Autumn ushers in a-maze-ing times for all

A youngster takes a bite of a giant pumpkin at Fleitz Pumpkin Farm in Oregon.

Cooler temperatures and colorful leaves have ushered in the start of autumn and the beginning of fall fun.

Pumpkins are prime for picking, corn mazes are in place, and area farms are throwing in some family fun. Whether you're interested in simply buying fresh produce at a working farm or you’re looking for pumpkin patches, corn mazes, hay rides and kids’ attractions, there’s an array of choices in the Toledo area.

Country Lane Tree Farm, 3525 N. Bolander Rd., Genoa. Visitors can hunt through 10 acres for the perfect pumpkins or get lost in corn and straw mazes. Other highlights include train rides, a goat walk, hay rides, pony rides, old fashioned games, a petting zoo, gift shop and market. Open Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: $8 for adults, $10 for children ages 3 to 12 and $5 for seniors age 65 and older. Military personnel and their spouses receive free admission. Information: 419-461-1298 or countrylanetreefarm.com.

Fleitz Pumpkin Farm, 7133 Seaman Rd., Oregon. Featuring a pumpkin patch, corn maze, child-sized hay bale maze, hay rides, craft barn, a gift shop, and refreshments. Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday and Saturday through Oct. 31. Information: 419-836-7613 or fleitzpumpkinfarm.com.

Hoen's Greenhouse, 1710 Perrysburg-Holland Rd, Holland. Highlights include pumpkin patches and pumpkins already gathered from the field, hay rides and garden-fresh produce. Open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 419-865-6566. On Oct. 12 and 13, Hoen's will celebrate its Autumn Affair festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Information: hoensgreenhouse.com.

Jason's Pumpkin Patch, 12629 West Salem-Carroll Rd., Oak Harbor. Featuring a variety of unusual colors, shapes, and painted pumpkins and other gourds, plus photos at the giant pumpkin tree or with pumpkins weighing up to 200 pounds. Corn mazes, hay rides, and corn pit. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Halloween. Information: 419-898-3215 or jasonspumpkinpatch.com.

Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation, 11600 County Road 99, Findlay. Guests can take a quarter scale train ride to the pumpkin patch where visitors can choose their own pumpkin to be transported by rail back to the station. Admission also includes entrance to railroad museum and the toy/​model train layouts room. Hours: 1-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 20. Admission: $2 for adults and $1 for children 12 and younger. Information: nworrp.org.

Pumpkin Peddler, 20354 North Dixie Hwy., Bowling Green. Featuring a pumpkin farm with children's activities, face painting, hay and wagon rides, and pumpkin painting. Open Monday to Friday noon until dark, Saturday, 10 a.m. until dark, Sunday, 11 a.m. until dark. Information: 419-409-0252 or bowlinggreenchristmastrees.com.

Steven's Gardens, 4420 Weckerly Rd., Monclova. Pick-your-own and already gathered pumpkins, corn maze, mini corn maze, straw or hay bale maze, child-sized haybale maze, tractor-pulled hay rides, Honey from hives on the farm, fresh eggs, picnic area and petting zoo.. Open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Halloween. Information: 419-867-7229.

Wheeler Farms, 11455 Obee Rd., Whitehouse. The Corn Maze at the Butterfly House this year features more than seven miles of corn mazes in elaborate designs. The mazes are spread out over 16 corn fields. It is open for viewing 5-10 p.m. Thursdays, 5 p.m.-midnight Friday, noon-midnight Saturdays, and noon-8 p.m. Sundays. Costs are $8 for anyone older than 10, $7 for children between 6 and 9, and seniors older than 65. Information: 419-350-9640 or whitehousecornmaze.com.

Contact RoNeisha Mullen atrmullen@theblade.com or 419-724-6133.