Fall Break is this weekend!. For most students, this is a time to hit the pause button on midterm papers and studying. For others, it’s a chance to catch up. 

Either way, try to manage your time to free up at least one day of your long weekend for some adventures and fun. Fall is undeniably the best time of year in Ohio. The colors are vibrant, the temperatures are mild, and there is no shortage of fall fun in the area! Whether you like taking hikes and picking sunflowers or getting spooked at a haunted house, there is something for you. Here are some ideas to help you take a break and make the most of your long weekend! 

See Peak Fall Colors

According to the Farmer’s Almanac, peak fall colors are predicted to be October 5-21 this year in Southern Ohio. Hueston Woods State Park is only a ten minute drive from Miami’s campus and has a plethora of hiking and bike riding trails. Not to mention the stunning photos you’ll get of the fall colors reflected in Acton Lake. If you can’t drive out to Hueston Woods, there are several options for hiking on Miami’s campus. Bachelor Woods right across from the Equestrian Center is a hidden gem at Miami. With a dynamic hiking loop, river crossing, and suspension bridge, the loop promises fun all along the way. Additionally, Western Woods trails on Western campus behind Peabody Hall and the Ruter Preserve next to Yager Stadium boast stunning fall views.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Pick Pumpkins and Sunflowers at Local Farms

One of the things that’s always on my Fall to do list is visiting a local farm to pick out a pumpkin and enjoy fall treats. There are so many family farms that put on fall activities near Miami but a few of my favorites are Burwinkel Farms, Barn-n-bunk Farm market, and Niederman Farm. 

Burwinkel Farms is about a 30 minute drive from Miami. They offer a hayride out to a field where you can complete a corn maze, pick a pumpkin, and pick a sunflower all for only $8. They also have tons of fresh produce and fall decorations for sale. The best part is the sweet fall treats including fresh kettle corn and apple cider slushies. 

Barn-n-bunk Farm market is also about 30 minutes from Miami. They offer an array of crafts and foods made by local farmers and artists. Additionally, as a part of their fall festival weekends they offer pumpkin picking, hayrides, a corn maze, and petting zoo all for only $10. 

Niederman Farm is about 40 minutes from Miami. Every year they have a spread of delicious fall treats including sugar and cinnamon donuts, kettle corn, caramel apples, and apple cider. They also have a pick-your-own pumpkin patch, a corn maze, jumping pillow, and you can even book a private bonfire for your friends. 

If picking out the pumpkin and going to a farm isn’t your thing, then head to downtown Hamilton for Operation Pumpkin Fest October 8-12. There will be giant pumpkins, unbelievable pumpkin carvings, live music, great fall foods, a pet parade, and a lucky duck regatta in the Great Miami River.  

Get in the Halloween spirit

If you are a Halloween superfan like me, you have already started planning costumes and trips to haunted houses. Fall break is a great opportunity to get a group of friends together and plan a group Halloween costume that you can buy or DIY. Get on the bus and head to a dollar store or Walmart in town and pick out all the supplies and spend some time getting crafty. Just, you know, be smart about your costume. As always make sure your costumes are not cultural appropriation.   

There are also several places in the surrounding Cincinnati area that are transforming into haunting night attractions. 

• The USS Nightmare is a haunted house built on an actual steam-powered dredge boat on the Ohio River in Newport, Kentucky. 
• Halloween Haunt at Kings Island in Mason Ohio with haunted mazes, outdoor scare zones, live shows, and their best coaster attractions. 
• Brimstone Haunt includes a haunted hayride, the Forgotten Forest, Psychosis, and Zombie Assault, all with varying levels of intensity. 
• Head over to Cook Place and read the story of Ron Tammen’s unsolved disappearance. Was he murdered or is he still alive? You decide. You can listen to Philip Shriver tell the chilling story here.
• Take a Ghost and Gears Bike Tour of Miami’s campus to some of our most haunted locations. Bikes and helmets are provided if you need them. Register here. 

For more information on the Halloween events happening in the Cincinnati area, visit 365 Cincinnati. 

Learn Something New

Use your break from classes to attend Miami’s Across the Divide Diversity and Inclusion Conference. The conference is the primary Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion showcase for Miami, with a goal to promote a deeper community understanding of the key issues and diversity activities across the institution. The theme for the 2021 conference will be “Achievement & Opportunity.” This theme will highlight the areas where Miami is doing well, while also acknowledging areas of promise and examining pathways for improvement in those areas. The conference Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Shriver Multipurpose Rooms. Learn more and register for the conference.

Grace Cooper