Working Farms in New York State Offer Educational Family Fun

Family fun at New York farms is not a totally new experience. State residents may already know that visiting a farm can be a great way for folks to see the beauty of New York outside of the confines of a city. While there may be lots of great things to do in New York City, Albany or Buffalo, family fun at New York farms can provide lots of fresh air, usually some good exercise and perhaps a farm fresh meal. If you are looking for an entirely different approach to a spring vacation , long weekend or simply a day off, or if you want to scope out a possible summer vacation idea or day trip , you might want to give these sites for family fun at New York farms your consideration.

Farm Sanctuary,Watkins Glen, NY. For a gentle introduction to farm animals one very unusual place to begin might be the Farm Sanctuary. The Farm Sanctuary actually operates in two separate sites, one in California and one in upstate New York in the Finger Lakes area. On 175 acres of farm land that spreads out across rolling farm country near Watkins Glen, NY ( 45 miles west of Ithaca ) caring farm animal experts give sanctuary to hundreds of animals whose lives prior to living at the sanctuary were difficult and in many cases painful. Animals who come here are guaranteed healthy food, clean living quarters and regular medical care as needed.

Bringing your family to farm sanctuary can be a wonderful lesson in sensitivity to wildlife. Kids enjoy the "People Barn" which includes all kinds of printed information and videos that speak to the issue of animal care. Of course the best part of any trip to the Farm Sanctuary is the chance to tour the farm and learn about the residents of this very unique farm. The sanctuary is open and offers tours from May 1- October 31. During May, Sept. and Oct. tours are only provided on Saturdays and Sundays and begin on the hour starting at 11 a.m. with the last tour beginning at 3 p.m. But during the summer you will find the farm open every day but Monday and Tuesday with the same schedule of hourly tours.

A trip to Farm Sanctuary is a good way to introduce your children to cows, pigs, turkeys and other many other farm animals in a natural and caring habitat. It is also a very good opportunity for discussion with your children about kindness to animals and to one another.

The Decker Farm, Staten Island, NY The origin of the Decker Farm stretch back to the beginning of the 19th century when in 1809 construction on a farmhouse, which is still standing today, was begun. In 1844 the farm passed into the hands of members of the Decker family. For more than a century family members kept the family alive and passed it to the next generation. In 1955 the last direct descendant passed ownership of the farm property over to the Staten Island Historical Society. Through the efforts of that group the farm has been cared for, maintained and operated as the last working farm on Staten Island.

The Decker Farm is more than just a lesson in restoration and maintenance of historical properties . As a working farm the Decker Farm is also a place where city and suburban folks can come to experience what farm life is all about. Visitors who come to Decker farm can learn by rolling up their sleeves and participating in some daily farm chores that go beyond animal and land care. You may be surprised at how interested kids can be in beating rugs to help keep their color, lugging water with old fashioned buckets attached to carrying yokes, or how about washing up some clothes substituting an 18th century washboard for your modern washer or dryer.

Not everything on the farm is hard work. The Decker Farm regularly sponsors special learning activities that include a real fun side like an old fashioned hay ride or a chance to pick pumpkins out of the field instead of from the super market. To find out what is going on at the Decker Farm call for information at
718-351-1611.

White Post Farm of Melville, NY . White Post Farm in Melville, NY has gone through several phases of development. In the 1920's, the early farm operation involved producing vegetables and transporting them into the city for sale. As years went by people began to come out to farm's produce stand for the enjoyment of selecting their own fresh produce. Today the third transition of the White Post Farm has been into a place where families can come to get the feeling of being on a farm and getting to know and interact with farm animals in their own farm environment.

If your children aren't quite ready for an overnight farm experience White Post Farm in Melville, NY can be a great place to take them for several fun filled hours and still give them a farm outing. White Post Farm has all sorts of fun family things waiting for you to try. The White Post Animal Farm gives kids a chance to get to know farm animals and more. You will see goats, pigs, alpacas and lambs but don't be surprised at the chance to see some more exotic animals too like ostriches and lemurs. The animals are only part of the fun at White Post Farm there are wide open spaces to play and enjoy kid friendly apparatus and a most inviting sandbox. You can really spend hours here. If you need proof of the quality of the product at White Post Farm perhaps you will rely on New York Magazine which rated White Post Farm #1 among things to do with kids. The farm will be open seven days a week beginning in April. For more information call ahead at 631-351-9373

Hull-o Family Farm Vacations. If you really feel that your family would enjoy spending some extended time on a farm then its time to look into a family fun at a New York farm as a vacation option. From mid-May - October Hull-O the farm offer extended stays requiring a minimum of two nights that might be just what you are looking forward.

The accommodations at a Hull-O Family Farms Vacation are of the Deluxe variety. You get to bed down in your own private guest house. There are three on the property. Your accommodations are packaged with a full, all you can eat breakfast and dinner. And when you eat on a farm you can plan on it being fresh and hardy fare.

But of course there's more to staying at the farm then good sleep and good eats, though some may be content with just that. For the duration of your stay you are welcomed to wander the length and breadth of this family farm which has been home to seven generations. On site you'll meet Frank and Sherry Hull the current owners and operators of this long standing dairy farm. You and your kids can also meet the other inhabitants of the farm like kittens, goats, sheep and cows. Being able to check out things on the farm at your own pace and linger over what you like will give you a real at home feeling and make your experience memorable as family fun at a New York farm.