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Fall fun in Northeast Ohio: the best things to do this autumn

From haunted houses to apple picking with the kiddos, we have got a list of all the things you will want to check out this fall.

CLEVELAND — Editor's note: The video in the player above is from a story published on Sept. 17, 2021.

Fall is officially upon us! If you are one of the thousands of Northeast Ohioans looking to fill your autumn with fun activities, sweet treats, and foliage, we have got you covered. 

RELATED: List: Trick-or-treat times in Northeast Ohio for 2021

Below, you can find a list of pumpkin patches, haunted houses, fun runs, food festivals, and more! 

APPLE ORCHARDS 

One of the best ways to kick off the season is by picking your own apples at one of the region's incredible apple farms! Visiting an apple orchard is a great time to grab a healthy and delicious snack while also supporting local. Below are some of the best orchards in the area: 

PUMPKIN PATCHES

What is fall in Northeast Ohio without a trip to a pumpkin patch? Luckily for our 3News viewers, we have created a great comprehensive list of pumpkin patches across the area. Below, however, are just a few spots ranging from east to west and all the way down south!

HAUNTED HOUSES

3News' Ryan Haidet recently created an epic list of 27 haunted houses around Ohio to check out this spooky season! And while many of the attractions on the list may take a couple of hours to travel to, there are also plenty of local spots to check out. 

Check out the list of regional haunted houses below: 

PUMPKIN VILLAGE 

When: Friday- Sunday through October 31

Where: Mapleside Farms 

Price: $10-16 (dependant on the day)

Mapleside's events this year once again promise a themed event that anyone can find appealing. This year, the weekend themes are as follows: 

  • Super Hero weekend -- October 1-3
  • Great Pumpkin weekend -- October 7-9
  • Rocktober Fest -- October 14-16
  • Wild, West West weekend -- October 22-24
  • Spooky Days -- October 29-31

HALLOWEEKENDS

When: Thursdays- Sundays through October 31

Where: Cedar Point

Price: $65 (adult ticket)

One of the Buckeye State's most tried and true Halloween-themed events is back and better than ever, with something to offer for every member of the family! Although this attraction is on the pricier end of the scale, fun is guaranteed! 

TRICK OR TREAT FEST

When: Friday-Sunday, Oct. 9 - Oct. 31

Where: Cleveland Metroparks Zoo 

Price: $19.95 for non-members, $9.95 for members

Trick or Treat Fest at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is back this year and better than ever! This year's event includes trick or treating for the kids, a Monster Mash Dance Party, movies at the 4-D theater, and more! 

BEREA HARVEST FESTIVAL

When: Saturday, Oct. 16 (12 p.m. - 7 p.m.)

Where: Coe Lake Park

Price: Free admission

The annual Berea Harvest Festival is back! This year, attendees can dress up and bring the kiddos to this family event. With a magic show, inflatables, a pumpkin patch, characters, and food trucks, this event is great for the whole family. Not to mention, it ends with a fireworks display over Coe Lake! 

HALLOWEEN FLEA MARKET

When: Saturday, Oct. 16, (6 p.m. - 7 p.m.)

Where: The Foundry Concert Club

Price: A suggested donation of $1 for entry

If you have held out on buying anything and everything Halloween, this event is the perfect opportunity to get your spooky fix. The Halloween Flea Market offers arts and crafts, clothing, toys, snacks, and more. All ages are welcome!

HALLOWEEN DRIVE-THRU

When: Thursdays- Saturdays beginning on Oct.7, ending on Oct. 30

Where: Lake Metroparks Farmpark 

Price: $27.50 per carload

The Halloween Drive-thru at the Lake Metroparks is one event you won't want to miss out on! A safe and fun option that keeps you in a car with your "pod" this drive-thru includes hilarious displays, spooky songs, and of course, delicious snacks! Hurry, tickets sell out fast!

NORTH UNION FARMER'S MARKET

When: Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays

Where: Various locations (details below) 

Price: Free admission

The North Union Farmers Market invites Northeast Ohioans to check out the best items that area creators and farmers have to offer. The best part, you have multiple times and locations to find your favorite items. Check out the list below to find the market closest to you: 

  • Crocker Park (Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.) 
  • Shaker Square (Saturdays, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.) 
  • Cleveland Clinic Main Campus (Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.) *ends Oct. 20
  • Van Aken District (Thursdays, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.) *ends Oct. 14

GREAT HARVEST HAUNT EXPERIENCE

When: Saturday, October 2 - Sunday, October 17

Where: Holden Arboretum 

Price: $10 to $16

The Great Harvest Haunt Experience at the Holden Arboretum is a nature lover's dream! Whether it's the Murch Canopy walk that takes you up and into the trees to admire the foliage or the storytelling experience which follows Ty the Turkey as he searches for food ahead of winter, this event is perfect for the fall lovers who are looking to get the most out of the outdoors before it's too cold. 

HALLOWEEN AT THE DRIVE-IN

When: Weekends through late fall

Where: Various locations 

Price: Varies by location

While most people typically associate drive-in movies with the summer, three outdoor theaters are working to get rid of that stigma. This year, you can catch classics like "Beetlejuice," while also getting to see some of the newer spooky movies, like "Addams Family 2" and "Halloween Kills."

HALLOWEEN FUN RUNS

Hermes Dead Sprint and Little Monster Candy Dash

When: Saturday, Oct. 30

Where: West Park Station

Price: $30 for the 5k, $10 for the kids race

Here is a fun and (mostly) healthy activity for the whole family! This 5k fun run encourages runners to dress up in their best costume and celebrate afterward at the West Park Station. Plus, there is a specific race just for the little monsters (sorry, kids!) in your life. 

Halloween Run for Justice

When: Saturday, Oct. 30

Where: Downtown Cleveland

Price: $30 

Run through downtown Cleveland in your best, funniest, or cutest costume! This 5k fun run supports the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association and the Cleveland and East Cleveland City school districts. If running isn't your style, there is also a cycling event and a golf outing!

THE HAUNTED HOUSE RESTAURANT

When: Anytime

Where: The Haunted House Restaurant 

Price: Varies

New to Cleveland, this holiday-themed restaurant made a splash on social media for its spooky decor and fun food items. Although reservations may be a difficult swing, it's worth making an effort to try and get a spot whenever you can!

RELATED: The Haunted House Restaurant opens in Cleveland Heights

THE SPOOKY POOCH PARADE

When: Saturday, October 16, 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Where: Kauffman Park 

Price: Free to watch, $10 to participate (register here)

Most events on this list are good for almost every member of your family, but not your pet. The Lakewood Spooky Pooch Parade, however, is another story! This parade invites families, dog owners, and dog lovers to come out and enjoy some adorable pets in costume! 

MARIA'S FIELD OF HOPE

When: Anytime

Where: Jaycox Rd, Avon, OH 44011 

Price: No cost, donations encouraged

Looking for a great spot to take some gorgeous fall photos? Look no further than Maria's Field of Hope Sunflower Field in Avon. The sunflowers are planted in honor of children who have suffered or died from brain tumors. 

You can support the cause here

FALL FUN FEST 

When: Through late October

Where: Shuster's Farm

Price: Free admission, some attractions may cost extra

Fall Fun Fest at Shuster's Farm is back for more fun this year, and includes a petting zoo, hayrides, a children's maze, barnyard football, and the Pumpkin Theater! These are just a few of the things you can find on the farm this year. 

The venue is also holding a "Pink Week" in honor of breast cancer awareness from October 16 through the 24th. During this time, baskets will be raffled off with 100 percent of the proceeds benefitting a Lorain County charity, according to their website.  

And when all else fails... take a walk in the Cleveland Metroparks! The fall foliage and scents are enough to get anyone excited for the autumn to come. 

Happy fall, Northeast Ohio!

Have a suggestion of something you think should be on the list? Send an email to HSloop@wkyc.com or tweet me here

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