Fall in Love with Columbus, Ohio

Queer/Modern at Columbus Museum of Art

Once an offensive slur, the word “queer” has been reclaimed as a way of resisting categorizations based on gender and sexuality. When it comes to art, the term “modern” is similarly elastic. It emphasizes a distinction from traditional forms of culture but has no easy definition or singular expression of its own. The artwork in this gallery are by artists who participated in gay and lesbian culture in the early decades of the 20th century.

Harvest Blooms at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

The 90-acre Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is especially lovely in the fall, when their annual Harvest Blooms exhibit transforms the grounds into an otherworldly autumn landscape of hundreds of pumpkins, heirloom gourds, colorful mums and various foliage cascading throughout the gardens. The vibrant sea of color makes the perfect backdrop for jack-o-lanterns and many special events take place each year to experience the magic created by numerous pumpkin displays, including a pumpkin house.

Metro Parks

Greater Columbus is one of the best places in the U.S. to see gorgeous fall foliage. Sitting at the crossroads of the north and south, and boasting tree species from both climate zones, means there is a veritable rainbow of fall color through the end of October. Columbus has hundreds of acres of green space located conveniently throughout the city. There are so many opportunities to hop off the pavement and onto a trail, just a short drive from downtown Columbus. Columbus Metro Parks offers more than 20 parks with over 200 miles of trails for beginner trailblazers and veteran runners alike. Terrains vary from flat fields and rocky ravines to breakneck bluffs and rugged ridges. The recently renovated Scioto Mile created 33 new acres of parkland in downtown Columbus. With miles of multi-use trails stretching from Bicentennial Plaza in the south to North Bank Park in the North, this is a great spot to take a stroll and enjoy both the city and nature. If you’re looking for a day trip, head south to scenic Hocking Hills highlighted by cliffs, gorges, rock shelters and gorgeous waterfalls.