In my neighborhood, Lake Farm Metropark's haunted hayride had become a rite of passage for the five little boys who lived next door. Each one had to be old enough to not get "too" scared to go.
In the spirit of the season, we've put together a list of where you can enjoy hayrides -- family friendly and scary -- in Northeast Ohio.
Have we missed yours? Email Patch Regional Editor Susan Patton and we'll add it to the list.
And if you take any photos of your family or scary monsters at a hay ride, share it on this post!
Cuyahoga County
FAMILY FRIENDLY: At the Chalet Recreation Area in Cleveland Metroparks' Mill Stream Run Reservation in Strongsville, tractor-drawn hayrides are offered October Saturday nights (Oct. 13, 20 and 27) from 6 to 10 p.m. and Sunday afternoons (Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28) from 1 to 4 p.m.
FAMILY FRIENDLY: on Meadows Drive between Parkview and Valley Parkway in Brecksville, is hosting a horse-drawn wagon hay ride 1-4 p.m. Oct. 21. Admission $10, children under 6 are free.
Summit County
FAMILY FRIENDLY: In Akron at the you can get a little of everything. Starts today and continues Oct 14, 20 & 21, 27 & 28 from 10am-4pm at Graf Grower's Garden Center, 1015 White Pond Dr, Akron.
FAMILY FRIENDLY: Hay Rides every weeekend in October, noon to 5:30 p.m. at the .
HAUNTED HAYRIDE: Every Saturday night in October, 8-11 p.m. at Heritage Farms, 6050 Riverview Road, Peninsula, there is a haunted hayride. "Come if you dare to be scared" they say on their website. Admission $13.
Visit the Bath Nature Preserve from 11 to 3 p.m. on Oct. 13 for fun fall activities. Live band, corn hole tournament, hay rides, face painting and much more at this Bath Township event.
Lake County
HAUNTED HAYRIDE: The haunted hayride at Lake Farm Metropark in Kirtland is our family's favorite. But you have to buy tickets way far in advance. Unfortunately, they are already sold out. :( If you want to go next year, start looking for information in early September.
Lorain County
FAMILY FRIENDLY: At Pickering Hill Farms, Saturdays and Sundays from 12 until 5, kids can get a free hayride through their 2-acre pumpkin patch.
HAUNTED HAYRIDE: At the Spooky Ranch at Rockin-R-Ranch, 19066 E. River Rd., Columbia Station, they specialize in scary. Check out the haunted hayride through a forest of fear. They are open all month, but check out hours and dates here. You can buy tickets online or at the gate. But it's worth checking out their website. Caution -- there's spooky music that automatically plays.
