Fresh country air, nature walks, tractor rides and more. If your little ones love to coo over rabbits, goats, and chickens, a visit to a nearby farm is likely to enthrall. Some spots will allow you to touch, feed, and interact with the animals — making the experience even more special. We’ve compiled a list of some of the closest options to Montreal where you can spend an hour, or the whole day, having fun on the farm.
Credit: Nid’Otruche
Nid’Otruche
825 ch. Fresnière, St-Eustache
For a day that is out of the ordinary, visit the flock of curious ostriches living at this farm north of Montreal.
Take a 60-minute guided tour of the farm with a chance to see baby ostrich, let loose in the playground, and meet other farm animals including the Watusi cattle with their impressive horns. Bring your own picnic or grab a meal at the snack bar. Reservations are mandatory.
For more information, visit nidotruche.com.
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Alpagas du Domaine Poissant
1235 ch. de la Montagne, Mont Saint-Hilaire
More than 200 alpacas grace this farm located at the base of Mont Saint-Hilaire. Book your time slot for a guided farm visit, or to take a walk through the woods with your new fuzzy friend. Kids can feed them snacks, caress their woolly manes, and take some selfies. Stay tuned for announcements about their summer “yoga with the alpacas” sessions for adults and children. Activities are by reservation only.
For more information, visit alpagasdudomainepoissant.com.
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Verger Champêtre
2300 Cowie St., Granby
For an invigorating day in the countryside, plan a visit to this lovely farm. With more than 2.8 km of trails through apple orchards, vegetable gardens, and evergreen trees, the whole family can refresh and rejuvenate in nature. For an especially fun walk, bring along an alpaca or a miniature horse for a 20-minute stroll ($18 per animal). You’ll also find a playground, an interpretation centre to learn about life on a farm, 250 animals, and a café where you can pick up a homemade picnic to enjoy on-site.
Check out all the activities, events, opening hours, and prices at vergerchampetre.com.
Credit: Alpagas Sutton – Geneviève Dubé
Alpagas Sutton
1474 ch. Macey, Sutton
Beautiful scenery, adorable animals, relaxing nature, and trails to hike. Plan a trip to Sutton for the day and enjoy a self-guided or guided farm tour, discover four kilometres of interpretive nature trails, picnic with a view of the mountains, and visit the boutique for a selection of handmade, gourmet items.
Reservations are not required to visit the farm.
For more information, visit alpagassutton.com.
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Ferme Guyon
1001 Patrick-Farrar St., Chambly
There is a lot to do at this farm that also houses an amazing garden centre, a butterfly house, and a vast indoor store selling local produce. Families can grab a bite to eat beside the barn, learn about the world of agriculture, and stop in to admire the more than 400 butterflies, such as the Monarch or the Blue Morpho. The educational farm and butterfly house are open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. No reservations are needed.
For more information, visit fermeguyon.com.
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Le ferme Forget
7901 Marcel-Villeneuve Ave., Laval
For a busy day filled with outdoor activities, plan a visit to this farm in the heart of Laval. In addition to the U-pick fields of fruits, flowers and vegetables, the lovely site offers a playground area for children, a mini-animal farm, tasting of homemade products, a self-service picnic area, tractor rides, and a photo corner. At the mini-farm, you can meet llamas, calves, pigs, and goats, as well as feathered animals such as white geese, ducks, and hens. A food distributor is available to feed them.
For more information, visit fermeforget.ca.
Centre de la Nature Laval
901 du Parc Ave, Laval
This immense 50-hectare public park is an amazing spot to spend the day. There are a ton of activities including boats to rent on the lake, tropical greenhouses full of flowers, gorgeous outdoor gardens, two great playgrounds (one that’s wheelchair accessible), a mini village, fields, and ponds. And, of course, a visit to the mini-farm is a must. Hang out with the goats, chickens, horses, donkeys, pigs, goats, ducks, rabbits, alpacas, and different species of birds. The farm is open every day of the year, but the grazing area is only accessible in summer. During the other seasons, the animals live inside the barn. Access is free.
For more information, visit laval.ca/centredelanature.
Credit: Les Alpagas de la Petite Côte
Les Alpagas de la Petite Côte
1423 ch. St Louis, Saint-Lazare
For a huge dose of cuteness, bring the kids for an interactive visit with this farm’s alpacas. Visitors reserve in advance to join a guided group farm visit (max of 15 people) where you’ll get to hang out with the alpacas in their paddocks and receive a bucket of grain to feed and get up close and personal. You can also enjoy the “feeding and fire” package where you can relax and roast marshmallows, and stay tuned for details on its alpaca-yoga classes starting in July.
Reservations are required.
For more information, visit lesalpagasdelapetitecote.com.
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Project PACE farm
1450 Montee Wilson, Ile-Bizard
Join Project PACE for a guided interactive farm tour where families will have the chance to feed and pet animals, such as ducks, bunnies, chickens, goats, sheep and alpacas. Those wanting to stay longer can join in on activities such as colouring, decorating chicken coops, helping with planting, or other seasonal offerings. The tour is suitable for children aged 2 & up and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Reservations are mandatory.
For more information, visit projectpace.ca.
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Quinn Farm
2495 Perrot Blvd., Notre-Dame-de-l’Ile-Perrot
A favourite of Montrealers, this farm is a popular spot for picking strawberries, apples, pumpkins, and even Christmas trees. During the summer, families can make a day of it with a visit to the fun playground, snack on delicious fresh goodies from the farm shop, and say hi to the animals. In the barn and outdoors, you can find pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, rabbits, cows and horses. Some activities require reservations, so be sure to visit the website and Facebook page for details and to hear about special events.
For more information, visit quinnfarm.qc.ca.
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Cap-Saint-Jacques Ecological Farm
183 ch. du Cap-Saint-Jacques, Pierrefonds
Besides the public beach and the beautiful walking and biking trails, this huge nature park is also home to a working farm and a small general store selling local products and treats. Families can visit the cows, pigs, hens, donkey, and goats in the barn or see them outside in the field. Access to the park and farm is free, but visitors must pay an hourly or daily parking fee.
See the hours and details here montreal.ca/en/places/parc-nature-du-cap-saint-jacques-ecological-farm
