This spring and summer, grab your kids and head out for a day of fun at one of the following local dairy farms in Massachusetts.
Barre
Carter and Stevens Farm
500 West St.
978-355-4940
Carter and Stevens Farm store reopens on April 17. Don’t miss their barbeques in July and August on Friday and Saturday nights. Whether you are just stopping in or staying the day, you and your family will have a blast!
Carlisle
Great Brook Farm State Park
247 North Road
978-371-7083
farmfresh.org/food/farm.php?farm=1293
Find 130 dairy animals, farm animals and even 20 miles of trails with mountain biking on more than 1000 acres at Great Brook Farm State Park. They have over 60 flavors of ice cream, homemade honey and they even grow cranberries. Dairy barn tours are available to the public for free on the weekends and by appointment on the weekdays.
Dracut
Shaw Farm Dairy & Ice Cream Stand
195 New Boston Road
978-957-0031
Shaw Farm has been around since 1908. Explore the history of Shaw Farm Dairy by going on a farm tour or hosting your child’s birthday party there. Their farm store is full of delicious baked goods, homemade ice cream and bottled milk.
Gill
Upinngil Farm
411 Main Road
Not only do they offer pick-your-own strawberries and raspberries as well as fresh fruits and veggies at their farm stand, but they also make their own milk and butter. Learn how to make cheese at one of their workshops.
Hadley
Barstow’s Longview Farm
172 Hockanum Road
413-586-2142
During the season, farm tours are between noon and 3 p.m. Stop by the bakery after the tour to pick up some homemade treats. Be sure to enter the “name the calf contest” when you go in!
Hamilton
Appleton Farms
Route 1A
978-356-5728
thetrustees.org/places-to-visit/northeast-ma/appleton-farms.html#t3
They are open year round, sunset to sunrise. Enjoy six miles of footpaths, farm roads and bridle paths that crisscross through the farm to see cows and chickens.
Hardwick
Robinson Farm
42 Jackson Road
This organic farm is filled with grass fed beef and free to roam chickens. Check out the farm stand that sells milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs and more.
Lunenburg
Stillman Dairy Farm
991 Lancaster Avenue
978-582-5533
Stillman Dairy Farm is the perfect place to get milk, eggs, maple syrup and delicious baked treats. Stop by for a snack and take a walk around to see the cows.
Middleton
Richardson’s Farms
156 South Main St.
978-774-5450
Visit with more than 400 cows at this dairy farm. Richardson’s Farms produces their very own ice cream and even bottle their milk. Grab the family and enjoy an ice cream cone after exploring the batting cages, driving range and mini golf.
Norwell
Hornstra Farms
246 Prospect St.
781-749-1222
Hornstra Farms has been family owned and operated since 1912. Stop by the farm for their famous homemade ice cream and a glass of milk.
Sharon
Crescent Ridge Dairy
355 Bay Road
800-660-2740
Crescent Ridge Dairy is known for their 31 flavors of ice cream. Stop by for a scoop of ice cream at their dairy bar.
Southampton
Fletcher Family Farm
22 Gunn Road
413-527-6888
Each season at Fletcher Family’s Farm offers something fun for the family. Come to the farm stand in the spring for fresh dairy products, vegetables, herbs and Mother’s Day Gifts. The fall is when the hayrides begin and the pumpkins are finally ready to be picked. The winter season brings Christmas trees, wreaths, kissing balls and more.
West Sutton
Whittier Farms, Inc.
86 Douglas Road
508-865-0640
Find seasonal vegetable and fruits as well as different treats, such as ice cream and homemade pies and baked goods, at Whittier Farms, Inc.. Farm tours are available by appointment.
Whitman
Peaceful Meadows Ice Cream
60 Bedford St.
781-447-3889
Peaceful Meadows is open year round 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Take a tour of this dairy farm and ice cream stand while enjoying one of their many delicious flavors of ice cream.
Williamstown
Cricket Creek Farm
1255 Oblong Road
413-458-5888
Come by Cricket Creek Farm to visit the dairy cows, pigs and hens. They also have several barn cats who love to greet the visitors. After buying some delicious treats from the farm store, take a look through the windows into the milking parlor to watch how it all works.