Looking for a farm activity that’s a little out of the ordinary? Farm stays are becoming a new trend in overnight accommodations. Spending the night on a farm is fun and educational, and it also gives your family something unique and memorable to talk about for years.
Luckily, Indiana has several opportunities to experience a farm more in-depth. Even better: Many of these farms are just a short distance from Indianapolis. Whether you want to spend a long weekend learning about the ins and outs of a farm, or you just want to plan a fun overnight trip where you wake up when the rooster crows, check out these farms options!
Here are 5 Indiana Farms that offer overnight farm stays:
Heritage Farm
Flora, Indiana
Heritage Farm in Flora is a working alpaca farm that gives guests an opportunity to help with daily chores, collect eggs from the chicken coop, or simply relax on the porch with a cup of coffee. The 120-acre farm offers plenty for the entire family, including a 400-foot-long zip line, large platform swing, a creek and nature as far as the eye can see. You can choose to stay at the Heritage Farmhouse (which includes modern amenities), the vintage 1850’s log cabin (which includes a small kitchenette and “pioneer” experience) or the tree tent (for those who like the roughin’ it camp style).
Heavenly Acres
Thorntown, Indiana
At Heavenly Acres Farm and Learning Center in northwest Indiana, families have the opportunity to join a farm tour and help with daily chores. The farm includes miniature horses, donkeys, alpacas, sheep, chickens, ducks and turkey. In addition, they offer classes ranging from learning how to process alpaca fiber to healthcare for the animals. The Cottage sleeps six and includes typical amenities of a rental Airbnb.
Indiana Amish Country
Wakarusa, Indiana
In Indiana Amish country, you can experience an entirely different way of living. At Will and Jewel Johnson’s Airbnb in Wakarusa, guests will see horse-drawn carriages and plows. However, if you’re not into roughing it, they do drive cars and provide electricity (No Wi-Fi). Families can join in on the day-to-day experience of living life on a farm. For example, you might join Jewel to knead corn flour and water to make tortillas or help harvest vegetables to prepare dinner. Other options include woodworking, hanging clothes on the line to dry and attending Sunday church with the Johnson family. The goal is simply to work together, fellowship and enjoy a get away like none other.
Tyner Pond Farm
Greenfield, Indiana
At Tyner Pond Farm, they are all about using 100 percent grass-fed cattle, local pigs and pasture raised chicken which in turn, bring life back to the soil. The all-natural farm invites families to enjoy a new guest house with four bedrooms and three full bathrooms, visit with the animals and enjoy the peace and quiet a farm can provide. With more people interested in locally grown foods, at Tyner Pond, they hope to share the best practices to farm life and cutting-edge innovations.
Thistle Byre Farm
Burnettsville, Indiana
Another farm focused on grass-fed meats, land stewardship and teaching others, at Thistle Byre Farm, guests can take a tour and meet the hogs, horses, sheep and chickens while also learning how to prepare your own food with a gardening or canning class. June through September, families can book a three-course farm-to-table dinner around a campfire. Just a short drive to Monticello, the farm is a great addition to plans of shopping, restaurants and spending the day at Indiana Beach. The farmhouse cottage offers modern amenities and provides the opportunity to just sit back and relax for the weekend as well.
What is a Farm Stay?
A farm stay is any type of accommodation on a working farm. Some farm stays may be interactive, offering guests opportunities to feed animals and collect eggs; learn how a farm functions; or participate in recreation activities like fishing. Farm stays are often referred to as agritourism. Tourism that is based on visiting working farms.
