No matter the season—whether it’s sunny and warm, or the air carries a crisp chill—visiting a local farm with your family can be an excellent way to unwind and have fun. During spring and summer, farms are often bustling with activity, offering petting zoos, pony rides, and various entertainment options for children. They also feature fresh produce available at farmers’ markets. In the fall, many farms boast sprawling pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and hayrides. Meanwhile, winter brings tree farms, Christmas markets, and festive events. Below, we explore the most fascinating farms in and around Vancouver, as featured on vancouver-name.
Maan Farms
Located in Abbotsford, part of the Vancouver area, Maan Farms is one of the most exciting destinations to visit year-round. Children can enjoy playing in Barnyard Adventureland, zipping through the air on the zipline, or interacting with animals in the petting zoo. Adults can partake in activities like Goat Yoga, combining yoga classes with the unique experience of baby goats roaming freely around. A glass of their signature berry wine is a delightful addition.
In the fall, Maan Farms becomes a hub for Halloween activities, featuring a haunted corn maze and the terrifyingly interactive Pitch Black experience. During winter, the farm hosts a Christmas market where visitors can purchase handmade gifts from local vendors or enjoy a pancake breakfast, with proceeds going to the children’s hospital.
Taves Family Farms Applebarn
Taves Applebarn, located near the U.S. border in Abbotsford, is another fantastic spot for family fun. In spring, they host Easter celebrations with egg hunts, bunny visits, hayrides, and other entertaining farm activities. Adults can enjoy their own Easter-themed events with food, drinks, and live music.
As summer fades into autumn, Taves Applebarn comes alive with activities for all ages. Visitors can explore the country store, barns, and pumpkin patches, or pick their own apples, goji berries, and pumpkins to purchase. It’s an interactive way to connect with the farm-to-table lifestyle.
Maplewood Farm
Established in 1975, Maplewood Farm is located on 5 acres of rural land in North Vancouver, near Mount Seymour. This farm provides visitors with the opportunity to meet and feed over 200 animals and birds, including rabbits, sheep, cows, pigs, goats, and horses. Guests can watch milking demonstrations, interact with farm staff, and enjoy a picnic or pony rides (by reservation).
Aldor Acres
Operating since 1988, Aldor Acres has been a family favourite for over 30 years. Open year-round, the farm offers tours, petting zoos, birthday parties, and seasonal activities. In the fall, they host Harvest and Pumpkin Festivals, while winter visitors can cut down their own Christmas tree from the tree farm. Events include tractor hayrides, visits to the cleverly named “Pharmacy” market, and opportunities to pet and feed a variety of animals.
Krause Berry Farms
Krause Berry Farms, a 200-acre berry farm in operation since 1974, is a must-visit for food and wine lovers. The Estate Winery is open year-round, offering berry wines, waffles, and a full menu of farm-fresh dishes. Their market and bakery open in spring, where visitors can purchase pies, frozen berries, and other fresh products. U-pick fields invite guests to gather their own strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and even fresh flowers. Be sure to come hungry—the waffles with berries are a highlight, and the freshly baked pies are unforgettable!
Southlands Heritage Farm
Located within Vancouver city limits, Southlands Heritage Farm offers a blend of education and entertainment for children and adults. Visitors can learn about farming, animal husbandry, and sustainability. The farm also provides pony rides, horseback riding lessons, spring break and summer camps, and birthday party hosting.
Their weekly farmer’s market operates from June to October, and visitors can enjoy pumpkin patches throughout October. The farm is home to a variety of animals, including horses, ponies, goats, sheep, chickens, and ducks, making it a charming and educational urban escape.
Eagle Acres Dairy Farm
Eagle Acres Dairy Farm is open for school field trips, group tours, senior visits, birthday parties, and tourists on select days. Their tours provide visitors with insights into how dairy farms operate, introduce them to various farm animals, and guide them through picturesque pumpkin patches. The farm is home to over 200 animals from nine different species. Activities on the tours include butter churning, hand milking, feeding cows and calves, and learning about R2D2, their milking robot.
Rondriso Farms
Rondriso Farms is a small, cozy family homestead with a year-round general store offering fresh produce and natural beef raised right on the farm. Visitors can also purchase their Localicious Produce Box during the summer, fall, and winter, which is packed with seasonal, freshly harvested goods available on the day of sale. On October 1st, Rondriso Farms showcases their pumpkin patches, inviting visitors to stroll through the fields to select a perfect pumpkin. Additionally, they sell corn stalks and hay bales at their farm stand. Before leaving, visitors can stop by to visit the cows and chickens.
Westham Island Herb Farm
Westham Island Herb Farm has been family-owned since 1916. Guests can take a step back in time by viewing historical photos shared on their website. The farm grows a wide variety of produce, herbs, juicy strawberries, flowers, and more. Visitors can pick strawberries from the fields, assemble a custom bouquet from their flower garden, or shop in the general store for delicious jams, honey, handmade aprons, and other fresh farm goods. The farm is also known for its pumpkins, offering white, grey, orange, red, and even striped varieties.
Birchwood Dairy Farm
Birchwood Dairy Farm is a sprawling 220-acre property located in Abbotsford. Farmers offer 45-minute educational tours covering the entire area. The tours include a visit to the cow barn, an introduction to the dairy cows, a walkthrough of the milking area to explain the equipment used, and a trip to the calf barn to meet newborn animals. After the tour, visitors are treated to a scoop of the farm’s premium ice cream and are encouraged to explore the property at their leisure or spend time with loved ones.
Birchwood Dairy Farm is an ideal venue for personalized birthday parties or other special events, with the team ready to assist with arrangements. Their Country Store offers light lunches and fresh dairy products straight from the farm. From June to September, guests can enjoy petting and interacting with the animals in the petting zone.
Tips for Visiting the Farms
When planning a visit to one of these farms, it’s essential to consider your attire. Many farms have muddy or uneven terrain, making appropriate footwear and practical clothing a must. If the farm has a petting zoo, be cautious around mischievous goats—they are notorious for nibbling on clothing and anything else visitors carry. It’s best to wear older clothes that can withstand wear and tear, especially if you plan to pick fresh produce or flowers during your visit.