In case you haven’t heard…it’s fall! If the cooler temperatures and pumpkin spice everything didn’t give it away, then the flood of family pictures at pumpkin patches probably did! There is something about this time of year that makes it the perfect backdrop for adorable photos of little ones – excited to find the perfect pumpkin. Well, I found the ultimate place for fall family fun – Neltner’s Farm Fall Fest (website) in Northern Kentucky.
I am picky when it comes to farms and pumpkin patches. I love real, working farms that are well maintained, that have a lot to do and that have a friendly staff, who love what they do. Neltner’s checked every single box. It’s easily accessible off of the AA Highway from 275 and I promise you will be impressed before you even pull in. The farm sits in a valley, so as you drive up you look down on animals, pumpkins, barns and tractors. There is plenty of parking and possibly my favorite part of the entire place… NICE bathrooms with a changing station! Thank you, Neltner family for thinking of us moms with multiple kids in diapers!
The farm is laid out very well with an area up front if you just want to pick up a pumpkin or two and a store with other produce, breads, jams, etc. You stop by the ticket booth to pay for entrance and any of the “extras” you want to do. A path then leads you past a large tent with picnic tables, handmade ice cream and wine (yes, you can drink wine here!) and they have live music playing on weekend afternoons. They also have a large picnic area next to a grill with a fairly extensive menu. The chili was delicious!
Also on the property, you’ll find pony rides, a barn with lots of friendly animals to feed, a barrel train ride and horse-drawn wagon rides to the pumpkin patch. And our favorite part of Neltner’s Farm… trains! My son is obsessed with trains and spent 90% of his time watching them go around the large display. The gentleman in charge of the trains was SO friendly and loved interacting with the kids and telling them all about it. It was a unique touch to an already well-thought-out farm.
My personal favorite part of our visit was the time we spent in the actual pumpkin patch. The wagon dropped us off and we were free to wander! We checked out the little pumpkins still attached to the vine and took in the beautiful view. I loved that we could have a natural experience with the farm and even get a little muddy.
The Neltner family has a lovely farm and we are lucky they open it up to us in the beautiful month of October. They also host weddings, birthday parties and field trips. They really took time to think about what a family is looking for when they visit a farm and pumpkin patch and have created a charming, inviting and playful destination that you should definitely add to your fall bucket list!
Neltner’s Farm Fall Fest is open weekends in October from 10 a.m-6 p.m. and they are also open during the week, just without a few of the activities. Check their site here for more info.
About Andrea:
A native Cincinnatian, Andrea has experienced life in all four corners of this city. After growing up on the west side, she headed north to attend Miami University, then moved east to Hyde Park and now lives in Northern Kentucky with her family.
When she’s not playing trains and doing the “hot dog dance” as a stay-at-home mom to her two toddlers, Andrea is busy writing for Cincinnati publications and sites. With a newfound passion for fitness and overall health, she spends a lot of time at her family gym and loves to play outside.
Andrea worked in education for several years and has a special love for children’s literature. She loves showing her children all our city has to offer and enjoys sharing her finds with other parents. Her favorite spots include the Cincinnati Zoo (although she steers clear of the bird house), her local library and any playground.
