One thing that always gets to me as a mom is when we go back to a place we’ve already visited, years later. Thanks to Facebook and Timehop, I’m constantly reminded of those memories that often include my little babies, having fun at one of our favorite Cincinnati-area family destinations. A couple of years ago, I took my two-year-old and three-and-a-half-year-old to Young’s Jersey Dairy in Yellow Springs, near Dayton. It was an interesting day as they were both so young and my daughter was starting to get sick, but we still had a great time. Fast-forward to this past week, and we returned to Young’s Jersey Dairy for more family fun on the farm, with plenty of new memories made.
Young’s Jersey Dairy is a family-owned farm that has welcomed and entertained visitors for generations. In fact, in January they will celebrate their 150th birthday! I had been anxious to take my kids back to Young’s because I knew they would have a totally different experience this time around, being a little older. This family-centered farm is great for all ages, and truly has something for everyone.
Fall is a great time to visit Young’s, as it is decked out for the season and there are even more activities to participate in during your visit. Take a wagon ride to the pumpkin patch to find the perfect pumpkin, try out Corwin’s Corny Maze, among other seasonal features. We arrived right when the activities began around 10 am, and easily spent almost four hours playing, exploring, eating — and then playing and eating some more. The farm is open throughout the week, as well as on weekends, which is great news if you’re looking for a fun fall destination on a weekday.
In addition to visiting with the goats and cows and exploring the property, Young’s also has an area called Udders & Putters. Every single member of the family will have a good time in this section of the farm. There’s miniature golf, a large batting cage, a play area for those 48” and under, an exciting slide, a barrel train ride — and even a driving range. As you can tell, variety is one of the best features of Young’s. We tried just about everything we could, and if you want to do the same, be sure to check out the savings you’ll get by purchasing a Family Fun Pass, which you can learn about here.
I loved that our visit to Young’s Jersey Dairy was a great mix of fall fun, farm charm — and of course the incredible food! The restaurants here are amazing and perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. You can also take home freshly baked items, cheeses, and ice cream from the store. We had lunch during our visit (you MUST try the cheese curds), and wrapped up our trip with an ice cream cone on the rocking chairs out front.
Even though we live in Northern Kentucky and Young’s Jersey Dairy is a bit of a drive for us, I can tell this will definitely be a tradition for our family as often as possible. If you decide to make the trip and you want to check out more of the area, keep in mind that Clifton Mill, John Bryan State Park and the charming town of Yellow Springs are all nearby! It’s the perfect family-friendly day trip from Cincinnati.
Young’s Jersey Dairy has all sorts of fall fun and activities happening throughout the month of October, but keep in mind it is a destination year round! Start planning your trip to the dairy farm on their website here.
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 (and, ahem, Kentucky!) publications and brainstorming ideas for her next children’s book! 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.