7 Ways to Enjoy Fall in Grove City, Ohio

Located just off Interstate 71 and a short drive from downtown Columbus, the suburban community of Grove City offers plenty to experience all year, but its natural parks and inviting downtown businesses make autumn a great time to visit.

Whether you want to spend a day hiking at one of the two nearby Columbus & Franklin County Metro Park locations, sip fall flavors at Grove City Brewing Co. or pile on a wagon to pick your own pumpkin at Circle S Farm, Grove City has adventures that cater to everyone.

A visitor center on Broadway staffed by Visit Grove City is great first stop in planning your explorations, and the city has a wealth of hotels room for those wanting to make a weekend of it. Here are seven great ways to explore the fun and adventure in Grove City. 


Gear Up at Grove City’s Visitor Center 
Start downtown with a stop at the local visitor center, which also houses Grove City Guide + Gear. Here, travelers can chat with Visit Grove City’s team of tourism ambassadors to get recommendations about what to check out. It’s also a great place to pick up any last-minute gear you need before heading out, such as a waterproof bag for belongings before going to Trapper John’s Canoe Livery or a hammock that can be strapped to a tree in the city’s parks to enjoy an afternoon of lounging under the fall foliage. Local art lines the walls and tells the stories of the city. Local goods for purchase such as books, T-shirts and home decor are also available. 3995 Broadway, Suite 100, Grove City 43123, 614/539-8747, visitgrovecityoh.com

Tackle the Pumpkin Trek
Once fall arrives in Grove City, businesses throughout town offer all manner of autumn-related food, drinks and activities. Get more information about the online Pumpkin Trek Guide at the Grove City Visitors Center on Broadway, and begin exploring. Stops along the way include opportunities to purchase food, drinks and local goods at shops like Transcend Coffee + Roastery, Grove City Nutrition or Strawser’s Ice Cream, Pop & Candy Shop. The Trek Guide outlining the participating businesses is available online. Those who buy a fall-themed item at one of those businesses collect points toward winning a free Pumpkin Trek tote bag from Visit Grove City. For more information about the Pumpkin Trek, go to visitgrovecityoh.com/pumpkin. 

Make a Candle at The Chandler 
From pumpkin spice to crisp apples to fresh clove, the scents of fall fill The Chandler, a candle shop where groups of up to 12 (or private events of up to 30) can pour their own fall candle to take home. Under the guidance of one of the shop’s staff members, customers mix the store’s Legacy Wax — a blend of soy wax and coconut oil that burns healthier, longer and more fragrantly than other candles — with their scent of choice and pour it into their selected vessel. After the scent-selection process — what The Chandler’s creative director, Adam Henry, refers to as a “wine tasting for the nose” — customers are instructed on how to insert the wicks, add in the scent shot, add their color of choice and pour the wax. 4048 Broadway, Grove City 43123, 614/887-8381, thechandler.co

Pick a Pumpkin at Circle S Farms 
Find the perfect pumpkin at this 88-acre farm and enjoy the festivities of Fall Fun Days, which runs from the last weekend of September through the end of October. Three generations of the Sullivan family operate Circle S Farms, which is open daily and home to fall activities such as corn and sunflower mazes and hayrides as well as a pick-your-own pumpkin patch. Visit the hay barn with the kids for slides and climbing activities, and stop at the on-site farmers market for foods ranging from pumpkin doughnuts and apple turnovers to apple cider and farm fresh veggies. Check out the scarecrow cave to pose for pictures with the straw-stuffed fall decorations or snap a photo among the sunflowers and pumpkins. 9015 London Groveport Rd., Grove City 43123, 614/878-9462, circlesfarm.com


Hike at Batelle Darby Creek Metro Park
Boasting 14 hiking and mixed-use trails and a herd of grazing buffalo, this park located right outside the city limits is a local favorite with its 7,000 acres that run along both the Big Darby and Little Darby creeks. Enjoy the 12.5-mile, ADA accessible Camp Chase Trail for a longer jaunt through the park or opt for a shorter hike across the grass and under the changing fall foliage on the half-mile Turkey Foot Trail. The 1.7-mile Ancient Trail passes along a stretch of Big Darby Creek to open fields and forests. The 5-mile Darby Creek Greenway trail takes hikers past the ever-popular bison pasture. (The park has four pet-friendly trails so you can hike with your four-legged best friend, too.) 1775 Darby Creek Dr., Galloway 43119, 614/370-6254, metroparks.net


Unwind at Grove City Brewing Co. and Plum Run Winery
Stop in for a drink and dinner at this family-friendly spot downtown that houses both a brewery and winery. Grove City Brewing Co.’s fall lineup of beers includes its seasonal collaborations with the nearby Jolly Pirate Donuts. Sip on a Jolly Apple or Jolly Buckeye, which pack the flavors of the shop’s apple fritters and peanut-butter-and-chocolate doughnut, respectively. The winery side features seasonal pumpkin and mulled ciders. (Beer and wine flights are a good choice for those who can’t decide on just one.) Food favorites here include shareable appetizers like the Bavarian Pretzel and unique takes on burgers like the Bison Americana or the PBB & J topped with peanut butter, bacon and strawberry jam. The outdoor patio is open through October. 3946 Broadway, Grove City 43123, 614/991-0338 grovecitybrewery.com, plumrunwinery.com


Hike Through the Autumn Woods at Scioto Grove Metro Park 
Located on the edge of Grove City, Scioto Grove Metro Park offers more than 600 scenic acres to explore. The park has eight hiking trails, a rope suspension bridge that crosses the Scioto River and a fire tower constructed in 2023 that provides visitors an additional way to catch a glimpse of the changing leaves. Two archery courses within the park offer 3D targets of faux animals along their .3-mile trails. Every hiking trail in the park is designated as easy, ranging from under a quarter mile to 2.5 miles in length, and well-behaved leashed dogs are welcome in all areas. The REI Scenic River Trail covers 1.8 miles along the river and crosses over the suspension bridge. 5172 Jackson Pike, Grove City 43123, 614/949-1078, metroparks.net