A look at the fall corn tourism in the Northeast Ohio.
Written by Aaron Inskeep
It’s corn!
Corn not only fuels the economy in Ohio, but also the local tourism during the fall season. These farms will soon become desolate, as they do every winter in Northeast Ohio, which is why there is no better reason than to give these local businesses a visit while they’re still in season.
This year, I made it my journey to find the best local corn mazes and fall experiences. While researching local farms, I discovered three places that were repeatedly suggested: Patterson Fruit Farm, Pickering Hill Farm and Mapleside Farms, and decided to give them a visit.
First, I visited Patterson Fruit Farm in Chesterland, Ohio. This location is a 40-minute drive from campus and has two locations for you to explore. The apple orchard, found on Mulberry Road, gives you that farm feel and a rustic backdrop that most visitors pine for in their social media posts. This is where the corn maze and family fun happens. There is an admission fee, as wristbands are required for entry into the corn maze, but it is well worth the time and money due to the beauty and difficulty of the maze. It took me at least 20 minutes to navigate through the maze and I ran into multiple dead ends. If you want to skip the fees, there is the second location on Caves Road that offers a scenic landscape, a walking trail and the best apple fritter I’ve had.
Next, I went to Pickering Hill Farm, which is open throughout the week. This farm is located right off Interstate Highway 90 West, which gives great convenience to those who want a quick trip. This farm is only a 30-minute drive from campus and is the smallest of the farms I visited. There is no maze, but plenty of maize for you to take pictures with for your next dating profile. The shop, located in their bakery, is full of sweet treats. This bakery sets itself apart from the other farms because they have treats for four-legged patrons as well. Additionally, unlike my other visits, there is a plethora of vegetables to choose from. No matter your diet, from peppers to eggplants, you should not be going home hungry from Pickering Hill Farm.
My search concluded at Mapleside Farms in Brunswick, Ohio. The beauty of this property held no bounds and had plenty of barbeque foods, which stood out. This farm in particular does charge for tickets, but it is worth it due to its myriad of activities located at the farm. Mapleside Farms showcases their fun activities for children and those young at heart with a slide, seesaws and a petting zoo. The crown jewel of the farm, however, is the new seven-acre corn maze. The maze was created this summer post-harvest to entertain guests throughout the fall. This maze was difficult to say the least, as several grown adults were heard murmuring through the stalks about being disoriented. It took me over a half an hour to complete, which was the same amount of time it took to drive there from campus.
When you’re thinking of where to get your cider, take your next fall-themed post for Instagram or explore a corn maze, consider giving these local businesses a visit!
Here are some more images and a video of all these beautiful farms!
Comments