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Posts Tagged ‘Farms’

20+ Adorable Farms & Petting Zoos: Pet & Play With Animals

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Think a fun day would be an adventure with your family to a farm or petting zoo near you? It’s hard to resist a photo of your child petting or interacting with a cute animal at a farm or petting zoo.

I know what you are thinking, “are there any petting zoos near me?”

Yes! There are quite a few! We’ve pulled together a huge list of petting zoos and farms where you can interact with animals. These farms and petting zoos are located near Greenville, SC, in Western North Carolina, Northern Georgia, as well as in Charlotte, NC, and Columbia, SC. So wherever you are, find a petting zoo near you, or a farm that makes a great day trip.

Petting zoos and farms in Greenville, SC

Our list includes places open year-round places to pet animals, plus seasonal farms, and mobile and event-based petting zoos. We have tried to make sure these are places that treat their animals kindly and with respect as well. If we missed any, let us know in the comments.

Is There a Petting Zoo Near Me?

Yes, there probably is a petting zoo on this list near you! Use the links below to navigate this list by location.

View Petting Zoos and Farms by Location:
Petting Zoo: Greenville, SC
Petting Zoo: Western North Carolina
Petting Zoo: Columbia, SC
Petting Zoo: Charlotte, NC
Petting Zoo: Northern Georgia
Seasonal Petting Zoos in the Carolinas
Mobile Petting Zoos Serving Upstate, SC

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10 Places to See Cute Baby Animals Near Greenville, SC

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Raise your hand if you love baby animals? We do! There are lots of great places in Greenville to not only see and cuddle with baby animals, but make it a learning experience for the whole family. Here are some great local farms and sites where you’ll find baby animals and a whole lot more!

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Winchester Creek Farm: Meet Alpacas and Feed Mini-Horses at This Farm

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Love alpacas and mini-animals? Take a trip to Winchester Creek Farm in Waynesville, NC for a fun day trip with your family!

Media tickets were provided for this review, which was updated in December 2022.

The drive up to Winchester Creek Farm in Waynesville, NC is probably worth the trip alone. The beautiful scenery of mountain peaks and valleys, eventually wind their way to the feet of the Smoky Mountains, where the farm is situated. Winchester Creek Farm, about a 90-minute trip from the South Carolina Upstate, has alpacas and many miniature animals like cows, horses, and donkeys, as well as super fluffy sheep and an adorable little Juliana pig. 

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Hayride, Adorable Animals, Night Corn Maze, and Farm Fun Await at Famoda Farm

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October means FallFest at family-owned Famoda Farm in Taylors! It’s their first season so we went and checked it out so you can have all the details on how to have a wonderful day with your family at the farm.

The address for the FarmFest at Famoda Farm is 3 Camp Creek Road Ext, Taylors. We normally don’t start stories with the address of the place we visited but there are a few different addresses associated with this place so take note. OK, onto the fun! 

Famoda Farm is a super cute place that has adorable animals, including calves you can bottle feed, a play area, and amazing ice cream. If you follow us regularly, you know this! What you may not know is that the farm is hosting their first ever FallFest through the end of October which is just perfect for a day of family fun. If you and your kids love hayrides, corn mazes, old-school playgrounds and toys, cute animals, and slides, this is the place for you. 

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Spend A Fall Day At Stewart Farms In Enoree, South Carolina

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Have you visited Stewart Farms in Enoree, SC? This family-owned farm has an off-the-vine u-pick pumpkin patch in the fall that is charming and so much fun! The farm is perfect for a family outing because of the number of family-friendly activities there are to enjoy! We ventured off to Enoree, SC to explore the pumpkin patch, enjoy a hay ride through the woods, and get lost in a corn maze to see just how much fun you can fit into a day at Stewart Farms!

Stewart Farms

Arriving at Stewart Farms

Stewart Farms is located in Enoree, SC, about 40 minutes from downtown Greenville. Once you arrive, you will pass the market to your right. The market store is where you will pay for the activities you participated in or for the pumpkins you picked. However, you pay when you are leaving the farm, not before. An attendant will give you a sheet of paper with all the activities available down on the farm, and they will be marked off as you go through your day. Some tips before you arrive include:

  • Bring hats, sunscreen, or even a sunshade umbrella. The pumpkin patch and corn maze get hot, even in the fall, and do not have shade. 
  • Parking is free, and is located near the pumpkin patch entrance.
  • There are plenty of shaded picnic tables, so you can bring your own lunch if you would like, or concessions are available to purchase. 
  • Strollers are recommended for younger children, but we recommend a carrier for babies and toddlers for the wagon ride so you’re not having to hold them still the entire ride.
  • There are port-o-potties on site.  
  • Stewart Farms has a strict no-pet policy.

The U-Pick Pumpkin Patch

When you walk up to the pumpkin patch, you will be greeted by an attendant who will offer a wagon and sheers to cut your pumpkin off the vine with. Take the wagon! You will need it for the pumpkin collecting you are about to embark on, and it makes things so much easier. The farm has pumpkins of varying shapes and sizes located throughout dozens of rows, so you can choose what works for your fall decor or Halloween decorating ideas. If the rows near the entrance are a little lackluster, head to the back of the patch where there are usually more pumpkins available.

Pumpkins cost $0.60 per lb. Once you’re finished picking your pumpkins, the attendant will weigh your pumpkins and mark your slip of paper to turn into the farm market for payment, and you can haul your pumpkins to your car using the wagon. Remember, do not cut a pumpkin off the vine if you do not plan to buy it. Also, be mindful of the vines when cutting yours off. Keep the patch happy so everyone can enjoy it. The patch closes at dark, so make sure you arrive in time to explore it!

The SC Corn Maize

Ready to get lost in the corn? The Stewart Farms corn maze is a welcome challenge for families to enjoy together. The 2022 maize can be challenging, so make sure you allot enough time to enjoy it. If you have young children, we definitely recommend taking a stroller or personal wagon through the maze, those little legs will get tired. It costs $8.00 for ages 6 and older to go through the 2022 “Old Blue” Corn Maze. 

Wagon Rides

The wagon ride through Stewart Farms is charming, making it one of our favorite activities. The wagon is tractor led and pulls a large trailer with seats and gates. The majority of the wagon ride is through the woods, where you can look for fall decorations, Halloween displays, and old farm equipment while taking in the earthy smells, leaves changing color, and cooler weather. The wait to get on the wagon can take some time on busy days, but most of the line forms in the shade and the ride itself is worth it! The wagon ride takes about 25 minutes to complete, so make sure your kids take a snack and bathroom break beforehand. The wagon ride costs $5 per person and is free for children 2 and under.

Nighttime Activities

If you’re looking for some spooky activities to go along with your trip to Stewart Farms, then make sure to go in the evening! The farm offers several nights in October where you can take a Nightime Wagon Ride or explore the Big Boo Haunted Maize. The wagon ride ventures through the woods where you will see lit jack-o-lanterns and spooky Halloween scenes and decorations. The Big Boo Haunted Maize is family-friendly, but it does get a little creepy in the maize at night so it is only recommended for ages 6 and older. The night activities begin at sundown and go on until 10 pm (gates close at 9, farm closes at 10).

Farm Animals to Visit

Stewart Farms has a small section of farm animals that your kids will love visiting. The goats are the most interactive, and the attendant will give your kids some hay to feed them through their enclosure. There are also ducks, pigs, and a cow to meet.

Stewart Farms

The Courtyard and Concessions

Located at the center of the farm is the courtyard. There are snowcones for purchase from Brain Freeze and a concessions truck that sells food, sweet treats, drinks, and more. There are also 12 shaded picnic tables to enjoy your food at, or you can snag one of the standing shaded tables as well. The courtyard is the perfect place to rest and let your kids get their energy out and run around the field. There are also several photo opportunity spots lined along the cornfields. The Bee Barn is also located in the courtyard, and is a fascinating way to watch the bees maintain their hive!

Stop, Park, and Pay Before you Leave

Unlike some places where you pay beforehand, Stewart Farms has you enjoy the farm activities before paying. Once you leave the activity area and drive out of the parking lot, you will head back to the market store you pass when you first entered. Remember to stop, park, and pay! This is where you will pay for the pumpkins you purchased, and any other activities you engaged in down on the farm. You can also stock up on local goods, home decor, and seasonal flowers at the market before you leave the farm.

2022 Fall Season Admission Costs and Hours

The season runs from September 24th – October 30th

  • Fridays 4 – 10 pm (Gates close at 9 pm)
  • Saturdays 10 am – 10 pm (Gates close at 9 pm)
  • Sundays 1 – 7 pm (Gates close at 6 pm)
  • Monday – Thursday CLOSED
  • MAiZE
    $8 person plus plus tax – ages 6 and up / 5 and under FREE
    Last ticket sold 1 hour before closing
  • Wagon Ride
    $5 per person plus tax / 2 and under FREE
    The last daytime wagon ride departs at 6:30
  • Big Boo Haunted Maize
    $12 per person plus tax for anyone ages 6 and up (October 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, & 29 only) 
    Big Boo is family-friendly, but not recommended for kids under 6
  • Nighttime Wagon Rides
    $7 plus tax for anyone ages 2 and up. (October 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, & 29 only)
    The last nighttime wagon ride departs at 9:30
    *Prices are subject to change.
Painted Hay rolls at Stewart Farms

Have you visited Stewart Farms?

Stewart Farms
6600 Highway 92, Enoree
864.969.7270

Want more fall fun? Check out our Fall Guide to Greenville | Pumpkin Patches in Greenville | Corn Mazes in Greenville

McLadke Orchards: Family Farm with Piglet Mascot, Hayride, Pumpkin Patch, and Apple Slingshot

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Do you want to visit McLadke Orchards for some fall fun? This adorable family farm in Seneca, SC, only an hour from Greenville, SC, has pumpkins, a hay ride, maze, apple slingshots, and adorable animals. We are here to tell you all about it!

I was tripping over myself as soon as I opened my car door at McLadke Orchards in Seneca, SC because I saw an adorable piglet running in front of the farm store. I could not get out of my car fast enough to try to catch this adorable animal. I nearly melted into a puddle. Then I saw the cute little calf named Romeo just waiting for some treats and pets next to the farm store. What was this place?! 

Well, it’s a family farm and it is so cute. They’ve opened up the farm for visitors for the first time this fall and I honestly would have been there sooner if I had known about the cute little piglet, which doesn’t even have a name yet. Visitors can write a name and drop it in a bowl for the grand naming at the end of October.

McLadke Orchards is the perfect place for a day trip to enjoy a hayride, pumpkin patch, that cute little piglet, feeding animals, slingshotting apples, and making those precious family memories we are all after. 

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Fall Fun for the Whole Family at Strawberry Hill

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If you’re looking for something fun to do with your family this fall in the Greenville-Spartanburg area, Strawberry Hill Cooley Farms needs to be on your list. In fact, it should probably be on your bucket list every year. Strawberry Hill and Cooley Farms have been family owned and operated since 1947, and they truly understand and value families. With a cafe, ice cream shop, and produce stand of fresh pumpkins, jellies, jams, corn, and more, you’ll find plenty to satisfy your cravings. Plus, the hay ride and corn maze provide more than enough entertainment and memory-making for a couple of hours.

We visited one late morning in September and quickly discovered we weren’t the only ones who found this local gem. We wandered around the Shed, took plenty of photos, and went on the hay ride. If you’re thinking of visiting Strawberry Hill Cooley Farms, I’ve compiled lots of info and details for you below, including some extra tips before you go.

Strawberry Hill Pumpkins

The Cafe and Ice Cream Parlor at Strawberry Hill

While we personally didn’t visit the cafe or ice cream parlor during our trip, it was PACKED and had a long line out front. Clearly, it is popular with families around the Upstate. The ice cream parlor has 32 flavors of freshly churned ice cream made with fruit straight from the farm. The cafe serves breakfast and lunch and has a variety of items to choose from. Breakfast is served until 11 am.

The Shed at Strawberry Hill

We parked at the Shed, and our toddler was immediately excited about all the pumpkins she could see from the car. Strawberry Hill has a large variety of pumpkins in all shapes, colors, and sizes to choose from. Not to mention their large supply of jellies, jams, boiled peanuts, and other snacks. They even had 3 flavors of slushies while we were there: Apple, Blackberry, and Peach. We grabbed a Peach Slushie to enjoy on our hay ride. It was delicious!

Strawberry Hill Shed in Chesnee

If you wander outside of the Shed covering, you’ll discover more pumpkins and some other fun things to bide your time. You’ll find a couple of tractors, a swing, and stacks of hay bales and pumpkins that are styled for the perfect fall photo op.

Strawberry Hill store

The Hay Ride at Strawberry Hill

If you want to go on one of the hay rides, purchase your tickets in the Shed. Each ticket includes one pumpkin from the pumpkin patch that you’ll visit on the hay ride. We weren’t really sure what to expect, but we’re glad we went on it!

Once you purchase your ticket, you’ll wait until your group is called, and then you’ll board the wagon. Don’t worry about getting itchy by sitting on bales of hay—Strawberry Hill has cleverly covered the hay bales in plastic for your comfort.

Strawberry Hill farm animals

The tractor and wagon will take you through Strawberry Hill’s property, giving you fun facts along the way. (Fun fact we learned: they plant their strawberries by hand every single year! This was mind-blowing to me because their strawberry field is massive).

Strawberry Hill play space on the hay ride

While on the hay ride, you’ll see cows and get the chance to feed them a little treat! Then, the tractor will drop you off at an exclusive area that’s only accessible for those who hop on the hay ride. You’ll find more farm animals to pet (Queen Victoria, the farm’s pig, was a big hit!), a sandbox, seesaws, a variety of games, several large slides, the pumpkin patch, and (new this year!) a giant Jumping Pillow! 

Strawberry Hill in the fall

Once you and your kids are done playing, you can hop back on a wagon to head back to the Shed.

The Corn Maze at Strawberry Hill

Strawberry Hill has 3 corn mazes: two larger ones and one kiddie maze. The two larger corn mazes take 20-30 minutes to complete, and the kiddie maze takes about 20 minutes. While they have offered the maze during the evening in the past, they are not offering night mazes in 2022.

Corn maze at Strawberry Hill

Admission Cost & Hours for Strawberry Hill

Hayride Only

  • Cost: $15 per person over 2 years old
  • September 2022 Hours:
    • Saturdays 10 am – 5 pm
    • Sundays 12 pm – 5 pm
    • *Last wagons load at 5 pm
  • October 2022 Hours (last day is October 30th):
    • Fridays 1 pm – 5 pm (October 14th, 21st, and 28th only)
    • Saturdays 9 am – 5 pm
    • Sundays 11 am – 5 pm
    • *Last wagons load at 5 pm

Corn Maze Only

  • Cost: $9 per person over 3 years old
  • Hours: Monday – Sunday 10 am – 6 pm
    • *Last corn maze entry at 6 pm

Hayride & Corn Maze Combo Ticket

  • $18 per person over 3 years old (Combo tickets for 2-year-olds will only pay for the hayride)

Tips for Visiting Strawberry Hill

  • Wear closed-toe shoes if you plan on visiting the Corn Maze and/or go on a hay ride. It’s sandy, dirty, and—well, there are farm animals.
  • If you plan on going on the hay ride, dress your kids in play clothes and not their Sunday best. Between the large sandbox, slides, and petting zoo, they’re bound to get dirty.
  • Use the restroom before you go on the hay ride.
  • Be prepared for lines and a wait at the Cafe and Ice Cream Parlor.
  • Keep in mind that no pets are allowed on the hay ride or at the corn maze.

Strawberry Hill Cooley Farms

Strawberry Hill Shed at Cooley Farms
3097 Hwy 11 W, Chesnee
Sunday-Saturday 8 am – 8 pm

Strawberry Hill Cafe & Ice Cream
3092 Hwy 11 W, Chesnee
Cafe Hours: Monday-Saturday 6 am – 2:30 PM
Ice Cream Hours: Monday – Wednesday 11 am – 7 pm, Thursday – Sunday 11 am – 8 pm

Check out our Fall Guide to Greenville | Pumpkin Patches in Greenville | Corn Mazes in Greenville

Denver Downs is the One Farm To Put On Your Don’t Miss List This Fall–Plus a Giveaway!

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If you adore fall, you may be planning a visit to a local farm with activities your whole family will love. One of our favorite farms is Denver Downs Farm, which offers a huge corn maze, a jumping pillow, a zip line and much more. We’ll give you the details on all the activities they will be offering this season!

Special thanks to Denver Downs for sponsoring a GIVEAWAY! By entering the giveaway below, your family gets a chance at a FREE Family 4-pack of tickets!

This article includes:
Enter the Denver Downs Giveaway for a FREE Family 4 Pack of Tickets!
The Corn Maze at Denver Downs
Things to Do at Denver Downs
Plan Your Visit to Denver Downs
Fall Weekend Themes at Denver Downs

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Visit Farms and Win Prizes with the SC Agritourism Passport Program

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Looking for a fun way to explore our state’s different sources of plant- and animal-based products? The South Carolina Agritourism Passport Program is an incentive program where people can earn free goodies for visiting places that are probably already on your to-do list! The good news is there are nearly two dozen farms not far from Greenville and Spartanburg. Visiting farms is more than a fun, family activity; it’s also a field trip-worthy educational opportunity! 

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