In Geneva, fall is a season of bounty and celebration, highlighted by crisp autumn air, vibrant fall foliage, and heavy harvest activity. It’s a wonderful time to plan a visit—and M Cellars is here to help. Here are our top tips for planning an autumn trip to Geneva and Geneva-on-the-Lake.

When to come

We recommend making a weekend of it. There’s plenty to fill your schedule, and since Geneva and Geneva-on-the-Lake are small communities, not everything is open on weekdays. Early fall is (obviously) warmer, and later is cooler. Late October is your best bet for peak foliage. 

What to do

Our neck of the woods is a great location for relaxation. You could spend a whole weekend wandering through vineyards or lazing in a hammock against a Lake Erie backdrop. But, for the action-oriented, there’s also plenty to do. Here are a few of our fall favorites:

  1. See brilliant foliage (without the crowds): New England is known for its all-natural fall forest fireworks, but Northeast Ohio also puts on a show—and you can have a private viewing. Explore Geneva State Park by land or lake, take a tour to some of the area’s many covered bridges, or (if you’re in the mood for adventure) get a bird’s eye view with Lake Erie Canopy Tours.
  2. Visit local favorites: Brandt’s Apple Orchard is an autumn institution; you can taste 27 varieties of apples, try their famous cider, pick pumpkins and more. Madsen’s Donuts is a must any time of year. And if you’re feeling historic, Allison’s Mini Golf is the oldest continuously operational miniature golf course in the United States.
  3. Get out on the lake: It might be too chilly to swim, but there’s still plenty to do on the water. It’s perch fishing season, for one. Circling back to fall foliage, you could get a stunning view from a kayak. And don’t forget to catch a classic Lake Erie sunset.
  4. Explore Grand River Valley Vineyards: Geneva is ripe with vineyards. We’re partial to our own, and we’d love for you to stop by. Take a vineyard tour, have a picnic on the lawn, do a tasting, or try it all. 

Where to stay

Geneva-on-the-Lake has plenty of options, from budget camping to resort retreats. But if you want something a little different and special, we recommend Vineyard Woods in Geneva. Home to one of our growing sites, Vineyard Woods offers picture-perfect luxury cottages and villas nestled among Grand River Valley vines. It’s also a stone’s throw from the area’s most popular wineries (including ours).

 

We hope to see you this fall. Need more help? Message us on Facebook, Instagram or through our contact page. If you can’t make it, remember that M Cellars can come to you. We ship to 40 states. Happy harvest season.