Are you planning on visiting Fair Oaks Farms in Indiana? Located in northwest Indiana between Indianapolis and downtown Chicago, Fair Oaks Farms provides an informative and fun experience for the whole family. Whether you are looking for outdoor fun, a lover of food curious about where your food comes from, or just a visitor needing some R&R in the outdoors, Fair Oaks Farms has something for you.
The farm is more than an educational experience. Our kids loved the interactive exhibits and the fun playgrounds around the site. Here’s your guide to making the most of your visit to Fair Oaks Farms based on our family’s last visit.
What is Fair Oaks Farm?
Fair Oaks Farms is one of the largest agritourism destination attractions in America. It’s located in Fair Oaks, Indiana. The Fair Oaks Farms campus is huge, spanning more than 35,000 acres of land. Visitors learn about the innovative and sustainable farming practices used at the farm. It is home to a variety of animals, including dairy cows, pigs, and chickens. I learned so much about modern farming that I had no idea about before our visit!
The main campus is filled with experiential museums including a calf birthing barn, dairy farm, pig farm and pig barn, pumpkin and apple orchards along with an outdoor play area (open seasonally). In order to access all parts of the campus, a bus tour takes you from spot to spot making it easy accessible for most people.
Family-Friendly Activities at Fair Oaks Farms
1. Dairy Adventure
Fair Oaks Farms’ Dairy Adventure is an incredible experience teaching visitors more about how we get our dairy products. Guests learn how our milk gets from the cow to the grocery store with a guided tour of the dairy barns. The tour shows you where cows are milked in the milking parlor, learn about the amazing milking process, see the milk tanks and even meet some of the cows up close. For younger visitors, there’s also a fun, educational play area filled with games and interactive exhibits.
The birthing barn shows the miracle of life. Calves are born in the barn every day and guests can see a mama cow with her newborn calf entering the world!
2. Pig Adventure
The Pig Adventure offers guests an insider look at the life of pigs on the farm and pork production. Families tour the pig barns and observe the daily operations of raising pigs. The highlight of the experience is the opportunity to see newborn piglets up close, an activity that our whole family loved.
Our kids loved seeing the mama pigs with their babies. The educational displays taught us so much about farming process and the importance of animal care, making it fun for the parents and the kids. My kids concluded there is nothing as cute as a baby pig!
In the Pig Adventure building, kids will love the play area featuring a bacon slide, a pig playhouse, a pig museum, and a ropes course! The ropes course is an additional fee (unless you have a membership) which is worth a try.
3. The Crop Adventure
The Crop Adventure is an indoor experience that taught us so much about life on the farm. Kids and adults learn about what life is like under the soil, how food is grown and mass production in this country. Large screen movies and interactive exhibits help educate visitors about how our food ends up in the grocery store.
I was also surprised to see the many uses of our crops. The amount of things using soybeans and corn is staggering to me!
4. Playground and Outdoor Activities
If the kids are still ready for more, Fair Oaks Farms has an excellent outdoor play area with plenty of open space for outdoor fun. Kids can climb, jump, explore and have fun on the playgrounds while the adults relax.
5. Bus Tours
For a more relaxed way to see the farm, take a ride on the farm’s trolley tours. These guided tours offer a chance to learn about the farm’s history, sustainable farming practices, and how they raise their animals. It’s a great way to see the expansive grounds without having to walk too much, especially if you have younger children or anyone who might not want to explore on foot.
6. Farm Tours and Educational Exhibits
Fair Oaks Farms is a fantastic place to learn about unique farming methods. I learned so much about how food is produced in America. The farm offers a variety of exhibits, including interactive displays, informative videos, and live demonstrations. Our kids loved learning about the animals, our food and the multiple uses of farming products during our visit.
Things to Eat at Fair Oaks Farms
If you get hungry while visiting Fair Oaks Farms while visiting, you have plenty of options! Here are the highlights:
1. The Fair Oaks Farms Restaurant
The Fair Oaks Farms Restaurant offers family favorite meals like burgers, chicken sandwiches, and salads. The farm also offers plenty of fresh produce from the land while in season. Have a sweet tooth? Try some of the homemade ice cream and delicious milkshakes made from the milk of the cows on property!
2. The Ice Cream Parlor
If you’re in the mood for something sweet, make sure to stop by the Ice Cream Parlor. Here you can enjoy delicious homemade ice cream made from Fair Oaks Farms’ own dairy cows. The menu changes seasonally, so you always find new options. Our kids love the strawberry, but I am a fan of any of their chocolate options.
3. Cowfeine Café
If you need a quick bite, The Cowfeine Café is an easy option with sandwiches, salads and great desserts. It’s a relaxing spot to take a minute while exploring the farm.
Where to Stay
You can explore most of the farm in a day, but if you wish to extend your vacation, you have some choices.
1. Fair Oaks Farms Hotel
Fair Oaks Farms Hotel is a local hotel right on the farm’s land. You can literally walk there after your visit! Families will find all the modern comforts, along with larger rooms and space to run around. You also find the Fair Oaks Farms Conference Center on property, hosting events and meetings all year. It is a Fairfield by Marriott property.
2. Local Hotels and Motels
You can easily find other options in the area. Check out hotels in the towns of Rensselaer or Valparaiso, both easy drives from the farm.
Tips for Visiting Fair Oaks Farms
- Plan ahead: There is plenty to see and do, so plan ahead of your visit. Check the daily schedule for farm tours and other activities in advance so you can plan your day accordingly.If you opt to bring your own food, there are plenty of outdoor picnic tables available.
- Wear comfortable clothes and shoes: You will be walking a lot, so stay comfortable during your visit. This isn’t the time for high fashion and heels.
- Bring sunscreen and water: You can duck in and out of the sun, but if it is a particularly warm day, come prepared.
- Check for special events: Check the Fair Oaks Farms website before your visit for any special events happening during your visit.
- Schools and Group pricing: Fair Oaks Farms welcome groups and school field trips. Reach out to them for more info on customizing your trip.
Final Thoughts
Fair Oaks Farm is definitely worth a visit if you are in the area. Our family loved learning while having fun. We are looking forward to our next trip and plan to bring along some friends to share what we discovered!
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