Six Agritourism Trips with the Grandkids
Enjoy autumn with your grandchildren
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
From pumpkin patches to apple picking to hayrides, autumn offers a bevy of activities for kids and those young-at-heart to enjoy together.
Why not plan a few outings to enjoy with your grandchildren?
Want to get lost? Long Acre Farms’ Amazing Maize Maze ($19, weekends only) in Macedon varies in design each year. Count on spending an hour or more finding your way out. (It is alright for guests to ask for help if they’re truly lost.) Plus, the Back 40 play area will keep the kids busy for hours. Select your fall pumpkins and pick up fall décor. The gift shop is also worth a visit with homemade fudge, fresh produce and collectibles. Stick around for lunch with options including wood fired pizza, fall treats and grilled food.
More info? Visit www.longacrefarms.com
Explore Lazy Acre Alpacas ($14) in Bloomfield. On the farm tour, greet fluffy, friendly alpacas, learn about their fiber and explore the gift shop full of artisan alpaca fiber items. You can book tours online and check out yoga and other classes and events held on the farm.
More info? Visit lazyacrealpacas.com
Cracker Box Palace at Alasa Farms in Sodus provides sanctuary to unwanted and rescued farm animals. The organization also provides outdoor recreational opportunities on its 600 acres of forests and pastures. Go leaf peeping, take fall photos with rescued animals and hike the trails.
More info? Visit crackerboxpalace.org
The activities at Wickham Farms in Penfield offers plenty of ways to play with farm-oriented playground equipment, jumping pillow, corn “sandbox,” mini golf, lawn games, farm animal petting zoo, obstacle course, giant slides and more.
More info? Visit wickhamfarms.com
Kids at the Pickn’ Patch in Stanley can bounce on a jumping pillow, zip down a hillside slide, ride a mini train, explore an eight-acre corn maze, play lawn games, try the low ropes course and enjoy other activities. One ticket admits to all of the activities.
More info? Visit www.picknpatch.com
The Apple Shed in Newark operates a great gift shop rife with local goods and the farm’s own apples and pumpkins. Or you can pick your own. For the kids, there’s a free playground, petting zoo and corn slide. Some activities such as the hayride and apple cannon charge a nominal fee. If you watch carefully, you might spot Bigfoot on the ride! Most of the activities and the café’s homemade doughnuts are only available on weekends.
More info? Visit https://theappleshed.com
Plan for a Fun Day on the Farm with These Tips
• Check the farm’s website and Facebook page so you know what to expect. For example, some farms offer only port-a-potties.
• Some farms charge per activity. Others charge only an admission price.
• Wear suitable clothing and footwear. Bring along a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. You’ll probably spend more time outside than you think.
• Ask whether it’s accessible for wheelchairs or strollers if you need to use these.
• Farms with jumping pads may require children to wear socks.
• Bring along wet wipes for younger children, as cider, doughnuts and caramel apples can get pretty sticky.