"Lions, and tigers, and bears... oh my! These critters certainly aren't the kinds of native fauna you'd expect to find roaming around Northeast Ohio, but you can get to know them at the local zoos. The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is fantastic, but there's also an incredible zoo over in Akron. It's close enough to merit a day trip, and the city has other interesting attractions that, when paired with a visit to the zoo, can make for an epic adventure. Of course, the best time to visit the Akron Zoo is during autumn. The Halloween season at the Akron Zoo is downright magical! Don your finest costume and prepare to get up close and personal with some spooky and incredible critters, because this fun little zoo is calling your name.
While the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is nearly 200 acres in size, the Akron Zoo is a digestible and family-friendly 50 acres.
This spooky (but not scary) event, presented by Acme Fresh Market, is a fang-tastic way to get the kids out of the house and to interact with some of the coolest critters from all around the world.
And this awesome little zoo has also set aside a more "zoothing" time slot for people with special needs that would prefer to stay away from crowds and loud noises.
Nothing quite compares to the Halloween season at the Akron Zoo! You'll love Howl-O-Ween, and it just might become your new favorite autumnal celebration. What are you wearing this year on Halloween? Drop some pictures of your costume in the comments!
Craving more non-scary fun? The Spooky Pooch Parade is one of Greater Cleveland's most incredible annual events!
If There’s One Fall Festival You Attend Near Cleveland, Make It The Johnny Appleseed Festival
Mapleside Farms in Brunswick, Ohio, is renowned for its autumn festivals, particularly the Johnny Appleseed Festival, offering a mix of historical reenactments, family activities, and scenic views.
Fall festivals in Cleveland include the Cleveland Johnny Appleseed Festival, making one suburb at the edge of the Cuyahoga County border quite busy. There's a business on Pearl Road — yes, the stretch of U.S. Route 42 that runs from Cleveland down south — that comes to life as the leaves just start to change. Of course, we're talking about Mapleside Farms, a plot of land that has remained agricultural since Brunswick, Ohio, was first settled. It's a worthy destination for fall fun, as the autumn festivals at Mapleside are almost legendary to Northeast Ohioans. The Cleveland Johnny Appleseed Festival is the most famous, however, and it's an early fall event that makes a fantastic kickoff to a whole season of fun taking place Sept. 21 and 22, 2024. Mark your calendar, because one of the best autumn festivals near me will be here before you know it.
advertisement
Mapleside Farms is a scenic spot in Brunswick, Ohio, that is famous for its sunsets.
When you visit the property, you'll also find it's filled to the brim with history. I should know; I played Millie Tillotson, the daughter of the farm's founding settlers, in several historical reenactments, including one that took place right at Mapleside. The Tillotsons arrived in the early 1800s and got to work establishing a farm. Millie was, arguably, the one to put it on the map. She rode up to Cleveland on a horse to snag some pink fabric — a stark contrast to the drab colors of the era — and had a local milliner craft a new dress for her. Locals called it "gaudy," and they couldn't stop talking about it. It was such hot gossip that the tale has become permanently cemented in local history books. Since the Tillotsons, only two families have cared for this farm in the past 200 years... the Eyssens and the Clements.
(By the way, if you want to visit Millie and the rest of the Tillotson clan, they're buried around the corner in Valley City's Myrtle Hill Cemetery.)
It's also famous for its annual Johnny Appleseed Festival, one of the best fall festivals in Ohio which takes place in late September every year.
You'll want to mark your calendars for this year's event, as it's one you won't want to miss. The festival seems to get bigger every year, and locals rave about it each season. Festival season at Mapleside kicks off with the opening of Pumpkin Village, which features all sorts of family-oriented attractions with an irresistible fall theme.
While the Johnny Appleseed Festival pays homage to its namesake, a few other famous Americans stop by for the party.
This festival is so boppin' that Amelia Earhart, Paul Bunyan, and Pocahontas are among the guests who stop by to celebrate. You'll love hearing their stories and learning about their places in history.
advertisement
advertisement
As one would expect, caramel apples are a must at this annual event celebrating autumn in Ohio.
If you didn't know, Johnny Appleseed was actually a real person, and he was rather active in Ohio. There's even a cutting from one of his original apple trees on site, which isn't a huge surprise given his proximity to the area. While his apples were most likely used to make alcoholic libations in the early frontier, there's no better way to honor his memory than by indulging in apple-themed goodies during your visit. Don't forget to grab some cider to take home, too!
Oh, and if you're up for a unique show, check out the Apple Cider Donut World Championship that took place last year. It's a competitive eating contest like no other, and you can only experience it during the Johnny Appleseed Festival! See if it's happening again in 2024.
But there are more fall products to appreciate at Mapleside's fall festival.
This gourd-geous wall has become an iconic attraction at Mapleside. It's delightfully photogenic, and it makes a fantastic backdrop to performances and general fall fun.
If the abundance of apples and pumpkins does not get you in the fall spirit, perhaps the corn maze will.
The Mapleside corn maze is massive, and it is often hailed as one of the very best in the Midwest. It often features a unique design that's best viewed from the sky, but it is endlessly fun to wind your way out.
This event is family-friendly to the core, and you can expect to see tons of fun for little ones.
Two massive jump pillows absolutely entrance younger visitors, and additional attractions like the cow and pig train add some old-fashioned fun to the experience. With music, pig races, apple pie, and more, your kids will be fondly remembering this experience for years to come.
But don't worry... there's so much to help bring out your inner child, too!
This 311-foot hillside slide in Greater Cleveland is the longest in the country, and it's not for the faint of heart. Photos don't quite do it justice. Back in my days as a reporter (because I apparently have a long list of embarrassing and well-documented moments at Mapleside), I went down this slide and I was... well, not quite dressed for it. I was wearing a pencil skirt and heels, but hey, good storytelling requires real experiences, right? So there I was, zipping down the hillside at speeds a cheetah probably couldn't break, screaming as small children gracefully soared past with enthusiastic exclamations of "whee!" Let me just offer a word of wisdom... gravity makes you go really fast, my friend.
Truthfully, you can expect to find most of the standard fall festivities at Mapleside Farms all season long.
While many attractions at Mapleside may be familiar, there's just something about the combination of unique history, beautiful scenery, and undeniable nostalgia that makes experiences here so fun. You'll want to bring a camera, because cherished memories are made here all season long.
And, hey, you might even stop by at the opportune moment to catch one of their famous sunsets.
Fall festivals in Cleveland include the Annual Johnny Appleseed Festival, which you can read more about on its website. This is an awesome way to kick off an entire season of autumn fun. It's been going on for years, and if you've attended a past festival, we'd love to hear about your experience in the comments below.
Locally grown produce is such a treat. Here in Northeast Ohio, part of the richness of our soil actually dates back to the Pleistocene. Back in the day, glacial deposits infused nutrients into the ground that still help plants thrive today. For fruits, this combined with a cooler climate results in sweeter, more acidic flavors, which are especially coveted in wine making. However, this also results in berries, apples, and other delicacies that I can't help but love. As pick-your-own berry season approaches and you're starting to seek out a local farm for an adventure, look no further than Greenfield Berry Farm in Peninsula, Ohio. This farm offers a berry good time for visitors of all ages, and you'll head home with an entire bucket of plump, flavorful fruits. Get your berry cookbooks ready, because you're about to have at least a half gallon of berries in your kitchen just begging to be cooked with.
advertisement
You've just stumbled upon an adventure that's ripe for the picking.
Greenfield Berry Farm is an adorable little farm that benefits Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The farm is beautifully maintained, providing a picturesque backdrop for a family outing or a peaceful solo retreat... and the treats you get to take home after your visit make the outing so much sweeter.
They specialize in two types of naturally-grown pick-your-own berries: blueberries and aronia berries.
Aronia berries might not be as well-known as their blueberry cousins, but they pack a punch. Sometimes referred to as chokeberries, aronia berries are a superfood powerhouse. They’re loaded with antioxidants and have a unique, tart flavor that makes them perfect for smoothies, jams, and even baking. Interestingly, aronia berries and blueberries are part of the rosaceae family, which also includes apples and almonds.
advertisement
advertisement
Things pick up at the farm before berry season with flower bouquets, veggies, and pussy willow bundles for sale.
You'll find these goodies near the milkhouse at the front of the property. They're cash or check only, so if you're going to be in the area, make sure you have a bit of spendin' money on you.
In Ohio, berry picking season usually starts in mid-June and extends through August, but you can connect with Greenfield Berry Farm on Facebook to keep an eye on this year's seasonality.
When the season starts, pick-your-own berries are $20 per gallon or $10 per half gallon. For reference, one pint of berries (about 1/8th of a gallon) sell for about $4 at the average grocery store, so this offer is truly a steal.
advertisement
advertisement
The berries are grown naturally and with sustainable practices, so they're a delicacy you can feel good about snacking on.
This historic farmstead is actually a Countryside Initiative Farm. This means that the local national park has taken steps to preserve the rural heritage of the Cuyahoga Valley, and it also means that Greenfield Berry Farm is one of nine working farms in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It's a really cool way to explore the region's history while supporting CVNP!
Reservations are required to help manage crowds in the summer months, but it's as easy as messaging their Facebook page.
The staff will help you identify which blueberries and aronia berries are ready to pick. Fortunately, their deep, dark hue stands out against the greenery, making them easy to spot.
advertisement
advertisement
The farm is usually open for berry picking between 6 and 8 p.m., though hours and days of operation may vary.
If you're planning a visit, remember to dress comfortably and stay hydrated. While this may not be a huge working farm, it's still a farm, so don't be surprised if you get a bit dirty.
As berry season starts to wind down, sunflower cutting season comes to fruition.
For just $1 per stem, you can hand-select the prettiest flowers in late summer. Sunflowers have different meanings across different cultures, but they're overwhelmingly aligned with happiness, optimism, luck, and harvest. And it's easy to see why! Even on a gloomy day, these vibrant colors atop a pretty vase will fill your house with beauty.
Look for it at 2485 Major Rd, Peninsula, OH, 44264.
Whether you’re a blueberry aficionado or looking to try something new with aronia berries, Greenfield Berry Farm in Peninsula, Ohio, is the place to be. It’s more than just a farm — it’s a slice of rural paradise, a spot to unwind, and a place to create sweet memories. Have you ever visited the farm? We'd love to hear about your experience in the comments!
Want to make a whole weekend out of your trip to Peninsula? We've put together a two-day itinerary that includes camping in the area... you could easily fit some berry-pickin' in to make an unforgettable adventure!
