Category: Fall Fun

Everything Fall

Fall is here and we’ve got so many wonderful ways to celebrate the month-long occasion full of flannel and cool weather.

For all of your fall 2022 needs—scares, tricks, treats, crafts, corn mazes, festivals, and more—check out the list below of the many fun goings on over the next few months. All events are linked to a site with more information regarding admission costs, dates and times, and location.

Blooms and Berries - Pumpkins at a Pumpkin Farm
Blooms and Berries

Halloween Events

For admission information, dates, and more details about the events, click on the corresponding link below.

October 7–9: Metamora Canal Days (Metamora, IN), 9a–5p

October 7–9: 11th Annual Operation Pumpkin (Pumpkin and Art Festival) (Hamilton)
October 8: The Great Pumpkin Fest (Keehner Park, West Chester), 2–6p
October 14–15, 21–22, 28-29: Sharon Woods Haunted Village, 6–10p
October 15–16, 22–23, 29–30: HallZOOween (Cincinnati Zoo), 12–5p
October 16: Hocus Pocus Halloween: A Family Fun Festival (Middletown)

October 21: Howl at the Hall (Westwood), 6p
October 23: Findlay Market Fall Food Fest, 10a–4p
October 27: Ghost Walk (Aurora, IN), 6:30p
Tickets are pre-sale only to ensure they do not exceed maximum capacity. Click the link above for more information.

Kinman Farms - Baby holding onto pumpkin
Kinman Farms

Pumpkin Patches

Blooms & Berries Fall on the Farm (Loveland)

September 17–October 31
Online ticket purchase is required to attend Fall on the Farm. Admission includes hayrides, Pumpkin Bounce Pad, corn maze, mini corn maze, bee train, play area, Barnyard 500 Trike Track, farm animals, Spookley, and more! The Beer Garden is open on the weekends.
Tickets start at $5.95 and must be purchased online. Leashed pets are allowed.

Burger Farm Fall Fun at the Farm (Newtown)

Saturdays and Sundays, September 24–October 30, 10a–6p (weather permitting)
Pumpkins, corn stalks, mums, gourds, apple cider, animated pumpkin land characters, games, food, music, farm animals, crafters and more.
Admission is $14 per person (children 2 and under are free; ages 65 and older are $10)

Burwinkel Farms (Ross)

Weekends in October
Corn maze, skid maze, Halloween scavenger hunt, locally grown apples, crawl-thru straw tunnel, corn pool, and weekend hayrides to a pumpkin patch and sunflower field (when in bloom).

Country Pumpkins Fall Festival (Dry Ridge, KY)

September 10–October 30
General admission is free and includes kiddie corn maze, sand tunnels play area, hay pyramid, and farm animals. For an additional cost, you can experience U-pick pumpkins, hayride, and much more. 

Click here for pricing information

Irons Fruit Farm October Weekends (Lebanon)

Last weekend in September and all October weekends, 11a–5p
Pumpkins and hayrides, corn maze, bakery (with apple fritters, pies, cinnamon-cider donuts, cookies, and more!), market and store, apples, and special events.
Click here for a coupon for $1 off purchase of $10 or more

Jack O’Lantern Junction at EnterTRAINment Junction (West Chester)

September 24–October 31
Indoor, kid friendly maze as well as friendly ghosts, skeletons, and more. Each child will receive a bag of trick-or-treat candy, plus new Halloween mini scenes and a Halloween themed train display.

Jackson Family Farm Fall on the Farm (Middletown)

Saturdays (11a–6p) and Sundays (12–5p), September 25–October 23
Activities include pumpkin jump pad, pedal tractors, pedal implements, farm animals, make your own animal feed, corn maze, corn barn, hay tower and slides, pumpkin launcher, and more!
$14 per person general farm admission (includes all activities, kids 2 and under free)

Kings Island Tricks and Treats Fall Fest (Mason)

Select days, September 25–October 30
Admission includes one-of-a-kind fall festival with amazing food, activities, live entertainment, more than a dozen trick-or-treat stops, costume contests, crafts, games, seasonal merchandise, and access to the park’s rides and attractions.
Tickets starting at $29.99; military discounts available

Kinman Farms Fall Fest (Burlington, KY)

September 16–October 30; Fridays and Saturdays 10a–10p, Sundays 11a–7p
Admission includes: hayride around the Farm, picnic shelters, bonfires, games, The Great Pumpkin Express Rides, 5-acre Corn Maze, Kinman’s Carnival Tent, live bands, tricycle ride for the little ones, and laser tag. New this year: tunnels slides, dirt mound climbing, and straw pyramid. Everyone gets a pumpkin to take home, too! Open daily, but activities take place on the weekends.

McMonigle Farms Pumpkin Fest (Middletown)

Every weekend in October, 12–6p
McMonigle Farms offers the most affordable and unique pumpkin patch in Middletown, Ohio. Admission includes: U-pick pumpkins, hayrides, one-acre clueless corn maze, cow train rides, arm animals, FREE straw maze, large play area, and seasonal treats.

Neltner’s Farm Fall Fest (Melbourne, KY)

September 23–October 31 (more info)
There’s something for every member of your family: horse-drawn wagon rides, crafters and artisans, live music, home cooked food by Four Mile Pig, wine tastings by local wineries, homemade ice cream, pumpkin patch, 3+ acre corn maze, kids corn play pit, toddler corn maze, farm stand, petting zoo, barrel train, model train display.
Weekend activities admission (10a–6p): $5 (ages 3 and up); weekdays (9a–6p): free
Leashed pets are allowed

Niederman Fall Fun 2022 (Liberty Twp.)

September 23–October 30
Thursday 6–9p (group reservations only during the day), Friday 4–9p (concessions available after 6), Saturday 11a–9p, Sunday 1–6p
Tickets include: 4-acre corn maze, hayrides, kids tractor play area, wagon ride, human foosball, duck races, pipe swings, climbing hill, jumping pillow, and so much more!
$15 general admission wristband must be purchased for children 2 and above (children under 2 are free) and includes access to all activities. Tickets are available here.

Shaw Farms (Milford)

Weekends in September (starting the third weekend) through October 31, 9a–6p (Monday–Saturday), 9a–5p (Sunday)
Huge corn maze with a kid-friendly treasure hunt, two interactive playgrounds, and horse- and tractor-drawn hayrides through the scenic countryside.
General admission is free. Click here for activity pricing information and to purchase tickets.

Kings Island Haunt - View of the Rollercoaster Banshee
Kings Island Haunt

Haunted Houses, Trails, and Attractions

Cincinnati goes all out for haunted houses; many of which include extraordinary makeup, spooky settings, and animatronics. Here’s a list of haunted houses and trails to visit this Halloween season:

All Hallows’ Eve (Williamsburg)
Fridays and Saturdays, September 2–November 5, 7p–12a
Admission starts at $30 to Terror Town (Ultimate Horror and Weekend Passes are also available)

Brimstone Haunt (Wilmington)
Friday and Saturday nights September 24 through October 31
Admission for a combo admission pass to the Haunted Hayride ($XX), Forgotten Forest ($XX), Psychosis ($XX), and Zombie Assault ($XX) to be determined. Fast Pass also available. Click here to purchase your tickets online. (Save by buying online. A $2 fee will be added to each ticket purchased in person.)
Parking costs $3 cash at the door

The Dent Schoolhouse (Dent)
Weekends, September 16–November 5, and all Thursdays in October
General admission starting at $20, with options for fast pass and front of the line options also available (view ticketing options here)
Family friendly Lights On Tour will be Sunday, October 23, 4–6p

Kings Island Haunt (Mason)

Select nights, September 23–October 29
Bone-chilling scare mazes and scare zones, sinister live entertainment, and hundreds of horrifying creatures lurking in the fog and hiding in every corner of the park. Haunting Halloween activities plus some of the most exhilarating night rides in the country. Not recommended for children under 13. No re-entry after 6p.
Tickets starting at $44.99; military discounts available

Land of Illusion Haunted Scream Park (Middletown)

Friday and Saturday nights, 7p–1a, September 9–October 30
Five premium haunted houses, including Dysphoria, Dr. Psycho’s Haunted Estate, Phobia, Temple of Terror, and The Killer Klown House, plus other attractions and entertainment. Food and drinks available for purchase.
Click here for ticketing information.

Mt. Healthy Haunted Hall (Mt. Healthy)
Friday, Saturday (8–11p), and Sunday (7–9p) from September 30–October 29 (closed October 30)
Entry is $12 (click here for information about available discounts), Fastpasses available for $18, no discounts
Lights Up Night will be Sunday, October 23, 6–6:45p (cost is $5 per child, free for adults)

Sandyland Acres (Petersburg, KY)
Friday and Saturday nights (8p–midnight) from September 16–October 29 (closed October 30)
Hayride ($15), Haunted Barn ($12), or a combo for $25. Cash only, free parking.
Click here for more information.

USS Nightmare (Newport, KY)
September 17–18, September 24–November 6 (closed Mondays and Tuesdays)
Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday, 7–11p
Friday and Saturday, 7p–1a
General admission prices from $18–30, with Fast Pass admission being $28–50. Front-of-the-line and season passes also available. 

Click here to view all ticketing options.
Lights On Matinee, October 24, 4–6p

Cornfield at one of the haunted parks
Cornfield

Ghost Tours

Do you favor the paranormal over costumes and actors? Don’t worry, there are several options for paranormal and haunted ghost tours in greater Cincinnati.

Bobby Mackey’s Music World Paranormal Tour (Wilder, KY) 

$35 per person for a two-hour tour

Two-hour guided tours, private group investigations, and public event hosting at one of the most haunted nightclubs in the country.

Book your tour here

Buried Secrets, Haunted Cincinnati Tours (OTR)

$29 for a two-hour outdoor walking tour to sites including Washington Park, Memorial Hall, and Music Hall. 

Click here to purchase your tickets online

Newport is Haunted, American Legacy Tours (Newport)

$29 for a 90-minute—low intensity, stroller and wheelchair accessible—3/4 mile walking tour. 

Click here to purchase your tickets online

Queen City is Haunted, American Legacy Tours (OTR)

$29 for a 90-minute 3/4 mile walking tour (flat but not stroller and wheelchair accessible); $39 for an “ultimate” tour. 

Click here to purchase your tickets online

Pumpkins on a Pumpkin Farm
Pumpkins on a Pumpkin Farm

Art Festivals and Craft Fairs

Looking for gifts this holiday season? What about decor to spruce up your home? Shop local at one of many art festivals and craft fairs this fall. For information regarding the event and admission, click on the corresponding link.

October 1–2: Lakota West High School Craft Show ($2 admission)

October 2: Art on Vine on Fountain Square, 12–6p
October 8: The City Flea at Washington Park, 10a–4p
October 16: Second Sunday on Main (Main Street, OTR), 12–5p
October 28–30: Vintage Market Days of Dayton-Cincinnati

November 11–13: Greater Cincinnati Holiday Market at the Duke Energy Convention Center
November 12–13: Lakota East Holiday Arts and Crafts Show

November 13: Art on Vine at Rhinegeist, 12–6p
November 19: Oak Hills Band Association Holiday Craft Fair, 9a–3p

November 19: Sycamore Arts and Crafts Show (Sycamore High School), 9a–4p

November 19: The OFF Market: 2022 Holiday Market at Summit Park, 10a–4p

November 25–27: 2022 Winterfair at NKY Convention Center
November 26: Crafty Supermarket Holiday Show at Music Hall Ballroom, 11a–5p

December 11: Art on Vine at Rhinegeist, 12–6p

December 17 and 18: The City Flea Holiday Market at Washington Park

Have any questions about what’s going on this fall? Just ask!

Written by: Linsey Kraeling – Woman, wife, and mother about town, proud millennial, and lifelong Cincinnatian with an invested interest in community involvement and having a full plate—literally and figuratively. Follow along with and read more about eating like a sophisticated six-year-old, supporting local, and acting like a tourist in her own city at instagram.com/linsinnati and tourdecincinnati.com.

Thanksgiving Weekend Scavenger Hunt Provides Family-Friendly Fun

Thanksgiving Weekend Scavenger Hunt

Once the turkey is eaten and the parade is over, what can you do with the rest of your holiday weekend? How about a fun and challenging scavenger hunt that takes you exploring through four Northern Kentucky neighborhoods?

The Finders Keepers Thanksgiving Weekend Scavenger Hunt is perfect for a family, couple or group of friends. With your Code Kit, you’ll have everything you need for up to four players. You can do the hunt any time between Thanksgiving morning and the evening of Sunday November 27th.

Explanation of the Scavenger Hunt
Explanation of the Scavenger Hunt

What the Hunt Entails

Put on your spectacles and thinking caps because the puzzles require sharp eyes and a clever mind. There are four neighborhoods included in the hunt: downtown Covington, MainStrasse Village, historic downtown Newport and Bellevue’s Fairfield Avenue entertainment district. Each neighborhood has several puzzles to solve, mostly based on the public art and architecture you’ll encounter.

You’ll find clues, crack codes and test your brain as you solve the puzzles and do the photo challenges. Submit your answers when you’re done, and you could win art from local artists and prizes from NKY businesses.

The puzzles are intended for smarty pants adults and kids ages 12 and up. Younger kids can help spot the clues and play in the park and open spaces included on the hunt.

Registration for Finders Keepers closes on November 18, so don’t delay. Reserve your Code Kit here. Proceeds help support the arts in NKY.

NKY Finder's Keepers Scavenger Hunt Flyer with Website
NKY Finders Keepers Scavenger Hunt Flyer

Jill Morenz is the Director of the NKY Public Arts Network. She is an enthusiastic evangelist for all things NKY.

Thanksgiving Weekend Scavenger Hunt Returns

If you are looking for a fun activity to do over the holiday weekend, how about a scavenger hunt? You’ll explore four Covington neighborhoods, finding clues, cracking codes and solving puzzles. You can even win prizes, like original art by local artists.

The Catalytic Fund created Finders Keepers Thanksgiving Weekend Scavenger Hunt last year to provide an outdoor activity for the four-day weekend. About 150 people participated, so they are doing it again with all new puzzles.

The hunt is not timed, so there is no added pressure. Players have from 8:00 am on Thanksgiving through 9:00 pm on Sunday November 28 to turn in their solutions.

The hunt is perfect for families, couples and groups of friends. The puzzles are designed for adults and older children, but young kids can help spot the clues and enjoy the parks and public spaces included in the hunt.

The puzzles range in difficulty from “easy peasy” to “puzzle master” and encourage players to discover the art, architecture and fun things to do in Covington. You can walk, bike or drive between clue locations, all of which can be accessed without going indoors.

Proceeds from Finders Keepers will support the Catalytic Fund’s public art initiatives, including NKY ArtQuest, a free calendar of arts-related events and NKY Art Tours, which are free, self-guided tours of public art in the river cities.

For more information and to purchase a Code Kit, visit the Finders Keepers website. Registration ends on November 19. Kits will be available for pickup or shipping on Monday November 22.

About the author: Jill Morenz is the Director of Community Initiatives and Communications for the Catalytic Fund and also runs the NKY Public Arts Network. She is an enthusiastic evangelist for all things NKY.

Celebrate Halloween, NKY Style

Northern Kentucky can be a spooky place. With a long history and neighborhoods that date back to the Civil War, the region holds many tales of roaming ghosts and gruesome events that will send chills up your spine.  

Here is a sampling of what awaits you here, as the weather grows colder, and the spirits come out to play. Links to all the events can be found here.  

Nightmare ships and haunted fields 

The USS Nightmare docks in Newport this time of year. It’s one of the area’s longest haunted tours (over 30 minutes), inviting brave and foolhardy guests to explore two full decks of pure horror. 

Sandy Acres Farm is a charming place to visit in the daytime. At night, though, it gets a lot creepier. Come for a hayride through haunted fields—if you dare. 

For kids 

To get the kiddos involved in something more than just trick-or-treating, take them to the free Halloween Hoopla at Behringer-Crawford Museum. They can do a seasonal craft, march in the costume parade and more. 

For fans of LEGO, the Northern Kentucky Convention Center is hosting Bricks, Tricks and Treats, a LEGO convention with a Halloween theme.  

Talk to dead people 

Falcon Theatre and Dinsmore Homestead Museum have teamed up to create a rare opportunity to talk with six costumed actors who are portraying people from the Homestead’s past. All the characters are based on their actual lives, letters and journals. It’s kind of like a historic version of “Sixth Sense.”   

Take a spooky tour 

Tickets are still available for the Halloween date of the Spooky Secrets Tour. This 2-mile walk past haunted houses, creepy historic sites and cool shops was created by the author of “Secret Cincinnati” and the writer for the NKY Art Tours website. It’s the perfect way to start your Halloween celebrations. 

For more Halloween fun, as well as details on the events listed above, please visit NKY ArtQuest’s Halloween roundup. 

About the author:  

Jill Morenz is the Director of Community Initiatives and Communications for the Catalytic Fund and also runs the NKY Public Arts Network. She is an enthusiastic evangelist for all things NKY.