Fall is a great time to take the family to visit some of these area farms, offering opportunities to see some adorable farm animals and some beautiful local scenery as well! Below are some great places to visit within an hour of Arlington, VA, and many of them are free! (Please check the websites and/or call ahead to verify hours and activities).
VIRGINIA
Frying Pan Farm Park, Hendon, VA: Frying Pan Farm Park recreates a time of great transition in rural America, from the 1920s to the 1940s, which included the advent of the tractor, the milking machine, mechanical bailers among many advances. The farm features chickens, peacocks, rabbits, sheep, pigs, cows and other livestock. Kids have plenty of opportunities to meet the farm animals, take classes, workshops or horseback riding lessons and gain knowledge of how a farm thrived in the 1920s through the 1950s. FREE!
Hidden Gems Farm, Centreville, VA: A hands-on experience with their goats. They are near Manassas Battlefield and have a Fairfax County trail behind their property, so you can get in a good hike as well! A "play with the goats" session is $5 for kids and $10 for adults.
Hope and Serenity Farm Sanctuary, Nokesville, VA: A private, non-profit organization dedicated to providing a beautiful, loving environment that encourages relationships between sanctuary animals and the people who visit them. Bring snacks and hang out with animal friends! $5 donation per person (minimum $20) is requested.
Temple Hall Regional Farm Park, Leesburg, VA: Discover Loudoun County’s agricultural roots on a working farm at Temple Hall Farm Regional Park in Leesburg, Virginia. Home of the popular Fall Festival and Corn Maize, visitors can meet heritage breed farm animals and experience what happens day to day on a farm. FREE!
MARYLAND
Agricultural History Farm Park, Derwood, MD: See the past, present, and future of Montgomery County farming at the Agricultural History Farm Park. This scenic 455 acre park features rolling hills, open fields, an apple orchard, and a variety of farm animals. Get a unique perspective on the county’s rich farming heritage while visiting barns, historic buildings, a modern farming activity center, and other facilities at the park. FREE!
National Colonial Farm, Accokeek, MD: The National Colonial Farm at Piscataway Park, managed by the Accokeek Foundation, is a living history outdoor museum featuring a 18th century farmhouse and tobacco barn, heritage breed animals, nature trails, geocaching, picnic facilities, fishing pier, and Potomac River access for kayaking or SUP sports. (March - December, weekend interpreters dress in period clothing guide visitors on a time-travel adventure as they explore modern day environmental issues through the lens of history!) The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset, and there is no admission fee to enjoy this peaceful, hidden gem on the Potomac River. Get your passport stamp here - as Piscataway Park is one of the more than 400 national parks in the United States. FREE!
Old Maryland Farm, Upper Marlboro, MD: Old Maryland Farm is a great place to learn about Maryland farm life! Visitors can interact with agricultural exhibits, farm animals like livestock, and display gardens to get a taste of real a farming experience. Interpretive programs for students visiting the farm are correlated to the Maryland State Curriculum for grades K-12. Located just a short walking distance from the miniature train station in Watkins Regional Park, Old Maryland Farm is an agricultural educational farm open to the public. FREE!
Oxen Hill Farm, Oxen Hill, MD: Explore the farmyard to see the cows, pigs, horses, sheep, goats, and chickens. You'll also notice antique farm equipment, historic structures, and informational outdoor exhibit placards. FREE!
Click HERE to get a FREE kid-friendly event guide for Arlington, VA and surrounding areas, full of events and suggestions for activities! Have fun out there!
