New York State is home to farm experiences that go far beyond picking apples and pumpkins. Embark on an alpaca walk, spend the night in a Hobbit House and wake up to farm fresh eggs, find your inner zen with furry friends during a session of goat yoga, or make your way through a five-acre moonlit corn maze. These unique farm experiences offer exciting ways for everyone to explore agritourism destinations in New York State  while connecting with the land, animals, and agricultural traditions.

Can’t get enough of the farm life? Check out Find Fall Family Fun at These 16 New York State Farms, 11 Family-Friendly Fall Weekend Trips You Can Afford, and 12 Unforgettable Farmstays Across New York.  

Spend the night at a Hobbit House on June Farms (Capital-Saratoga)
Shire-inspired hobbit house airbnb set against lush greenery

Step into a storybook brought to life at June Farms, a one-of-a-kind “gentleman’s farm” set on 120 scenic acres in West Sand Lake. A variety of heritage-breed animals, including Scottish Highland cows, giant Shire horses, Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs, Nigerian dwarf goats, sheep, chickens and ducks roam the grounds ready to welcome you. The farm provides a safe haven for these heritage breeds while offering an all-in-one experience where you can slow down and reconnect with nature, farm life, and fun. 

Unique Things to Do at June Farms:

  • Explore the property on a self-guided farm walk.
  • Sip on an expertly crafted cocktail and savor a variety of bites in the chic and rustic Pony Barn lounge.
  • Partake in regularly scheduled events, from goat yoga, cow brushing, dog park nights, to dueling pianos, drag shows, and themed dinner parties. 
  • Can’t get enough of farm life? Stay overnight in one of June Farms’ 12 uniquely designed accommodations, including the whimsical Hobbit House, a luxury lodge, a converted Airstream and cozy cabins tucked throughout the property. 

Adventure with alpacas at Lazy Acre Alpacas (Finger Lakes)
Various shades of brown and white alpacas graze in the woods

For a delightfully furry Finger Lakes farm experience, make your way to Lazy Acre Alpacas! The 100-acre rural property in Bloomfield is filled with unique landscapes, rolling hills, beautiful gardens, and more than 60 alpacas. 

Unique Things to Do at Lazy Acres Alpacas:

  • Take a guided tour to learn about the farm’s history and the process of turning alpaca fleece into fiber.
  • Take a turn feeding, petting, and photographing the alpacas. 
  • Enhance your experience by joining an alpaca yoga session or try your hand at an alpaca-themed painting class. 
  • Memorialize your visit with a stop into the Alpaca Country Gift Shop, where you can peruse souvenirs from cozy alpaca socks, scarves and sweaters to stuffed animals, yarn, and other unique gifts.

Kid around at Mariaville Goat Farm (Capital-Saratoga)
A smiling woman in a wooded clearing holds a black bucket as several goats gather around her, creating a calm, friendly farm-animal scene.

Tucked away in a private, nature-filled setting, Mariaville Goat Farm in Pattersonville offers you the opportunity to unplug, unwind, and recharge with an incredibly cute and friendly goat herd, making it a perfect spot for the whole family (especially the kids!)

Unique Things to Do at Mariaville Goat Farm:

  • Try out goat yoga.
  • Take a leisurely nature hike with a herd of goats.
  • Snuggle up with baby goats for a cuddle session.
  • Book an overnight stay in one of the farm’s woodland yurts or elevate your stay in the elegant treehouse.
  • Savor delicious farm-made meals, handmade, and homegrown products.

Time travel at Fenimore Farm & Country Village (Central New York)
A man and a woman dressed in period clothes pull a wagon along a path at The Farmers' Museum on a fall day

Travel back to the days of 19th-century farm life at Fenimore Farm & Country Village in Cooperstown, where history comes to life through immersive exhibits, interactive workshops and hands-on experiences. One of the oldest living history museums in the United States, the village showcases a picturesque collection of historic buildings, including a creamery, general store, church, barn, farmhouse, blacksmith shop, pharmacy, print shop, and schoolhouse.

Unique Things to Do at Fenimore Farm & Country Village:

  • Watch traditional crafts and trades of the 1800s come to life through demonstrations from period actors.Take a horse-drawn wagon ride through the historic grounds.
  • Hop aboard the Empire State Carousel, a “museum you can ride” featuring 25 hand-carved animals and symbols celebrating New York’s history.
  • ​Explore the Scarecrow Village, take a ghost tour, join a blacksmithing workshop and more special events and seasonal festivals.

Sample spa life at Beekman 1802 (Central New York)
Products on display at Beekman 1802 Mercantile in Sharon Springs, NY.

Discover a world-famous store and beauty brand in the heart of rural New York at Beekman 1802 Farm in Sharon Springs. What began with a historic farm, a herd of goats, and a simple concept centered on “goat milk and kindness” has evolved into a beloved farm-inspired bath, beauty, and skincare flagship store, working farm, and standalone agritourism destination.

Unique Things to Do at Beekman 1802:

  • Browse Beekman 1802’s best-selling body care and Clinically Kind® skincare alongside locally made crafts, gourmet delicacies, artisanal goods and other farm-inspired treasures.
  • Book a guided farm and grounds tour with special appearances by the goats that started it all.
  • Enjoy special events throughout the year including Kindness Workshops.

Get lost and linger at Long Acre Farms (Finger Lakes)

Birds eye view of an intricate, five-acre corn maze

Home to New York’s longest-running corn maze, the “Amazing Maize Maze,” Long Acre Farms is an autumn oasis in the countryside just outside Canandaigua.

Unique Things to Do at Long Acre Farms:

  • Meander the sprawling five-acre maze by day or grab a flashlight and test your sense of direction under the stars during moonlight maze nights.
  • Play in the “Back40 Adventure” area, offering more than 15 ways to play, including a giant jumping pillow, obstacle course, giant slide, tire mountain, and sandbox.
  • Treat yourself to locally made ice cream creations, wood-fired pizza, fresh cider and other seasonal favorites.
  • Browse the farm market and gift shop.
  • Hop on a wagon ride.
  • Go gemstone panning.
  • Enjoy a wine flight at the on-site JD Wine Cellars.
  • Book a private campfire experience.

Take flight at Shtayburne Farm Creamery (Finger Lakes)

Cheese and ice cream flights? Enough said. Set along the scenic shores of Seneca Lake, Shtayburne Farm Creamery in Rock Stream is a family-owned dairy farm where generations of farming tradition meet delicious, farm-fresh treats. Soak in all of the bites and beauty from cozy Adirondack chairs on the large lawn, enveloped by Finger Lakes scenery.

Unique Things to Do at Shtayburne Farm Creamery:

  • Taste a plethora of small-batch, hand-crafted cheeses, including Monterey Jack in a variety of flavors, 10-year aged and flavored cheddar, freshly made cheese curds and spreadable German Quark cheese.
  • Chill out with a scoop from the creamery’s rotating selection of homemade ice cream flavors.
  • Double-dip into the ultimate tasting experience when you order a cheese AND ice cream flight. Mix and match four, eight or 12 varieties to find your favorites.

Enjoy evergreen food and fun at Pennings Farm (Hudson Valley)
A wooden drink-tasting paddle holds small glasses of amber, gold, and red beverages in a quiet bar, framed by dark chairs; the mood is calm.

Venture to Pennings Farm in Warwick, where sweeping views of the Hudson Valley and surrounding mountains set the scene for a full day of farm fun.

Unique Things to Do at Pennings Farm:

  • Pick your own apples, strawberries, and flowers.
  • Stop and smell the roses at the garden center.
  • Meet the friendly farm animals.
  • Indulge in a luscious lineup of sweet and savory food and drinks: famous cider donuts, farm-to-table fare, homemade pies, muffins, cookies, or soft serve custard and over 24 flavors of ice cream.
  • Head to the cidery and outdoor beer garden for orchard-grown hard ciders and craft brews.
  • Groove to live music every weekend.
  • Partake in seasonal celebrations, including the popular summer Clam and Jam, weekly trivia nights, and sports watch parties offer even more reasons to visit.

Sip and stay at Beak & Skiff (Finger Lakes)
Aerial view of a red-and-white farm building marked “1911” surrounded by parking areas, access roads, green lawns, apple trees; the scene feels orderly and calm.

See for yourself why this historic farm just won first place on USA Today’s 10Best list for “Best Apple Orchard in the Country.” Beak & Skiff in LaFayette has been family-owned and operated for five generations, growing apples since 1911, and is home to more than 300,000 trees and 20 varieties of apples.

Unique Things to Do at Beak & Skiff:

  • Apple picking is a must, with more than 300,000 trees individually tended to using modern trimming and growing techniques. And in the spring, over 400 beehives help pollinate the crop for a top-tier fall harvest.
  • Visit the apple barn, general store, and bakery to try their famous apple bread.
  • Take a wagon ride through the scenic orchards.
  • Enjoy live music throughout the year,especially during the summer concert series.
  • Sip and savor at the 1911 Tasting Room & Tavern. We recommend trying their signature “Tipsy Cow” cocktail (cold brew coffee, chocolate milk, 1911 Cold Brew Vodka topped with whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles, and a cider donut), a favorite every year at the Great New York State Fair.
  • Settle in for the night at one of Beak & Skiff’s amenity-overloaded on-site houses for a true orchard sip and stay getaway.

Make a beeline toward The Honeybee Embassy at Bright Raven Farm and Apiary (Finger Lakes)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Best bee-lieve, The Honeybee Embassy at Bright Raven Farm and Apiary is one of the sweetest stops just outside Ithaca! Home to more than 80 hives, this unique farm destination specializes in raw, unheated and unfiltered varietal honey, with each small-batch harvest offering its own distinct color, aroma and flavor based on the flowers visited by the bees.

Unique Things to Do at The Honeybee Embassy:

  • Indulge in a beekeeper-guided, one-hour honey tasting on the picturesque covered back porch.
  • Browse the farm store for varietal and infused honeys, locally made soaps, lip balms and crafts, and treat yourself to honey sodas, honey chocolates, teas, and other treats.

Tree-t yourself to The Blueberry Treehouse Farm (Greater Niagara)
Nighttime campsite with guests gathered around a glowing fire table, colorful tents and string lights on a wooden deck, creating a lively, cozy mood.

For a deliciously whimsical farm experience, head to The Blueberry Treehouse Farm in West Falls, just outside Buffalo. This historic farm has been growing organically cultivated blueberries for more than 35 years, with 11 varieties ripening throughout the June-to-October season.

Unique Things to Do at The Blueberry Treehouse Farm:

  • Pick your own berries.
  • Enjoy a festive lineup of live music, food trucks, and special events.
  • Explore the pièce de résistance of the farm, a one-of-a-kind treehouse café, handcrafted by Buffalo Treehouse, where you can sit back and sip locally roasted coffee, enjoy refreshing drinks and small bites.

Indulge your sweet tooth Tim’s Pumpkin Patch (Finger Lakes)

Fall fun doesn’t get much sweeter than at Tim’s Pumpkin Patch, a viral venue with something for everyone in Marietta.

Unique Things to Do at Tim’s Pumpkin Patch:

  • Pick your own pumpkins.
  • Wander through the corn maze.
  • Meet the farm animals.
  • Hop aboard a tractor-wagon ride.
  • Let the kids loose on the hay fort, jump pads, apple cannons, giant Skee-Ball machine, and so much more.
  • Adults will find their fun in Tim’s Brew Barn for cleverly crafted cocktails, and classic pub fare.
  • Visit the on-site bakery, full of insta-worthy creations including famous apple cider slushies and floats, apple pie nachos, molasses cookies, pumpkin funnel cakes, whoopie pies and more.

Get a taste of the farm life in the big city at Queens County Farm (New York City)
Two people in protective clothing work beside a large white sheet on a grassy field, with autumn trees and a dark building in the background.

Discover a piece of New York City's agricultural history Queens County Farm, the city's largest remaining tract of undisturbed farmland and the longest continuously farmed site in New York State, dating to 1697. Today, it remains a working farm with a farm stand selling a variety of produce grown on-site. Each year, the Queens County Fair brings the farm to life with live music and theater, farmhouse tours, local food and beer vendors, and competitive exhibits featuring produce, arts and crafts, and more, with entrants vying for a blue ribbon prize. The fair weekend also marks the opening of the Amazing Maize Maze, New York City’s only corn maze.

Unique Things to Do at Queens County Farm Museum:

  • Experience the Queens Farm’s 47 acres with a tractor pulled hayride.
  • Hayrides year-round, and a three-acre corn Amazing Maize Maze in the fall.
  • Stop into the Con Edison Reading Room, a vibrant space to cozy up with a book or magazine on the farm.
  • Visit 200 animals on-site, including chickens, pigs, sheep, goats, alpacas, and cows.
  • Browse the farm store, where you will find a unique selection of items for the home and garden including Queens Farm products, locally-made gifts, educational toys, books, distinctive personal accessories, and refreshments.

Savor Michelin-star dining at Stone Barns Center (Hudson Valley)
Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture & Blue Hill at Stone Barn Restaurant & Cafe 1176

Just 30 miles north of New York City, Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture in Pocantico Hills offers a four-season farm and educational center along with unforgettable farm-to-table experiences where you can see, taste and explore the journey from pasture to plate.

Unique Things to Do at Stone Barns Center:

  • Take a guided tour of the working farm and greenhouses.Visit the Orientation Center, and shop in the Cafeteria and Market.
  • ​Meet the cows, goats, pigs, and chickens raised through rotational grazing.
  • Partake in regular events including woodland mushroom walks, botanical beverage workshops, cooking classes, and butchery demonstrations.
  • Feast at Blue Hill at Stone Barns, the farm’s two-Michelin-starred restaurant, where there’s no traditional menu, instead, guests are treated to a multi-taste feast inspired by the day’s harvest and ingredients from nearby farms.

Bounce around at Harbes Family Farm (Long Island)

Adult man and two children jumping on an oversized trampoline-like bounce pillow; clear blue sky in the background

Working farm meets an all-out adventure park at Harbes Family Farm. With three locations on the North Fork, including a farm and vineyard in Mattituck, this family-run farm has offered fresh food and fun spanning eight acres for more than 30 years!

Unique Things to Do at Harbes Family Farm:

  • Play the day away at the “Barnyard Adventure,” jam-packed with activities for kids of all ages, including a gnome-themed hedge maze, animal petting zoo, enormous trampoline-like bounce pillows, a four-person pedal trike track, apple blasters, giant foosball, and the super cute goat  mountain and slide.
  • Pick pumpkins and apples.
  • Hop on a hayride
  • Get lost in a corn maze and haunting night maze.

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