As the long days of summer slowly fade, a vibrant tapestry of colors emerge, signifying the arrival of fall. Toledo, with its enchanting blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, becomes an idyllic destination to celebrate this magical season. Embark on a journey through Toledo's most unforgettable fall activities, where moments of wonder, discovery, and delight await at every turn. From leaf-peeping at our scenic metroparks to indulging in harvest-inspired outings, and embracing the cozy spirit of the season, Toledo beckons you to immerse yourself fully in these captivating autumn activities!

 

Visit a Local Farm for Fall Favorites and Events

It’s Pumpkin Time! Fleitz Pumpkin Farm is a great spot for all your favorite fall staples. In addition to a massive selection of pumpkins, Fleitz offers all sorts of free and affordable family-friendly activities including multiple corn mazes, a corn “sandbox”, hayrides, farm animals and a straw climbing tower. Don’t forget to stop by the Snack Shack for freshly-made donuts, hot sandwiches or a cider slush. Fleitz Pumpkin Farm is open daily starting September 5 through October 31 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. 

Country Lane Tree Farm is another perfect fall destination. Bring the whole family out for tons of animal encounters, the largest U-Pick Pumpkin Patch in the Toledo area and awesome events like Fall Family Saturdays in October. For the brave, come out for Panic in the Pines featuring three haunts: a Hayride, Trail, and Woods. They are open Saturdays in October, and the first Saturday in November.

If you are looking for other pumpkin patch and farm experiences, Pumpkin Pete's & Gwen's Gourds is another fall pumpkin patch destination in Perrysburg which offers the quintessential fall family experience along with tasty food truck offerings! Then there is Gust Brother's Pumpkin Farm, which is a working farm that provides a real farm experience to all visitors.

 

Apple Picking at MacQueen's

Grab your crew and get ready to pick some apples! MacQueen Orchards allows you to drive your vehicle right into the orchard and pick your own apples. MacQueen grows dozens of apple varieties and several varieties of peaches, plus they sell a large variety of tasty bakery items and seasonal locally grown vegetables year-round. Don’t forget to stop by Martha’s Gift Shop and Boutique on the grounds for unique gifts. 

Explore a Park

From quality leaf peeping to fun family activities, there’s few better place to spend fall than with Metroparks Toledo. With 19 Metroparks and 12,000 acres to explore, each park offers something unique. Try your hand at tree climbing, archery, mountain biking, backpacking and more. If photography is more your speed, there’s no shortage of opportunities for great shots. This year is the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Canal Experience at Providence Metropark. This is a free family event, tickets are required to ride the canal boat.

Maumee Bay State Park also offers an enjoyable fall experience. You can do some lead peeping by Lake Erie, go camping or stay at their lodge, hit the course for a round of golf and more! On Friday, October 11 & Saturday, October 12 from 5:30 to 10 p.m. head to the Trail of Lost Souls for a spooky adventure through the forest, open from 7:00-10:00 PM on both Friday and Saturday. Watch out for witches, ghouls, and perhaps a few zombies along the way!

 

Enjoy a Fall Color Cruise on The Sandpiper

Travel down the Maumee River on a Fall Color Cruise in October to enjoy the fall festival of color on the Sandpiper Boat. Make sure to bring your camera for some of the most beautiful photo opportunities along the Maumee and pack a picnic lunch to enjoy. The Halloween BOO! Cruise is a also a family-friendly 30-minute cruise experience for kids of all ages filled with Halloween treats and lots of fun. See the Sandpiper calendar for the complete schedule of cruise offerings.

 

Hop on the 419 Ale Trail!

Why should kids have all the fun this fall? Hop on the 419 Ale Trail to begin your northwest Ohio craft beer adventure. The Trail includes dozens of breweries and participants have until June 17, 2024 to complete it, so plan on making several trips to experience all the locations!

To begin your journey, download the free, mobile-exclusive passport at 419AleTrail.com to check in at participating breweries and craft beverage makers located in Toledo and throughout 10 counties in northwest Ohio. Trailblazers can win prizes as they check in to the breweries and receive entries into the grand prize drawing. A number of breweries provide special discounts to redeem along the way and fall is the perfect time to explore, so get out and get started today!

 

Cheer on the Rockets!

You can’t celebrate fall without football! University of Toledo Rocket Football is back with an exciting schedule lined up. Don your midnight blue and gold and grab your tickets for a home game at the Glass Bowl. This season brings 6 home games to the Glass Bowl Stadium including the battle for i-75 rivalry against Bowling Green State University.

Check out all the home games below: 

Game 1 - Thursday, Aug. 29 – 7:30 p.m. vs. Duquesne  

• Live music from Skittle Bots (Lot 10) at 5:30.  
• Beer Garden (Lot 10). 
• Big Screen TV with college football games (Lot 10).  
• Touchdown Town - Pregame Youth Experience at Paul Hotmer Field.  
• 180^th Fighter Wing Flyover before the game. 

Game 2 - Saturday, Sept. 7 – 3:30 p.m. vs. UMass  

• GOLD Out: Team Toledo is encouraged to Be BOLD & Wear GOLD!   
• Football Senior Day: Arrive early to the Glass Bowl to join us in recognizing and celebrating our football seniors in a pre-game ceremony. 

Game 3 - Saturday, Oct.  – 3:30 p.m. vs. Miami  

• Homecoming - Biggest Reunion of the Year: Join in the week-long annual tradition that brings together students, alumni and friends of The University of Toledo. The Homecoming Parade starts at 10:00 a.m. followed by the football game at 3:30 p.m. Further details about the parade can be found at utoledo.edu/homecoming.  

Game 4 - Saturday, Oct. 26 – TBA vs. Bowling Green “The Battle of I-75”  

• Stripe The Stadium: Team Toledo, we want you to help us “Stripe The Stadium” Midnight Blue and Gold. For details visit utrockets.com/stripethestadium  
• Spirit Week: All week long the University of Toledo and City of Toledo will be celebrating the Midnight Blue and Gold and the Battle of I-75 rivalry.    
• Rocket Family Weekend: Enjoy a weekend on campus with your Rocket student(s). For more information visit utrockets.com/family. 

Game 5 - Tuesday, Nov. 12 – 7:00 p.m. vs. Central Michigan

Game 6 - Wednesday, Nov. 20 – 7:00 p.m. vs. Ohio  

Rocket football single-game tickets for all home games as well as season tickets are on sale now! Purchase tickets online here: Toledo Rocket Football Tickets

 

Explore by Lantern Light

Experience Fort Meigs: Ohio’s War of 1812 Battlefield after dark! Led by costumed guides, guests will tour the fort by lantern light, witness a nighttime musket demonstration, and experience the historic battlefield as soldiers did during the War of 1812. For a more spooky experience, go on one of their Garrison Ghost Walks! Each summer during Fort Meigs’ living history encampments, strange lights and sounds, along with the appearance of soldiers long dead have been reported by staff, volunteers, and visiting re-enactors.

Fort Meigs, named after then Governor of Ohio, Return Jonathan Meigs, Jr., was first built as a reaction to British attacks on American forts in the Northwest Territory during the War of 1812. It was built in what is now Perrysburg, Ohio, on a bluff overlooking the Maumee River rapids. Ground was broken on February 2, 1813 under the orders of General William Henry Harrison, who wanted to fortify the region. Throughout the next three months professional soldiers and militiamen alike persevered through cold winter weather and mud that would at times be knee-deep. Despite horrid weather and disease in the camp, the American army was able to complete Fort Meigs by the end of April, 1813, just in time for a British attack.

 

Harvest Fest at The Toledo Zoo

October fun kicks off at the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium with Little Boo at the Zoo! Toddlers and preschool aged children are invited to wear their Halloween costumes to trick-or-treat throughout the Zoo and enjoy puppet shows, strolling magic, pumpkin carving demos and all kinds of fun festivities.

Get your costumes ready for Pumpkin Path and enjoy costumed trick-or-treating for all ages. Other activities include games, pumpkin carving demonstrations, Boo-tacular Play Area, Jack-o-lantern Express Train and TSA Glass City Steel Drums performances to entertain all the ghosts and goblins. Kids aren’t the only ones who like to get into the Halloween spirit, the animals like to partake too!

The whole month of October is Harvest Fest —a fantastic fall festival included with general Zoo admission featuring giant pumpkin displays, pumpkin animal displays, seasonal food and beverage offerings and autumn-inspired activities — all among a vibrant display of beautiful fall flora. Visit during the Pumpkin Stomp & Chomp and observe the animals as they discover pumpkins in their exhibits.

Fall Family Fun at Sauder Village

What better way to welcome in the fall season than a trip to Sauder Village? Enjoy a hands-on opportunity as you explore the many ways our ancestors sustained themselves by preparing for the fall harvest and winter from making cider, churning butter, playing old-fashioned games and pumpkin decorating to creating leaf art and helping with fall planting.

Check out the entire fall events calendar at Sauder Village here.

For a full list of upcoming fall events, check out our complete Calendar of Events.

Check out these blogs for more related content:
5 Reasons to Experience a UT Rockets Football Game   |  Momentum: Toledo's Arts + Culture Festival   |   Enjoy Late Summer in Toledo: Must-Do Activities and Attractions

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