Are you looking for the perfect family outing that combines fun, education, and unforgettable memories?
Welcome to Intercourse, Pennsylvania—a charming village in the heart of Lancaster County’s Amish Country, where your family can experience some of the most engaging petting zoos and farm attractions in the region.
Whether you’re traveling from nearby cities or planning a weekend getaway, this guide will help you discover the best petting zoos near Intercourse where you can interact with adorable animals, learn about farm life, and create lasting memories with your loved ones.
Why Intercourse, Pennsylvania Is Perfect for Your Petting Zoo Adventure
Intercourse sits at the heart of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, making it an ideal base for exploring the region’s incredible animal attractions. This historic village, named for the intersection of major trade routes back in 1814, has evolved into one of the most sought-after destinations for family activities in Amish Country. The town is surrounded by working farms, authentic Amish businesses, and family-friendly attractions that celebrate the area’s rich agricultural heritage.
What makes Intercourse particularly special for petting zoo visits is its unique combination of traditional farm experiences and genuine Amish hospitality. Unlike overcrowded tourist destinations, the petting zoos here maintain an authentic, intimate connection between visitors and animals.
Your kids won’t just be looking at animals through barriers—they’ll be bottle-feeding calves, milking cows, collecting eggs, and hand-feeding pygmy goats. This hands-on approach transforms a simple visit into an educational adventure that teaches children about farm life, animal care, and the importance of respect for living creatures.
The village’s location also provides easy access to multiple farm attractions within a short drive. Whether you’re staying at Kitchen Kettle Village or exploring the charming shops and restaurants that dot the area, you’ll find that most major petting zoos are only minutes away, making it convenient to pack several animal experiences into your family vacation.
The Benefits of Visiting a Petting Zoo with Your Family
Before we dive into specific locations, let’s talk about why petting zoos are such fantastic destinations for family outings. Beyond the obvious fun factor, petting zoos offer surprising educational and developmental benefits that make them valuable experiences for children of all ages.
Interactive Learning Opportunities
When your child pets a goat, feeds a calf, or holds a baby chick for the first time, they’re not just having fun—they’re learning. Petting zoos provide hands-on education about different animal species, their behaviors, diet, and habitat needs. Children discover the unique characteristics of farm animals: the texture of a horse’s coat, the softness of a rabbit, the surprisingly gentle nature of a large cow. These sensory experiences create lasting memories far more powerful than reading about animals in a textbook.
Building Compassion and Responsibility
Interacting with gentle animals helps children develop empathy and emotional intelligence. When kids feed animals from their hand, they learn gentleness and respect for living creatures. They understand that animals have feelings, need care, and deserve kindness. These lessons often extend beyond the farm visit, encouraging children to treat all animals—and often, other people—with greater compassion.
Stress Relief and Connection to Nature
In our increasingly digital world, outdoor activities at petting zoos provide valuable stress relief for the entire family. Fresh air, physical movement, and the calming effects of animal interaction have been shown to reduce anxiety and improve overall well-being. For both children and adults, spending time with animals offers a peaceful escape from daily pressures.
Family Bonding
A petting zoo visit creates a shared experience that strengthens family bonds. Working together to feed animals, laughing at a goat’s antics, or encouraging a nervous child to touch their first horse—these moments become cherished family memories that kids will talk about for years.
Amish Farm and House: Your Complete Agricultural Experience
Located just a short drive from Intercourse in Lancaster, the Amish Farm and House stands as America’s first Amish-focused tourist attraction, established in 1955. This historic farm offers one of the most comprehensive petting zoo experiences in Lancaster County, making it an absolute must-visit destination for families.
The Full Petting Zoo Experience
The Amish Farm and House features a welcoming 15-acre property brimming with friendly farm animals. Your family can interact with goats, sheep, donkeys, miniature horses, baby chicks, turkeys, and more. The farm has special petting zoo days throughout the year, but animal interaction is available during regular visits as well. You can feed the adorable animals with specially prepared treats, and your kids will love getting up close with creatures they may have never encountered before.
One of the highlights is meeting Maggie the Mule and Max the Scottish Highland Steer—two beloved farm residents who have become favorites among visiting families. There’s something special about looking into the eyes of a large animal and realizing it’s gentle and friendly.
Educational Farm Tours
The farm offers guided tours of the historic 1805 farmhouse, where you’ll learn about authentic Amish life, their traditions, religious beliefs, and daily routines. Expert tour guides—90% of whom are native to Lancaster County—provide unscripted, conversational tours that allow you to ask questions and engage deeply with Amish culture.
Kids particularly enjoy exploring the one-room schoolhouse on the property, which highlights Amish education and school traditions. The farm also offers fun activities like testing your strength on Amish scooters, exploring historic exhibits, and enjoying hayrides through the scenic farmland.
Additional Activities
Beyond petting animals, the Amish Farm and House provides hayrides through picturesque countryside, opportunities to learn about traditional farming practices, and special events like “Sheep Shearing Days” and seasonal celebrations. The Amish BBQ Barn serves authentic local food including grilled chicken, ribs, soft pretzels, whoopie pies, and ice cream—perfect fuel for your farm adventure.
Location & Hours: 2395 Covered Bridge Drive, Lancaster, PA 17602 | Open 7 days a week, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Old Windmill Farm: The Ultimate Hands-On Petting Experience
For families who want the most immersive, hands-on petting farm experience, Old Windmill Farm in nearby Ronks (just minutes from Intercourse) is exceptionally special. This authentic working Amish farm earned Trip Advisor’s 2022 Travelers’ Choice Award, and once you visit, you’ll understand why.
Comprehensive Farm Tour Package
Old Windmill Farm offers hourly guided farm tours from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (no tours on Wednesdays May-August or Sundays). Their signature one-hour farm tour includes everything families love about petting farms:
- Animal Feeding & Petting: Bottle-feed adorable baby goats and calves, feed pygmy goats, hold baby chicks and rabbits, and interact with friendly pigs. Kids get hands-on experience with animals at an intimate, personal level.
- Cow Milking Experience: Learn how traditional dairy farming works as you milk a real cow—a thrilling, educational moment kids never forget.
- Egg Collection: Gather fresh eggs from the henhouse, experiencing a genuine farm chore.
- Pig Slide Experience: Watch baby pigs slide down a little slide (they love it, and kids find it hilarious!).
- Barrel Train Rides: Enjoy fun rides around the farm property.
- Hayrides: Take scenic rides with beautiful mule horses, experiencing the farm from different vantage points.
Extended Options
For even more adventure, Old Windmill Farm offers a 90-minute Farm & Garden Tour that includes everything from the standard tour plus an exclusive look at their garden. Hayrides are also available separately. The farm welcomes groups of 10 or more and can arrange special times to accommodate larger family reunions or school groups.
What Makes It Special
What sets Old Windmill Farm apart is the authenticity and the genuine care shown by staff. Your tour guide will be patient, knowledgeable, and truly passionate about sharing farm life. Multiple online reviews praise the friendly staff, the quality of the experience, and how the tour suits families with toddlers through adults. Many visitors describe it as “the most authentic farm experience” they’ve had in Lancaster County.
Location & Contact: Down the long lane past the Lil’ Country Store and Miniature Horse Farm | Group rates available | All tours are pet-friendly!
Cherry Crest Adventure Farm: Beyond the Petting Zoo
While technically located in nearby Ronks, Cherry Crest Adventure Farm deserves mention as one of the most comprehensive family farm destinations in the region. This massive 25-acre property offers over 60 different activities, with the petting zoo experience as just one fantastic component.
The Barnyard Animal Experience
Cherry Crest features a dedicated Farm Animal Center and Animal Grove where families can pet and feed adorable farm animals. The farm hosts special Baby Animal Festival events during spring and summer, where kids can hold newborn chicks, ducklings, baby goats, miniature Highland cows, and more. These festivals are incredibly popular—the farm’s co-owners emphasize that these events provide important educational experiences for families who may not have regular access to farm animals.
Beyond Petting Animals
The beauty of Cherry Crest is that it combines petting farm activities with numerous other attractions:
- 5-Acre Corn Maze: With over 2.5 miles of paths, scenic bridges, and interactive clues
- Sproutsville: A whimsical miniature town designed just for kids
- Giant Slides, Jump Pillows & Pedal Carts: For burning energy
- Paintball Range & Apple Blasters: For older kids and competitive families
- Farm Tour Wagon Rides: Narrated rides through 200 acres of operating farmland
- Nine Food Venues: From fresh-smoked pulled pork sandwiches to cider donuts
- Seasonal Pick-Your-Own: Sunflowers, zinnias, pumpkins, and popcorn (seasonally)
- Festivals Throughout the Year: Baby Animal Festival, Sunflower Festival, Pumpkin Madness Festival
Important Note: Cherry Crest is open from late May through early November, making it a seasonal destination perfect for spring and fall family vacations.
Location: 150 Cherry Hill Road, Ronks, PA 17572
Lil’ Country Store & Miniature Horse Farm: Adorable Animal Encounters
Just minutes from Old Windmill Farm, the Lil’ Country Store & Miniature Horse Farm offers a unique experience focused on miniature horses and other charming animals. This Amish-owned operation combines shopping, treats, and animal interactions in one delightful package.
The Miniature Horse Experience
The primary attraction here is, of course, the impossibly cute miniature horses. These pint-sized equines are absolutely adorable, and children and adults alike fall in love at first sight. The farm features approximately 10-12 miniature horses that visitors can feed and pet using specially prepared treats (a $1 bag of feed is available for purchase).
Beyond the miniature horses, the property also has regular-sized driving horses, goats, llamas, and alpacas. Many visitors are delighted to discover this variety—multiple animal types mean different interaction opportunities.
Pony Rides and Grooming
For an extra special experience, families can arrange saddle rides on miniature horses (weight restrictions apply) or cart rides pulled by the horses. Before their ride, children have the opportunity to groom the horses themselves, adding an educational component about animal care.
The Country Store Experience
The Lil’ Country Store portion of the property sells handmade goods including quilts, pottery, craft items, baked goods, toys, and unique gifts—all with that authentic Amish quality. The store also serves delicious homemade ice cream and root beer, perfect treats after animal interactions.
Hours: Daily 9:00 AM to dusk
Location: Adjacent to Old Windmill Farm
Kitchen Kettle Village: Where Petting Zoos Meet Small-Town Charm
For families who want to combine petting zoo time with shopping, dining, and exploring a charming village atmosphere, Kitchen Kettle Village in Intercourse itself is worth visiting. This collection of over 40 unique shops, restaurants, and attractions has long featured a petting zoo area where kids can interact with farm animals.
The Village Experience
Kitchen Kettle Village is a beautifully curated destination that captures the essence of Lancaster County hospitality. Visitors can watch Amish artisans create jams, jellies, and relishes at the Jam & Relish Kitchen, browse over 40 shops selling everything from handmade quilts to specialty gifts, and enjoy dining from several restaurants and cafes.
The petting area, while smaller than dedicated petting farms, provides a nice complement to the village experience. Kids can interact with animals while parents browse shops or enjoy local treats.
Perfect for Half-Day Outings
Kitchen Kettle works wonderfully as part of a larger Intercourse adventure. You might spend a couple hours petting animals and exploring the village, then head to a dedicated petting farm for a more immersive experience. This combination approach gives you maximum flexibility for your family’s interests and energy levels.
Location: 3529 Old Philadelphia Pike (Route 340), Intercourse, PA 17534
Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Saturday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Closed Sundays
Planning Your Perfect Petting Zoo Day in Intercourse
Best Times to Visit
Spring (May-June): This is prime baby animal season on farms. Many animals are at their youngest and most adorable, and weather is typically pleasant. However, this is also peak tourist season, so expect crowds.
Early Fall (September-October): Late summer and early fall offer beautiful weather, fewer crowds than summer, and animals in their prime health. Cherry Crest’s fall festivals also happen during this time.
Avoid Peak Times: If you prefer fewer crowds, visit on weekday mornings rather than weekends. Many shops in town close on Sundays, so plan accordingly.
What to Bring
Proper preparation can make your day even better. Knowing what to wear and bring to a petting zoo is the first step.
- Comfortable walking shoes: Farms involve plenty of walking on uneven terrain
- Sunscreen and bug spray: You’ll be outdoors for extended periods
- Camera or smartphone: These moments are picture-perfect!
- Small bills: Many farms accept cash for treat bags and additional activities
- Hand sanitizer: While animals are typically very clean, it’s good practice after handling
- Change of clothes for kids: Young children often get muddy (in a fun way!)
- Empty backpack: You’ll likely want to buy local products—space is helpful
Respectful Behavior Around Amish Community
Intercourse and surrounding areas are home to the Amish community. As visitors, it’s important to approach with respect:
- Ask permission before photographing people: Many Amish individuals prefer not to be photographed
- Remember Sundays are important: Most Amish businesses are closed on Sundays as a day of rest
- Show respect for their lifestyle: These farms are working operations, not museums
- Follow farm rules: Each farm has specific guidelines for animal interaction—always follow staff instructions
Budget Considerations
Petting zoo visits are generally very affordable family activities:
- Amish Farm and House: Reasonable admission with various tour packages
- Old Windmill Farm: Affordable hourly tours with group discounts available
- Cherry Crest Adventure Farm: Daily admission with additional fees for specific activities
- Lil’ Country Store: Free entry to pet animals; $1 per bag for treat feeding
Most families can enjoy a full day of animal interactions and farm activities for $50-$100 total for a family of four, making petting zoos one of the best values in family entertainment.
Creating Lasting Memories: What Your Kids Will Experience
Visiting a petting zoo in Intercourse isn’t just about a day of activity—it’s about creating formative experiences that shape how your children think about animals, nature, and the world around them.
When your child hand-feeds a gentle goat, they learn that animals can be trusted and trusted in return. When they milk a cow with their own hands, they gain appreciation for the hard work of farmers and the real source of their food. When they hold a fluffy chick or soft rabbit, they experience wonder and gentleness. These moments accumulate into a childhood filled with meaningful connections to nature and agriculture.
Parents often report that their children talk about farm visits for weeks afterward, asking questions about animal behavior, farm life, and requesting return visits. Some children develop lasting interests in agriculture, animal science, or environmental stewardship sparked by early petting zoo experiences.
Final Thoughts: Why Intercourse Is Your Best Petting Zoo Destination
Intercourse, Pennsylvania offers families something increasingly rare in our modern world: authentic, educational, genuinely fun interactions with farm animals in a setting that honors agricultural heritage and Amish traditions. Whether you choose the comprehensive experience at Old Windmill Farm, the educational tours at Amish Farm and House, the festival fun at Cherry Crest, or the quaint charm of Lil’ Country Store, you’re choosing quality family time in one of the most beautiful parts of Pennsylvania.
The petting zoos near Intercourse aren’t just tourist attractions—they’re windows into a way of life that values hard work, animal care, and community. Your family will return home with full hearts, muddy clothes (probably), unforgettable memories, and a much deeper appreciation for where food comes from and how farming families live.
So pack your sense of adventure, bring your camera, grab those treat bags, and head to Intercourse. The goats are waiting, the farm animals are ready to meet you, and memories are waiting to be made. Your family’s perfect petting zoo adventure is just around the corner.
Ready to plan your Intercourse petting zoo adventure? Visit the websites of these farms, check their current hours and special events, and start planning. Early booking is recommended for group visits and special festival events. Your family’s unforgettable farm experience awaits in the heart of beautiful Lancaster County Amish Country
Frequently Asked Questions
Are petting zoos in Intercourse, Pennsylvania safe for toddlers?
Yes. Most petting zoos in Intercourse design their environments with small children in mind. Low pens, soft animals like guinea pigs and ducks, and staff nearby make sure kids stay secure. Hand sanitizer stations are at every exit, and animals are health-inspected regularly. Parents should supervise closely during feeding, but many find that staff are quick to help when a toddler starts pulling too hard on a goat’s ear. Diaper bags and stroller parking are also standard.
Can we bring our own food to petting zoos in Intercourse, Pennsylvania?
Policies vary. Some petting zoos have picnic areas where outside food is welcome. Others, especially those connected to farm restaurants, ask visitors to buy on-site meals to support animal care. It’s best to check the official website or call ahead. Snacks like crackers or fruit are usually permitted, but avoid sugary or crumbly foods that could upset the animals. Water bottles? Strongly encouraged.
Are petting zoos in Intercourse, Pennsylvania wheelchair accessible?
Many are, but not all. Modernized farms like Good Zoology Park and Millstone Creek Farm have paved paths, wide gates, and accessible restrooms. Others, especially older barn-style zoos, may have gravel routes or ramps with slight inclines. Staff typically assist guests with limited mobility by bringing animals closer or offering virtual tour options. When in doubt, call the farm directly to ask about accommodations. Updated info is often on Google Maps, but checking separately reduces stress on the day of the visit.
