With a big red barn as its centerpiece, Domino's Petting Farm spreads across 20 acres of pristine farmland. Get up close with an assortment of livestock, including some rare breeds, like Highland cattle, horned Dorset sheep and Poitou donkeys. For an added bit of fun, make your way to the pond where you can feed the ducks or enjoy a hayride, free with the price of admission. Open year-round, the nonprofit farm is just 25 minutes west of Canton in Ann Arbor.
Open year-round, a heated barn is home to ponies, cows, alpacas and rabbits, just to name a few, at Heritage Park Petting Farm in Taylor, 25 minutes south of Canton. Children dressed in sneakers or boots can interact with animals like piglets, sheep and goats, as they walk through their stalls. You can also head down to the pond where a deck provides views of turtles, koi fish and frogs. Discounted rates are available for residents of Taylor.
Grab a glass of apple cider at Yates Cider Mill, an 1863 institution in Rochester Hills, 50 minutes north of Canton. The mill, surrounded by green rolling hills and open pastures, includes a petting zoo from mid-May through the fall that's home to critters such as sheep, llamas and goats. On the weekends in September and October kids can also enjoy a pony ride. If you’re looking to cool off, grab a treat from the old-fashioned ice cream shop or pick up some souvenirs at the gift store filled with apples and apple-themed products.
You can have fun on the farm at Miller's Big Red Apple Orchard in Washington Township, home to a small petting zoo with peacocks, lambs, pigs and goats. While the zoo charges on the weekend, admission is free during the week. Hop a ride aboard an orchard-bound wagon where, depending on the time of year, you can pick fresh produce like apples, pumpkins, strawberries and raspberries. The orchard, one hour north of Canton, also sells homemade fudge and apple cider, while the massive greenhouse provides a variety of flowers and vegetable plants.
Animals are just part of the appeal of Westview Orchards in Washington Township, one hour north of Canton. Head to the indoor petting farm to interact with bunnies and chicks or bask in the sunshine at the outdoor petting zoo with ducks, goats, pigs and donkeys. From spring through fall, you can pick an array of crops, including cherries, peaches and pumpkins. Special events throughout the year include fall corn mazes and train rides during the summer, while year-round activities include a 3-acre playground and obstacle course.
