Feast for the Senses Awaits Autumn Travelers in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Sept. 11, 2007) – The sky already appears to be a little bluer. Nights are a little cooler. Soon Ohio’s 125-plus tree species will set more than six million acres of forest ablaze with brilliant fall color and that unmistakable, leafy aroma of fall.

Ohioans embrace all four seasons that make life in the Midwest unique and interesting, but there is just something special about fall in Ohio. “Summer months remain the most popular time to visit Ohio, but autumn runs a close second,” said State Tourism Director Amir Eylon. “Fall in Ohio just makes any leisure activity more vibrant. Hiking, bicycling and canoeing adventures are highlighted by eye-popping foliage; the harvest and associated festivals intoxicate the air with scents of apple-butter cooking, pumpkins being carved and berries and grapes being picked. And the taste of freshly made dishes with locally grown produce is just out of this world.”

The Ohio Division of Travel and Tourism is making it easier than ever for fall travelers to find all the best locations, driving tours, events and farmers markets that make Ohio such a great place to explore this fall. Visit www.DiscoverOhio.com/fallcolor today to see why Ohio’s fall foliage season has So much to Discover!

Fall Podcast Series
New to the Fall Foliage Web site this year is a series of podcasts from Division of Travel and Tourism staffers. Travelers can hear inside tips on some of the best locations for enjoying fall foliage and favorite fall activities. Topics include ideas for a wine country getaway, visiting the Ohio Renaissance Festival and tips for a fall trip to Amish Country. Staff podcasts will be released between Sept. 11 and Oct. 1. In addition, the Division’s regular podcast series will continue through the fall with subjects including covered bridges, Maize Valley Farm and more.

Fall Foliage Driving Tours
The fall foliage Web site also features 19 driving tours, complete with maps, that traverse areas of the state rich in fall color, Ohio heritage, harvest events, farm markets and more. From the shores of Lake Erie to the Appalachian foothills, these driving tours offer suggestions about where to find spectacular fall vistas in Amish Country, along the National Road, on bicycle trails in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, in the footsteps of pioneers along Zane’s Trace and among Native American sites.

Fall Festivals & Events
This section provides a sampling of Ohio’s numerous festivals and events including pumpkin and apple butter festivals, corn mazes, harvest fairs, fall wildflower hikes and more. Additional events can be found by searching the interactive calendar on DiscoverOhio.com.

Farm Markets
Farm markets are plentiful in Ohio, and this page lists a sampling of markets where travelers can buy farm-fresh, organic and heirloom produce and pick their own fruits and vegetables. Plan a crisp fall Ohio day driving from market to market collecting apples ranging from bright red to green and yellow, fresh baked berry pies, Amish cheese, ripe orange pumpkins, honey and jams, Indian corn and gourds. The whole family will enjoy wagon and hayrides, petting zoos and corn mazes – all awaiting travelers at many of Ohio’s outstanding roadside markets.

Fall Color Reports – Coming Soon!
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is forecasting a good fall foliage season, with concerns of drought during the early summer being assuaged by rains in August. The major factor in the brilliance of Ohio’s fall color season is the weather during September. The more rain the state receives in September, the longer leaves are expected to stay on the trees, prolonging the peak fall foliage season. The Department of Natural Resources will begin posting weekly fall color reports during the first week of October. Generally, leaves change color earliest in the state’s north and latest in the south. The reports can be accessed from www.DiscoverOhio.com/fallcolor. 

Ohio travelers can plan the perfect autumn getaway with a visit to www.DiscoverOhio.com or by calling 1-800-BUCKEYE. Discover Ohio Travel Planners and Discover Ohio Calendar of Events can be ordered anytime night or day. Trained travel counselors are available to assist 1-800-BUCKEYE callers weekdays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.