Guests can now explore the orchard free of charge. This includes strolling through the property, visiting the animals, seeing the 2,100 newly planted apple trees and relaxing on the lawn.
“Whether you’re here for cider donuts, pumpkins, or simply a breath of fresh air, we want Hidden Valley Orchards to feel like home,” Ellison said.
In August, the orchard introduced a new Activity Yard with more than 30 attractions.
“With the new ownership, we’ve definitely wanted to add more variety for young families,” said Assistant General Manager April Boehnen. “We’ve added a few activity yards with lots of activities for kiddos and young families, but everybody of all ages, of course, can enjoy them.”
New activities include:
- Sproutsville (a tiny town for kids to explore a variety of play houses such as an ice cream shop, fire house, school and more)
Credit: Natalie Jones
Credit: Natalie Jones
- Tractor Pull (people can see how big of a tractor they can physically pull)
Credit: Natalie Jones
Credit: Natalie Jones
- Apple Smash Batting Cages (hit apples that are unsellable)
- Grain Bin Basketball (a twist on the typical arcade basketball game)
Credit: Natalie Jones
Credit: Natalie Jones
- Paint-a-Farm Truck (grab a brush and paint on a real farm truck)
Credit: Natalie Jones
Credit: Natalie Jones
- Tricycle Track (kids can race around on tricycles)
Credit: Natalie Jones
Credit: Natalie Jones
Tickets for the Activity Yard are sold on-site. Children two and under are free. General admission is $11 Tuesday through Thursday and $14 Friday through Sunday. Seniors are $8.
For guests who prefer to experience select activities individually, Hidden Valley Orchards is offering:
- $4 corn maze
- $4 tractor rides
- $3 petting zoo cones to feed the animals
“I think there’s a lot of great opportunities for young families, but in a farm setting like this, it’s few and far between,” Boehnen said. “To be able to provide this in such a safe and friendly environment, I think is really exciting, while also trying to bridge that gap between the public and the agricultural industry.”
Credit: Natalie Jones
Credit: Natalie Jones
Near one of the activity yards there is a bee barn and exhibition garden where guests can learn about the importance of pollinators, the life cycle of plants and the magic behind where our food comes from.
Speaking of food, guests can grab a chicken sandwich, chicken tenders, fries, or pretzels from a new mobile kitchen that’s located in the middle of the property near the Activity Yard.
Credit: Natalie Jones
Credit: Natalie Jones
The main barn now offers apple cider and cider donuts, in addition to ice cream.
The owners have turned the former location of Dayton Barbecue Company into a pizza barn with 10-inch French bread pizzas.
“We definitely will have a few more food options,” Boehnen said.
There will also be small concession stands throughout the property offering sweet and salty snacks.
Credit: Natalie Jones
Credit: Natalie Jones
The Crate Room is continuing to offer a selection of local beers, seltzers, wines and cocktails.
The orchard is in the midst of building a cider barn where they will press their own cider. The hope is to use their own apples in the future.
“We are producing apples,” Boehnen said. “However, we’re also in the process of replacing a lot of the orchard just to be able to produce more and produce more efficiently.”
The newly planted apple trees will be ready to harvest in the next few years. The goal is to offer u-pick.
“To see it all come to fruition is really exciting,” Boehnen said. “You won’t find a farm like it in the area to provide so much for so many folks. We try to be a lot of things to a lot of people, whether that’s young families with the activity yards or college students wanting to grab a drink ... or even an event space for folks.”
MORE DETAILS
Hidden Valley Orchards, located 5474 N. Ohio 48, is open noon-8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday.
For more information or to view events happening at the orchard, visit hiddenvalleyorchards.com or the orchard’s Facebook or Instagram pages (@hiddenvalleyorchards).
Credit: Natalie Jones
Credit: Natalie Jones
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