Front Porch Fall Bucket List
Leaves turning on three sides of the river. Trails and scenic views waiting to be explored. Three thousand pumpkins glowing on one porch in Kenova. Fall on Appalachia's Front Porch doesn't last long, so here's the list. Screenshot it, print it, and start checking boxes before the first frost beats you to it.
Take the long way somewhere.
Drive through Cabwaylingo State Forest.
From late October to early November, roll the windows down and drive through 8,125 acres of oak, hickory and maple with roads and structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.
Ride part of the Ohio River Scenic Byway in the Wayne National Forest.
Lawrence County, Ohio is part to the Wayne National Forest, over 100,000 acres of public land, and loops trails off the byway with alternate routes to explore. You can find our local drive in the Ohio River Scenic Byway on the Marietta Unite and the Ironton District.
More to come. Be on the lookout for our upcoming Scenic Drive Guide!
Pick the perfect pumpkin.
And get lost in a corn maze.
Our Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia tri-state area boasts wonderful farms with many activities for all ages. Spend the day at Wells Farms, 3 miles south of Grayson on KY Route 1. From mid-September to Halloween, Thursday through Sunday, enjoy a corn maze, pumpkin patch, corn pit and petting zoo. Imel’s Greenhouse, open 7 days a week in Greenup, KY, is a beloved tradition in the area. There is so much fun to be had with a petting zoo, playground, tractor rides, pumpkins and seasonal flowers. And you don’t want to miss these family-owned farms, Wilson Family Farm in Willow Wood, OH and Cooper Family Farm Corn Maze in Milton, WV.
Hike a trail under changing leaves.
Hike Greenbo Lake at peak color.
Hike the trails of Greenbo Lake State Resort Park in Greenup County, KY. The 8.5-mile Michael Tygart Loops starts at Jesse Stuart Lodge. Too much trail? Walk a stretch of it and warm up in the lodge afterward.
Pro tip: You will see the best color in the last two weeks of October.
Walk W-Hollow, the ridge that inspired Jesse Stuart.
Nearby Greenbo Lake, visit Jesse Stuart Nature Preserve in Greenup County, KY. With full color from mid-to-late October, hike a 1.6-mile ridgetop loop through the Kentucky author’s home hollow, with views over the Ohio and Little Sandy valleys. Stay awhile, and bring a book of his poems.
Stand at Lick Falls Overlook while the lake below turns gold.
Feeling daring? Walk the 3-mile loop at Grayson Lake State Park in Carter County, KY. This hike runs along the sandstone cliff line, and is one of the best color-over-water views in the region. October 12-28th is the forecast peak.
Go Antiquing.
The air crisp and the itch to find a vintage good with a story to tell is strong. Central City District in Huntington, WV features antique shops, art galleries, farmers market, a cafe, book store and coffee shop on 14th Street West. They recently unveiled 8 new murals along the district, growing the Central City Quilt Trail! Then head to Downtown Russell, KY for their Antique Walk on Bellefonte St. This antique walk features 4 locally-owned antique shops, including This Old Couch, Coleman’s Antiques, Antique Junction and Velvet Parlor. While you walk, you’ll find several murals by local artists within a beautiful downtown. While you’re there, cross the bridge to Ironton, OH to a local favorite, Cardinal Wishes Antiques.
And that’s not all. Explore a wide variety of shopping options across Appalachia’s Front Porch.
Get spooked.
Watch the bats come out at Carter Caves.
During the fall, bats gather at dusk to fatten up before winter hibernation. Come early to hike Three Bridges while the ridges turn, then book a cave tour (it’s the same temperature underground all year). Check with the park for bat-viewing guidance and closures.
Survive Twelvepole Manor.
Bring a friend who swears they don’t scare easily, and brace yourself for Wayne County, WV’s haunted attraction. From now until November 7th on Fridays and Saturdays 8 pm to midnight, make your way through the manor at 335 Hall St, Wayne, WV.
Experience the thrills of King Majestic’s Trail of Terror.
Take a 1/4-mile walk through the haunted woods…if you dare. Open every weekend in October in Barboursville, WV, this experience is sure to send chills up your spine.
Try a new experience.
Walk under 3,000+ glowing pumpkins at the Kenova Pumpkin House.
Located at 748 Beech St in Kenova, WV sits an 1891 Victorian house adorned with thousands of real, hand-carved pumpkins glowing in the moonlight. Every one of those pumpkins is hand-carved and set on an 1891 Victorian house. Go after dark, and time it with C-K AutumnFest (Oct 22–31) for the parade, crafts, and concerts.
Go back in time with Vandalia Renaissance and Fantasy Faire.
On October 9-11th in Olive Hill, KY, experience knights, costumes, turkey legs, and crisp October air, for three days only!
Experience the arts.
The Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia area of Appalachia’s Front Porch is home to some incredible local artists. Huntington Museum of Art in Cabell County, WV rotates exhibits and showcases, featuring local artists. You can shop local art in their gift shop and learn from artists through classes and workshops. Make it a full experience by visiting their plant conservatory and hiking trails where you will find autumn leaves from the middle of October to beginning of November. Less than 30 minutes away, take a glass factory tour of Blenko Glass Co. where you will learn about the magical glassmaking process. There are even experiences to learn how to make your own glass!
