Autumn brings vibrant colors, brisk mornings, and a gentle breeze that rustles through the trees scattering leaves along the countryside. This is the perfect time of the year for fall-loving getaways to the Appalachian foothills! Upon arrival, one of the first things you’ll notice is how these hills surround Chillicothe to provide the perfect background for your autumn getaway. These hills are ablaze during peak leaf color conditions in a kaleidoscope of colors.
The season brings fun in many ways including a weekend of family activities on Hirsch’s Fruit Farm during their annual Apple Harvest Open House. This weekend is filled with everything apple! Tour the orchard to see where the apples are grown and taste a wide variety of them grown on-site, along with their apple cider. There are plenty of activities for kids to participate in on the farm. They can take part in making their own scarecrow, paint a pumpkin, or have fun with a round bale romp just to name a few.
For a spookier feel to get you into the Halloween spirit, tour through several buildings in downtown Chillicothe during the annual Ghost Walk. As you are led through each location on the walk, you’ll hear about the building’s history and the paranormal mystery surrounding it. You can also test your sleuthing skills during Adena Mansion & Garden’s annual Murder Mystery Dinner. Each year features a new mystery that will take you through the mansion and along the beautiful gardens of Adena to meet quirky characters. You’ll use the information you hear from each character to piece together the clues to solve the mystery.
Something new you’ll be able to experience in September will have you soaring to new heights over Ross County with the Fly the Ford event at the Ross County Airport. Take part in the excitement of the 1920s when you fly aboard a Ford Tri-Motor plane that was originally the first luxury airliner in its day. There will be 30-minute flights available throughout the four-day event, and even if you prefer to stay on the ground, you can view the aircraft to see how things have changed in aviation over the past century.
The calendar flips to October; the Halloween season is in full swing with several haunted attractions, festivals, and live entertainment. When Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheatre goes dark after the season ends for “Tecumseh!” Outdoor Drama transforms into Haunted Mountain. This year features stories from a Vampire’s assistant, his collection of curiosities haunted trail, and his escape rooms. The play that is performed during the event shows an aging, jaded theatre critic recounting his obsession with a young actress leading to a journey into the macabre world of Vampires. If that isn’t enough to scare you, visit The Last Carnival haunted house and trail. This haunt features over 5,000 square feet of indoor scares and over 100,000 square feet of outdoor maze and woods. Make it through the end to avoid becoming part of the carnival.
For some family-friendly fall fun, time your visit during one of the festivals in October. The Chillicothe Halloween Festival takes place in Yoctangee Park in downtown Chillicothe and has tons of activities for the whole family such as bounce houses, escape rooms, live entertainment, and costume contest just to name a few. You can also celebrate the autumn season like a local at Ross County’s oldest festival in Bainbridge; the Fall Festival of Leaves. You’ll be entertained by local and regional musicians, many food options, and a wide variety of vendors. The festival winds down with an amazing parade. Make sure to take one of the Skyline Drives self-guided tours that will take you through the Paint Valley region, providing beautiful fall foliage views.
Unwind and relax as you surround yourself in the beauty of autumn’s colors and feel the crunch of leaves under your feet along 200 miles of trails. Whether you’re looking for a challenging mountain bike trail or an easy-going trek to observe nature wonders, you’ll have a choice of five State Parks, a National Park, and many county and city parks. Visit Buzzard’s Roost Nature Preserve to see a breathtaking view of vertical sandstone and shale cliffs and amazing views of the foliage into the beautiful Paint Creek gorge.
Autumn shows how beautiful it is to let things go, so release your stress and live in the moment! Start planning your visit online at VisitChillicotheOhio.com or by downloading the official Visit Chillicothe Ohio mobile app today!
