Fall in Love with Defiance County, OH: Your Perfect Autumn Weekend Guide

Defiance County is a place of quiet beauty and vibrant community, no matter the season. Winter hushes the landscape under a blanket of snow. Spring breathes life into redbuds, daffodils, and lilacs. Summer echoes with cheers at the ballfields and the splash of paddles on our rivers. But when the air turns crisp and the leaves start to blaze with color, fall steals the show.

There’s something truly magical about autumn in Northwest Ohio. And here in Defiance County, we know how to celebrate the season to the fullest. Whether you’re a local looking for a cozy weekend plan or a visitor seeking a small-town fall getaway, we’ve mapped out the perfect way to spend a fall weekend in Defiance County.

Start Your Day: Sip into the Season

No fall adventure begins without a warm (or iced!) seasonal beverage in hand. Luckily, our local coffee shops deliver cozy, creative fall flavors:

• Amanda Lee Coffee (Hicksville) – Try the Poison Apple energy drink for a tangy, tart twist on fall.

• Cabin Fever (Defiance) – Their Pumpkin Spice Latte is a dreamy, must-have classic.

• Biggby Coffee (Defiance) – Don’t miss the indulgent Maple Bourbon Pecan Latte for rich fall vibes.

  
  
  

  

  

  

  Pictured: Amanda Lee Coffee, Cabin Fever South, Biggby Coffee N. Clinton

  
  

Fuel Up: Sweet Treats and Fall Flavors

Now that you’re caffeinated, it’s time to indulge in some seasonal sweets—because fall is for comfort food.

• Hershberger’s Fine Foods (Hicksville) – Grab a pecan fried pie that tastes like fall wrapped in pastry.

• Apache Dairy Bar (Sherwood) – Warm up with a classic apple dumpling.

• Meek’s Pastry Shop (Defiance) – The glazed pumpkin cake donuts are a local fall favorite.

• Sugar on Top by Mari (Defiance) – Their apple cinnamon donut cookies are the perfect take-home snack.

Pictured: Apache Dairy Bar, Hershberger's, Meeks (row 2), Sugar on Top by Mari (row 3)

Shop Local: Farmer’s Markets in Full Fall Swing

If your adventure lands on a Saturday morning, make time to explore the local farmers markets—full of fresh produce, fall décor, baked goods, and handmade items:

• Defiance Farmer’s Market – 9AM–1PM at Northtowne Mall, 1500 N. Clinton St.

• Hicksville Farmer’s Market – 9AM–1PM at 105 East Smith St., just off downtown.

You’ll find the flavors of fall starting to show up in every booth—think pumpkins, apples, cinnamon, cider, and squash galore.

Fall Décor & Instagram-Worthy Stops

Ready to pick the perfect pumpkin or pose for that fall photo? Defiance County has some truly charming spots to shop for mums, gourds, hay bales, and more:

• Strait Gate (Hicksville) – A great stop for mums, pumpkins of all kinds, a Saturday petting farm, and autumn charm.

• Kircher’s Garden Center (Defiance) – Gorgeous fall arrangements and seasonal offerings of pumpkins, mums, and produce.

• 281 East Pumpkin Patch (Defiance) – Pumpkins, photo ops, and fun for all ages.
  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  Pictured left to right: Strait Gate Greenhouses (photos 1-5), 281 E. Pumpkin Patch (photos 6-7), Kircher's Garden Center (photos 8-9).

Leaf Peeping: Parks & Scenic Spots

No fall weekend is complete without a little “leaf peeping.” Defiance County’s parks shine in autumn, with fiery foliage, crisp air, and peaceful walking trails.

Top Parks for Fall Colors:

• Hicksville Nature Trail – One of the area’s newest parks with beautiful walking paths and a new pavilion.

• Sherwood Memorial Park and Ney Community Park – Quiet, small-town gems perfect for a stroll.

• Penney Nature Center, Oxbow Lake, Independence Dam State Park, and the Defiance Reservoir Boardwalk – Stunning reflections of changing leaves and peaceful nature views.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  Pictured: Independence Dam, Defiance Reservoir Boardwalk, Hicksville Nature Trail, Penney Nature Center, Sherwood Memorial Park, Oxbow Lake.

Prefer the view from indoors? Try these scenic spots:

• Sweetwater Chophouse – Request a window table for a relaxing meal with a fall view over the golf course and through the gorgeous trees.

• Historic Holgate Avenue – Take a leisurely drive through a neighborhood that bursts with fall color and homes that are decorated for the season.

• Defiance Public Library – Overlooking the Fort Grounds, Pontiac Park, and the confluence of the Maumee and Auglaize Rivers, it’s a perfect place to enjoy the season from indoors.

  

  

  

  Pictured: Sweetwater view over golf course, Fort Defiance grounds at the library, Historic Holgate Avenue.

  
  

Final Thoughts: Savor the Season

There’s no wrong way to experience fall in Defiance County—whether you're sipping on a seasonal latte, picking pumpkins, strolling through vibrant parks, or just soaking in the slower pace that autumn seems to bring. It’s a time for cozy sweaters, community events, and making memories that feel a little warmer than the rest of the year.

So, grab your favorite flannel, hit the road, and come fall in love with Defiance County, Ohio all over again.

Column written and photographed by Cara Boehm, Director of Business Development and Marketing, Defiance County Economic Development

Oxbow Lake