FOR A FULL DAY OF FAMILY FUN IN AUTUMN, NOTHING BEATS A TRIP TO A FARM OR AGRITOURISM DESTINATION.
Agritourism is a growing interest for so many travelers and for good reason — you get all the fun of a farm, with none of the hard work or mess! Whether you prefer to pick-your-own produce, get to know some friendly farm animals up close and personal, or just tour the places where our food is lovingly grown, farm visits and agritourism are a wonderful way to get to know a destination on a deeper level.
That said, farm visits in the fall are particularly special. Harvest season brings unique sights and sounds. The corn rows have reached full height and are often the perfect place for a corn maze. Sunflower fields are in full bloom and beauty. Apple orchards are abuzz with families on the hunt for that one perfect apple. Pumpkin fields offer up their bounty to excited visitors, eager to carve that first jack-o-lantern of the fall.
Sound like your idea of a great time? Luckily, Livingston County is home to myriad farms where you can experience all this and more. Check out these “animal-ful” spots where you can see, hear, feel, and explore farm life up close and personal.
Where: Livonia, New York
Say hello to the goats that call Prometheus Farms home and then head inside to the farm market and café. You’ll discover a range of locally grown, produced and baked items that make the perfect snack for a bit of afternoon (or anytime) noshing, as well as products to take home for a tasty souvenir.
Where: Mt Morris, New York
Backyard Barnyard is a farm, petting zoo and fun center combined and all about families. Between getting to know the goats, llamas, pigs, donkeys and more, the kiddos will also enjoy lots of room to run and play, kid-friendly axe-throwing (yes, really!), a playground, special activities and other fun. The best part? Everything but concessions is included in the price of your ticket.
Where: Nunda, New York
If you’re in Nunda, and headed to the Finger Lakes Trail, Genesee Valley Greenway or Letchworth State Park, the Farmer’s Daughter’s Market makes a convenient stop along the way. There, you’ll not only find some friendly goats, but also locally produced food items to fuel some of your upcoming LivCo adventures.
Where: Livonia, New York
For a farm experience with a view, head to Hemlock Hills Alpaca Farm, where 75 acres overlook the Hemlock Valley. Meet the alpacas, hike the picturesque property and be sure to stop into the farm shop for alpaca products like rovings and yarns.
Where: Nunda, New York
Adjacent to Letchworth State Park, Letchworth Farm is an 88-acre equestrian estate. If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at riding, or if you’re already an accomplished rider, stop in and enjoy a scenic trail ride, which you can easily book on their website.
Can’t get enough of this beautiful property? Letchworth Farm also offers two guesthouses, outfitted with all the amenities you need to enjoy a relaxed and secluded stay in a peaceful environment.
Where: Caledonia, New York
This agritourism site comes with a side of history. The Caledonia Fish Hatchery isn’t just the oldest fish hatchery in New York — it’s the oldest fish hatchery in the entire Western Hemisphere. Established in 1864 by the Father of Fish Culture, Seth Green, the hatchery is still in operation today, raising approximately 170,000 pounds of trout per year as an important site for the global fish farming industry. Stop in, feed the fish, walk the nature trail, and learn more about the hatchery and Caledonia’s history overall at the Big Springs Museum, located just about a mile away.
Where: Nunda, New York
Nunda Ranch is a 50-acre horse ranch with trail rides ranging from easy to intense, but also riding lessons and barrel training, in case you want to level up your equestrian skills while on vacation.
If you still need to book your LivCo accommodations, the ranch house is available to rent and can easily fit up to 16 travelers, with its many bedrooms and amenities such as an indoor pool, hot tub, game room, and large outdoor living space. For those who don’t quite need a rental that can sleep 16, there’s also a small and cozily rustic cabin.
KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THE GOATS!
Beyond visiting these agritourism destinations throughout LivCo, keep an eye out for the goats, too — the yoga goats, that is. Many businesses around the country, such as breweries, host goat yoga sessions on a regular basis, where you can take part in some beginners’ yoga while getting to know some friendly, curious goats.
