One of the best times to visit a working farm is in the fall when fields are rich with greens and hearty root vegetables ready for harvest. Take your kids on a journey from farm to table by visiting one of these local farms where you can spend the day milking cows, collecting eggs and snuggling up to adorable farm animals. Scroll down for our favorite places for an authentic farm experience near the DMV.

Temple Hall Farm - Leesburg, VA

Angelica Kajiwara

Drive out to Loudoun County to visit a working farm with a great playground and tons of room to roam. Your little farmer will love running after the free-roaming peacock and chickens. Walk the park's interpretive hiking trail to learn about the area's native plants and animals. Feel free to stop one of the farmers to ask questions and learn about the farm's history.

15855 Limestone School Rd
Leesburg, VA
Online: novaparks.com

Oxon Hill Farm - Oxon Hill, MD

Rodnea Productions via Pexels

Stop by the Visitor Barn to pick up a Self-Guided Walking Tour guide. Your whole crew will love the farmyard full of cows, pigs, horses, sheep, goats, and chickens. Run by the National Park Service, this 19th-century farm offers kid-friendly farm fun, such as feeding chickens and old-fashioned hayrides.

6411 Oxon Hill Rd
Oxon Hill, MD
Online: nps.gov

Green Meadows Petting Farm - Ijamsville, MD

iStock

Don't miss this sprawling farm with super friendly staff on hand to share all the fun facts about the animals. Your little ones will love the up-close petting opportunity inside the animal pens. You'll see llamas, horses, cows, cows, emus, ducks, turkeys, rabbits, turtles and more. Oh, and you won't want to miss the pig races!

10102 Fingerboard Rd
Ijamsville, MD
Online: greenmeadowsevents.com

Frying Pan Farm Park - Herndon, VA

Jamie B. via Yelp

Get out and get ready to run around this farm full of fun and wide-open spaces. Say hi to goats, sheep, chickens, pigs, horses, ducks, turkeys, and peacocks. After you finish your farm tour, hop on the merry-go-round or the slide at the playground. If your little ones need to run off even more energy, head to one of the beautiful hiking trails on the property.

2739 West Ox Rd
Herndon, VA
Online: fairfaxcounty.gov

Clark's Elioak Farm - Ellicott City, MD

Laura L. via Yelp

Get ready to hold and feed some seriously adorable baby goats at this quirky farm. After you've had your fill of goats, a farmyard full of noisy animals awaits. This farm offers a ton of fun beyond the furry friends. Everyone will love the Enchanted Forest, fairy garden and mazes. Also, be sure to pet the resident sheepdog on your way out.

10500 Clarksville Pike
Ellicott City, MD
Online: clarklandfarm.com

Worth the Drive: Tusculum Farm - Laytonsville, MD

iStock

Since 1747, this local gem has drawn families around the DMV to experience farm life and an authentic overnight farm stay. The kind hosts encourage visitors to make the farm a home away from home and participate in activities happening all around. Farmer Joel will take your whole crew on a tour to learn how the farm works today and hundreds of years ago.

4601 Damascus Rd
Gaithersburg, MD
Online: tusculumfarm.com

—Angelica Kajwara

featured photo: Toddlin’ Across America 

RELATED STORIES:

28 Farm Stays Every Family Should Experience

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12 Places for a Real-Life History Lesson

The Country’s 20 Best Science Museums for Kids

 

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