Eugster's is one of those pumpkin-picking-apple-orchard-petting-zoo family farms, this one in…read moreStoughton Wisconsin. Coming for "Lavender Days there was plenty of lavender around for sure. Plus goats, cats, kittens, pigs, ponies, donkeys, chickens, turkeys, sheep, etc... Wife seemed pretty happy walking a goat through the lavender field.

We spent a fun morning here this past Monday. They have so many baby goats and for $2 you get a…read morebottle of milk to feed them. These baby goats do not kid around when it comes to drinking their milk and the bottle will be gobbled up in a flash. You can also feed chickens and they have a model cow you can pretend practice milking. Plan to spend at least two hours here. Right now they have a gorgeous lavender field filled with bees. Very picturesque and looks great in photos.

We discovered Heartland Farm Sanctuary in early 2018 and have been fans and supporters ever since…read more Heartland was the first farm sanctuary in Wisconsin and still is the largest in the state. But what makes Heartland stand out is that in addition to love and effort they devote to the homeless farm animals they rescue, the sanctuary also works with youth who are at risk or have special needs. Heartland Farm Sanctuary creates an environment where youth and the rescued animals can "come together to heal, grow, and have fun" (quoted from Heartland). The environment at Heartland Farm Sanctuary is truly different from what you would experience at a traditional working farm (or for that matter, just reading or hearing about animals). I think of my visits to Heartland as something of a Zen experience -- that setting is part of why children can so effectively learn how to interact with animals in a humane fashion. Heartland offers public tours on most weekends from Spring through Fall. There also are week-long summer camps for kids. The animal residents change over time as new rescues arrive (and unfortunately as some older animals pass away). Current residents include donkeys, a miniature horse (Cookie), emus, cows (Beau and Daisy), goats, lamas, turkeys, chickens, geese, ducks, pigs, sheep, and more. The sanctuary also includes two cats (Poppy and Otto) that keep an eye on everything. If you have kids, Heartland Farm Sanctuary is a fantastic place for them to interact with animals and in turn learn in ways that are not possible in the classroom or from watching TV.

Yesterday was our second visit to the Sanctuary (June 2018 and June 2019) and we think we have…read moreestablished a new tradition. A yearly visit (at least!) is good for our spirits since this is a lovely place for animals and people to be surrounded by kindness and compassion - two things that never go out of style! The tours begin promptly and people gather at a small picnic style area with a roof (a new development since our previous visit). Then, we are taken to the barn to see the emus, hens, turkeys, Cookie the mini horse, and the donkeys. We then get to see the pigs and we were lucky enough this time to see Winnie enjoying some watermelon. The last part of the tour is in the pasture area with the goats - Esther is happy to act as tour guide as well! But not only are these tours amazing, this entity has all kinds of activities and projects with children (summer camp, etc). They really put monetary donations to good use. When going for the tour, you may want to bring a water bottle. Their port-a-potties are pretty clean with plenty of toilet paper and hand sanitizer. We still brought some sanitizer just in case, but they offer you some at the end after petting the animals that come to you to hang out in the pasture. In less than 15 minutes driving back, we were already by the West Towne Mall area.

I stopped by on a Sunday and took a tractor ride across the farm. Lavender farm smells great. We…read morecan even closely interact with lavender plants. Their products were unique. Cherry lavendar pie was available on Friday and Saturday only, but I got it on Sunday, probably made prior day. It tasted really good. Lavender lemonade was flavorful, but a bit too sweet for me. Lavender milkshake, lavender ice cream and lavender macaron were all unique tasting items. I got some lavender oil and scent products as well, all of them ended up excellent.

Beautiful farm and everything inside the store smells so amazing! Like a lavender Heaven. I was…read moretold 90% of the items sold are made in-house. I got here around 4:30PM on a Saturday and they were closing at 5, so the cafe part was already closed but I'm looking forward to coming back and trying their menu! Including the lavender ice-cream everyone raves about!

This place is a gem! Highly recommended for anyone looking…read morefor the freshest local, in-season produce. The prices are very reasonable as well. They also have beautiful flowers that make for beautiful DIY bouquets !

Absolutely love the Tree Farm …read more Acres and acres of beans, tomatoes , mind blowing varieties of peppers and chilies , kohlrabi, beets, , , , and the delicious onions!! More than anything, their love for the vegetables and the hard work in the process of growing delicious produce shows! Lots of love and respect to Chris and Susan! Ps. Get cash, your own bags, and get ready for the experience. Love and always, Soumya and Jitish.

What a hoot! We did their wine and goat hoof it event after staying a few days in Galena…read more You start out trying out Illinois wines. These are from Fergetaboutit Vineyard, and to be blunt, they were the best wines we have tasted in Illinois. If you like wine and have tried wines from France, Spain, Italy or California, yes, I mean that. The "hoof it" part was fun. You get set up with a guide (don't forget to tip the guide) who lets around a dozen goats out of the pen, and you walk with them on a 1.2 mile hike. It's mostly shaded (so shaded that we didn't wear sunscreen, and I don't tan, I scorch, and got NOTHING, so it's pretty shaded. There is poision ivy on the trail, so if you see leaves of three, let them be. The goats are quite affable, but listen to the guide. At the end before they approach the pens (which the goats will run towards) they let you feed the goats with carrots and you have to show the goats you don't have carrots in your hands (two hands up, open) or they will jump on you to get "your carrots." They stop several times. The pace is best described as "sedate" - you'll have a hard time breaking a sweat. Our advice, stick to the path, don't go off into the weeds. Some other things: Pack in, Pack out - they don't have trash cans, so what you bring in, you carry out. You will get a glass for each person who signs up for the wine event (which has the logo on it) as a momento. We got out a little late. The goats all have names, but you don't have to remember them. But you will. Little stinkers. Another tip: Once they get let out of the pen, they have a tendancy to "dump and run" so watch your step, or you'll get some fresh goat crap on your shoes or feet or LEG.

Absolutely delightful! It is rare to find a truly unique experience in these Midwestern getaway…read moretowns (charming as they are), but Hoof It certainly qualifies. "We took a hike with goats!" has become the leading highlight of all of our vacation stories. The hike itself is quite mild, relatively flat and mostly shaded. The guide will stop and talk for a minute or two, three or four times. It's very casual. The goats will walk among, around, and occasionally under you (if you're tall enough). They will nudge, brush, budge, and nuzzle you...and perhaps nibble, if the hem of your shirt or shorts is interesting enough. It's all totally harmless; they range between friendly and indifferent, a couple dozen of them in all sizes and colors. It was amazing to watch the larger ones "climb" a tree with their front legs to reach higher branches: stretched out like that, they seem enormous. They also do their business anywhere and everywhere, which our son dubbed "the poop and walk" and "the pee and walk". At the halfway point, there is a longer stop for photo opportunities, and everyone who wants to can hand-feed carrots to the goats. Primo experience and lifetime memories achieved. All thumbs up.

I had SO much fun at Schuster's!! We came for Blooms on the Farm but really were surprised with all…read morethe fun little activities throughout the rest of the farm. You can wander around and find fun games, photo ops, and great food. The farm animals of course were adorable. I thought the entry ticket and flower ticket were very affordable for the abundance of beautiful zinneas we picked, access to fun yard games, and super kind staff. Highly recommend holding a baby goat if you can!! We also enjoyed corn hole, the "corn pit", kids playsets, and the jump pads. This is a great place to be summer or fall and there is something fun for everyone!! Worth the short drive from Madison for sure

I was there on a Saturday on October. The place was lively. There were a ton of activities,…read moreespecially for kids. Entree fee includes 2 apple cannon shots. There was hay ride, a kids train ride, corn pit etc. Couple of times a day there was candy canon, where they shoot candies to the people. Apple caramal apple slushie was my favorite food here. It comes with a caramal apple and a cider donut on top of slushie. Hot cider and pumpkin cake were good. There was pumpkin picking in the middle of hay ride. I picked a small pumpkin. Price was reasonable. People were picking huge pumpkins and in larger numbers.

We loved our time at the GalPaca Farm and seeing these mystical creatures. Pronounced Gal-Paca, not…read moreG-alpaca! The owners (2 Gals) were super friendly and interactive with us on any questions we asked. We loved hearing their story and how close the community around them is. On this street alone, you can hit a pumpkin patch and an apple picking farm all 5 minute drive from one another. They currently had a 'Yarn Hop' going on which we thought was so fun. With that, they really put standards in place for COVID safety precautions. At the front entrance, there was someone waiting to understand how many people were in your car (and if there were any children) so that they could contain crowds. Masks were worn and there is specific areas for parking marked. When we arrived, we were given a couple of carrot bags to feed the alpacas. They were all roaming, minding their own business eating the grass, but once you shake your plastic baggy of carrot goodness, they'll start walking to you instantly. They eat with their bottom teeth and are just the cutest things. I'm also extremely jealous of their eyelashes, extensions can't get you that amount of volume! Right next door, they have a another barn with their shop of goods, including honey/bee products. My friend got the alpaca gloves, another got the body butter, and I snagged a GalPaca shirt. There's lot to choose from and they're all labeled nicely. The cutest thing is, if you purchase yarn, there are the names of the specific alpaca it came from. So cute! Even though it's getting a little chillier, I would make my way out here to explore! A short 30-40 minutes from Madison and lots of other farms to see. You can also then go to more of the city area of Mt. Horeb afterwards.

Loved my time at GalPaca alpacas! We went during the local Yarn Hop even though my friends and I…read morearen't avid knitters. It was well worth it to spend some time there and watch the alpacas! Right away as we pulled in, we were given a baggie of carrots and the alpacas perked right up and came straight to us at the gate. Seeing and feeding the alpacas was so much fun! GalPaca Farm Alpacas was very conscious of the pandemic and made sure to ask about the number of people we had in the car and to limit the amount of visitors to make the experience fun and safe for all. Definitely check out the store inside, they have a full variety of items like alpaca wool gloves, socks, and dryer balls. I picked up some wood cutting board balm and some solid lotion bars made in-home and I love using both on a daily basis. Hope to get back out there when the weather is warm again!

This is a must do tour in Wisconsin! 10/10 experience for the entire family and people of all ages…read morewill find this tour educational and well run. Tina toured us around the farm and she is so knowable, kind and great with kids. The cows are well taken care of, the facilities are clean and every location around the farm is a great educational opportunity with visuals and hands on opportunities. This tour totally exceeded expectations, brought us into the life of being a dairy farmer, and I am so happy to have these memories with my children.

This place is amazing and Tina is a star. As like many people it was on my bucket list to milk a…read morecow , and Tina fulfilled that wish. I was worried initially of going into an experience that was overcrowded with cows who were poorly taken care of but I got the complete opposite of that. It's very clear that Tina and her family love what they do and love their animals. Tina was incredibly informative and kind during the entire tour. The farm is pretty clean for being a farm , but definitely wear shoes that you're okay with getting a little dirty (they do give plastic covering). Through out the process I was able to pet a handful of cows, bottle feed a new born, and milk a cow. Amazing , highly recommend !!!!!

Just was looking for a place to bring our puppy, and this place is for it!…read more I wish they would have more pumpkin options but their empire apples are great

Great place to visit Bring the family, you won't regret…read moreit!! Very well managed! Wonderful staff ! A+++

Such a fun day at the Fall Harvest Festival. The coffee cart had delicious lattes and pumpkin chai…read more The Warm Belly ciders were fantastic...we liked the winter one the best. The fall margaritas looked amazing. We enjoyed the corn maze, live music, sunflowers, zinnias, large lawn games (like pool, archery, beer pong, bags, and high striker), apple cannon, and fun photo op spots. This trip was just adults, and there really was something for everyone to do. Other than the apple cannon and food/drinks or items in the store-everything we did was included in the price of admission which was really convenient and appreciated. The activities were easy to navigate, restrooms were clean, and there was plenty of seating throughout the farm. Everyone was super friendly, especially the people checking our tickets at the car and the person welcoming us and giving us our maps.

This was my second year going to the Fall Harvest Festival at Warm Belly Farms. Last year was so…read moremuch fun, we had to come back again! There are many fun activities for the kids: bounce pads, slides, duck races, obstacle course, candy cannon, apple cannon, and more! There was also live music and a bar for adults. The corn maze is huge and challenging with word and picture puzzles along the way! We completed it in 50 minutes. The workers were all kind and helpful. And I bought a huge mum for only $5! I plan to come back to this harvest festival every year!