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Fall foliage peaks in central Ohio during the second and thrid weeks of October. The rolling Appalachian foothills gradually giveway to fertile farmland as you travel from east to west. The forests in each area put on a unique and magical fall foliage display. Follow one of these handy itineraries for a hassle-free driving tour. Click the "download pdf" icon to see a printable version of the tour. (To download Adobe Acrobat, click here) Amish Country Fall Foliage Driving Tour Castles and Caverns Fall Foliage Driving Tour Mohican Country Fall Foliage Driving Tour Mountain Lakes Fall Foliage Driving Tour Ohio River/National Road Fall Foliage Driving Tour Scenic Canals Fall Foliage Driving Tour Zane's Trace Fall Foliage Driving Tour Amish Country Fall Foliage Driving Tour – 38 miles A drive on rolling Route 39 through Holmes County provides a picturesque backdrop to the Amish Country harvest season. At the small town of Walnut Creek on Route 39, stop at the Land of Canaan Quilts, where you can browse through antique quilts, throws, crib quilts, hand-woven rugs and dolls, all made by local Amish women. While you're there, you can order your own custom quilt or craft. A few miles north of Walnut Creek on Route 515 is Yoder's Amish Home, where visitors can learn the art of "apple butter stirrin'." As you return to Route 39 west-bound, you'll discover that the Rastetter's Woolen Mill has specialized in rugs, sweaters, wool comforters and blankets for more than 150 years - just in time for the fall season's cooler temperatures. During your Amish Country tour, be sure to stop at the Amish eateries along the way for delicious homemade treats.
Castles and Caverns Fall Foliage Driving Tour – 40 miles As you wind down country lanes is some of Ohio’s highest elevations, a spectacular display of fall color awaits you. Starting in Springfield, make sure to stop at some of the city’s antique shops. From Springfield, take Route 4 northeast. Buck Creek State Park sits at the edge of a large lake and offers 12 miles of hiking trails featuring bogs, forests and low glacial moraines. Crisscross along Route 54 into Urbana, where you’ll find Robert Rothschild Farms, a producer of raspberries and gourmet foods. Urbana also is home to the Johnny Appleseed Museum. Take Route 68 north from Urbana and head east at Route 245. Lining the road are two 19 th century castles, built by wealthy industrialist brothers. The Piatt Castles are some of the most astounding examples of architecture in the area. The last stop on this tour is the Ohio Caverns, the largest cave system in the state, which features fancifully named formations such as Cactus Plants, Palace of the Gods and Old Town Pump. Mohican Country Fall Foliage Driving Tour – 68 miles One of the most pleasant fall drives in central Ohio is along Route 3. Annual fall foliage walks and self-guided tours of Mohican State Park in Loudonville allow visitors to soak up the beauty and intensity of the park's autumn colors by horseback, bike or foot. For a fun fall side trip, head northwest to Malabar Farm in Pleasant Valley, just west of Route 603. The fully functional farm was the dream of Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Louis Bromfield, and is complete with animals, nature trails and acres of farm ponds. In September and October, enjoy barn dances, hayrides and guided fall walks. Traveling south again on Route 3, historic Mt. Vernon offers antique fans several quality shops to peruse on crisp fall afternoons. End your tour of central Ohio with a walk around the long winding paths and landscaped rock and flower gardens of Inniswood Metro Gardens in Westerville - an ideal spot for breathing in fresh fall air. Mountain Lakes Fall Foliage Driving Tour – 73 miles Though much of this journey is on roads with hairpin turns and swift elevation changes, it is one of the most rewarding and dazzling fall foliage tours in Ohio. New Philadelphia provides visitors a historic and interesting downtown. Just outside of town, the 18 th century settler community of Shoenbrunn Village is at the peak of its beauty in the fall. Following Route 250 southeast through the hills and dales, you’ll come upon beautiful Tappan Lake. The brilliant blue waters reflect a blaze of beautiful mountain foliage, and the surrounding park has eight miles of hiking trails. In Cadiz, the History of Coal Museum and Clark Gable’s birthplace are popular stops. Turning southwest on Route 22, you’ll come across Piedmont Lake, another stunning gem, and finally Salt Fork State Park, with its massive lake. Salt Fork is Ohio’s largest state park, with 14 miles of hiking trails through lush and brilliant forests. End your journey in Cambridge, with its glass museum, Hopalong Cassidy Museum and beautifully maintained historic downtown.
Ohio River/National Road Fall Foliage Driving Tour – 63 miles As the Ohio River curves sinuously through its valley in autumn, the hills of Monroe County ignite in a burst of reds and yellow foliage. Following Route 7 north from the Hannibal Locks, drivers will see rivulets cascading down steep hillsides and dense forests that stand upon reclaimed coal mines. At Bridgeport, turn west onto the historic National Road, Route 40. Along the road, in the towns of Blaine, St. Clairsville and Morristown, unique stone bridges and antique shops are waiting to be discovered. From Morristown, take Route 149 south to Belmont, then take Route 147 south for five miles. The journey culminates at Dysart Woods, the last large parcel of virgin forest remaining in southeast Ohio. Its majestic trees, set in moist, cool, primeval glens, put on a show of colors that has been rehearsed for more than 400 years. Scenic Canals Fall Foliage Driving Tour – 52 miles
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