We had the best time visiting Braehead Farm this week! It is the oldest farm in historic Fredericksburg, and it's less than an hour from Short Pump.
We left Richmond at 12:30, and we were there before 1:30 - it was such an easy trip on 95.
We packed our car potty (there are only porta potties), umbrella stroller for G, a picnic blanket and snacks. We didn't need the snacks, though - the farm market has lots of treats!
When we arrived, there was lots of parking in the gravel lot. The cows were fenced in by the parking lot, and chickens were roaming freely around the whole farm. The kids got a kick out of seeing chickens by all the cars!
We went to the barn to buy baskets to pick strawberries and raspberries, and to buy passes to play in the family play area. After getting ice cream, we went to the play space first. This area is massive!
There are a couple of barns with a kitchen play space and swings - the chickens walk all around the toys too. There are two swing sets, a volleyball court, a tree house, and lots of riding toys. My son (32 months) loved playing in the dirt with the trucks. My daughter (11 months) loved watching the goats and llamas in the shade. She also loved the rocking horse! There is a large tree that provides some shade by the goats. Underneath the tree is a bench and picnic tables.
We played for an hour and 15 minutes before a thunderstorm came, and that was the only thing that could get him away from the trucks!
We were able to wait the storm out in our car - a nice break from the heat! We had a car picnic instead of one outside because of the weather. After the storm we went to the fields. We cut sunflowers and picked strawberries. There were so many new fruits and vegetables (beets, asparagus, radishes, sugar snap peas) for us to see that we spent most of our time exploring the fields and learning about the different fruits and vegetables.
G loved seeing the sunflowers and the other plants. H enjoyed running in the puddles, mud, and the fields. He was nearly covered in mud by the time we were ready to leave.
Before we knew it, it was already 5pm, and we had to leave.
What I liked about this farm:
This farm is perfect for a wide range of ages. There's so much room to run and play, plus you can pick your own produce.
You can purchase pre-picked produce if you don't get a chance to pick any in the fields.
It's only an hour from Richmond, making it perfect for a day trip.
The children's play area has so much to explore!
You can pet and feed the farm animals.
They sell food and cold drinks.
Tips:
1. Don't let your little ones see the play space before picking fruit or they may not want to leave!
2. Wear hats and sunscreen - it's hot!
3. A change of clothes for children is necessary! H played in the dirt and then jumped in the mud after the storm.
4. Click here to see my Instagram Review.