The Farm - Farm Animals, Close to Home

Mommy Vegas Idea #9

A Little Farm Fun for City Kids

I grew up under the impression that a herd of horses, some pigs, a coop full of chickens, a couple cats, a dog and a gaggle of geese were my best friends (plus or minus a few reptiles, rodents and various rescued wilds over the years). So it seems a bit amiss to me that we are totally the stereotypical, "1 dog... 1 cat... city family." Luckily my brother and sister(-in-law) have a fun little hobby farm in Texas, where my kids can pet a live chicken (admittedly, awkwardly... one finger outstretched at arms reach), ride a pluggy old pony (again, awkwardly), and see all sorts of other fun, seemingly kid-proof, critters at nearer than arms reach, should they be so inclined! But not everyone has the privilege of mooching off their loved ones' livestock - that's where The Farm comes in!

For a few bucks, you can feel like you're visiting the family hobby farm to pet cows, pigs, horses (even the mini variety), ducks, chickens and various other fluffy or feathered faces. It's quite cute and a fun little weekend escape from city life. Admittedly, some may have to relax their standards a bit, this is not a working farm, but a fun little slice of country life a family has opened to the public. I noticed upon our last visit, some patrons had slightly higher expectations than can be delivered at The Farm. You have to go into it with the understanding that it really is, as the somewhat charmingly out-dated website attests, "[A] Time Capsule Since 1961," a bit of a blast from the past, much like an eccentric aunt's house.

The entrance may be a bit lack-luster, but wait...

...there is hidden beauty throughout... particularly for those that don't forget to look up!

While some of the property seems a bit weathered, the grounds are over-all clean and generally pretty cute! In our experience the people (mostly volunteers it appears) are extremely friendly, the animals are very well kept and noticeably well groomed, all those that are allowed to freely interact with guests are pleasant and friendly, and while the place is somewhat small, city kids will have no problem finding plenty to fill about an hour any Saturday or Sunday from 9 am to... well, I guess it depends on when they get tired! :) 

The Market
Many people stop by just for the farm fresh eggs, local honey, and other fresh treats, but if it's the eggs you're after, be sure to get there early.  Chicken eggs seem to last into late morning, or even early afternoon, but duck and quail eggs are gone soon after opening.  The chicken eggs are a bit pricey at $5 a dozen, but there's no arguing the appeal of farm fresh eggs!  If you enjoy quail and duck eggs, they are quite the deal, also around $5 a dozen (though obviously, all prices are subject to change at the discretion of the management). 

I LOVED the use of these antique cradles!

...and we all know I like chalkboards!

Produce is generally about $2 a pound, and comes mostly from the Gilcrease Orchard across the street. If you go in the month of October (Gilcrease is open both Saturday and Sunday in October) or on Saturday (during the rest of Fall, Spring, or Summer), you may want to pair the trip with a visit to the Orchard! 

 

The Animals on The Farm
All the critters were sweet, but we thoroughly enjoyed Violet, the resident pot-bellied pig. Little Bear noted she would have been keener to build her house of bricks... but we decided the property walls were proving fit to detour the Big Bad Wolf.

The chickens were plentiful, but we couldn't resist this little guy with the bad hair day. 

There are pony rides at an additional fee, but we enjoyed just petting the the horses, both big and small!

What would a farm be without a proper cow or two?!

Little Bear: "MOOOO are you looking at?!" Mommy: "Your cleverness is moosic to my ears!"

The bunny tent was popular with our Little Bug and several other little ladies, it took some patience to get a pic to post free of gawking girls.

"Excuse me, did someone lose a bunny slipper?"

I think this may be the peafowl version of begging.

Other Fun Details

The Bear was a HUGE fan of the enormous gumball machine. 

Bug couldn't get enough of the fish in a trough. We literally hauled her away whining.

Little Bear and I got a giggle out of this sign seemingly directed at the ichthyophile.

So while you will not get the experience of visiting a real working farm, you will get the opportunity to expose your little city slickers to a few farm friends and maybe even take home some farm-fresh treats.

 Getting There

Address

7222 W. Grand Teton Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89131

The kiosk on Grand Teton

Take I-95 to Durango Exit and go East/North, towards Floyd Lamb State Park. Turn right (East) on Grand Teton. The Farm is located just before the corner of Tenaya and Grand Teton (Northwest corner).  Park along the wall and walk in through the gates.

See this location on the Mommy Vegas Map.

So what was the favorite animal available to love upon at The Farm? Seriously? Seriously.

 

Happy Farming!

-Candice