The Niederman Family Farm also holds a Harvest Moon Maze and Farm Festival through Nov. 1, the highlight of which is a 22-acre corn maze. Other activities include horse-drawn hayrides to a pick-your-own pumpkin patch and, for large groups, evening bon fires. It's open Fridays 6 to 10 p.m., Saturdays 1 to 10 p.m. and Sundays 1 to 6 p.m. Tickets: $8, with children 5 and under free.

Across the Ohio River from Cincinnati is Hofbrauhaus Newport in Newport, Ky. (www.hofbrauhausnewport.com; 1-859-491-7200). This giant waterfront bier hall/bier garden is the first authentic Haufbrauhaus outside of Munich, German. That means waitresses in dirndls, German oompah bands and tasty Bavarian fare along with a nice selection of German lagers and wheat beers.

You might also consider a side trip to Lebanon, Ohio. This historic town (it was laid out in 1802) is a shopper's mecca, with dozens of antiques, fine art, jewelry, and gift shops to browse.

It's also a great place to grab lunch or a quiet dinner before or after paintball. Our wurst platter ($8.95) at the German-style Brotzeit Deli on East Mulberry Street was deliciously authentic.

Also worth checking out is The Golden Lamb at 27 S. Broadway, the oldest hotel and continuous business in Ohio.

Twelve presidents have visited this four-story brick inn built in 1803, including John Quincy Adams, Ulysses S. Grant, Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush. Even if you don't book one of its 18 rooms named for famous guests, it's fun to have a drink at the Black Horse Tavern. Or check out the museum rooms on the fourth floor for free: a recreation pantry, a retiring room and a child's bedroom named in honor of Sarah Stubbs, who lived at the inn in the 1800s and whose ghost is said to remain in the building.

Closer to home is German Village, a 233-acre "living" historic district just south of downtown Columbus. Laid out in 1814, it was revived in the 1960s after falling into terrible disrepair.

It's now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A visitor's center is located at the German Village Society Meeting Haus at 588 South Third St., and is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.