of all ages.
In the orchard, you will find more than 15 varieties of apples, ensuring that you can pick the freshest apple that will taste most delicious to you.
The pick-your-own apple season typically begins in the middle of September at Macqueen’s, and lasts until the third week of October. However, the season may vary based on weather conditions and the size of the crop during any particular year.
While a visit to Macqueen’s on any average fall day is going to be exciting, perhaps the best time to head to this orchard is during the Apple Butter Stir Festival in early October. Not only will you be able to pick pumpkins and apples while you are at the orchard, but you and your family also can ride carnival rides, tour the apple cider press, visit the petting zoo, and participate in the apple pie baking contest.
Of course, there will be food and live music, just like any good festival. It’s sure to be the highlight of your fall season in the Toledo area.
Spend a Crisp Weekend Morning at the Downtown Toledo Farmer’s Market
Sometimes, all you need to make any fall day complete is the opportunity to get out and about and mingle with your neighbors. One of the most leisurely ways to spend a fall weekend morning in Toledo is to visit the downtown Toledo Farmer’s Market.
This market opens up every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The market hosts dozens of vendors from across Toledo, allowing you to purchase fresh, local produce, handmade products, and homemade baked goods.
In the fall, you will likely be able to find large pumpkins, festive gourds, and gorgeous mums to display on your porch.
If you can’t make it downtown on the weekend, you can still get the produce that you need at the Westgate Farmer’s Market in Toledo, which operates on Wednesdays from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. until the end of October.
More Things to Do in Toledo Ohio
While these are some of the best fall things to do in Toledo Ohio, there’s plenty more to enjoy the rest of the year!
Our Toledo Ohio City Guide is the best place to find out all the best things to do in Toledo, including the best local restaurants in Toledo, where to stay in Toledo (hotels, vacation rentals, and campgrounds), and even the best Toledo breweries to visit!