A newlywed got an entire farm as a wedding gift from her father. More than a century later, her family’s seventh generation still grows apples on that same land.
The family farms around 200 acres of apple trees and more than 35 acres of peaches, along with hundreds of additional acres of farmland.
In Ohio, fall farm trips are practically a sport. This one adds a five-acre corn maze, hayrides, and a bakery turning out apple fritters and fresh donuts. I like how the fun and the farming share the same ground here.
I can’t imagine a better way to spend an autumn Saturday. A bag of hand-picked apples, a warm donut, and a farmhouse from 1834 nearby? Just thinking about the crisp autumn air, fresh apples, and warm fritters makes me want to plan a visit.
1. A Wedding Gift Turned Into Two Centuries Of Apples
Family roots run deep at Burnham Orchards in Berlin Heights. The story starts in 1815 with a land grant to William and Eleanor Tillinghast.
Their Connecticut homestead had been burned during the Revolutionary War. So they started fresh in Ohio, and that fresh start still bears fruit today.
The Burnham name joined the picture in the early 1900s. J.T. Burnham II married Margaret Tillinghast, and her father handed them the farm as a wedding gift.
Talk about a gift that beats a toaster. That land has stayed in the family ever since, passing from one generation to the next.
By the mid-1900s, the farm focused only on fruit. Today the seventh generation of the Burnham family runs the operation.
The Ohio Department of Agriculture recognizes it as a bicentennial farm. That honor goes to farms that have stayed in one family for 200 years or more.
A New England-style farmhouse from 1834 still stands on the property. It’s a quiet reminder that people were growing food here long before minivans and phone cameras.
Knowing this backstory makes every apple feel a little more special. You’re tasting the work of seven generations.
2. Bring A Bag And Let The Apple Hunt Begin
Over 200 acres of apple trees make picking your own feel like a real adventure. Seasonal U-pick lets you choose fruit straight from the branch.
The variety list is a fun one to read out loud. Honeycrisp, Early Fuji, Pixie Crunch, Pink Lady, and Gold Rush all grow here.
Pixie Crunch sounds like a cartoon character, and kids seem to agree. Honeycrisp, of course, is the crowd favorite in plenty of lunchboxes across Ohio.
Each variety ripens on its own schedule. That means the trees ready for picking change as the weeks roll by.
A smart move is checking the farm’s updates before you head out. That way you know which rows are open and which apples are at their best.
Wear shoes you don’t mind getting a bit dusty. Orchard paths are farm paths, after all, and nobody needs fancy sneakers out there.
Picked-over trees can happen late in a busy season. If that happens, the farm market has plenty already gathered for you.
Either way, you leave with apples and a story. The bag gets heavier faster than you’d think.
3. Grandma Bea’s Bakery Will Test Your Willpower
Apple fritters. Fresh donuts. Pies, cookies, and tarts.
That lineup at Grandma Bea’s Bakery explains why the drive home sometimes starts with an empty box.
The bakery sits right on the farm, so fruit doesn’t travel far. Orchard apples and bakery treats are close neighbors here.
Fritters are a big deal at this spot. They pop up often whenever people talk about this orchard, and with good reason.
Pies make a great choice for anyone hosting a fall dinner. Grab one and let everyone think you spent all afternoon rolling dough.
Here’s a handy tip for busy days. The bakery accepts online and phone orders for pick-up.
That’s perfect before holidays or big family gatherings. You skip guessing what’s left and walk out with exactly what you wanted.
Cookies and tarts make easy snacks for the car ride. Just maybe keep napkins handy if kids are sitting in the back seat.
One treat leads to another, and nobody’s judging. A farm bakery is basically built for that kind of decision-making.
4. Cider Slushies And Fresh Cider Steal The Show
Cider shows up in more conversations about this farm than almost anything else. That says a lot for a place with a corn maze and donuts.
Burnham Orchards makes cider on site, and fresh nonalcoholic options are easy to find. Families can grab a cold jug for the fridge back home.
The cider slushie is a fun seasonal treat. Frozen, sweet, and apple-forward, it’s a smart pick on a warm September afternoon.
Curious how cider actually gets made? The farm offers Ciderhouse Tours for groups.
Those tours are a neat way to see the process up close. Kids especially enjoy learning where their favorite drink starts.
A jug of fresh cider also pairs nicely with a box of donuts. That combo might be the official snack of fall in Ohio.
Warm it on the stove with a cinnamon stick for a cozy evening. Your kitchen will smell amazing, and nobody will complain.
Stock up while you’re there. A single jug rarely lasts as long as planned.
5. You Might Need A Snack Break In This Five-Acre Corn Maze
Five acres of twisting corn is no casual stroll. The maze at the Fall Festival gives even confident navigators a real workout.
Teamwork helps a lot here. One person picks the turns, another keeps track, and someone always insists they know a shortcut.
Spoiler alert: the shortcut person is usually wrong. That’s half the fun, though.
Kids who want something smaller have options too. A Haybale Maze gives little ones the thrill of finding their way without getting overwhelmed.
Go earlier in the day for more energy and cooler air. Tired legs make every dead end feel twice as long.
Bring water and wear sturdy shoes. Farm ground can be uneven, especially after rain.
Taking photos inside the maze makes a great memory. Tall corn on both sides makes a classic fall backdrop without any extra effort.
Once you finally escape, celebrate properly. A fritter from the bakery feels well earned after that many wrong turns.
Most families leave talking about who got them lost. It becomes a story you’ll hear again next autumn.
6. Little Kids Will Run Out Of Energy Before Running Out Of Fun
Hamster wheels sized for humans. Honestly, that alone could keep some kids busy all afternoon.
The Fall Festival play area packs in a long list of activities. There’s a Tricycle Course, Bouncy House, Tube Slide, and playground.
The Old Corn Crib adds a farm-style twist to playtime. A Barrel Train and Inflatable Train give younger riders a fun loop around.
Hayrides offer a calmer break for the whole crew. Sitting on hay and rolling through farmland is a classic for a reason.
Animals are part of the fun too. Kids can feed farm animals, which tends to bring out big giggles.
Scarecrow making lets kids get creative. Balloon making adds another colorful option.
Some rides may need a separate wristband. Check what’s included when you buy tickets so there are no surprises.
Plan a little downtime between activities. Little legs get tired, and snacks fix most problems.
Parents might even sneak a turn on a slide. Nobody’s watching that closely, right?
7. Fall Festival Weekends Are When The Farm Really Shows Off
Autumn turns this working farm into a full-blown celebration. Fall Festival weekends bring hayrides, the big corn maze, food vendors, and kids’ activities all in one spot.
Pumpkins join the party too. Seasonal U-pick lets you hunt for the perfect one in the patch.
Food vendors make lunch easy. You can fuel up on savory bites before heading back to the bakery for dessert.
The 2026 Fall Festival runs on weekends from September 19 through October 25, with activities scheduled from 9 AM to 6 PM. October 24 and 25 mark the final festival weekend of the season.
Arriving in the morning is a wise plan. You’ll have more time to enjoy everything without rushing.
Weather in Ohio can change fast in fall. Bring layers and a rain jacket just in case.
Parking is free, which is always a nice bonus. That leaves more budget for pies and pumpkins.
Keep an eye on the farm’s updates for festival details. Activities and schedules can shift a little each year.
Plan one visit and you’ll probably start planning the next. That’s how fall traditions begin.
8. The Farm Market Is Worth A Slow Lap
Crates of fresh apples greet shoppers inside the farm market. It’s the easiest way to sample several varieties without climbing a ladder.
Peaches have their moment too. The farm grows 35 acres of them, so summer shoppers can find juicy local fruit.
Shelves hold more than produce. You’ll spot shelf-stable goodies like jams and pie fillings, perfect for gifts.
Need lunch? A deli is right on site, so you can grab something savory before tackling dessert.
The market stays open year-round, not just in fall. Regular hours run Monday through Saturday from 9 AM, with Sunday hours starting at noon.
That makes it a handy stop any season. Winter visits can still mean fresh cider and bakery treats.
The building is wheelchair accessible. That makes shopping easier for everyone in your group.
Leave the dog at home, though. Outside dogs aren’t allowed, except for the farm’s own two pups.
Bring a sturdy tote or two. You’ll likely leave with more than your shopping list said.
9. Plan The Trip Before Peak Season Sneaks Up On You
Getting there is simple. Burnham Orchards sits at 8019 State Route 113, Berlin Heights, Ohio 44814.
The area is part of the Lake Erie Shores and Islands region. That makes the farm a nice add-on to a lake getaway.
Group trips are a strong fit here. The farm offers tailored tours for school field trips, business outings, and birthday parties.
Private event bookings are available too. A fall birthday surrounded by apples and hayrides sounds hard to top.
Special events pop up through the year. Lake Erie Love Weekend and Harvest Table Dinners give extra reasons to return.
Harvest Table Dinners bring farm-to-table eating right where the food grows. Seats for events like that are worth grabbing early.
Check the season before you go. Apples, pumpkins, and u-cut flowers each have their own window.
Fall is the clear star, but summer peaches deserve love too. Picking sweet fruit on a sunny day is never a bad idea.
Pick a weekend and mark the calendar. Those apples won’t wait forever.
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