With spring formally upon us, many individuals are excited to see New Jersey bloom into the good Backyard State. Spring means lastly watching the cherry blossoms hit their peak, having fun with a picnic, exploring a working path, and visiting the state’s nationwide parks. However when you’re seeking to discover some one-on-one time getting private with nature, a petting zoo could also be extra your calling. Fortunately, there are a number of petting zoos in New Jersey so that you can get pleasure from, regardless of your location within the state. Learn on for a complete record of one of the best animal havens throughout NJ.
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10 Lil’ Acre Rescued Animal Farm — Outdated Bridge, NJ
House to over 10 totally different animal breeds, you possibly can work together with rescued horses, pigs, sheep, and extra at 10 Lil’ Acres. When you’re seeking to create lasting reminiscences with simply your family and friends, the farm hosts a wide range of personal occasions. You may e-book the farm for birthday events, firm outings, fundraisers, household reunions, and extra. Verify the farm’s Fb for pricing and particular occasion data.
Abma’s Farm — Wyckoff, NJ
The Barnyard Petting Zoo at Abma’s Farm in Wyckoff, NJ, is open year-round for instructional farm animal experiences. Animals you possibly can feed and pet embody goats, sheep, alpaca, donkeys, and extra. Along with getting up shut and private with the entire critters, the farm additionally hosts pony rides. Nevertheless, this attraction is barely obtainable on Saturdays from Could by October. There’s a $4 entrance price per individual, and kids underneath two obtain free admission. Tickets can be found completely on-line through the farm’s web site.
Allaire Neighborhood Farm — Wall Township, NJ
Allaire Neighborhood Farm focuses on serving to particular wants adults and kids, in addition to these battling psychological well being points and illnesses by nurturing them by nature. The non-profit farm accomplishes its mission by animal remedy classes, gardening, and particular applications and occasions. Beginning April 1, you possibly can go to the rescue animals from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday by Friday and 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the weekend. Try the farm’s web site and Fb web page for essentially the most up-to-date data.
Alstede Farms — Chester, NJ
Alstede Farms produces freshly harvested homegrown fruits, greens, and flowers. With over 600 acres of land, it’s maybe hottest in the course of the fall pumpkin-picking season. Nevertheless, its petting zoo is open year-round. Goats, donkeys, sheep, and horses roam the farmland. Nutritious luggage of veggies can be found for buy to feed the livestock. For extra data on this eco-friendly farm, its animals and produce, go to Alstede’s web site.
Atlantic Farm Market — Manasquan, NJ
This seasonal market grows and sells recent fruit and produce. Nevertheless, the spotlight of the farm is its assortment of animals. Goats, pigs, cows, peacocks, alpacas, and even an emu have discovered a house on this Manasquan farm. The farm and all its animal points of interest reopen for the season in April. View their web site for ticket and occasion data.
Brookhollow’s Barnyard — Boonton, NJ
Brookhollow’s Barnyard is a family-friendly barnyard in Boonton, simply off of Rt. 287. At Barnyard, you possibly can observe goats leaping off roofs, order a bucket of veggies to feed the animals, and pet your furry buddies. Youngsters may also play the day away in sandboxes and playhouses. Brookhollow’s Barnyard is open seasonally from Could 1 to October 1. Nevertheless, Barnyard has extra than simply its animals to supply. The farm holds particular occasions like “Minimize Your Personal Tree” in December, a pumpkin patch within the fall, and an Easter egg hunt in April. Try the barnyard’s web site and Fb web page for essentially the most up-to-date occasion and value data.
Doyle’s Farm — Flemington, NJ
Doyle’s Farm is greater than only a petting zoo; this multi-generational farm makes a speciality of bringing training and farm life collectively. Non-public excursions embody a variety of actions, from egg amassing, assembly animals and feeding them, in addition to crafts. Though actions and costs are topic to vary, we suggest you go to Doyle’s web site and name forward earlier than planning a visit to the farm.
Humorous Farm Rescue & Sanctuary — Mays Touchdown, NJ
Every year, thousands and thousands of animals bear euthanasia attributable to their “undesirable” standing. Humorous Farm Rescue & Sanctuary prevents euthanasia by offering a secure haven for undesirable animals, domesticated pets, and creatures with particular wants. At Humorous Farm, all animals stay out their pure lives. The sanctuary is open year-round on Tuesdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free, though donations are extremely inspired.
Johnson’s Nook Farm — Medford, NJ
The Discovery Barnyard and Animal Farm at Johnson’s Nook Farm homes a number of animals for petting. Feed and pet sheep, goats, and chickens earlier than stopping by the Discovery Barnyard. Right here, kids can cool off on a splash pad on a sizzling day, pedal go-karts, traverse a playground, and be taught technique abilities on big board video games. Johnson’s Nook Farm has sufficient actions to final a full day, though you’ll doubtless need to return to expertise extra thrilling adventures.
A lot of Love Farm — Williamstown, NJ
When you’re searching for an expertise past feeding and petting some pleasant critters, go to A lot of Love Farm in Williamstown. The farm offers a secure haven for rescued cattle and needs their creatures to obtain as a lot love and a focus as they will get. A lot of Love encourages patrons to carry and groom their animals, going past the standard petting zoo journey. Admission is $8 per individual, and pony rides are a further $5. This sanctuary is open Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to three p.m., in addition to Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nevertheless, hours are topic to vary attributable to particular occasions and inclement climate. Verify the farm’s Fb for any updates.
Pink Valley Ranch — Millstone, NJ
Goats and pigs and geese, oh my! For $10, you acquire limitless time within the Pink Valley Ranch petting zoo. Different points of interest embody horseback driving, ranch walks with alpacas or goats, and crafting lessons. Buy tickets and maintain a lookout for particular occasions on the farm’s web site.
House Farms: Zoo and Museum — Wantage Township, NJ
House Farms’ historical past dates again to 1927 when Ralph and Elizabeth House purchased 1 / 4 acre of land. The pair farmed the land and ultimately, Ralph supplemented their rising household’s earnings by working with the New Jersey State Sport Division. As an alternative of killing the marauding predators, Ralph saved the animals and started a small assortment of rescued wildlife. At present, the zoo is house to all kinds of species. Cease by Pop Pop’s Barnyard to feed chickens and geese. Younger guests are sometimes inspired to help and maintain a bottle for the lambs.
It’s also possible to relaxation assured that the zoo takes excellent care of its animals. The farm gives particular applications to revive endangered and threatened species, and it additionally holds a number of data for animal life longevity. As soon as house to the biggest bear in captivity on the planet, you possibly can spot the taxidermied light big on the farm’s museum. House Farms is open every day from March 27 to November 14. Go to their web site to buy tickets and keep within the know through their Fb web page.
Twelve Acre Farm — Lambertville, NJ
At Twelve Acre Farm, you don’t simply get to pet the animals, you bond with them. The farm gives a wide range of applications for youngsters and teams. First, there may be the After College Program, which offers gardening and petting zoo actions. Throughout Pre-Okay story hour, kids hear enjoyable farm tales and go to the animals within the petting zoo. Newbie and therapeutic horse classes begin at $40 per half hour and $60 for a full hour. When you’d desire a non-public group session, the farm can customise your journey in response to age and group objectives. This animal oasis additionally welcomes volunteers to assist with horse dealing with and farm chores. Go to Twelve Acre’s web site for extra particulars.
Valley Shepard Creamery — Lengthy Valley, NJ
For a extra subtle outing, we suggest visiting Valley Shepherd Creamery. The Lamb Excursions start on the Sheep Shoppe, and visitors ultimately transfer to the Viewing Gallery. The information introduces you to the farm by specifically made movies that describe milking, cheese-making, and shearing. Subsequent, take a peek into the barn for a view of the state-of-the-art farming gear that helps the sheep produce milk for cheese. Then, step into the new child lamb pavilion, the place you possibly can maintain the tiny babes. The tour makes a full-circle end on the Sheep Shoppe, the place you possibly can eat the ranch’s award-winning cheeses. The farm encourages patrons to deliver a picnic arrange and wine to get pleasure from on its porch.
Have you ever visited any of those petting zoos in New Jersey? Tell us your favorites within the feedback beneath.
