Snuggle with baby goats at Rose Bridge Farm Sanctuary. Photo courtesy of the farm.

Animal Farms and Petting Zoos near Philly

1. Rose Bridge Farm Sanctuary — Dresher

This unique experience blends cuddles with service. The sanctuary provides a home to various rescued farm animals and offers sessions for bottle feeding the babies and snuggling them all. Baby goats, calves, and kittens are typical on the farm as are horses, sheep, pigs, bunnies, chickens, peacocks, and even camels; be sure to grab a camel kiss in the camel kissing booth. Check out the website for additional events, such as goat hiking.  

2. Merrymead — Lansdale

Merrymead is a sweet farm for many reasons. Their homemade ice cream is utterly delicious, and the premises itself are completely charming. All the farm animals you’d expect dwell here, cows, sheep, bunnies, goats, donkeys, and even a peacock! The grounds are very walkable and accommodating for strollers.

3. Cherry Crest Adventure Farm — Ronks

Cherry Crest is somewhat of a one-stop-shop for fun on the farm. In addition to more than 50 games, adventures, and experiences the farm offers, visitors can interact with and feed goats, sheep, bunnies, pigs, ducks, chickens, and baby chicks in the animal center. Don't miss the Mini Cow and Goat Cuddling Encounters. You can also snuggle up to fluffy mini Highland calves Paisley and Lady A, or share some love with the playful and affectionate goats.

4. Sandy Hill Farm – Plymouth Meeting

This cute little farm is home to pigs, bunnies, goats, sheep, ducks, chickens, and ponies and specializes in riding lessons. A unique barn playground, pool, and pavilion are also on the property, which makes this the perfect small-group birthday party or day-out spot. Please note: Sandy Hill hosts some public hours but mainly operates by appointment only.

5. Terhune Orchards  — Princeton, NJ

Stop by the barnyard to see the sheep, goats, donkeys, ducks, geese, and chickens that live on the farm year-round, eagerly awaiting visitors. The playground contains play and pedal tractors, and a 1-mile trail goes around the on-site pond. From April through October, the farm hosts “Read and Pick” on Tuesdays, including a story featuring a crop in season and a chance to pick that crop or complete a craft.  

RELATED: 14 Philly-Area Alpaca Farms for Furry Family Fun

Feedings are popular at Highland Orchards. Photo by author.

6. Highland Orchards — West Chester

While Highland Orchards just has friendly goats greeting visitors, they also offer hayrides, a playground right next to the goats, and other fun activities. With over 10 pick-your-own crops, a large tractor to climb on, special events, a delicious bakery and market, and many picnic tables to dine at, Highland Orchards makes for a fun family day trip.

Adventure Aquarium. Photo by Lisa Warden

7. Adventure Aquarium — Camden, NJ

Visit the Touch-A-Shark exhibit to touch and feel unique species including epaulet sharks, bamboo sharks, and other aquatic creatures. Don’t miss out on visiting Stingray Beach Club, where guests are invited to dip their hands into the stingray touch pool. And once-in-a-lifetime encounters for an extra fee include snorkeling with sharks and rays, tong-feeding sea turtles, pop-in visits with endangered African penguins, and snack time with the aquarium's adorable Nile hippos.

8. Linvilla Orchards — Media

Linvilla's barnyard family features white tailed deer, friendly goats, gentle horses, whimsical sheep, and a pig named Charlotte, each with their own lovable personalities. There's also a large display of birds including chickens, geese, pheasants, quail, doves, ducks, turkeys, peacocks, and guineas. More fun awaits by way of hopping on a pony, casting a line in Orchard Lake, climbing on Playland, riding the train, checking out the duck pond, or picking your own fruit. Linvilla is another one-stop destination for a day of fun.  

9. Milky Way Farm — Chester Springs

Another ice cream and cow milking experience can be found at Milky Way Farm. A visit to Milky Way is a bit more structured than others and needs advanced scheduling, but visitors can enjoy close contact with farm animals that includes helping with cow, goat, and sheep feeding as well as egg collection. End the trip with a delicious ice cream treat, made with milk from the farm's very own cows.

10. KidZooU at the Philadelphia Zoo — Philadelphia

The Barnyard at KidZooU makes for a nice break for younger kids who might feel overwhelmed with the enormity of the zoo. Spend time with the ambassador goats and sheep, as well as free-range chickens. The Barnyard is open from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM daily and is included with Zoo admission. You can purchase additional tickets for a hand-feeding experiences with some of the most beautiful birds on the planet, plus a chance to feed the zoo's trio of giraffes.

11. Elmwood Park Zoo — Norristown

A local family favorite, this small but mighty Montgomery County zoo is a manageable size for families with young kids, who'll enjoy feeding big animals like giraffes or giving handfuls of grain to smaller barnyard animals like goats, birds, and sheep. Encounters for an additional cost include otter feeding, a VIP giraffe experience, and playtime with Penny the alligator.

12. Brandywine Zoo — Wilmington, DE

This smaller zoo across state lines in Delaware is a big hit with parents of small kids due to its manageable size. The Barnyard houses goats for interactive experiences.

Photos by the author except where noted