| Special to The Columbus Dispatch
The season for outdoor family fun is underway, with plenty of options around Greater Columbus.
Want to challenge yourself with a corn maze? Lynd Fruit Farm has a “toga” maze, while Maize at Little Darby Creek celebrates the 100th anniversary of Ohio Stadium and Van Buren Acres honors the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.
If corn isn’t your favorite vegetable, Circle S Farms has a sunflower maze, Van Buren Acres a soybean maze, and Pigeon Roost Farm a mini sorghum maze. Many of the farms also offer smaller mazes, including hay bale courses for kids.
If you’re looking for a pumpkin, you’ll find it on almost every farm, often in piles for picking, and sometimes in a field at the end of a wagon ride.
Most farms also offer ample opportunities for kids to burn off energy, from pedal carts to tractor tire playgrounds.
If weather is an issue, be sure to check websites and social media before you head out.
Circle S Farms
where: 9015 London Groveport Road, Grove City
when: from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., from October 1 to 31
featured: Admission includes a ride, fun barn, corn and sunflower mazes and a bullet maze. Recharge with donuts and other treats from the bakery, as well as hot chocolate, coffee or apple cider.
admission: $11; or free for children under 2; group rates available.
information: www.circlesfarm.com
Autumn holidays:Autumn festivals and fairs you won’t want to miss, such as the Coffee Festival and more
Freeman’s Farm
where: 6142 Lewis Center Road, Galena
when: Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. until October 23
featured: Take a walk in the woods, roast hot dogs over the fire, farm animals, make a scarecrow and more.
admission: free entry but there is a supplement for food and some activities
information: www.freemansfarm.com
Hoover Gardens and Gift Center
where: 182 N. Sunbury Road
when: from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Monday to Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays until October 31.
featured: Explore a haunted maze, then stick around to see the many pumpkins available for purchase.
admission: free entrance to the maze; share of pumpkins
information: www.hoovergardenswestervilleoh.com
Leeds Farm
where: 8738 Marysville Road, Ostrander
when: from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in October. Also open Friday, October 14.
featured: Admission includes rides, pig races, a tractor tire tower, a pumpkin jump, straw fort and slide, mini ziplines and more.
admission: $15 to $20 for ages 3 to 54; free for ages 2 and under, $5 for ages 55 and older. Group rates available. Tickets must be purchased in advance online; tickets are not sold at the door.
information: www.leedsfarm.com
Lehner’s Pumpkin Farm
where: 2920 Route 203, Radnor
when: open until October 30. Hours vary; see website
featured: Guests can enjoy a variety of activities, including barrel rides, pumpkin bowling, corn and other mazes, go-karts, backyard golf, and the chance to meet farm animals.
admission: $6-$12 for ages 3-59, free for ages 2 and under and 60 and over.
information: lehnerpumpkins.com
Apple picking season:It’s apple picking season, Ohio! Here are places to pick up a fall gift near Columbus
Lohstroh Family Farm
where: 15632 Route 56 SE, Mount Sterling
when: from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays from September 24 to October 30
featured: Take a wagon ride to the pumpkin patch to pick your pumpkin, make your way through a corn maze, let the kids jump in a haystack or crawl through a “caterpillar crawl” and enjoy pumpkin and cider fritters.
admission: $9 includes a pumpkin to pick, $3 for corn maze
information: www.lohstrohfamilyfarms.com
Lynd Fruit Farm
where: 9851 Morse Road SW, Pataskala
when: Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sundays in October from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
featured: Explore an 8-acre “toga maze,” with challenges along the way. Kids can check out a mini Gnomesville maze, jump on bounce houses and take a free barrel train ride.
admission: prices vary by activity; see the website for more information
information: lyndfruitfarm.com
Corn on Little Darby Creek
where: 8657 Ax Handle Road, Milford Center
when: from 5pm to 10pm on Fridays, from 5pm to 10pm on Saturdays, from 5pm to 6pm on Sundays until October 30
Highlights: An 8-acre corn maze celebrates Ohio Stadium’s 100th birthday. Admission includes a kiddie maze, fun barn, petting zoo, pedal carts, unlimited cow train rides and more.
admission: Advance admission is $11 for ages 3-59; $5.50 for seniors 60 and older; free for 2 and under
information: www.mazeandberries.com
Miller’s Country Gardens
where: 2492 Route 37 West, Delaware
when: Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. until October 30
featured: Take a stroll through the fields to pick a pumpkin, then check out the barn and bakery.
admission: Free
information: millerscountrygardens.com
Apples in Ohio: Want to try an apple variety that dates back to the 5th century? Visit Hocking Hills Orchard
Orchard & Co.
where: 7255 Route 42, Plain City
when: from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in October; the farm will close at 4 pm on October 30
featured: Visit with farm animals, tour the orchard on a hay ride, climb a mountain of tires, race around a pedal car track, ride the cow barrel train and more.
admission: $14 for adults and children 3 years and older; $5 for seniors; free for children aged 2 and over
information: www.theorchardandcompany.com
Pigeon farm
where: 4413 National Road SW, Hebron
when: from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Wednesday to Sunday until October 30
featured: Make your way through the corn maze or the mini sorghum maze, pet goats and rabbits, fly down the pumpkin ziplines, dare the Creepy Teepee Crawl, compete in (plastic) duck races, enjoy the tractor tire playground and more.
admission: $10 for ages 2 and up, children under 2 free. Credit cards only.
information: www.pigeonroostfarm.com
Van Buren Acres
where: 5066 Keller Road, Hebron
when: from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Wednesday to Sunday until October 30
featured: This year’s big corn maze has a US Navy Blue Angels theme. Those with shorter attention spans can enjoy the smaller soybean maze and the children’s maze. Stay for the pig races, wagon rides, miniature golf, barrel train rides, pedal cars and more.
admission: $10 for ages 3 and up, free for ages 2 and under
information: vanburenacres.com
