U-Pick Perhaps the…read morebiggest draw of visiting a farm is to take full advantage of the freshest produce on the market. At Willowbank U-Pick they offer a fantastic selection of apples, pears, plums and pumpkins in the months of September and October. Bring the family and spend the afternoon amongst the orchards and fields hand picking the perfect ingredients for pies, crumbles and cobblers. Animals: No farm is complete without the animals. Willowbank Farm has many animals - from their friendly family dogs to grazing cattle and everything in between. The kids (and kids at heart) will love spending time in the petting zoo. Here you can handle and pet chickens, goats, and miniature donkeys. Next to the petting zoo is a horse training ring where you can watch riders jump over fences and speed around turns on some of the most well cared for horses in the Annapolis valley. Market: If rummaging through trees of apples isn't your thing - and you're still craving the farm fresh vegetables, you are in luck. Alongside the U-Pick section, the farm offers a market right on site. You can pick from a variety of locally grown items to take home and put in stews, soups or alongside of your favourite meal.

If you want to find the best Apple Upick, look no further. I love coming here to get my apples and…read moremy Halloween pumpkins! You can go pick your own, any size you want! There are even Farm Animals for you to hang out with. This makes a perfect day trip for couples and Families!

I love this little gem! They sell fresh local produce, baked goods & ice cream, in addition to…read morehaving a boutique country store with a separate entrance, which I'll sadly admit I've never been inside of. Call ahead of you're looking for something specific, and leave your name and number to be called if they're out. They'll even sell the ice cream pails for planters if you ask! Great little local store!

You know what's a little embarrassing? Giggling and prancing about like a schoolgirl in love in…read morefront of your boss and several strangers after just discovering the glorious new Noggins Farm Market in Alderney. But at the same time, there's a glorious new Noggins Farm Market in Alderney so yeah, I'm going to get my prance on about it, okay? Open seven days a week (!!!!), this permanent shop has a full selection of fruits, veggies, cheeses, milk and gelato from Fox Hill (!!!!!), eggs, Made With Local bars, maple syrups and honey, and even a fantastic selection of Tideview ciders (!!!!!!!). I mean, it's absolutely fantastic. Just when you thought you couldn't be happier, you're walking out with a bottle of Tideview's Sparkling Pear. This is huge for the Dartmouth crowd, y'all.

Having only discovered the Alderney Farmer's Market this summer, this was my first visit during…read morewinter. And this is when I can really appreciate the presence of Noggins. Here is where I can find carrots that taste like they just came out of my own garden and plenty enough fresh and organic veg to get your good nutrients all winter long. Also a bonus that they are open every day, not just market Saturdays. They carry, not just fruit & veg but Foxhill cheese, milk & gelato, Old Dutchman cheese, Made With Local granola bars and Terra Beata cranberries, just to name a few.. Sure, you'll pay more then in the grocery store but it is so worth the fresh taste of naturally ripened, not dyed, organic goodness. And you're supporting local to boot, win win.

Super enjoyed both the store and the property. There is something for everyone here. Delicious…read moregorgeous apple orchard, a miniature petting zoo, a lunch place, wonderful ice cream & many organic items at the market. The owner Mike is awesome & hospitable. We are boon-docking here for a few days.

Hennigar's has been around since 1948 and it gets better every time I visit. Local produce,…read morehomemade baked goods and preserves are the stars as well as some lovely craft items. One very special thing about Hennigars is that it's open 7 days a week all year round. True, there is less produce in the winter, but it's still treat to visit. And you can always pick up some of their homemade apple cider - direct from their apple orchard. Right next door, on their farm you'll find some great parkland and trails to hike all summer long. Imagine the delicious picnic with goodies from the market for stops along the way.

A family run horse ranch, Serenity Acres is a great experience. From the moment we arrived, we were…read morewarmly greeted. We were given a tour of the stables along with the history of the stables. From there we were introduced to the horses we were going to ride. We were invited into the horse stalls as the horses were groomed so the horses could get familiar with us. Once the horses were ready and saddled, we went outside where we were properly shown how to mount and dismount the horse. Off to the trail. The ride was a very relaxing hour horse ride through some trails, guided by Kristy, one of the owners. She gave us a history of the area as we rode, talked out the horses and all the while made sure everyone was good. The horses were very familiar with the area and very comfortable around people. All in all it was a very fun, relaxing hour. Upon returning, we were helped in dismounting. Once off, we had a brief chat with our tour guide, Kristy. She invited us to use the pool or saltwater hot tub they have on site. Perhaps on our next trip. My wife and I would absolutely recommend this experience to anyone looking to go horseback riding. We were extremely comfortable and the horses were exceptionally well looked after. All in all, a great trip.

i went for a horseback riding today (sept. 15th 19)…read more the moment my girlfriend and i got there we were treated like we were a part of they're family. we both got to know each other and everything felt comfortable. taught us the basics (our first time riding) then introduced us to the horses that we were going to take for a trail ride. the ride was really beautiful, calm, relaxed, everything we were looking for was all there. after the ride we went to meet and pet other horses and donkeys. i would suggest this place any day. right when i got back in the car with my girlfriend, she told me right away that we need to come back for a horseback riding again very soon. i would rate 6/5 stars if i could. thank you so much everything was perfect

What a great time for the little ones in your family! Located just inside Windsor's business park,…read moreTrecothic Creek is an oasis for railway enthusiasts of all sizes. The big ones, volunteers, are running the miniature trains, and the small ones, delighted, riding them. (Grown ups are welcome to hop on, too.) Best yet, the place is completely free! But due to the volunteer nature, open just a handful of days each year, so be sure to do your research before heading out. Two notes: the washrooms are a LONG walk from the train area, so best to plan pit stops for your way in and out; and, they provide great infrastructure for birthday parties, including picnic tables and barbecues (this latter for a fee) Well worth a visit.

Well I'm a little nervous to be the first to review such a great provincial treasure. Surely I…read morejust missed the 'real' link to this working model train(s) station?! But just in case I know that this place deserves some hype! A true word of mouth gem, open a mere 11 days in 2012 (I have the business card in front of me) we truly lucked out hitting it open on the way to Noggins Farm this Thanksgiving weekend. Directions and contact information read like the old times, turning by old homesteads instead of a concrete, GPS friendly address, but the website draws you a map. Once you arrive with the crowd of other people in the know you enter by donation (seriously). Nestled (truly no other word for this step back in time place) on private property is a full working train station, in miniature, complete with a station and engineers that you can ride! Sound cheesy? It is. But something in the air here encourages everyone to just embrace their inner child and enjoy themselves. Perhaps it's the fact that the trains and stations are actually impressive feats of engineering. Or it could be the beautiful surroundings and quaint station. But my monies on the actual engineers. All of them were smiling, knowledgeable and great fun. My hats off to all of them but in particular Brady Rhodenizer http://www.trecothiccreektrains.org/index_member_brady.htm who took the time to not only chat with us but to gift us with some of his amazing homemade pear jelly!

Accompanied some new Beijing friends to Hatfield Farm on Saturday and we had a lovely visit! The…read moreyoung woman who checked us in moved here from Toronto and was so kind and helpful. The kids loved the animals and they seemed to love them! A great and highly recommended outing! Janet

We went down there tonight as part of a Purple Cow and Splashifax Colab with Hatfield Farms... It's…read morebeen awhile since I've been out to Hatfield Farms and I felt bad about that .. as I had a great time the last time I was there..what a beautiful location ..the staff were available to help get us down to the water park ..hope to get back to do the petting zoo when it's open... I recall being there quite some time ago having a delicious meal and a great time just like we did today...

Great fish and chips. Very fresh. Lovely eating at the picnic tables. They make you feel like a…read morepart of the family.

It's the great pumpkinS, Charlie Brown!…read more The changing leaves signal the arrival of a very special time of year - pumpkins! Located less than an hour outside of Halifax, in Windsor, is the Dill Family Farm - famous, around the world - for their giant pumpkins. But lucky for those of us without acres of land and a forklift, their pumpkins come in all shapes, sizes and weights. And while yes, you can get a pumpkin for the same price from your local grocery store, there is something magical about being able to walk in a pumpkin patch and have a love at first site moment, with a gourd. The Dill Family Farm also has local apples and is on record as having the pond where the first game of hockey was played. In 2012 I noticed they have an admisison fee for the first time, which they refund upon purchase. And believe me, you will purchase.

Well given that Little Dorset at the Halifax Farmers Market has the longest lines - bar none! You…read morehave to know that the meat and chicken are fresh and wonderful. Everything they feed their animals has been grown on their own farm! How many other producers can say that. Plus no hormones or antibiotics, essentially nurtured the old fashioned way. And I need to mention their homemade chicken & veggie pies as well as the steak and onion pies that you just pop in the oven to heat. They're delicious!

The fresh meat is probably the best I've had and the sausages are made with care and tasty. As the…read moreother reviewer in this section mentions, no hormones or antibiotics and all grown locally!A friend introduced me to their smoked bacon and I have yet to taste better. The chicken, steak & onion pies are second to none, packed with so much meat several people actually had the nerve to complain about it! You can still buy their delicious foods at the Musquodoboit Farmer's Market on every second Sunday or via their deliveries to Halifax. If you're lucky, you may be on the receiving and of Maureen's acerbic wit that feels like it's been softened for the city slickers.