Fun Outdoor Fall Activities for Families in Cleveland & Northeast Ohio
Fall in Northeast Ohio is the perfect time to get outside with the family to enjoy some fall activities. Crisp air, colorful leaves, and plenty of seasonal fun make it easy to plan an outdoor adventure. Whether you’re looking for the best fall hikes near Cleveland, best places to take in autumn views, or family-friendly parks and playgrounds that have that special hint of magic that only shows up during the fall in Northeast Ohio, these outdoor fall activities will help you make the most of the season.
Fun Outdoor Fall Activities for Families in Cleveland & Northeast Ohio
Hiking in the fall in Northeast Ohio is one of my all-time favorite family outings. Ohio is blessed to have so many beautiful, vibrant Metropark systems. There are so many gorgeous parks to choose from; you almost can’t go wrong! Here are a few of our go-to family-friendly hikes that provide beautiful fall views.
Best Fall Hikes for Families
Near Cleveland
Worden’s Ledges
Wordens Ledges Loop Trail, Hinckley, OH 44233
Hiking Worden’s Ledges feels like stepping into a fantasy novel thanks to all of the hidden carvings along the trail. Located in the Hinckley Reservation, the stone carvings along this 0.7-mile trail are truly marvelous and make for a great scavenger hunt for young and old alike! (Important note; the trail is not stroller friendly!) Because it’s a relatively short hike (less than a mile) it was a great starter trail for my family when our kiddos were younger.
Worden’s Ledges is named after the old landowner, Hiram Worden. However, it was later discovered that his son-in-law, Noble Stuart, was the artist who created the stone carvings in the 1940s.
Some of the carvings include a Sphinx, George Washington, Ty Cobb, a Bible with a Cross, and names, among other portraits. See how many you can find!
And while Worden’s Ledges is a great visit most of the year, it’s especially gorgeous in the fall thanks to the vibrant fall colors that show up amongst the trees. Worden’s Ledges really does feel so magical during the autumn months!
Lake to Lake Trail
Lake to Lake Trail, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130
The Lake to Lake Trail in Middleburg Heights, part of the Cleveland Metroparks, has been a family favorite for years. It’s an entirely paved trail (we still consider it a hike), and the views from the boardwalk are stunning! You get an incredible, expansive view of all of these gorgeous fall colors. My kids absolutely love racing across the boardwalk, spotting birds, and digging around in the prehistoric play pit – it’s always an adventure! It's also the perfect spot for a family bike ride or scooter session, offering a beautiful blend of nature and fun for everyone come fall.
Viaduct Park
Willis St, Bedford, OH 44146
Crawl through the spooky tunnel at Viaduct Park, and you'll be rewarded with one of the most beautiful waterfalls around. It's a short, kid-friendly hike to the waterfall, but heads up – the tunnel isn’t stroller-friendly since you’ll need to duck to get through. Viaduct Park is perfect for little adventurers looking for a quick thrill, and the beautiful fall foliage surrounding the waterfall makes the view even better in autumn.
Rocky River Reservation
Valley Pkwy, North Olmsted, OH 44070
The Rocky River Reservation is probably our most visited hiking spot on this list. It’s become our go-to over the years thanks to all of the different paths and trails you can choose. The colors in the fall are absolutely gorgeous, especially at the top of the Fort Hill Stairs and across the pond by the nature center. Plus, if you visit during the day, you can pop into the nature center which has an awesome tree indoor treehouse!
Where to See Gorgeous Fall Colors in Northeast Ohio
While pinpointing exactly when peak fall colors will hit in Northeast Ohio is incredibly difficult; most of the time it seems to come around early to mid October. There are lots and lots of places around Cleveland to see these beautiful colors in all their glory (they don’t call Cleveland the “forest city” for nothing!), it can feel overwhelming to try to pinpoint the best spot. So, here are a few of our favorite places to go to see gorgeous fall colors during peak color season in Northeast Ohio.
Squire’s Castle
2844 River Rd, Willoughby Hills, OH 44094
Is there anything cooler than exploring a real-life castle in the fall? Squire’s Castle, built in the 1890s and inspired by German and English baronial castles, is an absolute gem. My kids love wandering through the historic halls and running around the huge open field. It’s the perfect spot for flying kites, enjoying a picnic, and hiking the trails behind the castle.
While the castle itself is on the smaller side, it won’t take long to explore (you’ll be in and out in 5-10 minutes), so make sure to take advantage of the trails behind the castle which are particularly breathtaking in the fall.
Holden Arboretum
9550 Sperry Rd, Kirtland, OH 44094
If you’re one who loves to stand guard for the fall color watch, then you absolutely have to visit Holden Arboretum in autumn. With over 20 miles of trails to explore, there’s no shortage of gorgeous fall foliage at Holden Arboretum. Plus the Canopy Walk and Emergent Tower provide opportunities to get up close (and above!) the trees to give you views unlike anywhere else in Northeast Ohio.
Cleveland Cultural Gardens
Martin luther King Jr Drive, cleveland OH 44106
The Cleveland Cultural Gardens are some of Northeast Ohio’s oldest and most beautiful gems. There are 36 gardens designed and cultivated to bring honor and remembrance to distinct cultural or nationality groups. These gardens have statues and monuments dedicated to incredible individuals who contributed to world culture. And the Cleveland Cultural Garden absolutely SHINES during the fall season in Cleveland. Sometimes we’ll walk or scooter around, and other times we’ll drive out of our way just so we can take a stroll down MLK boulevard to take in the views.
Nature Center at Shaker Lakes
2600 S Park Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44120
As a family who loves exploring nature trails, the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes has become one of our top destinations in Northeast Ohio. Located in the heart of Shaker Parklands, this 20-acre green space offers scenic trails, diverse habitats like a lake, stream, marsh, and forest, plus year-round family-friendly activities, making it one of the best places for nature walks near Cleveland. It’s really beautiful during the fall, and one of the best parts about Shaker Lakes is that they have an ADA accessible trail called the All People’s Trail, which is a 1/3 mile-elevated boardwalk. This trail also provides a great view of wildlife in the marshes.
Brandywine Falls
8176 Brandywine Road, Sagamore Hills, Ohio 44067
Brandywine Falls is part of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It does get, very, very busy during peak season, but there’s a reason for it! It truly is a beautiful waterfall with pleasant trails, especially when the fall colors have come in.
Cascade park
387 Furnace St, Elyria, OH 44035
Cascade Park offers rivers, waterfalls, and hemlock forests just minutes from downtown Elyria. Inside this 145-acre park the east and west branches of the Black River cascade over Berea sandstone converge. We love hiking to see the waterfall. It’s a fairly easy and short hike, and it’s so beautiful.
Chagrin Falls
N Main St, Chagrin Falls, OH 44022
The Chagrin Falls run right through the town center that shares its name. The falls come off of the Chagrin River, and are a sight to behold during the fall season. There are steps that lead down to the base of the waterfall, but be careful. The rocks do get slippery.
Whipp’s Ledges
Hinckley Lake Loop Trail, Hinckley, OH 44233
Whipps Ledges is one of the few places in Northeast Ohio with exposed sandstone ledges of Sharon conglomerate. Many people love climbing and even rappelling at Whipp’s Ledges. But we love it for the gorgeous fall colors it brings! The hiking trails are moderate with plenty of roots and rocks, but aren’t overly strenuous.
Family-Friendly Parks & Playgrounds in the Fall
You all know how much we love playgrounds, but there’s something extra magical about playing on them in the fall when they’re surrounded by colorful trees or nestled in the heart of a fun-filled fall farm. The crisp air, crunchy leaves, and endless adventure make it even better! Here are a few of our absolute favorite playgrounds to visit during the fall season in Northeast Ohio.
If you’re looking for EVEN MORE playgrounds to visit this fall, check out our other blog 80+ Best Cleveland Area Playgrounds.
Barn Themed Playground at Patterson’s Fruit Farm
11414 Caves Rd, Chesterland, OH 44026
Patterson’s Farm is a must-visit for so many families during the fall, but I’m always surprised by how many don’t know about their awesome, free, barn-themed playground just down the street at the Fruit Farm. It’s such a fun spot for the kids to explore without costing a dime! Plus, the farmers market nearby is perfect for grabbing some fresh donuts – a mouth-watering fall treat we never can resist.
Pre-Historic Play at Lake to Lake Trail
Lake to Lake Trail, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130
We love the pre-historic dig play area at the Lake to Lake Metroparks! It’s the perfect size for the kids to run wild while we sit back and relax. With a small slide, a dig area, and a couple of swings, it’s just right for some low-key fun. There’s also a small pond nearby and a really beautiful hiking trail and boardwalk (see above!) if you’re looking to add a bit of adventure to your fall day.
I think the best climbing and exploring weather happens in the fall. And there’s no better place to climb and explore nature than at Jordan Creek Adventure Park in Painesville.
Jordan Creek Park
7250 Alexander Rd, Painesville, OH 44077
Jordan Creek Park is the ultimate nature adventure play with a huge rock wall, ziplines, slack lines, and more—and the best part is it’s all FREE! There are also great hiking trails behind the nature play and a free nature center near the parking lot. It’s easy for our family to spend hours here.
Coe Lake
Berea, OH 44017
Coe Lake in Berea is a fall family favorite for good reason. With two playgrounds – one featuring a pirate ship theme and the other a brand-new, all-ages treehouse – there’s plenty for the kids to explore. Add in the beautiful lake and scenic walking trails, and you’ve got the perfect setting for a crisp fall evening spent outdoors. You really can’t go wrong with a visit to Coe Lake!
FALL HALLOWEEN DISPLAYS (coming soon!)
Many Clevelanders go all out for Halloween with fun, spooky, and frightening displays. We’ll be sharing some of our favorite family-friendly displays once they’re up for the season. In the meantime, here are some of our favorites from past years (these are not up yet!).
Pirates of the Caribbean display (Not up for season)
RoOT RD, North Olmsted
This is our family’s FAVORITE display to visit. Mr. Schnupp goes all out. The display moves, sings, lights up, and has fog he even made singing skeletons. The display is UP NOW (as of Oct 8) and runs until October 31st. Display is on Root Rd in North Olmsted (NOT the same Root Rd that runs through N. Ridgeville).
Lights and animation run daily 5-9p
Parking is allowed on the same side of the street as the display
You’re welcome to walk up the driveway for a closer look
Donations being collected for St. Jude’s
Elmwood Rd displays (Not up for season)
Elmwood Rd Bay Village, OH 44140
There are several houses on this street that go all out. Our favorite is the shipwreck house (it’s so tall!), the Pirates of the Caribbean display, and the mausoleum. The mausoleum display is open each night from 6p, to 11p, and on Halloween, it has some extra surprised for trick-or-treaters.
Giant Pumpkin Display (Not up for season)
River Road, Olmsted Falls, OH 44138
This display is so, so cool! A lot of this Olmsted Falls Halloween display is HANDCRAFTED and incredible! The colossal skeleton carving an 11-foot jack-o-lantern is my favorite. 🎃 This display is definitely worth driving by to see in person. River Rd (about a half mile down from Water St) in Olmsted Falls, OH.
Plan Your Outdoor Fall Adventure
Cleveland is bursting with incredible fall activities, and I hope you and your family have an unforgettable time making memories together. From apple picking to scenic hikes, there's something magical waiting around every corner. Don’t forget to bookmark this page and check back often – I’ll be updating it with even more can’t-miss family-friendly Halloween displays as the season unfolds! Happy fall adventures! 🍂
P.S. For even more seasonal ideas — from apple picking to pumpkin patches and Halloween fun — don’t miss our complete Cleveland Fall Bucket List for Families.
