Fall has descended on the Queen City, which means it's time for some seasonal fun: picking pumpkins, sipping apple cider, taking hayrides, posing for cottage core photoshoots...
And you can do all of the above as local farms host special, family-friendly fall festivals to embrace the quaint and cozy essence of autumn.
Here are eight to check out.
Fall on the Farm at Blooms & Berries Farm Market
This all-inclusive farm fest features an FC Cincinnati-inspired 5-acre corn maze, a pumpkin bounce pad, hayrides through the pumpkin patch, kids play area, train rides and friendly farm animals (get up close and personal with these cuties for only $1.50 extra). Sip on fresh apple cider, peruse fall decor and — in September — take a selfie in a blooming field of sunflowers. A weekend craft beer garden is open starting at noon Fridays through Sundays. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. Sept. 18-Oct. 31. $10.95 Monday-Friday; $14.95 Saturday-Sunday; $29.95 season pass (weekdays only); free for kids 2 and under. 9669 S. State Route 48, Loveland, bloomsandberries.com.
Fall Family Weekends at Brown's Family Farm Market
Fall Family Weekends on the farm include hayrides, barrel-train rides, food trucks and plenty of fall produce to pick from — they grow their own Indian corn, squash, mums and more. Guests can also explore a corn maze or straw maze, pick their own pumpkin, check out farm displays or head to the play village. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Sept 18-Oct. 31. Free admission. 11620 Hamilton Cleves Road, Hamilton, brownsfarmmarket.com.
Fall Fun at the Farm at Burger Farm & Garden Center
Head to Burger Farm on weekends for their 48th-annual fall fest. Activities include hayrides through the pumpkin patch, a climbing wall, live music, a castle made of straw, an obstacle course, pedal karts for kids and adults, barnyard games, ziplines, a giant pillow to jump on, a sandbox filled with corn and a special walk-through Pumpkin Land, complete with storybook characters. For an additional fee, there's even more to do: carnival games, a pumpkin chuck, pony rides, amusement-park-style rides and paintball. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Sept. 25-Oct. 31. $12 adults; $8 seniors; free for kids 2 and under. 7849 Main St., Newtown, burgerfarms.com.
Fall Festival at Country Pumpkins
This Dry Ridge dairy farm features both free and ticketed events during its fall fest. Without a ticket, you can visit farm animals, explore a kiddie corn maze or hay pyramid or purchase your own pumpkins and other fall decor. Ticketed activities include a hayride to the you-pick pumpkin patch ($10; $4 for just a hayride); a 4-acre corn maze ($5); giant slide ($2); barrel-train ride ($2.50); and more. For $25, you can purchase the "Pumpkin Ridge" package for up to five people ($2 per person after that). It includes two carving-sized pumpkins, six pumpkin chuck launches, a petting zoo and slides. Other special ticketed experiences include a lantern-lit Country Fireside night, as well as campfire rentals. Rides, you-pick and concessions are only available weekends only. 4-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 2-7 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Sept. 11-Oct. 31. 1835 Sherman Mt. Zion Road, Dry Ridge, countrypumpkinsky.com.
Fall Fest at Kinman Farms
The 15th-annual Fall Fest features a special "Fall Fest Adventure" package for $11, and includes a hayride, bonfire, a Great Pumpkin Express train ride, a 5-acre corn maze, a carnival tent, live bands, laser tag, a tunnel slide and straw pyramid. Visits with barn animals and free front-of-farm activities — including fall produce for purchase — are included. If you're hungry, visit Kinman's Grill for everything from bratts and funnel cake to caramel apples and s'mores kits. For something more substantial, checkout the Farmhouse Kitchen for special country ham sandwiches. Kinman is open during the week for sales of items including pumpkins, mums, gourds and straw, but Fall Fest activities only take place on weekends. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. Sept. 18-Oct. 31. $11 Fall Fest Adventure package. 4175 Burlington Pike, Burlington, kinmanfarm.com.
Fall Fun at Niederman Family Farm
Open weekends only, Fall Fun on the farm is included with a general admission wristband (wristband entry is timed, but you can stay as long as you want once you're there). Admission gets you access to a 4-acre corn maze, hayrides, a climbing web, tiny houses for kids, duck races, tug of war, pipe swings, tetherball, foosball and animals. Niederman also rents out bonfire spaces; bring your own food or buy s'mores kits there (does not include roasting sticks). Select your favorite pumpkin from their "Pumpkin Paradise" patch or head to the concession stand their famous made-fresh-daily cinnamon donuts, hand-dipped caramel apples and apple cider. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Thursday; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday; 1-6 p.m. Sunday; additional hours TBD for Tuesday and Wednesday. Sept. 24-Oct. 31. $13; free ages 2 and under. 5110 Lesourdsville West Chester Road, Liberty Township, niedermanfamilyfarm.com.
Fall Fest at Neltner's Farm
This harvest celebration features different events on weekends and weekdays. Weekdays, you can head to the pumpkin patch, explore a 3-acre corn maze, visit the petting zoo, ride the barrel train or shop the fall farm stand. All weekday activities are available on weekends with bonus craft vendors and artisans, horse-drawn wagon rides, live music, tastings from local wineries, homemade ice cream and food from Four Mile Pig. Concerts take place 1:30-4:30 p.m. and you can find the full schedule of performers online. Leashed pets allowed. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Sept. 25-Oct, 31. Free admission weekdays with varying prices for activities; $5 weekend admission (includes activities). 6922 Four Mile Road, Melbourne, neltnersfarm.com.
Pumpkin Times at Shaw Farms
Head to Shaw Farms for a 15-acre corn maze (yes, 15), both horse-drawn and tractor-drawn hayrides, playgrounds, pumpkin, pedal carts and live music. Anyone can access the farm's animals, pumpkins and play areas for free, but some special fall events are ticketed. The corn maze is $7; pedal karts are $4; tractor-drawn hayrides are $5; horse-drawn hayrides (weekends only) are $6; and the little blue train is $4. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Sept. 25-Oct. 31. $46 family fun pack; $15 bundle (tractor ride, corn maze, pedal kart and barrel train). 1737 Ohio 131, Milford, shawfarmmarket.com.
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