A camel, baby alligators, and a corn maze with almost 3 miles of paths all share one farm.
That combo alone made me sit up and pay attention.
The family behind it has worked this land since 1846.
Seven generations later, the farm also protects North America’s largest collection of endangered livestock breeds.
I like how fall turns the whole place into a pick-your-own adventure. Kids can grab apples and pumpkins, then bottle-feed baby animals before lunch.
I can’t imagine a better way to wear out small legs in Massachusetts.
There’s one quirky rule, though. Grown-ups can’t stroll in alone, because every adult needs a kid along for the ride.
So who’s tagging along with you?
Grownups Need A Kid-Sized Ticket Holder To Get In
Davis Farmland flips the usual rules on their head. Adults must bring along at least one child age 12 or younger to enter the Children’s Discovery Farm.
That policy exists for one reason. The farm wants younger guests to feel safe and comfortable while they explore.
Honestly, that focus shows up everywhere. The whole place was built around little explorers, from the animal pens to the pint-sized play towns.
So who gets in solo? Nobody over 12, unless a child is in tow.
Grandparents, aunts, and family friends just need to borrow a small sidekick for the day.
The family running this place has deep roots. George Davis started the farm in 1846, and it began as a dairy operation.
A small petting zoo arrived in 1990. The permanent Discovery Farm officially opened in 1996, and 2026 marked its 30th anniversary season.
Seven generations have kept the gates open in Sterling. That’s a lot of history for a spot where kids mostly care about baby goats.
One handy tip before you leave home. The neighboring Mega Maze welcomes all ages, so teens and grownups without little ones still have a fall option nearby.
Bring A Wagon Because The Pumpkins Won’t Carry Themselves
Fall weekends bring a fun bonus to the farm. U-Pick Apples and Pumpkins lets families hunt down their own seasonal favorites right from the source.
During autumn, picking runs Saturdays and Sundays from 11 AM to 5 PM. That later start gives you time to visit the animals first.
Kids tend to treat pumpkin picking like a serious mission. Every round orange blob gets inspected, compared, and argued over before one finally wins.
Apples add a second layer to the fun. Your crew can fill up on fruit and still haul a pumpkin home for carving night.
Planning matters here, so keep the calendar in mind. Davis Farmland runs on a late fall schedule in October, with weekend hours through November 1.
Hours can shift, so check before you go. Nobody wants a car full of excited kids staring at a closed gate.
Stroller and wagon rentals are available on-site. Trust me, a wagon beats carrying a wobbly pumpkin and a sleepy toddler at the same time.
Pick a few small pumpkins too. Little hands love having one that fits just right.
Almost Three Miles Of Corn Paths Are Waiting Across The Street
Eight acres of corn. Nearly 3 miles of winding pathways.
The Davis Mega Maze sits across the street from the farm, and it means business.
Finishing can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours. Your family’s sense of direction will decide which end of that range you land on.
The maze was designed as both a physical and mental challenge. Interactive stations and games along the way keep everyone thinking instead of just wandering.
Worried about tired legs halfway through? A quick exit option waits at the halfway point, which might save a few meltdowns.
Keep a few details in mind before heading over. Admission is separate from the farm, and the maze keeps its own hours.
Outside food and drinks aren’t allowed inside the Mega Maze. Eat a snack before you start, because corn stalks don’t serve lunch.
Every age can enter, unlike the main farm. That makes it a solid pick for older siblings or grownup friends.
Around October, the Halloween Mystery Maze adds a spooky-season twist. Live music and field games may also pop up, so check the schedule for extras.
Rare Farm Breeds Live Here, And Some Of Them Want A Snack
Here’s a fact worth repeating at dinner. Davis Farmland holds North America’s largest collection of endangered livestock breeds.
Back in 2000, the farm teamed up with the San Diego Zoo. Together they created the world’s first Frozen Zoo for endangered farm animals, preserving their DNA.
That science-heavy mission comes with a very hands-on side. Kids can feed, pet, groom, and bottle-feed baby animals right up close.
Egg collecting and goat milking are also part of the fun. Plenty of city kids learn exactly where breakfast comes from in one afternoon.
The animal list reads like a storybook cast. Goats, sheep, donkeys, cows, llamas, pigs, chickens, turkeys, emus, peacocks, and ducks all call the farm home.
Yes, there’s a camel too. Deer and tortoises round out the crowd.
Kittens and bunnies are ready for gentle cuddles. Ferrets hang out in the Critter Corner for anyone who likes a wiggly friend.
Animal feed cups cost extra, so plan for that. Grab a few early, because those goats seem to know who’s holding the good stuff.
Alligators Might Steal The Spotlight From The Goats
At the Reptile Ranch, children can pet or hold snakes, bearded dragons, and those tiny gators too.
Some kids leap at the chance. Others watch from three feet back with arms crossed, and that’s totally fine.
Either way, it’s a memorable lesson. Scales feel nothing like goat fur, and kids notice right away.
Bigger animals live out in the back pastures. A Safari Hayride carries guests out there to see them in wider, open spaces.
Hayrides come with admission, which is a nice perk. A narrating farmer guides the ride and shares facts along the way.
That guided style keeps things interesting for curious minds. Kids get answers without needing to read a single sign.
Pony rides are available as well, for an extra fee. Smaller riders often call it the best part of the whole day.
Face painting and a duck race add more silly fun. Between the reptiles, hayride, and ponies, you’ll want a camera fully charged before lunch.
A Tiny Town Lets Kids Run The Whole Show
Moo Town might be the cutest place in Massachusetts to play grownup. It’s a child-sized pretend town where little ones call the shots.
Kids can teach at the school house or treat stuffed patients at the vet clinic. Bunny’s Market and Moo Moo’s Diner handle the shopping and cooking.
Need more options? There’s a campground, an ice cream shop, a grocery store, and an RV.
A house with baby dolls lets kids practice being parents. Meanwhile, a music room gives future rock stars a chance to make noise.
Imagine Acres keeps the creative energy going nearby. It features Just My Size Play Structures, a Construction Play Zone, and real-feeling excavators to operate.
Gem Mining and Gone Fishin’ offer quieter fun. The Bounce Cow and Jump Pad handle the opposite end of the energy scale.
Toddlers aren’t left out either. Baby and Me Swings let little ones ride alongside a grownup.
Plan extra time for this area. Once kids start running the diner, they rarely want to close up shop early.
Dinosaur Digs And A Super Slide Burn Off Extra Energy
Got a kid who climbs everything? Adventureland was made for exactly that kind of energy.
The Dino Dig sends young paleontologists searching through the sand. Dino Climbers and the Summit Climber give them something tall to conquer.
Wheels play a big role here too. Scooter Bugs and the Pedal Track let kids zip around under their own power.
Then comes the big one, the Cow-a-bunga Super Slide. Its name alone gets giggles before anyone even reaches the top.
This area grew from a major 2003 expansion. That year, Davis Farmland opened Adventure Play and Spray, a 6-acre zone with what was then the nation’s largest zero-depth spray ground.
Today the water play lives on as Cowabunga Splash Park. It’s New England’s largest zero-depth spray park, with slides, fountains, and a giant slip-n-slide.
Here’s the catch for fall visitors. The splash park closes for the season after Labor Day.
Don’t worry, though, because the dry fun keeps rolling. Sand Play and climbing still deliver plenty of action on crisp autumn afternoons.
Pulled Pork, Dole Whip, And A Picnic Option Too
Hungry kids turn into grumpy kids fast. Luckily, food is easy to find around the farm.
Davis BBQ is a full-size barbecue restaurant on-site. Grab-and-go spots and classic fast-food picks fill in the gaps.
The Herd Rock Cafe serves classic cheeseburgers and chopped beef BBQ sandwiches. Pulled pork sandwiches, chicken tenders, and veggie burgers are also on the menu.
Picky eaters get their own lineup. Kids’ entrees include Uncrustables, hot dogs, mac and cheese, cheese pizza, and chicken tenders.
Sides keep things simple and familiar. Think ruffle chips, potato salad, crinkle-cut fries, and grapes.
Save room for dessert, obviously. Soft-serve, hard-scooped ice cream, and pineapple Dole Whip are all waiting.
Want to save a little money? Families can bring packed lunches into the farm, and picnic tables plus shaded spots make that easy.
Just remember the maze rule. Outside food isn’t allowed in the Mega Maze, so eat at the farm before heading across the street.
Parents Will Appreciate The Little Extras Here
Small details can make or break a family outing. At 145 Redstone Hill Rd in Sterling, MA, the farm clearly thought about tired parents.
Boo Boo Stations offer free sunscreen and bandages. Free baby wipes sit in the bathrooms and at picnic tables.
Family bathrooms include regular and toddler-sized toilets. Two different sink heights and changing stations make potty breaks less of a wrestling match.
Nursing parents get a private Baby Feeding Room. It’s air-conditioned, with a rocking chair, changing station, and toddler toys.
Water bottle refill stations help keep everyone hydrated. Lockers give you a spot to stash extra layers when fall mornings warm up.
The farm is designed to be accessible for people with various disabilities. That makes the day easier for more families to enjoy together.
Sterling sits within a reasonable drive for many central Massachusetts families. Pair it with the Mega Maze for a full fall day.
Davis Farmland keeps weekend hours through November 1. Check ahead, pack the wagon, and get ready for a car ride home full of animal stories.
