The Five Things You Need to See at Ferncliff This Fall
While Fall in Springfield, Ohio is always beautiful, the season feels especially magical when seen at Ferncliff Cemetery & Arboretum. Whether you’ve never been before or you’ve only driven past, autumn is the perfect season to slow down, explore, and take in some of the unique sights this historic landscape has to offer. Take the time to walk, bike, or drive through, we promise you won’t be disappointed!
When you stop in, here are five things you won’t want to miss this fall at Ferncliff:
1. The Arboretum in Full Color
The Arboretum changes constantly throughout the fall, with the peak of color usually arriving in late October. Throughout the arboretum, you’ll find a variety of species, each producing a different fall foliage color palette.
When the leaves turn, the effect is breathtaking, like walking through a kaleidoscope of golden yellows, oranges and reds.
2. The Cliffs
The natural cliffs inside Ferncliff are especially striking once the leaves begin to fall. An especially lovely and intriguing area is a staircase cut into the side of one of the cliffs. The colorful array of falling leaves create a dramatic backdrop against the stark outline of the cliffs, reminding visitors why this place is as much a nature preserve as it is a historic cemetery.
3. The Ginkgo Tree at the Veterans Memorial
Just beside the Veterans War Memorial stands a magnificent ginkgo tree, and it puts on one of the most surprising shows of the season. Unlike other trees that change gradually, the Ginkgo’s leaves turn bright yellow. Within a day or two, they drop in unison, carpeting the ground in a brilliant golden blanket.
Timing is everything, keep driving by in late October and early November, and if you’re lucky, you’ll catch it in action.
4. The Mausoleum Crawl
Every fall, Ferncliff hosts its popular Mausoleum Crawl, giving visitors a chance to step inside some of the cemetery’s most historic structures. It’s part history, part architecture, and part autumn tradition, an event that connects the beauty of the season with Springfield’s heritage. You’ll learn more than you expected all while walking the beautiful tree lined roadways through Ferncliff.
Snag your ticket by watching Ferncliff’s Facebook page in early September to see when dates are announced!
5. The Kousa Dogwood Berries
For something you can both see and taste, look no further than the Kousa Dogwood Trees near the Ferncliff office. Located just inside the main gate, in September, these small trees produce berries that ripen into a sweet, tropical flavor - most often compared to a flavor combination of mango and melon. Each side of the office has one, and while the ripening times can differ, they’re a hidden fall treat worth trying.Snag your ticket by watching Ferncliff’s Facebook page in early September to see when dates are announced!
Plan Your Visit
Ferncliff isn’t just a place of remembrance, it’s one of Springfield’s most beautiful green spaces, and it’s available to our community and visitors as a gift to enjoy. This fall, take a walk, bring a camera, and experience the sights that make Ferncliff Cemetery and Arboretum worth visiting during the fall and every season of the year!
