By Ohio.org Staff
Posted On: Sep 2, 2026
With the leaves changing colors and the weather cooling, it's time to take out your jackets or sweaters, grab your favorite pumpkin-flavored beverage, and savor this season!
Ohio is filled with charming towns poised to deliver the experiences we all look forward to every year, whether it's through natural beauty, a thrilling festival, or through a welcoming local tradition.
Here are five charming towns you'll want to enjoy this fall in Ohio, The Heart of it All!
Circleville Pumpkin Show
Fall in Ohio Charming Town of Circleville
Located about 25 miles south of Columbus and the county seat of Pickaway County, this charming town is home to one of Ohio’s most renowned fall events: The Circleville Pumpkin Show.
Founded in 1903, the four-day festival held the third Wednesday through Saturday every October — this year from October 21-24 — has earned the title of the "Greatest Free Show on Earth" because it has no admission charge.
Circleville Pumpkin Show. Photo credit: Steve Thompson
This festival is the perfect place to experience a regular smell of roasted pumpkins while enjoying fair food, local musicians, and numerous contests — including huge pumpkins.
The event is annually held in the downtown area of the city known as Uptown Circleville, which is dedicated to revitalizing the historic downtown area. It's been nominated by USA Today as a "Best Fall Festival" for 2026.
It's also home to the Uptown Circleville Farmers Market on the fourth Thursday of each month from April through September.
Pumpkin water tower in Circleville
All these events are a fitting lead-in to National Pumpkin Day — which is October 26. There's plenty of other pumpkin picking opportunities in Circleville like at Rhoads Garden Center or in nearby Lancaster at spots like Heartland Farm's Pumpkin Patch.
The Roundtown Players Theatre, also located in downtown Circleville, has been part of the community since 1967. The Fall Production is the "Canterville Ghost", which runs from October 2-4 and 9-11.
Mount Oval Historic House and Farm in Circleville
The area also has history lessons to tell. The Ted Lewis Museum celebrates the life and preserves the legacy of the influential entertainer, bandleader, and singer, while the Clarke-May Museum & Mount Oval honors the legacy of Pickaway County.
The Gregg-Crites Octagon House is a county historic landmark built in the 1800s reflecting a fascinating chapter in American architecture. Special tours are offered throughout the year so visitors can learn more about the building.
While you're in town, there are plenty of places for relaxing.
The Black Diamond Brewery & Distillery in Circleville
The Black Diamond Brewery & Distillery is a locally owned producer of craft beer and spirits, with the Circleville Steakhouse and Circleville Taproom among its nine locations.
The Zwicker House boasts "elegance and charm under one roof" with its restaurant, bar, and event space.
World's Largest Pumpkin Pie at Lindsey's Bakery in Circleville
Lindsey's Bakery has been serving high-quality, made-from-scratch baked goods for more than 50 years and is home to the World's Largest Pumpkin Pie, a highlight of the Circleville Pumpkin Show.
Wittich's Candy Shop is the nation's oldest family-owned and operated confectionary, operating since 1840.
A.W. Marion State Park in Circleville
If you enjoy camping in the cool fall weather, stay at the A.W. Marion State Park Campground which features 28 electric and 28 non-electric sites.
It's next to the state park with the same name, offering rolling woodlands and natural scenery at Hargus Lake.
Allen County Historical Society and Museum in Lima
Fall in Ohio Charming Town of Lima
There are also plenty of pumpkins to be found in this charming Northwest Ohio town as well at an event which enters its second year: The Pumpkin Invasion.
Set for October 2-3 in Downtown Lima, the annual festival features giant pumpkin weigh-offs and pumpkin carving.
Pumpkin Invasion in Lima
New for 2026 is a Giant Green Squash contest, and cash prizes also are available for watermelons, bushel gourds, tomatoes, and more.
Since National Johnny Appleseed Day is September 26 and National Apple Day is October 21, what better time to check out the Apple Festival at Lauer Historical Farm — held in the Johnny Appleseed Park District and slated for October 3-4.
Included at the event are historical demonstrations, hayrides, children's crafts and food vendors, and on-stage entertainment — including music with Vernon McIntyre's Appalachian Grass.
Rotary Riverwalk/Ottawa River Bikeway in Lima
Lauer Historical Farm is a working historical farm dating back to the mid-1930s and is connected to Ottawa Metro Park and the Ottawa River Bikeway.
Fall is also a great time to check out the Lippincott Bird Sanctuary featuring bird walks, butterfly walks, Walking Through Autumn series, and bird banding.
Social House in Lima
The greater Lima area has nearly 70 shops and 200 restaurants, like the popular Social House and its courtyard fire pit.
You can experience an interactive journey through the history of the city and county through five engaging trails as part of the America250 celebration.
Lima Symphony Orchestra
On October 17, catch the Lima Symphony Orchestra's performance of America@250: Frontier, Freedom, and the Force.
The event includes lively folk-inspired sounds of the Appleseed Suite by O'Connor to the jazz symphonic storytelling of Black, Brown, and Beige by Ellington.
The Lima Symphony Orchestra, which features classical to pops to family concerts, was founded in 1953.
Casa Lu Al Restaurant in Lima
The Spring & Main area of Lima was revealed in 2024 after four years of planning to feature fun spots such as Casa Lu Al Restaurant, Old City Prime, and Q BBQ & Fixin's, as well as Corner Pins with duck pin bowling.
Just two miles away from the Allen County Historical Society and Museum, which features the MacDonell House and Children's Discovery Center, is the iconic Kewpee Hamburgers.
With three local locations, the restaurant has been staple in Lima since 1928.
The Winery at Wolf Creek in Barberton
Fall in Ohio Charming Town of Barberton
Founded in the late 19th century by O.C. Barber, an entrepreneur and visionary businessman, this charming town in Northeast Ohio was planned around what is now Lake Anna.
The lake has the mythical reputation of being "bottomless" and became an important industrial center for the region.
Today, Barberton boasts strong community resources, a low crime rate, and recreation and outdoor activities like the Towpath Trail.
Towpath Trail in Summit County
Originally an inland commercial waterway in the early 1800s, Towpath Trail was restored as a multipurpose trail in 1993 with about a dozen trailheads as well as a nature center.
The Buckeye Trail is a long-distance hiking trail which forms a loop across Ohio spanning more than 1,400 miles, including more than 50 miles across Cuyahoga, Summit, and Stark Counties.
The Akron Section is one of only three sections that is mostly off-road, with frequent resupply options. For those who enjoy the outdoors, it's the perfect place to celebrate National Take A Hike Day on November 17.
Barberton Mum Festival
Another pleasurable way to experience nature in the area this fall is at Mum Fest 2026, held September 26-27.
Started in 1991 when 15,000 chrysanthemum cuttings were donated and planted along the eastern side of Lake Anna Park, mums were chosen to honor the city's official flower.
The annual event is attended by more than 50,000 people and features more than a million mum blooms.
"Greetings from the Magic City" mural in Barberton
Barberton, also known as the "Magic City" after entering a boom period of development in the late 1890s, has a Main Street Downtown that's "Fun For All Ages".
The Ignite Brewing Company offers a wide selection of award-winning craft beers and is making a difference by giving back 11 percent.
The Winery at Wolf Creek in Barberton
The Winery at Wolf Creek has not only been serving the area for more than 40 years by pairing award-winning wines with beautiful scenery, but it's also a friendly spot for those who want to bring their dogs to join in the festivities.
Belgrade Gardens in Barberton is also the birthplace of Barberton Chicken, a tasty poultry dish known for its crispy crust and hearty flavor that has earned the Akron suburb the title of "Fried Chicken Capital of the World".
Blooms & Berries Farm Market and Garden Center in Loveland
Fall in Ohio Charming Town of Loveland
This year marks the 150th Anniversary for the city of Loveland, which created a community-designed Sesquicentennial Flag and offers other commemorative items celebrating the milestone.
Loveland was formally designated a "Buckeye Trail Town" in 2017, running through the heart of Historic Downtown Loveland.
Bikers can enjoy the Loveland Bike Trail and Little Miami Scenic State Park which runs 70 miles and provides a pathway to picnic tables, ice cream shops, restaurants, entertainment, and various things to do along the way.
Blooms & Berries Farm Market and Garden Center in Loveland
The Blooms & Berries Farm Market and Garden Center is another chance to enjoy local goods and bakery treats while experiencing the fall season.
Previously voted the Best Pumpkin Patch/Farm in Cincinnati, its Fall on the Farm runs September 19-November 1 and includes hayrides, a corn maze, a pumpkin bounce pad, and more for families.
Voted a "Best Hometown" by Ohio Magazine for 2026-27, Loveland also is a place where art and mystery abound.
The Loveland Art Mural is a creative tribute to Loveland’s history, and the Brown's Crossing-Jackson Street Market mural is part of the Murals Across Ohio from America250-Ohio.
The Angels by the Trail mural is a memorial facing the bike trail and the Little Miami River in downtown Loveland.
The Historic Loveland Castle & Museum, Chateau Laroche
For a mix of beauty, a look at the past, or if you don't mind getting a shiver down your spine, the Historic Loveland Castle & Museum has the combination of events you may be looking for.
Built in 1929 by Harry Andrews, the castle also has a gardens section, wine tastings and activities like picnicking, games and puzzles, and … ghosts!
If you dare, you can experience a Ghost Hunt, featuring paranormal investigations which start as soon as 7PM and end no later than 10AM the following day — by appointment only.
Loveland Frog in "The United States of Cryptids" by J.W. Ocker
There's another local legend worth looking into while you’re in the area: The Loveland Frogman.
Sometimes called the Loveland Frog or the Loveland Lizard, the creature which sits near the Little Miami River has been talked about for more than 70 years.
The Loveland Frog was proposed as the official state cryptid through House Bill 821, and there was even a documentary film made about Frogman in 2023.
When you're ready to relax, stop by the Cocoa Muse, Loveland’s chocolate & coffee boutique, or Mile 42 Coffee, a family-owned coffee shop.
Photo credit: Narrow Path Brewing, Facebook
You'll also want to drop by Narrow Path Brewing or Cappy's Wine & Spirits to help celebrate the 150th anniversary of the city.
The latter worked with Jackie O's Pub & Brewery to create a beer celebrating the city's 150th anniversary. It's a particularly great way to toast National American Beer Day this October 27.
Barnesville Pumpkin Festival
Fall in Ohio Charming Town of Barnesville
Tucked away near the eastern edge of Ohio, this charming town is just under two square miles but is regarded as the best example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture in Ohio.
It was also recognized as a "Best Hometown" by Ohio Magazine in 2025.
Barnesville is located in Belmont County, which has been celebrating its 225th anniversary in 2026, and holds another major claim to fame: The Barnesville Pumpkin Festival.
Barnesville Pumpkin Festival
The 62nd Annual event, which will be held September 24-27, crowns a King Pumpkin Weigh-Off Winner each year — with last year's champion weighing in at 1,952 pounds and selling for $14,000!
Other festival activities include amusement rides, contests, talent shows, and more. At last year's event, Squashcarver carved Brutus Buckeye on an 890-pound giant pumpkin.
During the same weekend of the Barnesville Pumpkin Festival, stop by the Belmont County Victorian Mansion Museum for extended Pumpkin Festival Tours hours.
Consisting of 26 rooms, the Romanesque Revival mansion is furnished with the finest of Victorian-era pieces.
Belmont County Fair in St. Clairsville
If you can't wait for that event, the 177th Belmont County Fair held in nearby St. Clairsville is slated for September 7-13 featuring local vendors, games, activities, and live performances.
Also at the Belmont County Fairgrounds, take a look from October 1-4 at "The Wall That Heals" presented by the American Legion.
The moving exhibit is a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and a mobile education center honoring the more than three million Americans who served in the Vietnam War and bearing the names of the more than 58,000 people who died.
Ravens Rock in Beallsville
For an outdoor trip just outside of Barnesville, head to southern Belmont County for Raven Rocks. Located in Ohio's Appalachian Plateau, this spot offers a scenic — and short — hike.
Looking for a more old-fashioned experience in Barnesville?
Dickinson Cattle Co. in Barnesville
The Dickinson Cattle Co. offers visitors a 75-minute tour of its family-owned business specializing in breeding the highest quality Texas Longhorn cattle from April through October.
Less than a half hour away in Flushing, you can also stop by the Dutton Cattle Company.
Founded in 1981, the ranch — which coincidentally shares the name with the popular "Yellowstone" TV franchise — is a full-fledged cow farm and also offers lodging, tours, dining, and concerts across 1,600 acres.
Throughout the spooky month of October, the Haunted Hills of Belmont County are home to the Ghostly Legends and Lore Trail — including two stops in Barnesville.
Circleville Pumpkin Show
Whether it's the outdoors, the nightlife, or the sensations of the season, these are just five of the numerous charming towns you'll want to check out this fall!
For more things to do this #FallinOhio, check out #OhioTheHeartofitAll at Ohio.org.
