Gloria Beckner, visits Lynd Farms in Pataskala. Lynd Farms is a location that can be visited by students to enjoy fall activities over fall break. Credit: Courtesy of TNS

As the temperatures drop and midterms come into full swing, one thing is for sure: Fall is finally here, and with it comes fall break — the first chance for students to step back and take a breath.

For those staying in town for fall break, the quiet campus can mean a long, boring weekend, but there are plenty of festive fall events and spooky October activities going on. Here are just a few options.

Apple-Mania Maze

Lynd Fruit Farm’s annual corn maze boasts all the necessities for the autumnal afternoon every Instagram influencer dreams about. Visitors can expect wagon rides, an inflatable obstacle course and other outdoor activities, in addition to the maze. The whole affair is only half a mile down the road from the Market on Morse, Lynd’s produce and gift store, which stocks a wide variety of pumpkins and squash, homemade cider, fresh pastries and more.

Lynd Fruit Farm hosts the Apple-Mania Maze at 9851 Morse Road SW, Pataskala, Ohio, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. every Friday and Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Oct. 30. Admission to the corn maze is $11.

13th Floor Haunted House Columbus

For thrill-seekers who can’t wait for Oct. 31st, 13th Floor Columbus promises to scratch that Halloween itch. The attraction has been recognized by USA Today, Travel Channel and America Haunts as one of the top haunted houses in the country. This year, 13th Floor Columbus includes two spooky attractions — Clown and Rise of the Dead — in addition to mini escape games and axe-throwing for an additional charge.

13th Floor Haunted House, located at 2605 Northland Plaza Drive, is open 7-10 p.m. Thursday and Sunday, 7-11 p.m. Friday, and 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday. Admission is $24.99 on Thursday and $27.99 Friday through Sunday. Prices and hours will rise through the end of the month.

Horror movie screenings

Those who prefer to get their scares sitting down will be pleased to know various movie theaters in the area host scary movie screenings throughout the month. Thursday through Saturday, Crosswoods Cinema at 200 Hutchinson Ave. will show “Friday the 13th” for $13.13. Gateway Film Center will crank up the suspense with daily screenings of Alfred Hitchcock’s crime thriller masterpieces. “Dial M for Murder” will run Thursday through Saturday, and “Strangers on a Train” will run from Sunday to Tuesday, each for $12.

Most notably, Drexel Theatre at 2254 E. Main St. will be hosting the 11th annual Shock Around the Clock 24-hour horror movie marathon from noon Saturday to noon Sunday. The event will be highlighted by a Q&A and meet-and-greet with Michael Gornick, director of photography for classic George A. Romero horror films such as “Creepshow” and “Dawn of the Dead.” Guests may also participate in a costume contest with a $100 grand prize. Admission is $45 in advance or $50 day of show.

Columbus Italian Festival

If bored students aren’t feeling up to pumpkin patches or scary encounters, the Columbus Italian Festival is also this weekend at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. The festival will host musical performances, a parade, a bocce ball tournament, cooking demonstrations and — of course — delicious Italian food. Come hungry for hearty pasta and a rich cultural experience.

The festival will be held from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday at 720 Hamlet St. Admission is $5.