In the heart of Indiana is Fair Oaks Farms, a working farm that combines education, food, and lots of fun for families. Located just off I-65, about halfway between Indianapolis and Chicago, this Indiana hidden gem is a sprawling farmstead that offers a one-of-a-kind experience for all ages. The farm showcases local agriculture, sustainable farming practices, animal encounters and delicious farm-made food.
The Fair Oaks Farms campus is an all-in-one destination. It includes a hotel, interactive museums, daily tours, a farm-to-table restaurant, a cafe, an ice cream shop, a nature trail, and lots more.
Spend the Night on the Farm
How fun is it to stay in a hotel that looks like a barn? So fun! The Fairfield by Marriott at Fair Oaks Farms is the place you will want to stay if you want to make a weekend of visiting the farm. (And you definitely will — there’s so much to do here.)
This one-of-a-kind hotel has fun features for families, including an indoor pool with a waterslide and indoor/outdoor hot tub, free hot breakfast, a fireplace patio, access to a nature walking trail, and 31 special suites, including a Family Suite with bunk beds. And if you want to bring your furry family member, that’s OK, because dogs are welcome!
Experience Farm Life
Fair Oaks Farms offers experiential museums and adventures that will have you exploring all aspects of farm life. The Dairy Adventure and Pig Adventure require reservations in order to go on the tours, because you take a shuttle to see where the animals live. Once you’re finished with the tour, you can stay and explore each respective museum as long and as many times as you want.
The Dairy Adventure
The Dairy Adventure at Fair Oaks Farms includes a short shuttle ride to the dairy operation site of the farm, located about a mile away. While on the shuttle, you’ll hear educational audio offering facts about the cows, life on the farm, and the daily operations that take place.
Once you’ve arrived at the dairy farm, you’ll deboard the shuttle and get a 45-minute tour of the dairy. You’ll see things like the milking carousel, the milk tanks and pasteurization areas, and rooms where the cows are kept to relax and chew their cud (some are massaged with a big brush!).
After the shuttle drops you back off at the main campus, enjoy exploring the indoor museum — a fun space for kids to play as they learn. Kids can learn how to use a “real” milking station, watch how robotics are used to milk cows, learn about what it takes to be a dairy farmer, play at an indoor playground, and lots more.
Don’t leave The Dairy Adventure without also stopping into the Birthing Barn. With the number of cows at the farm, there is almost always a mama cow in the process of delivering a calf. You might be able to see the miracle of life take place before your eyes!
The Pig Adventure
One of the more delightful aspects of the farm is The Pig Adventure, were you can see pigs at all ages and stages … including just-born little piglets up close! Just like The Dairy Adventure, you hop aboard a shuttle that takes you around two miles away to where the pigs live on the farm. The Pig Adventure also includes a tour, but it is more interactive and casual, which is perfect for kids.
Back at the main farm, there’s lots to do and see in the pig museum. Burn off some energy on the multi-level ropes course (for an additional fee of $5 per person). Younger kids might enjoy playing house inside the Redwood Treehouse, complete with a slide exit.
The Crop Adventure
Explore The Crop Adventure, where you can learn about the importance of farmers, the many uses of corn, and to be sustainable with our resources. There’s an interactive sensory center for kids, and lots of exhibits to read and play with. This is one of the smaller experiences of the three, but just as fun, so don’t miss it!
Mooville
Open Memorial Day weekend and throughout the summer, Mooville is an outdoor interactive experience at Fair Oaks Farms. Kids can climb a 22-foot milk carton and ring the bell at the top, ride a “Moo Choo Train” around a track, jump on a giant bouncing pillow, and lots more.
Farm-Fresh Food Options
Exploring a working farm will definitely work up your appetite. Fortunately, there are a range of food options at Fair Oaks Farms.
For a quick, kid-friendly meal, the COWfé is the go-to spot. This cafe serves breakfast and lunch, as well as ice cream and coffee. The thing to get here is the grilled cheese sandwich, which comes in many forms, from the simple bread-and-cheese sandwich to gourmet versions made with rye bread and Swiss cheese.
If you’re looking for a more formal (yet still casual and family-friendly) sit-down experience, The Farmhouse Restaurant is a great choice. Here, you’ll find farm-to-table American fare created from ingredients that are grown and harvested with care. Popular dishes include the French onion soup — with fresh, gooey cheese melted on top — steaks and desserts. Making a reservation ahead of time is recommended, due to the restaurant’s popularity.
For a quick treat, head to The Dairycatessen, a convenience store on the farm that’s also a gas station. From ice cream to aged cheeses, you’ll find lots of things to settle your cravings before you hit the road back home.
