Pumpkin patches, hayrides and mazes in Greater Columbus

The season for outdoor family fun is well underway, with many options around Greater Columbus.

Looking to challenge yourself with a corn maze? Lynd Fruit Farm has a "toga" maze, while the Maize at Little Darby Creek celebrates the 100th anniversary of Ohio Stadium and Van Buren Acres honors the United States Navy Blue Angels.

If corn isn't your vegetable of choice, 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, they are available at nearly all the farms, often in piles for the picking, and sometimes in a field at the end of a wagon ride.

Most of the farms also offer ample opportunities for kids to burn off energy, from pedal carts to tractor tire playgrounds.

If weather is a concern, be sure to check websites and social media before heading out.

Where: 9015 London Groveport Road, Grove City

When: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Oct. 1-31

Highlights: Admission includes a hayride, fun barn, corn and sunflower mazes and a bale maze. Recharge with doughnuts and other goodies from the bakery as well as hot chocolate, coffee or apple cider.

Admission: $11; or free for those younger than 2; group rates available.

Information: www.circlesfarm.com

Fall festivals:Fall festivals and fairs you won't want to miss, including Coffee Festival and more

Where: 6142 Lewis Center Road, Galena

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 23

Highlights: Take a hayride through the woods, roast hot dogs over a fire, pet barnyard animals, make a scarecrow and more.

Admission: free admission but there is a charge for food and some activities

Information: www.freemansfarm.com

Where: 182 N. Sunbury Road

When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 31.

Highlights: Explore a haunted maze, and then stick around to check out the many pumpkins available for purchase.

Admission: free admission to maze; fee for pumpkins

Information: www.hoovergardenswestervilleoh.com

Where: 8738 Marysville Road, Ostrander

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in October. Also open Friday, Oct. 14.

Highlights: Admission includes hayrides, pig races, a tractor tire tower, a pumpkin jump, straw barn fort and slide, mini ziplines and much more.

Admission: $15 to $20 for ages 3 to 54; free for 2 and younger, $5 for 55 and older. Group rates available. Tickets must be purchased in advance online; no tickets sold at door.

Information: www.leedsfarm.com

Where: 2920 Route 203, Radnor

When: Open through Oct. 30. Hours vary; see website.

Highlights: Guests can enjoy multiple activities, including barrel rides, pumpkin bowling, corn and other mazes, pedal go-karts, barnyard golf and a chance to meet farm animals.

Admission: $6 to $12 for ages 3 to 59, free for 2 and younger and 60 and older.

Information: lehnerpumpkins.com

Apple picking season:It's apple picking season, Ohio! Here are places to pick the fall treat near Columbus

Where: 15632 Route 56 SE, Mount Sterling

When: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 24 to Oct. 30

Highlights: Take a wagon ride out to the pumpkin patch to select your pumpkin, make your way through a corn maze, let kids jump in a haystack or make their way through a "caterpillar crawl," and enjoy pumpkin doughnuts and cider slushies.

Admission: $9 includes one pick-your-own pumpkin, $3 for corn maze

Information: www.lohstrohfamilyfarms.com

Where: 9851 Morse Road SW, Pataskala

When: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays through October.

Highlights: Explore an 8-acre "toga maze," with challenges along the way. Kids can check out a Gnomesville mini maze, jump in bounce houses and take a free barrel train ride.

Admission: prices vary per activity; check website for details

Information: lyndfruitfarm.com

Where: 8657 Axe Handle Road, Milford Center

When: 5 to 10 p.m. Fridays, noon to 10 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 6 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 30

Highlights: An 8-acre corn maze celebrates the 100th anniversary of Ohio Stadium. Admission includes a kiddie maze, fun barn, petting zoo, pedal carts, unlimited rides on the cow train and much more.

Admission: Advance admission is $11 for ages 3 to 59; $5.50 for 60 and older; free for 2 and younger

Information: www.mazeandberries.com

Where: 2492 Route 37 West, Delaware

When: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and 12 to 5 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 30

Highlights: Take a hayride out to fields to pick out a pumpkin, and then check out the petting barn and bakery.

Admission: free

Information: millerscountrygardens.com

Apples in Ohio: Want to try an apple variety dating to the 5th century? Visit Hocking Hills Orchard

Where: 7255 Route 42, Plain City

When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through October; farm will close at 4 p.m. Oct. 30

Highlights: Visit with farm animals, tour the orchard on a hayride, climb a tire mountain, race around a pedal car track, ride the cow barrel train and much more.

Admission: $14 for adults and kids 3 and older; $5 for senior citizens; free for kids 2 and younger

Information: www.theorchardandcompany.com

Where: 4413 National Road SW, Hebron

When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays to Sundays through Oct. 30

Highlights: Make your way through the corn maze or the mini sorghum maze, pet goats and rabbits, fly down the pumpkin zip lines, dare the Creepy Teepee Crawl, compete in (plastic) duck races, enjoy the tractor tire playground and more.

Admission: $10 for those 2 and older, free kids younger than 2. Credit cards only.

Information: www.pigeonroostfarm.com

Where: 5066 Keller Road, Hebron

When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays through Oct. 30

Highlights: This year's large corn maze has a Blue Angels U.S. Navy theme. Those with shorter attention spans may enjoy the smaller soybean maze and the kiddie maze. Stick around for pig races, wagon rides, miniature golf, barrel train rides, pedal cars and more.

Admission: $10 for ages 3 and older, free for 2 and younger

Information: vanburenacres.com

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