Fruit Ridge Hayrides are Accessible & They’ve got a Corn Maze, Too
Fruit Ridge Hayrides is ready for fall fun in West Michigan!
Grab your family and head to Kent City to explore all they have to offer.
Kent City is a quick drive from the greater Grand Rapids area. It’ll take you down scenic country roads that are sure to be colorful in the fall months.
Located just 30 minutes northwest of Grand Rapids, this scenic, 130-year-old family-run farm is loaded with farm activities.
They offer draft horse-drawn hayrides (that are wheelchair accessible!), a giant corn maze, pony rides, and a pig train or “fire engine” ride.
You can also pick over 12 different varieties of apples, choose a pumpkin for your front porch, and grab a treat from their donut barn.
I’m not sure you can really soak up all Michigan fall has to offer without a cup of hot cider and a fresh donut, so bring a few extra dollars for the full experience!
Open weekends from mid-September through October. Private groups by reservation only during the week.
Home of the Iconic Belgian Draft Horses
Fruit Ridge hayrides got its reputation from the majestic Belgian horses that power their hayrides. People come from miles around to see these beautiful creatures at work.
If you’re looking for an old-fashioned horse drawn hayride, Fruit Ridge Hayrides is the farm for you.
All of the hayrides are wheelchair accessible and start out at the barn, journey down through wooded trails and then back up through the orchard.
Hayrides leave the barn every 15-20 minutes and last approximately 40 minutes.
Fall hayrides are open to the public during regular operating hours or by reservation for groups of 20 or more for private events.
$10 per person ($17 combo with corn maze); Children 2 and under free.
Bonus: these guys offer sleigh rides, too!
Get Your Massive Pumpkins Here…Or Ones You Can Still Carry to the Car!
Choose the perfect pumpkin in the pumpkin patch, then weigh it in the barn to see if you can set a new record for the largest pumpkin! The scenery here is also great for photo ops.
Huge pumpkins are available from mid-September through October. Availability is dependent on weather conditions.
Pumpkins and squash are available pre-picked or u-pick.
You will find bright orange pumpkins of every size in the patch. Average size is 20 – 45 lbs!
U-Pick open September 21 – October 27, 2024, Sat – Sun only. (And in October, Fridays 5-9 PM.)
Monday – Thursday for groups by reservation only.
Their Mega Corn Maze Comes With GPS Positioning
Ready to take on the most advanced and challenging corn maze in Western Michigan? Yes?!
Then you’ll want to tackle the 10-acre Big Top.
Interactive games are incorporated into the maze making it fun, challenging, and educational for all ages, including Finger Funnies.
Finger painting with a “Funnies” twist – Decorate each finger of your right hand with a different color from 5 different stations hidden within the maze. Then, find your finger color match on the hand chart to find out what you need to do next!
Bonus: Fruit Ridge Hayrides’s innovative smartphone app called Maze Tracker uses GPS positioning to pinpoint and follow your exact location in the maze. Simply enter your email address and follow the prompts to ensure that you never get lost again!
Two mazes for the price of one? Yes, please!
Your admission is good for the 10-acre Challenge Corn Maze AND the family-friendly Mini Corn Maze. At approximately 1 acre, this maze is great for younger explorers not quite ready for the Giant Corn Maze. Older participants can experience both mazes!
Check their website and Facebook page to find out when Flashlight nights will be happening this year.
Maze Cost – $8 per person or $17 combo ticket with hayride
Maze Opening Date – Sept 21, 2024
Fruit Ridge’s Apple Orchard Allows for Littles to Reach the Fruit
The trees are just the right height for little ones to help with the picking!
There are so many varieties to choose from. You can mix and match your bag or stick to one variety.
Varieties include Honeycrisp, Fuji, Golden & Red Delicious, Jonathan, Empire and Rome. Check their website for full list and availability.
U-Pick open September 21 – October 27, 2024, Sat & Sun only in September. Also open Friday evenings in October.
Monday – Thursday for groups by reservation only.
Kids Love Donuts & Cider at the Mini Picnic Tables and Cozy Campfire
Fruit Ridge Hayrides aims to have reasonably priced goodies.
Enjoy freshly-made apple spice donuts, hot cider and caramel corn for a very fall-esque treat. But you can also get nachos, hot dogs and regular popcorn from their Donut Barn.
Parents will appreciate the kid-sized picnic tables right beside the grown-up ones.
(Or even better, enjoy your snacks by a cozy campfire in the evenings.)
Farm Animals & Play Area
Free play attractions include the Children’s Play Area, SandBox, Straw Pile and Goofy Graveyard.
Let your little ones have a blast on the pony rides (weight limit: 100 lbs), unique pig train, and farm-themed play structure. (Play area is free, pony rides and pig train have a fee.)
While you’re there, enjoy the big open lawn area with fire pits.
You can also feed and pet llamas, Tony and Tim the miniature horses, chickens, and the many other animal friends hanging out around the farm.
Fruit Ridge Hayrides Market & Hours
Find farm fresh fall produce at the market including pumpkins, apples, gourds, squash, cider by the gallon and fall decorations.
Before you leave, be sure and stop by the barn to let your kids (aged 5 and under) find a hidden prize in the “Witch’s Corn Kettle.”
Open to the public September 21 – October 27, 2024.
Friday: 5 PM – 9 PM (October only)
Saturday: 10 AM – 9 PM
Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM
Call to inquire about bringing pets.
