GROVE CITY

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 after- noon 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.

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