All about having some fall fun, but unsure what to do? Check out my Cincinnati fall bucket list for 2021.

Go to a pumpkin patch

Starting off this list is the most obvious idea for fall – go to a pumpkin patch. With over 20 pumpkin patches or festivals within an hour and half drive of Cincinnati, you’re sure to find your perfect spot for pumpkin fun on my pumpkin patch list. From farms with all the frills to ones with hayrides to u-pick pumpkin fields.

Carol Ann’s Carousal

Take a spin on this one-of-a-kind, Cincinnati-themed carousal. Carol Ann’s Carousal recently reopened after an extended pandemic-related closure. This attraction features artwork and animals unique to Cincinnati’s culture and history. Where else can you find a flying pig and Oktoberfest horse in the same place?

This is a great outing to save for the weekend. Carol Ann’s Carousal is currently open Friday to Sunday, from 11am to 4pm. Tokens can be purchased online or at the carousal.

Carol Ann’s Carousal is located near the riverfront at 8 East Mehring Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Haunted Poasttown School

Looking for some spooky fun? How about leading your own paranormal investigation at a REAL haunted school? At Haunted Posttown School, near Middletown, you can lead your own investigation through the school.

While I’ve never done an investigation of my own (self-admitted scaredy cat over here), I do have a personal connection to the school. My mom taught at Posttown up until it closed – and I’ve spent many hours there helping her in her classroom.

This activity is probably best for bigger kids and grown ups – unless you enjoy staying up all night with your little ones.

Posttown School is located at 6600 Trenton -Franklin Road Middletown, OH 45042

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery

One museum I’ve been excited to check out is the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery in Dayton, Ohio. This children’s museum is all about science, technology and natural history – and is only about an hour drive from Cincinnati.

Some exhibits that caught my eye include the Kids Place for kids 4 and under, Strictly Briks where visitors can enjoy a building station with a variety of oversized “briks”, Science On a Sphere® which features a giant suspended globe to teach visitors all about Earth and space, and of course, the Discovery Zoo. The zoo is home to over 100 animals and insects, including river otters and a sloth named Patience.

The museum is currently open 7 days a week, and reservations are not required.

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery is located at 2600 Deweese Pkwy, Dayton, OH 45414

Inwood Park 

This newly renovated playground is best explored on an overcast day – making it the perfect fit for some fall fun. The PNC Grow Up Great® Playground in Inwood Park is located near Christ Hospital. It reopened in August 2021, and was designed with input from children and accessibility experts and built with a grant from PNC.

Inwood Park has one of the largest playground areas for the littlest little ones. And don’t worry – there’s still an area for bigger kids to play too. If you haven’t had a chance to check out this playground yet, make sure to add it to your fall bucket list!

Inwood Park is located at 2308 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45219. However, use directions to this location to navigate to the playground.

Drive-in Movie

One of the few pluses of the sun setting earlier is that drive-in movie screen times now begin before bedtime. We really wanted to try this outing during the summer, but it just wasn’t worth keeping a toddler up that late. But this time of year, the movies begin just after dinner.

The two drive-in movie theatres closest to Cincinnati and open during the fall are Holiday Auto Theatre in Hamilton and Starlite Drive-in in Amelia. Tickets can be purchased online. Both spots offer concessions, but also charge a flat fee to bring your own food.

Holiday Auto Theatre is located at 1816 Old Oxford Road State Route 130, Hamilton, OH 45013

Starlite Drive-in is located at 2255 Ohio Pike, Amelia, OH 45102

Fall Colors Scavenger Hunt

Looking for an easy, outdoors fall activity? Fall Colors Scavenger Hunt took about 5 minutes to put together and got us out the doors and enjoying the great autumn outdoors for over an hour.

To make the color guide, I used a piece of printer paper, drew 6 boxes and colored them in with fall colors. There are so many different ways to make a color guide for this activity – from using paint sample squares to magnetic tile toys, it’s easy to make this activity your own.

Two of our favorite spots to search for fall colors is Blue Ash Nature Park and Pioneer Park in Montgomery. But this is an activity you can do in your own backyard!

Craft Fairs

We’re all a bit anxious to get a jump start on our holiday shopping this year. A great way to support local vendors while doing your holiday shopping is to stop by one of the many craft shows and markets taking place during November. Some of my favorite craft shows include:

• Greater Cincinnati Holiday Marketing – November 12-14
• Lakota East Craft Show – November 13-14
• The O.F.F. Market – November 20

American Sign Museum

Looking to find some fall colors, but indoors? Spend a morning or afternoon exploring the American Sign Museum. The AMS is the largest public museum of its kind in the country dedicated to signs. Here you can find over 100 years worth of signs spread throughout 20,000 sq. ft.

Reservations are required and advanced timed-entry tickets can be purchased online. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, closed Monday and Tuesday.

The American Sign Museum is located in Camp Washington at 1330 Monmouth Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45225

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No matter what type of fun you’re looking to have this fall, there’s something for everyone on this bucket list. From pumpkin patches to spooky fun, and a Cincinnati-themed carousal to cool museums, you’re bound to find something fun to do this fall in Cincinnati.