An Ohio dairy farm sells an ice cream flavor called Cow Patty. Yes, really, and it shares a menu with more than 40 homemade flavors.
I love that a farm can be this playful about its own cows. Another spot on this list has an eight-acre corn maze shaped like the entire state, with more than 275 signs sharing Ohio facts and history.
That is the charm of fall on a farm here. You get hayrides, pumpkin patches, cider donuts, goats, giant slides, and corn mazes that turn a simple Saturday into a small adventure with kettle corn on the side.
I can’t think of a better reason to grab a jacket and hit a back road. Some of these farms trace back to the 1800s, and others keep inventing new ways to play in a field.
1. The MAiZE at Little Darby Creek
Six generations of the Rausch family have worked this land, and somewhere along the way they decided cornfields should come with a puzzle. Smart move. The farm planted its first corn maze back in 2002, while it was still a dairy called Hickory Plains Farm.
Cows stayed in the picture until 2005, when the farm shifted fully toward fall fun. Today the main event is an eight-acre corn maze with a brand-new theme each year.
Getting lost is half the point, but you won’t be wandering blindly. The maze includes interactive passports and Simon Says Wheels that turn the trip into a game. Kids get a mission, and grown-ups get a decent excuse to keep walking.
Once you find your way out, hop on a hayride to the pumpkin patch. Picking your own pumpkin feels a lot more rewarding after a long search through tall corn.
Got a pumpkin you don’t plan to carve? The Pumpkin Blaster lets you launch small ones across a field, which sounds like the best kind of physics homework. It’s loud, silly, and very satisfying.
Younger visitors can bounce on the Barnyard Bouncer or play a round at Hole-y Cow Putt Putt. There’s also a low ropes course, a Fun Barn, and a Cow Train for little riders.
The petting zoo brings in goats, pigs, rabbits, and shaggy Highland cows. Those Highland cows look like they’re wearing their own fall sweaters, so bring a camera.
Brave teens and adults can stick around for the Field of Fright after dark. It’s built for scares, so younger kids may want to call it a night first.
Before heading home, grab a bag of homemade kettle corn. You can also shop for heirloom pumpkins, mums, and corn shocks to dress up your porch for the season.
Address: 8657 Axe Handle Rd., Milford Center, OH 43045
2. Leeds Farm
Few farms can say their barn was built from trees cut right on the property. Leeds Farm can, and that big barn has stood since 1904.
The family restored the Big Barn in 2004, and it now houses farm livestock. It’s a nice reminder that this fourth-generation farm has deep roots, even with a slide shaped like a combine out front.
About that slide. The John Deere Titan II Combine Slide is the kind of thing kids talk about on the car ride home. It looks like a real piece of farm equipment, except you get to zoom down it.
The Leeds family first opened the farm to guests in 1994. Since then, the list of activities has grown into a full day of running, jumping, and climbing.
Hayrides roll through native woods, which is a lovely way to catch October leaves changing color. Out in the pumpkin patch, you can hunt for blue pumpkins and fairytale varieties alongside the classic orange ones.
Need more speed? Try the Mountain, Racer, and Pumpkin Plunge slides, then bounce on one of two Pumpkin Jumps. Straw barn forts, a pedal cart track, and corn boxes keep little legs busy.
Older kids might head for the Low Ropes Challenge Course or the Mini Zip Lines. The Tree House playground is another spot where you may lose track of time.
Don’t skip the Pig Races, because watching pigs sprint is pure comedy. A ride on the Pumpkin Express gives tired feet a break.
Snack time brings kettle corn and mini donuts. Grab a bag and take it over to the Green Acres activity area, where there’s even more to explore before you head out.
Address: 8738 Marysville Road, Ostrander, OH 43061
3. Van Buren Acres
Thirty-plus activities come bundled into one admission at this family-owned farm in Hebron. That’s a lot of fun packed into a single cornfield.
The star is a big corn maze that spans roughly nine to ten acres. The design changes each year, so returning visitors never solve the same puzzle twice.
Little ones who aren’t ready for the giant maze can try the soybean story maze. It’s smaller and mixes reading with walking, which is a sneaky win for parents.
Out in the U-Pick pumpkin patch, you can hunt for the perfect porch pumpkin. Sunflower and zinnia fields also bloom into October, so plan early if flowers are on your list.
Now for the action. Kids can bounce on the jumping pillow, zip down the giant slide, and dig into the corn box like it’s a sandbox made of snacks for chickens.
Prefer a slower pace? Hop on the cow train or a hay wagon ride and let someone else do the steering.
Families with a competitive streak can challenge each other on the nine-hole putt-putt course. Pig and duck races bring the cheering, and the low ropes course, ball zones, and pedal carts round things out.
Hungry yet? Apple cider slushies and homemade donuts are on the menu, with pumpkin and apple flavors leading the way.
The Country Store stocks fall goodies for the drive home. Gemstone mining and paintball are also available for an extra cost if your crew wants more.
Watch the calendar for special events, too. Past favorites include a flashlight maze night and a dog day supporting the Licking County Humane Society.
Address: 5066 Keller Road, Hebron, OH 43025
4. Timbuk Farms
Back in 1952, someone planted a crop of Christmas trees on this land, and the farm has been growing ever since. Today Timbuk Farms covers about 300 acres near Granville.
It ranks among the oldest and largest Christmas tree farms in Central Ohio. The farm is also known for helping develop the Canaan fir as a tree well suited to Ohio weather.
So why visit before the holidays? Because Fall Fest turns the farm into a playground long before anyone hangs a single ornament.
Head into the corn maze for a good twisty walk, then take your pick from the U-Pick pumpkin patch. The sunflower field offers bright faces for photos, and Highland cows add a fuzzy touch at the fun farm.
Goats in the petting zoo are usually happy to say hello. Bring patience, since goats tend to treat jackets like a snack menu.
Weekends during Fall Fest bring live music and a rotating lineup of food trucks. That means lunch may look a little different from one visit to the next.
Kids can burn energy in the Kids Fun Farm area, where pumpkin bowling and a super slide wait. Wagon rides, including the Grain Train, give everyone a chance to sit and enjoy the view.
Plant lovers, take note. The garden center fills up with mums, asters, and celosia grown right on the property.
Picking up a few fall flowers here makes a lot of sense. They’re grown by the same folks who know how to keep a 300-acre farm thriving.
The Schmidt family ran the farm until 2004, when Jim and LaVonda Gibson took over. Their family keeps the tradition going for a new generation of visitors.
Address: 2030 Timbuk Road, Granville, OH 43023
5. Patterson Fruit Farm
In 1879, the Patterson family started a fruit, egg, and milk route in eastern Cleveland. Seven generations later, they’re still at it, just with a lot more slides.
The farm now has two separate spots in Chesterland, so pick your destination carefully. Mulberry Road is home to the main orchards and Family Fun Fest, while Caves Road houses the year-round Farm Market and Bakery.
Apple-picking locations may vary during the season, so check the farm’s current schedule before visiting.
Let’s start with the fun side. The Giant Covered Straw Pile is a kid magnet, and the 50-foot Racing Slide in the Woods is pretty hard to resist.
Pedal tractors, tire swings, and a corn sandbox keep the action going. There’s also a corn maze, play buildings, and scenic wagon rides through the farm.
Stop by the Big Red Barn to meet the sheep and lambs. Keep an eye out for Willet, the resident ram with a name that sounds like a character from a picture book.
Apple fans, this is your season. U-Pick apples are typically available from mid-August through early October, depending on weather and fruit availability.
Now drive over to Caves Road for the sweet stuff. The family opened a market there in the 1950s, and it’s still the hub for their produce.
Apple cider donuts and pumpkin donuts headline the bakery case. You’ll also find pies, fritters, and maple syrup, which makes the trip home smell amazing.
The Market Barn opened in 2020 and uses beams from the family’s 1820s barn. It’s a clever way to keep old wood working.
Address: Farm Market and Bakery: 11414 Caves Road, Chesterland, OH 44026; Orchards and Family Fun Fest: 8765 Mulberry Road, Chesterland, OH 44026
6. Ramseyer Farm
Ever wanted to walk across Ohio in an afternoon? At Ramseyer Farm, you can, thanks to an eight-acre corn maze shaped like the whole state.
The Ohio Maze has labeled roads and more than 275 signs packed with Ohio facts and history. It’s basically a geography lesson where nobody hands out a test.
Not your thing? Try the Mystery Maze instead, which gets a fresh theme and game each year. A Mini Maze gives smaller kids their own shot at victory.
The farm lists more than 50 attractions, so pace yourself. Hide and Slide Hill features 60-foot slides that make a strong case for a second and third trip down.
Pedal cart race tracks, a jumping pad, and a corn barn add more ways to play. Apple cannons bring a little target practice to the mix.
Hayrides and friendly farm animals offer a calmer break. Then it’s off to the pumpkin patch, where white, Cinderella, and Fairytale varieties sit next to the classics.
Food here goes well beyond a quick snack. Farmyard Flatbreads, The Fry Factory, Denny’s Dogs, and The Pretzel Barn each bring their own specialty.
Seasonal treats include fresh roasted sweet corn and cider slushies. Grab one of each and call it balanced.
The Country Store sells apple butter, pumpkin butter, homemade kettle corn, candles, and fall decor. It’s an easy place to find a souvenir that’s actually useful.
Daniel Ramseyer started farming here in 1880. The family added agritourism in 2000, and they still grow pumpkins, wheat, corn, popcorn, and soybeans.
Address: 4000 Ramseyer Ln., Wooster, OH 44691
7. Sunrise Orchards at Hillcrest
A 1936 barn once used for sorting and packing apples still stands on this Amherst property. These days it hosts events instead of crates, but the apple story continues outside.
The family-owned Sunrise Orchards took over the former Hillcrest Orchards in 2024. The result is a fifth-generation farm with a fresh name and plenty of fall traditions.
U-Pick apples are the headliner, with a wide variety growing in the orchards. Bring a strong arm and a plan for what you’ll bake later.
Pumpkins join the party in autumn, too. You can wander the patch and pick one that fits your porch, your carving skills, or your ambition.
Admission covers more than 20 attractions. Highlights include a corn maze, hayrides through the orchards, and the Hill Slides.
Little ones can meet baby animals in the Farm Friends petting area. The Giant Sandbox and Tractor Tire Mountain offer more spots to dig and climb.
Kids with racing dreams can hit the Trike Raceway. Giant Spiderwebs make climbing feel like a superhero training course.
Apple Cannons are on site as well, though ammo costs extra. Aim carefully and enjoy the bragging rights.
The Farm Market opens daily with homegrown apples and freshly pressed cider. Local honey, jams, and preserves fill the shelves.
Save room for the apple cider donuts, which are a big part of the market’s fame. On weekends, the Pizza Patch and Orchard Grill serve burgers, pulled pork, and more.
Address: 50336 Telegraph Road, Amherst, OH 44001
8. Quarry Hill Orchards
Thirty-eight apple varieties grow across about 90 acres of orchard here. Choosing just one might be the hardest decision you make all week.
Quarry Hill Orchards sits near Lake Erie and is run by a third-generation farm family. In fall, U-Pick apples steal the spotlight.
Fruit availability can shift with the weather. Checking the farm’s updates before you go is a smart move, especially if you have your heart set on a certain apple.
Depending on the season, you might also find raspberries, currants, and peaches. A U-Pick sunflower field adds a bright bouquet option.
The Market Barn opened in 2020 and acts as the farm’s main hub. Inside, you’ll find local produce, cider, and Ohio-made food products.
Here’s the treat worth planning around. Quarry Cones Real Fruit Ice Cream uses fruit grown right in the orchard, so your scoop has a short trip from tree to cone.
Baked goods from local bakeries fill out the shelves, including giant apple fritters. Artisan goods make the market a handy stop for gifts.
For leaf peeping, take the tractor-pulled wagon ride. It rolls through the orchards and the neighboring Edison Woods Metropark.
Fall events keep the calendar busy. The farm’s Apple Peak celebration has featured interactive history tours, wagon rides, apple picking, and other seasonal activities. Check the event calendar for upcoming dates and offerings.
Antique tractor fans can catch a show with demonstrations and kiddie tractor pulls. The Fall Haul Weekend is another event worth watching for.
Address: 8403 Mason Road #1, Berlin Heights, OH 44814
9. Jacquemin Farms
It all started with a single strawberry patch in 1987. Paul and Peg Jacquemin planted it, and their farm has been growing in new directions since.
Paul holds a master’s degree in Turfgrass Management from Ohio State and first ran a sod business. Daughter Kerry, who has a master’s in horticulture, helped expand the market in the late 1990s.
That expansion brought pumpkins and fall field trips. Today, the farm splits its fun between two locations, so double-check where you’re heading.
The Plain City spot is home to the market and bakery. Shelves fill with Ohio-grown apples, corn, gourds, and fall decor like mums, hay bales, and Indian corn.
The bakery opened in 2021 and quickly became a highlight. Homemade pumpkin donuts are the big draw, along with cake donuts, pies, cookies, and muffins.
Need actual breakfast? Breakfast and lunch sandwiches use locally sourced ingredients, and you can pair one with coffee or an apple cider slushie.
For hands-on picking, drive to the U-Pick location in Marysville. A 15-acre pumpkin patch gives you plenty of room to roam.
A sunflower patch, added in 2020, makes a lovely backdrop for family photos. Strawberries usually show up in June, if you want an excuse to come back.
October weekends add extra fall fun at the U-Pick farm. Expect a straw maze, pedal karts, hayrides, and inflatables.
The Plain City market got a refresh in 2025, including new paint and a reimagined layout. Old roots, new look.
Address: Farm Market and Bakery: 7437 Hyland Croy Road, Plain City, OH 43064; U-Pick Location: 11430 Industrial Parkway, Marysville, OH 43040
10. Kuhlwein’s Farm Market and Deli
Where else can you finish a corn maze and then grab an Italian sub with homemade dressing? Kuhlwein’s pulls off that combo in Hilliard.
The market and deli stay busy year-round. In October, though, the farm adds a full lineup of fall activities.
Hayrides carry you out to the pumpkin patch. Pick your own, or choose from pre-picked pumpkins if you’d rather skip the muddy shoes.
Two corn mazes give you options. The kiddie corn maze suits small explorers, while the larger maze brings more twists and turns.
Inside the barn, a straw maze offers a different kind of challenge. It’s a good backup if the weather turns chilly.
The petting zoo features animals like calves and goats. Inflatables, ring toss, and pumpkin tic tac toe keep things lively.
Hay bale photo spots are scattered around for your fall pictures. Bring a flannel and you’ve got your holiday card sorted.
Select weekends may add live music, pony or horse rides, or a balloon artist. Parrots have even made appearances, which is not something most pumpkin patches can claim.
Back at the market, seasonal produce includes sweet corn, Ambrosia apples, and squash. The deli is known for premium meats and hot subs.
Sweet tooth calling? Look for pumpkin cookies, donuts, cheesecakes, caramel apples, kettle corn, and ice cream.
It’s a handy stop for families near Columbus. You can turn a quick grocery run into a full fall outing.
Address: 1859 Walker Rd, Hilliard, OH 43026
11. The Orchard and Company
Grain bin basketball sounds like a sport invented by bored farm kids. At The Orchard and Company, it’s one of many reasons to stay longer than planned.
This family-owned farm in Plain City opens its fall season on weekends. Check the schedule before you go, since hours run on Saturdays and Sundays.
Apple picking is a big draw, with a wide range of varieties. Pumpkins come in classic orange, plus blue and white ones for a fancier porch.
The farmyard activity area requires a pass, and it’s packed. Kids can dig in a large corn pit, bounce on jumping pillows, and fly down a huge hill slide.
Zip lines, tractor swings, diggers, and a tire climb add more options. The Moo Moo Express barrel train gives the youngest guests a fun ride.
A tractor-drawn wagon ride rolls through the orchards. You can also race on the pedal cart track or meet farm friends in the animal barn.
For an extra charge, try the paintball range. Catch-and-release fishing is available too, which is a peaceful change of pace.
The café serves applewood smoked pulled pork sandwiches and jumbo beef hot dogs. Their sloppy joe is a house favorite.
Sweet treats include fresh pumpkin donuts, fry pies, and cookies. Wash them down with apple cider or an apple cider slushie.
Before leaving, browse the market for farmhouse decor, bagged apples, and preserves. Your kitchen will thank you later.
Address: 7255 US HWY 42, Plain City, OH 43064
12. Young’s Jersey Dairy
Yes, the Cow Patty ice cream is real, and no, it’s not what you’re afraid of. Young’s Jersey Dairy serves it alongside more than 40 homemade flavors.
The farm’s history goes back to 1869 in Yellow Springs. There’s no general admission fee, so you pay only for the activities you choose.
Fall brings U-Pick pumpkins from the farm’s pumpkin fields. Pick a good one and you’ve earned a scoop.
Families who like a little spook can take the Haunted Wagon Ride. It features scary stories but is designed with families in mind.
The Dairy Store opened in 2021 inside a 22,000-square-foot barn-shaped building. Seasonal flavors like Pumpkin and Cinnamon show up in autumn.
Hungry for more than dessert? Burgers, fries, and sandwiches are on the menu, along with deep-fried breaded cheese curds, a best seller.
Weekend mornings bring breakfast. You can also watch cheese and ice cream being made through observation windows.
Udders and Putters offers two miniature golf courses. A driving range and batting cages give big hitters something to do.
Cowtherine’s Carousel opened in 2024 and runs year-round. It features custom Jersey cow figures and ice cream-themed horses, which is delightfully on brand.
Kids can try Moovers and Shakers, Cowvin’s Fast Slide, and Cowvin’s Corny Maze. The petting area lets you meet goats and cows up close.
It’s a fitting final stop on any Ohio fall road trip. Where else can you meet Jersey cows, enjoy homemade ice cream, and spend an afternoon exploring farm attractions?
Address: 6880 Springfield-Xenia Road, Yellow Springs, OH 45387
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