Connecticut
Nature|Wildlife & Farms

Pick Your Own Strawberries At This Charming Farm Hiding In Connecticut

Brown's Harvest Family Farm in Connecticut offers a delightful u-pick experience for strawberries and hosts various family-friendly events.

Published May 30, 2023

Written by 

Lisa Sammons

The warm months are a magical time in the Nutmeg State. From water parks to swimming holes, it can feel like there's no end to the summer attractions in Connecticut. One of the most popular activities during the spring and summer months are some of the many u-pick farms in Connecticut. If you've never been to one, it's basically exactly what it sounds like: a farm where you get the joy of harvesting your own fruits, vegetables, or flowers. It's such a fun activity, and it's educational for kids to learn where their food comes from. One of our favorite u-pick farms around is Brown's Harvest Family Farm in Windsor, CT. This place is an absolute delight, and in the summer months, you can pick your own strawberries in Connecticut here.

Brown's Harvest Family Farm has been in the same family for six generations. The farm's 56-acre plot is right up the road from the original farm that was founded by the family in the 1860s.

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Brown's Harvest/Facebook

The farm is well-known locally for its flower sales and farm stand, where you can purchase freshly-grown goodies.

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Brown's Harvest/Facebook

Brown's Harvest also hosts family events throughout the year, including fall and spring festivals, "touch a truck" events, and more.

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Brown's Harvest/Facebook

Over the years, a variety of crops have been grown here. Currently, there are offerings available during fall, spring, and summer.

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Brown's Harvest/Facebook

If you're interested in the strawberries, they typically come into season in early June and are only available for a few weeks.

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Brown's Harvest

Brown's offers both pick-your-own or pre-packaged quarts. If you'd like to pick your own, you're given a tray to select your berries in, and after your trip through the patch, your produce is weighed and you're charged by the pound.

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Brown's Harvest

There are plenty of fun events scheduled here, especially in the warm months. It's a great family-friendly outing that everyone can enjoy.

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Brown's Harvest

For more information about Brown's Harvest Family Farm, check out the Brown's Harvest website or farm's Facebook page. Make sure to check out the calendar of events for upcoming festivals.

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Nature|Wildlife & Farms

Check Out The Connecticut Farm Where You Can Pet Alpacas And Purchase Their Yarn

Published Aug 9, 2024

Written by 

Lisa Sammons

I'm definitely an animal lover, and I know I'm not alone. Many of us have pets and enjoy checking out zoos and farms in Connecticut, especially if you've got younger kids that enjoy seeing critters. If you're looking for an animal encounter with some unique creatures, you might want to check out Roaring Acres in Suffield, CT. This farm near Hartford is home to alpacas, a South American member of the camel family that's raised for their fibers. A visit to this alpaca farm near Hartford, CT is quite the adorable way to spend an afternoon. Check it out:

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Alpacas resemble llamas, but they are a good bit smaller and have softer hair that's perfect for creating wool winterwear.

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Roaring Acres Alpacas

They also tend to have friendlier dispositions than their llama relatives, making a visit to an alpaca farm a fun adventure for the whole family.

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Lori Cocca/Google Reviews

Roaring Acres Alpacas is situated on 30 acres and has a variety of livestock on site.

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Jessica Torres/Google Reviews

During the farm's set public hours, visitors are able to feed and interact with these adorable creatures.

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Roaring Acres Alpacas/Facebook

You'll also find fun events held throughout the year, like painting classes and holiday celebrations.

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Roaring Acres Alpacas/Facebook

There's even an on-site boutique shop where you can purchase socks, scarves, and more made from the alpacas that live here.

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Roaring Acres Alpacas/Facebook

Next time you need to get out of the city a bit and enjoy a fun animal encounter, pay a visit to Roaring Acres Alpacas for some fun alpaca therapy.

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Michael Carroll/Google Reviews

Note that Roaring Acres Alpacas is open for visits at select dates and times. Make sure to check out all the rules for a visit before heading out. You can learn more about this alpaca farm near Hartford, CT from the Roaring Acres Alpacas website or Roaring Acres Alpacas Facebook page.

Not able to make it out to the farm right now but want to purchase some alpaca wool goods? Check out Roaring Acres Alpacas on Etsy!

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Nature|Wildlife & Farms

Here Are The 6 Absolute Best Pumpkin Patches In Connecticut To Enjoy In 2024

Discover some of the best pumpkin patches in Connecticut for fall family fun.

Updated Aug 1, 2024

Written by 

Lisa Sammons

A Pumpkin patch in Connecticut is connected to many other seasonal reminders. Those first few crisp mornings, the earliest tinges of leaf changes, the appearance of pumpkin spice flavors on the menu: ah, fall in Connecticut! Is there anything better? I don't know about you, but as soon as Labor Day is done, I start thinking about fall festivals and pumpkin patches near me. If you're hunting for some of the best pumpkin patches in Connecticut, we've got some great ones you'll want to check out this year.

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1. Jones Family Farms at Pumpkinseed Hill Farm: Shelton

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Gloria H/Tripadvisor

Jones Family Farms is one of the biggest names in farming in Connecticut. With strawberries, blueberries, wine, Christmas trees, and more grown here, it's no surprise that the farm offers one of the best pumpkin patches near Bridgeport, CT. The farm's opening weekend for pumpkin picking is typically in late September, and the season runs daily through Halloween.

2. Jesse Lee Pumpkin Patch: Ridgefield

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Jesse Lee Pumpkin Patch/Facebook

The Jesse Lee Pumpkin Patch is a little different than some of the others on this list, because it's located at a church instead of a farm. The pumpkins you'll select from are actually shipped in from New Mexico, where they're grown without pesticides on a Navajo reservation. This place has been a mainstay of fall in Connecticut and in Ridgefield for more than 30 years. The pumpkin patch is open through October. You can get more information from the Jesse Lee Church website.

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3. Castle Hill Farm: Newtown

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Castle Hill Farm/Facebook

Castle Hill Farm has been family-operated for five generations. The fall season here has a pumpkin patch, a seven-acre corn maze, hayrides, and more. There's nothing like the thrill of picking your own pumpkins, and this is one of the best pumpkin patches near Stamford. Check out the Castle Hill Farm website for all the exciting details.

4. Blue Jay Orchards: Bethel

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Blue Jay Orchards

Blue Jay Orchards is a 122-acre property that's been open for more than 70 years, offering some of the best things to do in Connecticut in the fall. Peruse the farmers market where you can pick pre-picked pumpkins, or enjoy pick-your-own in the patch. Find out more from the Blue Jay Orchards website.

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5. Angevine Farm: Warren

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Angevine Farm

Angevine Farm has been operating since 1868, offering a variety of opportunities for fun depending on the season. The Harvest Barn Gift Shop and pick-your-own pumpkin patch opens the weekend of Sept. 21 and 22, 2024. Different pumpkins, gourds, and winter squashes are available here, giving you a wide variety of colors and sizes to choose from. Learn more on the Angevine Farm website.

6. The Pickin' Patch: Avon

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The Pickin' Patch/Facebook

The Pickin' Patch offers good, old-fashioned family fun. It's a small, family-owned farm that typically has hayrides, apples, pumpkins, and more in the fall. It's an adorable little spot that's one of the best pumpkin patches near Simsbury, CT. Find out more from the The Pickin' Patch Facebook page.

A visit to a pumpkin patch in Connecticut is one of the best parts of fall. Did we miss your favorite one?  Share your annual must-visit spot in the comments!

If you enjoy traveling through the beautiful state, consider this fall foliage road trip in Connecticut. And for some tips, visit our Road Trip Essentials Packing List before hitting the road for all your autumn adventures.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/connecticut/fall-foliage-drive-ct/

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