The best destinations for corny fall fun around the region

Fall 2020 may look a little different, but it is far from canceled.

One of the region’s most cherished fall traditions that offers family fun or fun for the grown-ups is the corn maze. The region offers a variety of mazes to test your wits while also offering a day of fun including pumpkin-picking and fall sweet treats from the farm.

Here is a guide to the best corn mazes in the Miami Valley open for business that also offer other fall activities this season.

Montgomery County

🌽Majestic Nursery and Gardens

Location: 2100 Preble County Line Road, West Alexandria

Hours: Corn maze opening on Sept. 26. Operating hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Sunday

More info: www.majesticnurseryandgardens.com | Facebook/majesticnurserygardens

The 15-acre corn maze at Majestic Nursery and Gardens is one of the tallest around, with more than three miles of walkways, an observation deck and a treasure hunt.

Along with the corn maze, guests can enjoy a petting zoo, children’s play area, hayrides on the weekends, children’s train rides, pumpkin patch and seasonal food. New coronavirus safety protocols will be in operation.

🌽Tom’s Corn Maze and Pumpkin Farm

Credit: Tom's Corn Maze and Pumpkin Farm

Credit: Tom's Corn Maze and Pumpkin Farm

Location: 4881 Germantown Liberty Road, Germantown

Hours: Open Sept. 11 through Nov. 1, from noon to 6 p.m. on Thursday and Sunday and noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday

Celebrating 23 years, Tom’s Corn Maze is considered to be one of the most challenging in the area, with eight acres of winding labyrinths and paths. Guests have to find the mailboxes to help solve the puzzle to escape.

Admission is $10 per person. Children ages four and under get in free.

Other activities include a pumpkin train ride, sunflower field, farm animals, pumpkins and campfire rentals.

More info: https://tomsmaze.com | Facebook.com/tomsmazeohio/

Miami County

🌽Idle-Hour Ranch

Location: 4845 Fenner Road, Troy

Hours: Coming soon, opening date still TBD.

More info: Website | Facebook

Each year, the corn maze at Idle-Hour Ranch features a different theme that presents an interactive and educational challenge for all of its participants. This year’s theme will be a Sherlock Holmes' mystery.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Idle-Hour Ranch has been closed to the public. However, the ranch (along with its corn maze, petting zoo, camel and pony rides, gemstone mining and other activities) does plan to open in the coming weeks.

Be sure to monitor Idle-Hour Ranch’s Facebook page and website for updates regarding their reopening.

Greene County

🌽Apple Country Farm Market

Credit: Apple Country Farm Market

Credit: Apple Country Farm Market

Location: 2323 US-42, Spring Valley

Hours: Open Sept. 19 through Nov. 1 on Friday from 4-8 p.m., Saturday from 1-8 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

More info: applecountryfarm.com | Facebook/AppleCountryFarmMarketLtd

This year, Apple Country Farm Market’s seven-acre corn maze will be paying tribute to frontline workers - specifically, medical personnel and police officers.

Admission to the corn maze will be $9.99 for those 13 and older, $7.99 for ages four to 12 and free for those three and under. All tickets will need to purchased online by visiting the farm’s website.

Only a certain number of tickets will be available for each time slot given upon purchase in order to maintain a safe flow of customers into the maze and market. All customers are asked to wear a mask, remain socially distanced from other groups and stay in designated areas.

A portion of all 2020 maze admission proceeds will be donated to the Greene Medical Foundation, Circle of Victory, to benefit cancer patients in Greene County.

🌽Lucas Brothers Farm

Location: 3229 Ferry Road, Bellbrook

Hours: Sept. 25 through Nov. 1 on every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays are reservation-only.

More info: www.lucasbrosfarms.com

Lucas Brothers Farm, located in Bellbrook, will be hosting its annual family-friendly fall festival beginning on Sept. 25, that will include a pick-your-own pumpkin (paid for by the pound), hayride through the woods ($8 per person), five-acre corn maze ($6 per person and children two years of age and younger get in free), straw maze (free), farm animals and more.

As an added bonus, customers can purchase a hayride, corn maze and a small pumpkin for $13 per person. The farm is also taking reservations for private groups, birthday parties and field trips. More information regarding the pricing of these large group events can be found on the farm’s website.

🌽Young’s Jersey Dairy

Location: 6880 Springfield Xenia Rd., Yellow Springs

Hours: Now through Oct. 25 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Sunday

More info: youngsdairy.com/cowvins-corny-maze | Facebook/YoungsDairy

Young’s Jersey Dairy’s Cowvin’s Corny Maze consists of 3.5 acres of corn with over one mile of paths. Despite its size, the corn maze is just challenging enough for the entire family to complete in under 40 minutes.

While at Young’s Jersey Dairy, customers are required to wear masks and maintain social distancing throughout the corn maze and entire facility.

Along with the corn maze, Young’s Jersey Dairy has many other ways for visitors to enjoy the spirit of the season, from its pumpkin patch to its fall-themed food and ice cream (like apple dumpling ala mode topped with cinnamon ice cream).

The cost for the maze is $7.50 per person, ages 5 and older, to enter the maze. Children ages four and under get in for free. This includes the wagon ride to the corn maze, which is equipped with plastic dividers to provide distance between guests. Tickets can be purchased at Cowvin’s Corny Bin or at The Marketplace in the Dairy Store.

Preble County

🌽Today’s Harvest

Location: 5859 St. Rte 320, New Paris

Hours: Sept. 11 through Oct. 31 on Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

More info: todaysharvestfarm.com | Facebook/todays.harvest.9

With over eight miles of challenging pathways, Today’s Harvest 2020 Corn Maze is sure to be all the rage this fall season.

General admission to the maze is $7 per person and all guests will be required to wear face masks and maintain proper social distancing. This year, the checkpoints within the maze will also be hands off in order to decrease exposure to the virus.

Along with the corn maze, Today’s Harvest will also be offering several other family fun adventures, including seasonal goodies like pumpkins, mums, caramel apples and cider, a bean and rope maze, putt-putt golf and several giant versions of games like checkers and Connect-4.

Shelby County

🌽The VanDemark Farm

Credit: VanDemark Farm

Credit: VanDemark Farm

Location: 2401 S Vandemark Road, Sidney

Hours: Sept. 18 through Nov. 1 on Fridays from 6-11 p.m., Saturdays from noon to 11 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 7 p.m. Weekdays are reserved for group reservations only.

More info: vandemarkfarm.com | Facebook/vandemarkfarm

The VanDemark Farm’s famous Lostland Corn Maze will be debuting its 2020 maze to the public on Sept. 18.

For $10 per person, customers will have access to the Sidney farms' corn maze, unlimited mini-golf, one hayride, Bannyard Play Zone (new this year) and Bonfire (though the ziplines and Giant Swing will be closed to the public).

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