We asked our Ohio group what fall food stops they swear by — the cider mills, the orchard stands, the farm markets, the places you only have a few weeks to get to before they close up for the season. The response was exactly what we expected: a lot of strong opinions and a lot of places worth knowing about.
This is the list. Some are day trip destinations on their own. Some are perfect add-ons if you’re already heading to a pumpkin patch or apple orchard. All of them are worth making the drive for at least once this fall.
Before you go, a few things worth having in the car: a good insulated tote bag to keep your cider and market finds cold on the ride home, a reusable cup for hot drinks if you’re hitting a coffee stop, and an apple picking bag or harvest basket if you’re planning to pick your own while you’re out.
Taylor’s Coffee and Creamery — Waynesville, Ohio
If you haven’t been to Taylor’s yet, this is your sign. Located in Waynesville (already a great fall day trip destination on its own), Taylor’s does seasonal fall coffee drinks and pumpkin pastries that our community keeps coming back for. They also went viral for their 34-ounce iced latte buckets, which — yes, that’s a real thing and yes it’s as good as it sounds.
Waynesville is a charming antique town with tons to do while you’re there, so plan to make a morning of it.
Find them: 195 S Main St, Waynesville, Ohio | @taylorswaynesville on Instagram
Photo credit: Taylor’s Coffee and Creamery
Mowery Cider Mill — Loudonville, Ohio
Mowery Cider Mill in Loudonville is the kind of place that feels like fall the second you pull in. Fresh-pressed cider and apple fritters are the headliners here, and they’re worth the drive out to Amish Country even if you’re making a special trip just for those two things. If you’re pairing it with a Mohican area weekend, this is an easy add.
Find them: 659 County Road 2920, Loudonville, Ohio
Photo credit: Mowery Cider Mill
Lynd Fruit Farm — Pataskala, Ohio
Lynd Fruit Farm near Pataskala is the kind of place that takes a full morning to properly explore. The market is big and well-stocked, and the doughnuts are what most people are really there for. Fresh, warm, apple cider doughnuts from a farm market are one of those fall experiences that are just hard to replicate anywhere else.
Great central Ohio stop if you’re already heading toward Columbus.
Find them: 9090 Morse Rd SW, Pataskala, Ohio
Photo credit: Lynd Fruit Farm
Apple Hill Orchard — Mansfield, Ohio
Apple Hill Orchard in Mansfield has earned a loyal following for their apple cider donuts and fresh cider, and if you grew up in north-central Ohio you probably already know about this one. It’s a family-run orchard with a relaxed, no-fuss feel — you’re there for the produce and the donuts, and they deliver on both.
Worth pairing with a visit to the Mansfield area if you’re making a day trip out of it.
Find them: applehillorchards.com
Photo credit: Apple Hill Orchard
Pringles Orchard — Goshen, Ohio
Apple slushies. That’s the thing at Pringles Orchard and honestly it’s enough of a reason to go. Located near Cincinnati in Goshen, this orchard comes up consistently as a southwest Ohio favorite for apple picking and seasonal treats. The slushies are apparently their signature and the community backing them up.
Find them: Goshen, Ohio | @pringles_orchard on Instagram
Photo credit: Pringles Orchard
Monroe’s Orchard — Fresh Cider Stop
Monroe’s Orchard gets called out specifically for their cider, which tells you what you need to know. If you’re in their area and looking for a no-fuss fresh cider stop, this one delivers.
Photo credit: Monroe’s Orchard
SmokeHouse 614 at Lehner’s Pumpkin Farm — Radnor, Ohio
This one is a little different from the rest of the list but it belongs here. Lehner’s Pumpkin Farm in Radnor was named the best pumpkin patch in the US by USA Today, and SmokeHouse 614 is the craft BBQ vendor on site. So you can pick pumpkins, walk the farm, and end the afternoon with actual good BBQ. It’s a full fall afternoon in one place.
Find them: Lehner’s Pumpkin Farm, Radnor, Ohio | lehnerpumpkins.com
Photo credit: Lehner’s Pumpkin Farm / SmokeHouse 614
More Community Favorites Worth Knowing About
Our group also gave a lot of love to these spots — we haven’t featured them individually yet but they came up enough to earn a mention:
Brant’s Apple Orchard — a recurring recommendation from southwest Ohio members
Hidden Valley Orchards — another community favorite for fall apple and cider runs
White House Fruit Farm — well-known in the Canfield area, lots of fans in our group
If you’ve been to any of these and want to share your experience, drop it in the comments — we love adding local picks to this list.
What’s Near You?
This list came directly from our Ohio community and we want to keep adding to it. If your favorite fall food spot isn’t on here, tell us about it in the comments below or share it in our Ohio Weekend Events, Day Trips and Hidden Gems Facebook group. That’s exactly where this whole list started.
For more Ohio fall guides, check out our best Halloween events near Dayton and our full Ohio haunted attractions roundup for what to do after the cider and donuts.
Follow along at @bucketlisttravelfam on Instagram and Facebook for more Ohio hidden gems all season long.
