Family friendly Fazio Farms is fun

If you’re looking for a family-friendly corn maze, Fazio Farms has fun for kids and adults.

Located in Northeast Portland at 8433 NE 13th Ave., Fazio Farms may be a bit of a drive, but it is closer than the Sauvie Island mazes and you’re sure to avoid large crowds.

Walking onto the facility, I couldn’t help notice a massive farm tractor with an even larger wagon attached rolling around the facilities. I discovered the wagon’s interior was lined with hay bales covering up bench seating, making it a hayride. If you’re looking for a slow trip around the facilities, then this is an option. Of course, you could always just walk.

The corn maze itself is just as massive as the tractor. With stalks rising well above my 6′ tall head, it was difficult to see anything beyond the twilight sky and a couple of radio towers.

What is lovable about the simple 6.5-acre maze is the serenity. Wandering at a leisurely pace, with only a few other visitors in the maze, the sounds of the hayride in the distance and the blue twilight sky, this maze left me at peace with my thoughts. With 1.72 miles of path, it’s a healthy little walk, too.

It is a good idea to bring your phone. The staff gives you a phone number to call in case you get lost. If your phone has a flashlight feature, it can come in handy, too.

There were a couple of downsides to the maze. I wish I had brought my boots; it was muddy, even on a sunny day, and there were times when I could smell the petting zoo in the evening breeze.

Fazio Farms also has a maze just for the kids. With hay bales stacked three-bales high, kids can wander around and climb while their parents can see them in the maze at all times.

For animal lovers, John Hoefker, a real cowboy who said he’s been “cowboying” for 40 years, will assist you with the pony rides. There is also the aforementioned petting zoo with a llama, a pig, a cow, a goat and several chickens.

Other activities include a bouncy slide, a carnival swing and a ferris wheel. The mechanical rides are on a very small scale with only four carts on the ferris wheel.

All of the activities require a token-based entry fee. The tokens can be purchased at a hut as you enter the grounds.

Fazio Farms Corn Maze is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The maze closes after Halloween.

For more information, check out the Fazio Farm website at faziofarms.com.