It’s harvest time. Grab your family, a friend or take yourself on a date to some fruit-loving, pumpkin-picking, apple-cider-making local farms.
Blooms & Berries Farm Market
What’s better than a seven-acre corn maze, pumpkin patch or homemade apple cider? Well, this farm is bringing out their Flemish giant bunnies for the kids (and adults) to pet. After the animals, hop on a 30-minute hayride through the farms’ “I-Spy” woods to pick out the perfect pumpkin. Sept. 23-Oct. 31. $8 Monday-Friday; $11 Saturday and Sunday. 9669 S. State Route 48, Loveland, bloomsandberries.com.
Hidden Valley Fruit Farm
Founded in 1951, this 70-acre farm focuses on growing fruits, veggies and more than 38 varieties of apples (with their own you-pick opportunities; call ahead for days and times). From early September through early November, the farm hosts multiple harvest festivals and general Family Fun Days, with hayrides through the orchard, barnyard animals, a corn maze, bounce house, craft vendors and you-pick pumpkins. Mark your calendars for the Apple Daze Festival (Sept. 16-17) and Ohio Cider Fest (Oct. 7-8) for extra fun and treats like Dutch apple frozen custard, cider donuts and Thriller apples, dipped in caramel and topped with chocolate and peanuts. Through Nov. 5. Free admission. 5474 N. State Route 48, Lebanon, hiddenvalleyfruitfarm.com.
Irons Fruit Farm
This fourth-generation farm gets in the spirit with a 12-acre corn maze and tractor-driven hayrides to a you-pick pumpkin patch, where you can pick your favorite and pay by the pound. While Irons picks the apples themselves, the fruit is made into fresh apple fritters, apple butter, applesauce and apple pie and pressed into cider to drink or eat in cinnamon-cider donuts from the onsite market and bakery. Last weekend in September; weekends in October. Wagon rides run 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free admission; $5-$7 corn maze. 1640 Stubbs Mills Road, Lebanon, ironsfruitfarm.com.
McGlasson Farm
Find music and produce together along scenic Route 8: The sixth-generation McGlasson Farm turns into a live music joint on October weekends, where guests can pick their own pumpkins straight from the patch and sip on fresh-pressed apple cider while enjoying performances from local Folk/Americana/Bluegrass acts in the afternoon. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in October. Free admission. 5832 River Road, Hebron, Ky., mcglassonfarms.com.
Niederman Family Farm
Pick your favorite pumpkin from the patch — they’re priced by size — and navigate your way through a four-acre corn maze. Afterward, reward yourself with the farm’s signature cinnamon-sugar donuts, served fresh from the concession stand along with funnel cakes, kettle corn and gooey caramel apples. Or reserve a spot at an evening bonfire; just remember to bring your own s’mores and roasting sticks. Sept. 22-Oct. 29. $12 admission; $50-$100 bonfire. 4972 Lesourdsville West Chester Road, Liberty Township, niedermanfamilyfarm.com.
