Fall Weekend Getaway

It’s the perfect time of year to plan a weekend getaway to Wayne County as summer shifts into fall, lighting up Richmond and the surrounding region with seasonal autumn colors and flavors.
The local sunflower fields are in full bloom, proposing a gorgeous backdrop for photo ops, you-pick bouquets and fresh-air picnics. Wayne County offers several stunning locations to visit — Dougherty Orchards and Golliher Farms in Cambridge City, Jones Family Farm in Milton, and the Barn at Helm in Williamsburg — each with its own unique interpretation of the trendy agritourism attraction.

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Apples are also ripe for the picking at family-owned Dougherty Orchards (the oldest in Indiana!) and Wesler Orchards just across the state line in New Paris. If pumpkin’s are more your style, head to the Amish pumpkin patch in Williamsburg to load up on gourds for baking, carving and fall decorating. Jone’s Family Farm has over 150 varieties of pumpkins and gourds. Today’s Harvest in New Paris is another great place to stock up on mums and fall produce, and don’t miss the chance to journey through the seasonal corn maze before or after you shop.

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Cooler temperatures lend themselves nicely to comfortable outdoor recreation like vibrant fall hikes at Hayes Arboretum or the Cope Environmental Center, and bike rides through the scenic Whitewater Gorge. No wheels? No worries! Borrow a bike for free at the Cycling and Fitness Warehouse across from the Cardinal Greenway trailhead.

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Fun family-friendly festivals provide even more incentive to explore Wayne County in the fall. Potterypalooza takes over the Richmond Art Museum (this year, Sept. 9) to showcase works by regional artists, and the Fall Antique Fair in Cambridge City on Oct. 14 honors the memory of Shane Hawkins, a local auctioneer and proprietor of Log House Antiques.
Oktoberfest on Sept. 30 immerses Richmond’s Historic Depot District in old-world culture with music, games, vendors, entertainment, authentic German food and plenty of beer. And at the Centerville exit just off I-70, Warm Glow Candle Company’s annual Fall Festival (Sept. 23 and 24) presents an ideal opportunity to stock up on seasonally inspired scented candles as well as mums, gourds, crafts, artisan wares and food truck cuisine. 

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For more info about planning a getaway to Richmond and Wayne County, look for the 2023 Visitor Guide publication on racks detailing additional trip ideas, itineraries, activities, events and attractions. Be sure to mark your calendars for the April 8, 2024 Total Solar Eclipse – Richmond / Wayne County, Indiana will be in the line of totality with 4 minutes of complete darkness and plenty of events and festivals occuring to celebrate!