Ohio: Best Corn Mazes and Fall Festivals for Family Fun.
From the Apple Fest in Lebanon to the corn maze at Niederman Family Farm we have a list of terrific possibilities for a quick easy fall family getaway.
A day away makes all of the difference. Ride the Pumpkin Express or chase the kids through the corn stalks; sit by a bonfire and share stories or ride on a wagon full of hay. Our list includes theFamilyTravelFiles reader’s favorites plus staff recommendations. See what it takes to be the best.
Warren County: Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad Pumpkin Patch Express. Every autumn the Lebanon Mason Monroe (LM&M) Railroad runs a special Pumpkin Patch Express through Warren County to Schappacher Farm in Mason, where special homemade snacks are for sale.
Best part: Ticket price includes riding the train, a petting zoo experience, pumpkin pie, and admittance to a corn maze on a real working farm.
Need to know: Trains sell out quickly and a limited number of tickets are available on event days on a first-come-first served basis, so advance ticket purchase is recommended.
Bonus points: Even before the Pumpkin Express arrives, Thomas the Tank Engine™ will be in town and the rail journeys will include a chance to meet Sir Topham Hatt plus enjoy storytelling and live music. (Lebanon Mason Monroe Railroad, 127 S. Mechanic Street, Lebanon 45036. (513) 933-8022 or
www.lebanonrr.com)
Springboro: Windmill Farm Market Spooktacular Fall Festival. Turn off all cell phones and escape for a day. It will seem like a mini vacation amid pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn, corn stalks, and straw bales. Kids will enjoy the cleverly outfitted haunted house. Meet Scotty, the resident bull; pet friendly llamas and curious goats; watch chickens, geese, pheasant and peacocks do their thing.
Best part: Windmill Farm offers visitors a terrific hayride adventure, even better than the good old days.
Bonus points: On weekends they run the 'Spooktacular' Fall Hayride for extra fun. (Windmill Farm 1454 E. ST. RT. 73 Springboro Ohio 45066. (937) 885-3965 or
www.windmillfarmmarket.com)
Lebanon: Iron’s Fruit Farm Apple Fest and Corn Maze.
Each year at the end of September downtown Lebanon hosts Apple Fest, launching the celebration of autumn in Ohio. Taste varieties of apples, apple butter, apple cider donuts, apple fritters and apple cider. At the same time Irons opens their 12-acre corn maze and offers hayrides to the pumpkin field. Families can enjoy farm animal encounters with donkeys, emus, goats, rabbits, pot bellied pigs, birds, and Wally the Llama.
Best part: Take home Iron’s famous apple fritters with apple chunks or their scrumptious apple cider donuts.
Bonus points: Irons is the place for u-pick apples. (Irons Fruit Farm 1640 Stubbs Mill Road, Lebanon, OH 45036. (513) 932- 2853 or
www.ironsfruitfarm.com)
Clarksville: Bonnybook Farms Fall Farm Days. At the heart of Fall Farm Days is the Crazed Corn Maze awaiting maze lovers of all ages. Hayrides lead to the pumpkins that are ready for picking. Bonnybook is an easy drive from Cincinnati, Dayton or Columbus. This free event includes a petting zoo, farmyard play area, coloring contests, and creative pumpkin hunts. New for 2011 – lantern-light wagon rides.
Best part: Take home fresh baked goods, homemade caramel apples and delicious kettle corn.
Bonus points: During the summer months the farm offers oodles of great experiences including clodhopper golf, farm yard play area with farm animal encounters, fish feeding plus catch and release fishing, Horseshoe Hill tunnel and 80′ underground slide, giant slingshots, and corn hole. They also offer visitors an old chuck wagon run which includes dinner under the stars and s’mores around a campfire.
Here’s the deal. Make use of the discount coupons on website. (Bonnybook Farms 3779 St. Rt. 132, Clarksville, OH 45113. (937)-289-2500 or
www.bonnybrookfarms.com)
Germantown: Tom Eby Farm Corn Maze. Getaway for a day and navigate Eby Farm’s the 8-acre natural corn maze puzzle game featuring three miles of paths to navigate. The challenge- to find 12 puzzle pieces located throughout the maze. The American flag flies proudly over the Victory Bridge at the end of the hunt and Tom's Pumpkin Cannon provides a grand finale.
Best part: As a bonus the maze complex has a unique hands-on area with toys and musical instruments made of homegrown hard-shelled gourds.
Bonus points: For night owls, the site is open after dark. (Tom Eby Farm 8295 Farmersville-W. Carrollton Rd. Germantown, 45327. (937) 866-2777 or
www.tomsmaze.com)
Liberty Township: Niederman Family Farm Fall Festival. Go for the 17- acre corn maze and stay for the fun. Share a hayride to the pumpkin patch – where else? Children enjoy the chance to feed chickens and ducks as well as meet nimble goats, cuddly lambs and curious calves. Sample homemade kettle-corn, and caramel apples.
Best part: Plan to stay for the evening bon fire complete with hot dogs, s’mores and storytelling.
Bonus points: For high energy fun visit Neidermann’s Paintball Country, the largest paintball facility in the tri-state area. (Niederman Family Farm 5110 LeSourdesville-West Chester Road in Liberty Township, Ohio 45011. (513) 779-6184 or
www.niedermanfamilyfarm.com)
For more of the best corn mazes and fall festivals in Great Lakes Region Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota or Wisconsin
CLICK HERE.
Please tell mom! We want to expand the list and need your help. If you have a favorite fall festival or know of an awesome corn maze please "Tell Mom" and we will add it to the list. Make sure to include the name of the festival or event and its location on the planet as well as why you like it or what makes it worth the trip. Our next round up will include family-friendly winter celebrations and enchanting Santa Trains. We are building the list right now and would love to have your feedback. So just
"Tell Mom!" Events compiled from reader‘s suggestions and FTF staff picks. Images courtesy of Lebanon Mason Monroe Railway and Iron's Fruit Farm. Sometimes things change, so please confirm details before making plans. Copyright 2012.