Down south on Route 48, is a great little place

Hay! Hay! Hay! Food, fun and fall flavors await you at The Hidden Valley Fruit Farm. Just a few minutes south of Centerville on State Rout 48, Hidden Valley is the perfect place for a family Food Adventure, especially for little ones. You can find pies to petting zoos, and scarecrows to strawberry jams. They even have hay rides, pick your own apples and more. We have great memories of coming here as kids. This farm store is a perfect place to spend time with your loved onesand experience the sights and sniffs of the Fall season.

HERE’S THE SKINNY on HIDDEN VALLEY FRUIT FARM:

Caramel Apples, anyone ?

—For over 60 years, located at 5474 OH-48, Lebanon, OH 45036 just a few minutes south of Centerville.

—10am – 6pm Sunday through Wednesday and 10am – 7pm Thursday – Saturday

— Fun attractions include: Hayrides, pick your our pumpkin, pick your own apples, a gift shop in the 150 year old barn, an ice cream shop, and a petting zoo. There is “so much room for activities”

Pumpkins Galore

— The Country Store is in a 150 year old barn. It features a gift shop, a bakery, a produce area, grocery items and coffees.

— The small restaurant is open Wednesday to Saturday, and features an $8.99 lunch for a pulled-pork sandwich and two sides – choices are potato salad, corn-on-the-cob, or baked beans.

— They grow 38 different kind of apple varieties.

There are literally hundreds of choices, local squash, fruit jams and so much more. Over the years we have tried dozens of items. Here are some of our favorites that have lasted from the 1970’s. Without further delay.. we present our MUST EATS !

MUST EATS at HIDDEN VALLEY FRUIT FARM:

Fritters, Cider and Apples….

— GALLON OF APPLE CIDER: Hidden Valley Fruit Farm is one of the only farms in Ohio that still prepares its apple cider the old-fashioned way. Not from concentrate, their cider is pressed from select apples out of their own orchards. The cider goes from orchard, to press, to bottle, then straight to the refrigerators. Their is no homogenization, no pasteurization, and no additives or preservatives. The best cider ever in the Big Ragu’s opinion. Maybe it is the nostalgia, but he has never tasted anything like it.

— PUMPKIN DONUTS: Small, sugary and delicious. We have been enjoying these for decades. Get a few extra, they seem to disappear into hungry mouths on the way to the car.

Local Honey

— GALA APPLES: OK, so they have 38 different kinds of apples… One of our favorites is the sweet Gala apples grown on site. There are so many others, some good for baking, others good for eating. All of them local, right off the trees and delicious.

— APPLE FRITTERS: These are huge. They are sweet, glazed and delicious. So sweet in fact, that they are guaranteed to attract a bee or two if eaten outside. Made fresh, they melt in your mouth and go great with a glass of milk.

— LOCAL NATURAL RAW HONEY: There are so many uses for this wonderful product. From a drop in your tea, to drizzling over cereal, this honey is fantastic. On toast or a spoonful from the jar, it is a wonderful treat. Did you know that consuming local honey helps guard against allergies to local plants? It is true with all natural honeys and the area they are produced.

38 varities of apples

— CARAMEL APPLES WITH NUTS: Nice sized apples dipped in a thick caramel coating, with the bottom half rolled in chopped peanuts. The result is everything you could ever want from a salty and sweet treat. Sinful? You bet… If you want to go big, they have a “Thriller” apple which is the deluxe chocolate added treat. Although they are great, we stay old school here and prefer the original.

Honorable Mention: The Homemade Fudge. All flavors. It used to cause family squabbles in the car on our way back from Kings Island..

Gala apples – sweet things grown on their orchard

The Hidden Valley Fruit Farm is a throwback Food Adventure and a tribute to the old days. Rural America eats and treats, and simple pleasures like a fall Hay ride.

Find the peace and calm of a brisk Autumn day, and visit this local treasure. There is still time to grab a pumpkin before Halloween, and this is the perfect spot to scope one out. See you near the corn stalks, inside the barn….

Are you a Dayton Foodie? Then follow us on Facebook by clicking here, and find your paradise. The Big Ragu, Chef House and Hungry Jax are just a click away.

Please enjoy the sights of Fall at Hidden Valley Fruit Farm by browsing our photos below.