Most goats boast some pretty big personalities and love any attention that's showered on them. If you've never spent time hanging out with a goat or two, you really don't know what you're missing. For one of the coolest animal encounters around, plan a visit to Great Rock Farm in Massachusetts, home to some of the cutest goats you'll ever see.
The goats at Goat To Go, part of Great Rock Farm in Georgetown, work hard from Memorial Day through Labor Day, clearing brush and poison ivy for local businesses.
During their down time, however, they're cool as ice, sporting sunglasses, dressing up for Halloween, and welcoming guests to the farm for a little bit of one-on-one time.
The 40-minute event is jam-packed with fun. You can feed the goats, ask questions about them and their care, and perhaps best of all...snuggle with the goats. Can you think of anything better?
Have you spent time with the goats at Great Rock Farm in Massachusetts? Share your experience in the comments! Did you know that Massachusetts is home to a wolf sanctuary, too? Plan your visit to Wolf Hollow in Ipswich.
When my kids were small, we loved going to local farms to visit all of the animals. It was always extra special when we got to pet and feed the livestock. I loved watching the children's faces as they hesitantly put out their little hands full of feed. They would then burst into laughter as a goat or pig enthusiastically lapped up the offerings, tickling their hands in the process. These special memories fly by quickly, and I'm glad I got to experience these moments with my kids when they were young. If you and your littles are looking for a family-friendly farm where you can feed and pet the animals, Davis Farmland in Sterling is one of the best farms in Massachusetts to visit.
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Davis Farmland is geared specifically for children ages two to seven years old. It is the largest endangered livestock sanctuary on the continent! More than 100 breeds of animals reside here. You and the kids will have so many unique opportunities to get up close with lots of different animals.
Goats, camels, alpacas, cows, chickens, and llamas are just some of the animals you can interact with. Kids (and adults) will have so much fun feeding, grooming, and snuggling the various livestock, which typically includes some baby animals. There are even opportunities to ride the ponies.
But the fun doesn’t end here. Davis Farmland also has great outdoor play areas where kids can move and climb. The swings, jump pad, slides, sand area, and ride-on trucks are so much fun. Kids will also have a blast mining for gems, operating the child-sized excavator, and digging for dinosaur bones.
There is also a cool child-size village called MooTown where kids can let their imagination run wild as they explore a pretend pizza shop, vet clinic, and ice cream store.
In the warm months, the farm also has a wonderful Play and Spray area where everyone can cool off at the end of the day, There is an inflatable water slide, a spray pad, water cannons, and an area where you can get covered in a vat full of bubbles.
Davis Farmland is a cashless facility. Also, be aware that the farm is strictly for children under 12 years of age (with a caregiver). However, there are special days when it is open to all ages.
Have you been to Davis Farmland with your kids? Which other local farms do you enjoy visiting? You can find out more about this family-friendly farm at the Davis Farmland website and the Davis Farmland Facebook page. Great Brook Farm State Park in Carlisle and Drumlin Farm in Lincoln are two other local family-friendly farms worth a visit. If you are looking for a place to stay when visiting Davis Farmland, check out the Chocksett Inn and Restaurant, a cute little inn that is close to the farm.
Autumn has arrived and pumpkins are starting to pop up everywhere. What's not to love about this versatile fruit to be found at a pumpkin farm in Massachusetts? (And, yes, it really is a fruit!) You can bake it into a pie, display it on your porch, or carve it into a spooky Halloween jack-o-lantern. If you are on the lookout for a great place to pick your own perfect pumpkin, read on to discover the best pumpkin patches in Massachusetts in 2024. Many of these farms also offer an abundance of other fun autumn activities such as corn mazes and hayrides that are perfect to enjoy on a crisp fall afternoon.
If you are looking for a great "pumpkin patch near me" around Boston, you should definitely check out Belkin Family Lookout Farm in Natick. The farm also features a sunflower field, apple picking, farm animals, and a corn maze. There is a delicious outdoor restaurant on-site where you can have lunch and enjoy a farm-made cider or beer. More information about the Belkin Family Lookout Farm's hours of operation can be found on their website.
Did someone say pumpkins? Hanson’s Farm in Framingham has a huge selection of pick-your-own pumpkins as well as cut flowers and berries. The farm also features a corn maze, farmstand, and haunted hayrides. Pumpkins are available to pick from September to November. Visit the Hanson's Farm website for more details.
Ioka Valley Farm has been in operation since 1936. The farm’s pumpkin patch is open during fall weekends (Sept. 21 - Oct. 27, 2024) as well as on Columbus Day/Indigenous People’s Day. Families can pick their own pumpkins as well as enjoy a pumpkin slingshot game, a cow train ride, and a giant pumpkin house. It's one of the best pumpkin patches in Massachusetts! The family-run farm is located near Pittsfield. Please refer to the
Marini Fram in Ipswich has so many pumpkins of all different shapes and sizes. There are lots of fantastic photo opportunities at this North Shore pumpkin patch! But the fun doesn’t stop there. During fall weekends (starting Sept. 9) there are also corn mazes, a jump pillow, and a giant slide. Be sure to stop at the farm store for a cider donut (or two). They are some of the best donuts I have ever tasted! To find out more about the fun, please refer to the Marini Farm
How many pumpkins can you carry at once? Parlee Farms in Tyngsboro produces over 40,000 pumpkins of various sizes, so you may have difficulty choosing just one. Luckily, the farm also supplies carts for you to pull your pumpkins. Other farm activities include apple picking and visits with the farm’s animals. Please refer to the Parlee Farm website for information regarding picking times.
You can easily spend a whole day enjoying fall fun at Smolak Farms in North Andover. Pick your own pumpkin and then enjoy the farm’s fall festival weekends which feature live music, hay rides, apple picking, and delicious food and beer. Please visit the Smolak Farms website for more details on pumpkin-picking dates.
There are thousands of pumpkins to choose from at Verrill Farm in Concord, so you are sure to find the perfect one! Also, enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables and yummy bakery items from the farmstand. Pumpkins are available for picking during fall weekends. Please visit the Verrill Farm website for further details.
What is your favorite pumpkin farm in Massachusetts? Did yours make the list? Let us know!
Now that you have picked out the perfect pumpkin, you need to decide what to do with it. These easy-to-use face decals from Etsy can help you turn it into a festive Halloween jack-o-lantern. For more fall fun in Massachusetts, check out our list of some beautiful spots to see amazing autumn foliage and find out where you can find the best fall festivals of 2024.
