Sunday, October 7, 2012

Off the Beaten Path Travel:Fair Oaks Dairy Farm



If you are ever visiting Indianapolis or Chicago, make a special trip to see the Fair Oaks Farms Dairy, which is located between the two cities right off the interstate. It is a one-of-a-kind experience that is both educational and fun.

Fair Oaks is the country's largest dairy farm, but has also been transformed into a unique tourist attraction. They have 40-minute tours of one of ten dairy farms, which includes a trip to see the baby cows and cow milking carousel. I have never seen a milking carousel in person and it was really interesting. Back at your starting base, The Dairy Adventure Barn, they have a 4-D movie about the milking process and educational exhibit halls to explore. There is also an interactive area for kids. In the warmer months, a special kids' outdoor play area is open. Not to be missed is the birthing barn. At Fair Oaks, we were told that there are 80-100 births a day so the chances are good that you will be able to see a calf being born. We entered the birthing barn right after a calf had been born and were able to see her take her first steps, which was such a neat experience for the kids. The birthing barn also has a nursery where the baby calves are placed a few hours after being born. They were very cute!!

Fair Oaks also has a cheese factory on the premises, which you can watch from an observation area as well as a gift shop area and ice cream parlor. The ice cream was really fantastic.

This attraction is truly worth the stop and is very convenient if you are in the area or passing through.  http://www.fofarms.com/en/home

6 comments:

  1. Wow! The tour sounds like so much fun! Not only would my kids love it, but their farm-raised mommy would too! We live in California right now, but with the military, we never know where we might end up!

    Visiting from Moms Monday Mingle.

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    1. Hi Jenny, thanks for visiting. Checked out your blog and started following. Hope you will get to visit Fair Oaks someday, it is well worth it.

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  2. Thanks for the info! We have passed this place several times en route between Chicago and Louisville. I have to take my daughter some time! Following you from the hop!

    Mel S
    http://twomomsalittletimeandakeyboard.blogspot.com

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    1. Hey Mel- Followed you back. Definitely stop at Fair Oaks sometime, we thoroughly enjoyed it!

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  3. Thanks for this blog. I recalled me about my grand father's dairy farm.
    Cheap Flights

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  4. This is great info! I've passed this several times from our trips to Michigan/Chicagoland.... We'll have to make it a point to stop one time! Thanks for stopping by my blog... look forward to more of your travel posts!

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