We all know your favorite pumpkin patch is the one at the Concourse during our annual Fall Fest, but one of the benefits of our city rural real fast is that we have easy access to so many additional Fall on the Farm/Pumpkin Patch options!
There are countless roundups of this online already. One of our favorites is the extensive roundup by OneLittleSmallBlog. Where she finds the time to visit so many of these AND blog about them is truly impressive.
Our shorter list is handpicked by our members – voted on and written in. The below are your favorites based on activities for young kids and the full family, the amount of time you want to spend driving with your kids, and any additional details or top tips you may have.
We hope you find this helpful!
Below is a summary of the favorites as voted on by our MPPG members.
Blooms & Berries
Details: It’s no wonder this is a favorite- this farm offers an authentic farm experience with all of the activities for kids, a market with great food and other goods, and good beer and food truck options on the weekends. It offers: Hayrides, Pony Express Corn Maze, Pumpkin Patch, Pumpkin Bounce Pad, 40 Animal Petting Farm, Bee Train, Play Yard, Barnyard 500, Bakery treats, Craft Beer Garden (Fri-Sun) and much more! It’s a hi way to spend a fall day outdoors.
Location: 9669 OH-48, Loveland, OH 45140
Distance from Mariemont: 35 Minutes
Days/Times: September 14th-October 31st, 9am-7pm
Price: $12-$18 on weekends, $6-$11 during the week. The price goes up as it gets closer to Halloween. We recommend buying tickets in advance as It can sell out.
Website: https://bloomsandberries.com/fun-things-to-do/fall-on-the-farm/
Top Tips: Buy your ticket in advance as it often sells out, go during the week to save on admission and avoid the crowds. The weekend offers a beer garden. Wear rain boots in case of mud. The bumblebee ride may be a little bumpy for our littlest kiddos. Go during grandparents discount days and invite in-laws/parents.
Mariemont Mentions:
- “I love that Blooms & Berries has LOTS of activities for kids” – Tara
- “There are so many activities for kids of all ages” – MPPG Member
- “It has a little bit of everything: a petting zoo, small rides, bounce house, corn maze, hay rides, a sunflower field, a pumpkin patch, and a beer tent for the adults depending on what day you go. There’s always something fun to do!” – Addie
- “My son loves to see the animals in the petting zoo area. And, I love to shop in the market barn and always come home with yummy treats.” – MPPG Member
- “My kids love the farm animals and the big slide. Their market has lots of great options. I always get a couple of berry pies and freeze them for when we have guests over the holidays” – Maggie
- “It’s a one stop hit for all the fall activities including hayride, petting zoo, bouncey house, pumpkins, treats, fall take home food, and flowers!” – Michele
- “Blooms & Berries is the only one we go to. I’ve heard others are also good, but blooms & berries is fairly close and not tacky. It’s also not too huge and overwhelming. It feels more authentic than some of the other places”. – Margaret
- Blooms & Berries offers a bounce house, animals, berry picking seasonally, good beer for the adults… it’s the best!” – Alicia
Burger Farm
Details: With its proximity to Mariemont and its long history of hosting its Fall Fest (over 50 years), it’s no surprise this is a local favorite. The vibe of this Fall Fest is more of a fall-themed carnival versus a day on the farm, but they do have an opportunity for a hayride out to the pumpkin patch. Most of the activities are included in admission (Hay ride, indoor pumpkin land, kids puppet show, straw castle and play area, and large bouncing pad, corn crib, mini zip line). Bring some extra money for the carnival games, pony rides, sand art, and amusement rides. They also have the option to rent out a private area for birthday parties. They often have food trucks for lunch options.
Location: 7849 Main St. (RT 32), Cincinnati, OH 45244
Distance from Mariemont: 11 Minutes
Day/Time: Weekends, September 28th- October 31. 10am-6pm
Price: $15 per person, $12 seniors, free under 2.
Website: https://burgerfarms.com/events-classes/fall-fun-at-the-farm/
Top Tips: Bring some cash for the carnival games, go early to avoid crowds.
Mariemont Mentions:
- “We like Burger Farm for its convenient location, abundant parking, fun hayrides, engaging activities for the kids, and an excellent variety of pumpkins to choose from” – Lindsey
- “Burger is local and has plenty of seasonal decor to admire! I like going during the week, as we always seem to have the place mostly to ourselves. The rides are not open weekdays, but my daughter has plenty of fun playing on the play structures and checking out all there is to see” – Jenn
- “Burger farm offers a lot of the same things as blooms and berries but is a little easier to get in and out of than B&B” – MPPG Member
- “Burger Farm is not as much on the pumpkins, but heavy on fall fun and activities!” – MPPG Member
- “Our children love the games, hayride, and it’s fun for everyone” – MPPG Member
- “Burger farms is so close to our neighborhood and has great kid friendly activities that make it an easy half day activity.”
Shaw Farms
Details: Coming in 3rd place, Shaw Farms in nearby Milford is a great option with kids. They have an interactive, cartoon-themed playground, with pumpkin characters and wooden houses the kids can play in such as Cinderella’s carriage, Fred Flinstone’s House, the three little pigs houses, a fire station, and more. They have increased their offerings in recent years with petting zoo animals, hayrides, a corn maze, and a barrel ride. Finally, their market has a wide offering of produce, festive decorations, and of course, pumpkins!
Location: 1737 OH-131, Milford, OH 45150
Distance from Mariemont: 25 minutes
Day/Time: Sundays 9am-5pm, Mon-Sat 9am-6pm. Weather permitting.
Price: Free admission for the market and interactive playground. Additional charges for hayride, corn maze and barrel ride.
Website: https://shawfarmmarket.com/FallFestival
Top Tips: Come here if you need to up your Mariemont Halloween decoration game – they have lots of options. Last year we saw people use one of their picnic tables for a birthday party – it looked like so much fun!
Mariemont Mentions:
- “Lots of activities and great pumpkin options”. -MPPG Member
- “The playground has some cheesy scenes, but our kids love using their imaginations in each of them. We also were pleasantly surprised by the hayride – it was worth the admission and one of the better ones out there” – Maggie
Additional Fall on the Farm Options
The below farms each received the same amount of votes. We’re sharing them here in alphabetical order.
Iron’s Fruit Farm
Details: Iron’s fruit farm is a 4th generation farm with lots to offer for families who enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables in a comfortable, country setting. Their fall activities are open and include corn maze, hayride to the pumpkin patch, apple picking, and delicious fruit pies, donuts and fritters for sale.
Location:
1640 Stubbs-Mill Rd, Lebanon, OH, United States, Ohio
Distance from Mariemont: 33 Minutes
Day/Time: Weekends 10am-5pm.
Price: Hayrides are free. Admission to the corn maze is 4 and under are free, ages 5 thru 12 is $8, and 13 and up is $10 per person.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/IronsFruitFarm/
McGlasson’s Farm
Details: If you’re looking for an authentic farm experience and low-key Fall Apple Picking location, this is a great option! They offer U-Pick Apples by the bag, and have a great lineup of produce, cider, and other delicious fall treats. My kids love to “drive” all the tractors. They have select days with live music and options to walk back to the pumpkin patch to pick your pumpkin off the vine.
Location: 5832 River Road, Hebron, KY
Distance from Mariemont: 35 Minutes
Day/Time: Generally Weekends 9-5, Weekdays 9-6. U Pick times may vary. Call ahead 859-689-5229.
Price: Pay by the bag. (Cash, Check, Venmo, NO CARD)
Website: http://www.mcglassonfarms.com/
Top Tips: Bring Cash or use Venmo. This location is more of an hour or two versus an all-morning activity. As with any apple picking and hot weather, watch out for bees.
Mariemont Mentions:
- “I love it bc you can actually pick the pumpkins in the patch (not like blooms/berries)” – Kathleen
Neltner’s Farm
Details: There’s something for every member of your family: horse-drawn wagon rides, model train display, an expansive corn maze, our pick-your-own pumpkin patch, petting zoo, pony rides, homemade food and ice cream, farm shop, seasonal apples, and a barrel train!
Location: 6922 4 Mile Rd, Melbourne, KY 41059
Distance from Mariemont: 30 minutes.
Day/Time: September 28-October 27. Weekends 10AM-6pm. Weekdays 9AM-6PM (no market/food/horse-drawn wagon ride on weekdays)
Price: $7 for ages 3 and up on weekends. Free on weekdays
Website: https://www.neltnersfarm.com/things-to-do
Top Tips: They take cash or cards, but we find it easiest to pay for things such as the pony rides ($3 each) with cash. Wear your fall outfits – they often have free photographers and a photo op spot.
Mariemont Mentions:
- “Of all the Pumpkin Patches in the Cincy area, Neltner’s is my favorite! It seems to have all the variety of family-friendly activities as Blooms n Berries, but it’s less expensive, and typically less crowded. Everything is closer together too, which helps with keeping track of the little ones. They always have a cute photo op spot setup each year too.” – Maggie
Worth the Drive
The below farms were written in by MPPG members. They are both a little further than the above options, but ‘well worth the drive’!
Evan’s Orchard
Details: This was written in by an MPPG member. They are known for their apple cider donuts, their cider mill, and a beautiful location often used as a wedding venue. They offer Pick-Your-Own nearly-everything, including pumpkins and many varieties of apples and pears. They have a large indoor store and market, and for they kids they offer bounce pads, ‘apple cide slides’, tractor rides, and other outdoor farm games.
Location: 1783 Newtown Pike, Georgetown, KY 40324
Distance from Mariemont: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Day/Time: September 14th-Nov 3rd. 9AM-5PM (Tuesday-Friday), 9AM-6PM (Saturday), 12PM-6PM (Sunday)
Price: $16 for the full fall package ($10 Tues-Fri), $24 for the ‘Ultimate’ fall package, and options to pay individually for corn maze/wagon ride ($8) and Slide/Apple Canons ($6).
Website: https://evansorchard.com/
Mariemont Mentions:
“They offer lots of activities for adults and kids for all ages. Very reasonably priced. Downside is the drive but totally worth the drive!” – MPPG Member
Young’s Jersey Dairy
Details: This farm has been recommended to me by numerous MPPG families over the years. Since 1869, this farm specializes as a dairy farm, increasing its dairy offerings and becoming a beloved local attraction for both activities as well as ice cream! During the Fall, they offer pick your own pumpkins, corn maze and playland, haunted wagon rides, scary stories, lots of farm animals and lots of delicious fall treats (try the homemade pumpkin ice cream!). For the older kids, they also have mini golf, a driving range, batting cages, and a carousel.
Location: Young’s Jersey Dairy, 6880 Springfield Xenia Rd, Yellow Springs, OH 45387
Distance from Mariemont: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Day/Time: September 21-October 27. Activities are generally 10AM-9PM (vary based on activity).
Price: $16 for the full fall package ($10 Tues-Fri), $24 for the ‘Ultimate’ fall package, and options to pay individually for corn maze/wagon ride ($8) and Slide/Apple Canons ($6).
Website: https://youngsdairy.com/fall-farm-festival/
Top Tips: Make a day or a weekend of it with a visit to local hiking options or Yellow Springs.
Mariemont Mentions:
“ It’s a drive, but you can spend yhe morning hiking in Glenn Helen or Clifton Gorge, grab lunch in cute downtown YS, head to Young’s for a hayride, feed the goats, see animals, pick your pumpkin and get ice cream” – MPPG Member
“We stopped here on a bike trip at the start of the Little Miami Trail. Even in the rain, our kids had so much fun seeing the animals, playing on the tractor race course, and enjoying their delicious ice cream. We were too early for the Fall Festival activities, but I remember making a note to come back! This might be the year!”-Maggie
New This Year
We haven’t yet tried these but heard they are new this year. If you go, let us know how it is for the fam!
Cincinnati Zoo: Jack O’Lantern Glow
Details: Jack O’ Lantern Glow is an immersive walkthrough experience with more than 5,000 hand-carved pumpkins and fall displays along a half-mile trail in the Zoo, making it the largest of its kind in the Tri-state area! Experience the grandeur of fall at the Cincinnati Zoo, where it transforms into a mesmerizing wonderland of illuminated jack o’lanterns, breathtaking displays, and special effects that elevate your autumn nights to extraordinary heights. The family-friendly event is great for all ages.
Location: Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Distance from Mariemont: 20 Minutes
Day/Time: Thursday, October 3, 2024 – Sunday October 6, 2024, Friday, October 11, 2024 – Sunday, October 13, 2024, Friday, October 18 – Thursday, October 31, 2024.
Doors open at 6pm and zoo is open until 9:30pm weeknights, 10:30pm Friday/Saturday.
Price: $22 for adults, $17 for children ages 3-12.
Website: https://cincinnatizoo.org/events/jack-olantern-glow/
Clover Valley Farm
Details: Admission includes a hayride, a trail through the corn, views of flowers, a petting zoo, face painting and more! We will also have a food truck if you would like to purchase food and drinks. Pre-cut and pick your own pumpkins will be available for purchase.
Location: 3196 State Route 133, Bethel, OH 45106
Distance from Mariemont: 45 minutes
Day/Time: October 5,6, 12,13, 10AM-6PM
Price: $10 adults, $8 Children, Free for 2 and under
Website: https://clovervalleyfarm.ticketspice.com/the-pumpkin-patch-at-clover-valley-farm
