We have officially entered the lazy days of summer, when school is out and fun adventures are to be had.
Mark the calendar, pack a picnic, water bottles, sunscreen and tennis shoes and head out on your own farm adventure this summer. North Carolina’s rural counties are dotted with agritourism farms. Listed below are some of our favorite ideas for several budget-conscious and family friendly activities at farms across the state.
Be sure to call or check out the farm on social media to verify farm hours. Weather, or other farm activities on a working farm, could prevent them from opening. Always check so you won’t be disappointed to arrive and find a tour booked or the farm closed for the day. Several farms also do not allow pets as they have their own animals onsite. Be sure to check the farm’s policy before including the family dog on your trip.
Our summertime bucket list:
- Go on a Farm tour at Serenity at Stony Point Alpaca Farm in Iredell County. Tours are $10 per person and reservations can be made at the farm website.
- Pick Blueberries in Catawba at De’Farm on Blueberry Hill. Cost vary by container. Free farm tours and hiking trails are also available.
- Have a picnic near the wildflowers in Hillsborough at Firefly Farms. You-pick flowers include bachelor buttons, red clover, larkspur, tickseed coreopsis, blanket flowers, yarrow, primrose, poppies, daisies and wildflowers. Hours are Wednesday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Flower sessions are $20 per family or 2 to 3 adults.
- Take a selfie with the sunflowers in Chocowinity at Raised in a Barn Farm. Be sure to remember your camera. Sunflowers are also sold by stem.
- Join story and craft time at Smith Family Nursery in Benson every Tuesday at 2 p.m. and go on a farm tour or get some ice cream!
- Listen to fruity picking story time at Millstone Creek Orchards in Ramseur on Mondays at 11 a.m. Cost is $15 for hour-long story time and a take home craft or food.
- Clip lavender at Purple Bloomers Lavender Farm in Harnett County. A few dates remain through July 1.
- Grab a Muscadine Slushie and enjoy the Farm at Lu Mil Vineyards in Dublin. Pedal karts and bike rentals available as is fishing in the pond.
- Learn how ice cream is made at Simply Natural Creamery in Ayden. A $10 tour includes a wagon ride, tour of milking barn, meet the cows, sample of ice cream and a play area. Tours are offered daily at 9 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Reservations are required. On Saturday and Sunday 30-minute wagon rides are offered on the hour for $5 a person.
- Visit the baby goats at Goat Days at Spring Haven Farm in Durham runs through Aug. 26. Meet baby goats, take a ride on the tractor train express and join local artists at the craft station. Cost is $13.50 per person.
- Enjoy a cool treat at Whitakers Farms in Climax by stopping by for an ice cream or a slushie. Kids can play on the playground for free with purchase.
- Make the perfect bouquet at Harmon Family Farms in Trinity. Sunflowers are $1 per stem and other flowers are $6 per dozen.
- Shop for local. Hodges Family Farm in Charlotte offers a farm shop with local products including meat, vegetables, dairy and locally-sourced specialty products. Check out the website for information on farm tours and many other events!
To make your own adventure download and use the free NC Farms App for even more ideas. More than 75 of North Carolina’s 100 counties are included on the map and more continue to join. Search by activities for tours and trails, farms and fisheries, farmers markets, local food, special events and more.