When most farms for kids were closed for Spring break, this on was open. My granddaughters loved…read moreit (7&3). We spent two hours snd they weren't bore once. From the goats to donkeys we had a blast. Thank you.

Best farm experience . From the moment you pay at the gate the girl was super friendly and gave…read more great advice on how many bags of food we would need while here to feed the animals. All the animals were super friendly and sweet to pet we had a blast celebrating my 45th birthday at this farm and would love to come back here the next time we're down here in N.C. It was definitely worth the trip from Long Island.

Not a far drive off the main highway in Durham. Bring your…read morefriends and Family! I went for the lamb snuggles- they are so cute! The friendly/knowledgeable worker walked us in the lamb pen - clearly explained the rules then gave us some food and the friendly lambs came over for lots of snuggles. When done with the snuggles we could go explore. First we went to the clean restroom to wash, then headed over to the other side of the pond to pet the goats. There were also bunnies,chickens a donkey and a mule. You can buy local beer, wine and drinks, walk through the gift shop and pick and eat berries. They also have live music- check the website.

TLDR: Enchanting, engaging farm in Durham offering lamb snuggles, goat petting, live music, games,…read morecamps, and more. The farm also has sheep, chickens, bunnies, donkey, mule, gift shop, seating areas, air conditioned restrooms, handwashing stations, and a pond. We had a lovely experience at Old Mill Farm recently. It was a much needed peaceful retreat and return to nature. We could have spent all weekend just relaxing on the deck watching the animals and snacking on fresh blackberries. We arrived a little late for our lamb snuggle session, however, the employee who greeted us was so understanding and welcoming. She introduced us to the lambs, clearly stated the rules, and answered all of our farm questions. After feeding and petting the adorable sheep for 45 minutes, we explored the rest of the farm. We washed our hands, walked around the pond, pet the goats, perused the gift shop, and visited the chickens, sheep, donkey, mule, bunnies, and vineyards. The fresh blackberries in the vineyard were large, refreshing, and delicious. At that point we were soaked in sweat and decided to wash our hands and head out. We did play all four "carnival" games before leaving. Local: we appreciate their emphasis on supporting other local businesses in what they offer at the bar and in the gift shop. Food/drink: Bar stocked with local beer, mead, wine, cider, and non-alcoholic options. No restaurant on site but they sometimes have a food truck. Customer service: I forgot her name, but the farmer leading our group was incredible. She was so welcoming, patient, and passionate about the farm animals. Parking: large, labelled dirt parking lot near the donkey and mule enclosure. Reservations: needed on specific days/times/events. The website lists when reservations are needed. Price: check the website for free visit days/times. Some events do have a cost. Lamb snuggling was $10/person (for 5 people) and included food for the lambs and a self-guided tour of the farm. It was definitely worth the price.

This is a sweet family run farm with great U-Pick strawberries. I feel like we had 5 lbs that were…read moregone in a week. They had 5+ varieties and the owner walked us out to show us where to pick and explain how the varieties were different. It was very family friendly, they had a play yard set up for their little one and ours joined in on the fun. They don't use pesticides so I felt safe with my little girl taste testing a couple. The folks were so kind and it wasn't overly done/expensive/crowded like a lot of other U-picks. It's a bit further out but well worth the drive!

Just sitting back in very hot New Orleans, wishing that this small but might arboretum was near me…read moreright now. It's a lovely space on the UNC campus with beautiful trees, shrubs and flowers. There are benches for sitting and taking a breath. When I was visiting there were students on laptops and people chatting and it just seemed the perfect place to take a deep breath. Parking is in the campus lots (if you have a pass) or on the street.

The past few weeks of pollen have had me questioning why it is I chose to live in North Carolina…read more But today, as I strolled through UNC-Chapel Hill's Coker Arboretum, I was reminded that all this yellow dust is worth it for the glorious, colorful display of trees and plants that grace our parks, neighborhoods, and streets. Coker Arboretum is a stunning little gem, tucked within an already beautiful campus. It's only 5-acres, but the space is well thought out with grassy areas in which to relax and read and secluded benches beneath the shaded canopies of trees. I loved the variety of flowers and plants, some of which I hadn't seen before. If you are in the Chapel Hill area, I definitely recommend a walk through this lovely arboretum. For a Spring Sunday, it wasn't crowded - a nice change from other larger gardens in the area, such as Sarah P Duke Gardens in Durham. Parking is unfortunately an issue at Coker, but if you come on a weekend, most street parking and lots in the area are free.

Always a fun interactive experience when you visit Kidzu. They have lots of places to explore and a…read moregreat craft room. Today we are a 3D dinosaur and cute puppets. They are expanding and will have a new location in a few years. This is always a fun afternoon.

As a family new to the area, we were on a mission to find kid-friendly spots that could help my…read morelittle ones burn off their endless energy (because let's be honest, parents understand the struggle! ). This place is like a magical wonderland for kids! They have the largest art room I've ever seen--seriously, it's big enough to host a small art heist! And guess what? Everything in there is free to use with the cost of admission! I felt like I hit the jackpot! Plus, there's a rock climbing wall, which is a nice touch. Nothing says "family fun" like watching your kids scale a wall while you sip your coffee and contemplate your life choices! The place is decked out with fun artwork and quirky characters that make it feel like a playground straight out of a storybook. And they even have a treehouse! I half-expected to find a squirrel in a top hat serving snacks up there! Located in a shopping plaza, this spot is perfect for hitting up before or after errands. Who knew you could combine grocery shopping with a mini adventure? I highly recommend taking your kiddos here for a day filled with fun and laughter. It's a win-win for parents and kids alike--because a tired child is a happy child!

FireClay Cellars is one of those hidden gems that makes exploring North Carolina wine country so…read morerewarding. We stopped by on a Sunday just before opening and were warmly welcomed by Chris and Susan, who immediately made us feel at home. Their hospitality set the tone for a wonderful tasting experience. We started with two tasting flights, working our way through the whites before moving on to the reds. The standout of the day was Summer Dreams, a refreshing and playful white that's both floral and elegant. It was the perfect wine for a warm afternoon, and we enjoyed it so much that we ordered a chilled bottle to share on-site. The Summer Dreams paired wonderfully with an assortment of everything crackers, salami, and a delicious goat cheese tapenade from Celebrity Dairy Farm. We had planned to wander outside and explore the vineyard views from the porch, but the summer heat had other plans! Before leaving, we picked up a bottle of Purple Martin to take home. This semi-sweet red delivers inviting plum and black cherry flavors. The wines were excellent, the setting was charming, and the service was genuinely welcoming. FireClay Cellars is absolutely worth the visit. Highly recommended.

Was able to do small pour tastings here. Very clean establishment and the outside scenery is…read moreamazing. I will have to try some other wines when im in the area.

Would have never discovered this vendor had it not been for the Durham Farmers Market: Fricks…read moreApiaries. I dont even know what Apiaries means (**looking up definition now**)....... (FYI - a place where bees are kept, a collection of beehives) Honey always catches my eye, especially raw honey. This vendor had adorable gift boxes that included honey, a candle, soap, chapstick, a wooden honey stick and a jar of rock looking things which I now have discovered is "bee pollen". So cool.. now also, googling what to do with bee pollen. In all, this is a perfect gift for any honey enthusiast or someone who enjoys local products. Upon checking out their website, they also sell, hot honey, creamed honey, mini honey and also subscriptions to honey - something I've never heard of. Whats even more fascinating is that according to their website, they carry "NC Queen Bees" (specifically Carnoiolan or Italian Queens) in which you can buy in hives from April to September (which can be mailed or picked up at the farm) and these bees are apparently "well-tempered" and resistant to pests and diseases. Super duper cool. I didn't get to chat more with the vendor at the market but will certainly do so next time I stop by. I have lots more questions. Wow, you learn something new everyday!

The ChathamArts Gallery features works by local and nationally recognized regional artists and…read moresells pottery, baskets, fiber art, jewelry, metal and wood sculpture, mixed media, photography, paper art and more. Exhibits change every eight weeks and are launched with a gallery reception on the first Thursday of the month, which is open to the public. Wed.-Sat. 11-5 , Sun. Noon-4