Pet and Play With Animals at These Adorable Farms & Petting Zoos

• In Taylors/Tigerville, SC
• Hours: Ice Cream: Wednesday and Thursday 4 pm to 9 pm, Friday and Saturday 12 pm to 9 pm, Sunday 4 pm to 9 pm, Grazers Farm Store: 10 am to 9 pm Wednesday through Friday, Saturday and Sunday 9 am to 9 pm
• Admission: Farm admission is FREE
• Animals: Baby goats and cows, older goats and cows, donkeys, Twinkles the sheep, bunnies

7410 Mountain View Road, Taylors, SC | Famoda Farm
Famoda Farm Kidding Around Review

Hidden Pasture Unicorn Farm

If you love unicorns, Hidden Pasture Farm is the perfect place to take your kids. Plan to spend about an hour there.

• In Fountain Inn, SC
• Hours: Current hours are Wednesday-Sunday from 11 am – 4 pm // Check for updates
• Admission: $12/person, 2 and under FREE. Pony rides are $5 and children must be at least 2 years old to ride ponies.
• Animals: Unicorns, miniature ponies, rabbits

245 Little Virginia Road, Fountain Inn | 864.477.9284 | Hidden Pasture Farm
Kidding Around Greenville Review of Hidden Pasture Farm

Greenville Zoo

The farmyard at the Greenville Zoo has goats, a pig, and chickens and is the perfect little petting zoo close to home. It’s more of a feed-goats-and-maybe-touch-them but we are going to count it. You can reserve your tickets online.

• In Greenville, SC
• Hours: During the fall, the zoo is open 10 am-5 pm daily. In the summer hours extend to 9 am – 5 pm daily. Admissions close at 4 pm each day. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years.
• Admission: $12/adults, $9/kids 3-12
• Animals: Goats, chickens, a pot-bellied pig

150 Cleveland Park Dr, Greenville | 864.467.4300 | Greenville Zoo
Kidding Around Greenville Review of Greenville Zoo

OnAgain OffAgain Alpaca Farm

Located in a residential neighborhood in Spartanburg, the owners invite the public to come and check out their alpacas. 

• In Spartanburg, SC
• Hours: Open daily but they ask you to call ahead for a tour. Appointment needed.
• Admission: No admission, donations accepted. 
• Animals: Fluffy alpacas

262 Hollis Drive, Spartanburg | 864.680.9854 | OnAgain OffAgain Alpaca Farm 

Lucky Acres Farm

An alpaca farm that also has goats and chickens. Gloria, the owner, makes hats, scarves, mittens, and blankets from the alpacas fleece and gives great tours on the property.

• In Townville, SC
• Hours: Visitors are welcome by appointment.
  Admission: Free, donations accepted
  Animals: alpacas, miniature silky fainting goats and chickens
• Birthday Parties: Yes, they host birthday and other parties with reservations for $50/hour with refreshments served

1024 Milford Road, Townville | 864.287.2339 | Lucky Acres Farm
Kidding Around Greenville Review of Lucky Acres Farm

Petting Zoos in Western North Carolina

WNC Nature Center

The WNC Nature Center not only has wolves, red pandas, lots of reptiles, otters, and several play areas, they also have a cute little petting zoo that’s included with admission. 

• In Asheville, NC
• Hours: Daily 10 am – 4:30 pm, closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Years Day. Admissions closes at 3:30 pm.
• Admission: $13.95/adults, $9.95/kids 3-12
• Animals: Sheep, goats, donkeys

75 Gashes Creek Rd, Asheville, NC | 828.259.8080 | WNC Nature Center 
Kidding Around Greenville Review of WNC Nature Center

Carl Sandburg Home & Goat Barn

Perhaps the only place that allows guests to get in the field and barn with the goats to play with them. There is also hiking and touring the house. 

• In Flat Rock, NC
• Hours: The grounds are open from sunrise to sunset and the goat barn and pasture are open daily from 10 am – 3 pm. closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day.
• Admission: Free to enter the estate and play with the goats.
• Animals: Goats and baby goats

1800 Little River Rd, Flat Rock, NC | 828.693.4178 | Carl Sandburg Home
Kidding Around Greenville Review of Carl Sandburg Home

Biltmore Farm at Antler Hill Village

Located on the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, the farm at Antler Hill Village has lots of animals for kids to touch. 

• In Asheville, NC
• Hours: Farmyard is open daily 10 am – 6 pm but check the website for changes in seasonal hours.
• Admission: Included with admission to the estate (Pricing varies depending on the season. Check their website for current pricing.)
• Animals: Goats, chickens, sheep, horses

One Lodge Street, Asheville, NC | 800.411.3812 | The Biltmore
Kidding Around Greenville Review of Biltmore

Last Penny Farm Alpacas

An alpaca farm in Western North Carolina that has nearly 25 alpacas and offers private tours. 

• In Weaverville, NC
• Hours: By appointment only. 
• Admission: $10/person, kids under 3 are free; tours last for about 1.5-2 hours.
• Animals: Alpacas

39 Pegg Rd, Weaverville, NC | 828.777.3568 | Last Penny Farm

Winchester Creek Farm

A beautiful drive from Greenville through the mountains to Waynesville in Western, NC, this farm has alpacas and lots of miniature animals like horses, cows, and donkeys. You can feed and interact with some of the animals. Read our review here.

• In Waynesville, NC
• Hours: Tours are by appointment only and last about 45 minutes
• Admission: $15/adults and kids ages 7+, $13/ kids 3-7, kids under 3 FREE
• Animals: Alpacas, mini-horses, mini-donkeys, mini-cows, sheep, pigs

386 Walker Road, Waynesville, NC l 828.246.9486

Our Tiny Farm

A miniature donkey farm in Western NC where you can pet and cuddle with the donkeys.

• In Hendersonville, NC
• Hours: By appointment only Wednesday afternoons and Saturdays. Make an appointment by emailing [email protected].
• Admission: $10 donation

942 Etowah School Rd, Hendersonville, NC | [email protected]

Petting Zoos in the Midlands, SC

Riverbanks Zoo

A huge zoo with not only animals but a ropes course, gardens, a carousel and climbing wall, and outdoor playgrounds. You can feed the giraffes and lorikeets and pet animals in the farmyard all for a small fee, around $2 for each cup of feed or per person.

• In Columbia, SC
• Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
• Admission: $21.99/adults, $18.99/kids ages 2-12
• Parking: $5 per vehicle
• Animals: The ones you can interact with are the giraffes, goats, sheep, and lorikeets.

500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia | 803.779.8717 | River Banks Zoo
Kidding Around Review of River Banks Zoo

Cotton Branch Farms

A rescue farm, Cotton Branch Farm Animal Sanctuary offers tours for visitors that include interaction with the animals.

• In Leesville, SC
• Hours: Tours begin at 11 am on select dates and last approximately 90 minutes. Guests are asked to sign-up for tours in advance.
• Admission $25/adults, $10/kids ages 15 and under
• Animals: Pigs, cows, donkeys, horses, chickens, turkeys, ducks, sheep, and goats.

328 Lightwood Knot Road, Leesville | 803.381.0051 | Cotton Branch Farms

Petting Zoos in Georgia

North Georgia Zoo & Farm

Home to many exotic animals, the North Georgia Zoo offers several different encounters with the animals for guests. Admission includes a zoo tour and access to the petting zoo but the personal animal encounters are extra fees. Be sure to look at the age requirements if you are going to book an animal encounter.

• In Cleveland, GA
• Hours: Open year round but only on weekends some months and during the week others. It’s best to check their online calendar.
• Admission: $25/adults, $23/kids 2-11; pony rides are $5/each; petting farm admission is $8/adults and $6/kids. personal animal encounters range from $8 up to $300/person.
• Animals: Reptiles, birds, camels, wolves, zebras, lemurs, goats, water buffalo, alligators, and monkeys.

2912 Paradise Valley Rd, Cleveland, GA | 706.348.7279 | North Georgia Zoo and Farm

Chestatee Wildlife Preserve & Zoo

This non-profit takes in rescued animals who have been orphaned, illegally purchased, or abused. They take donations of food as well. 

• In Dahlonega, GA
• Hours: Daily 10 am – 4 pm (last entry is at 2:45 pm)
• Admission: $15/adult, $10/kids ages 1-11; $5/bucket of feed for the animals; face masks are recommended and guests are asked to bring their own hand sanitizer.
• Animals: Bears, tigers, panthers, emus, zebras, wolves, donkeys, zedonks, buffalo, and deer.

469 Old Dahlonega Hwy, Dahlonega, GA | 678.300.0019 | Chestatee Wildlife Preserve

Goats on the Roof

Like it sounds, goats are on the roof of this family-friendly petting zoo, which also sells ice cream, fudge, and t-shirts and has a playground and gem mining on site. Photos with Santa and a goat happen during the Christmas season.

• In Tiger, GA
• Hours: Thursday- Monday from 10 am- 6 pm, closed Easter, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Thanksgiving.
• Admission: Free admission.
• Animals: Lots of goats

3026 US-441, Tiger, GA | 706.782.2784 | Goats on the Roof 

Petting Zoos Near Charlotte, NC

Lazy 5 Ranch

Just outside of Charlotte, this farm has lots of animals to see and pet, plus it offers wagon rides. Please note they only accept cash.

• In Mooresville, NC
• Hours: Hours are Monday- Saturday from 9 am – 5 pm (please arrive by 5 pm) Sunday from Noon- 5 pm (please arrive by 5 pm).
• Admission: $15/adults, $11/ages 2-11; to include the wagon ride and animal feed, tickets are $21/adults, $15/ages 2-11.
• Animals: Ducks, cows, sheep, goats, deer, exotic animals

15100 Mooresville Road, Mooresville, NC | 704.663.5100 | Lazy 5 Ranch

Seasonal Petting Zoos & Farms

These petting zoos and farms are open on a seasonal basis such as in spring or fall.

Denver Downs

One of the very best farms in the entire Upstate and a fall favorite for so many families in the area due to its award-winning corn maze, fall farm activities, pig races, live entertainment, and a little petting zoo area.

• In Anderson, SC
• Hours: They are open daily from late September through mid-November for fall family fun; they are also hosting Spring events in April, including the Spring Break Farm Fun event and Easter Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza event. You can find specific dates on the Denver Downs website.
• Admission: Fall event admission $15/person, Spring event admission $12/person
• Animals: Pigs, goats, cows, and baby goats

1515 Denver Road, Anderson | 864.515.4554 | Denver Downs 
Kidding Around Greenville Review of Denver Downs

Roper Mountain Science Center

The Roper Mountain Science Center is part of the Greenville County School System and has a planetarium, science hall, and Living History Farm.

• In Greenville, SC
• Hours: Afternoon Explorations program: September 13, 2022 – May 13, 2023 Tuesdays through Fridays*- 1:30 pm-4:30 pm *excluding days when RMSC is closed for holidays and Greenville County Schools scheduled breaks.
• Hours: Summer Adventure program: June – August 2022. Check the Roper Mountain website for upcoming exhibits!
• Admission: $5/person, kids under 3 FREE, RMSC members are free
• Animals: Sheep, goats, cows, horses outside and starfish, crabs, stingrays, snakes, butterflies, chinchillas indoors.

402 Roper Mountain Road, Greenville | 864.355.8900 | Roper Mountain Science Center
Kidding Around Greenville Review of Roper Mountain Science Center

Possum Kingdom Kreamery

In the early spring, this goat farm in Belton has various dates for adults and kids to sign up to cuddle baby goats and help feed and care for them. It’s as awesome as it sounds. They also do tours March through October.

• In Belton, SC
• Hours: Dates will come out in late January/early February to sign up to help feed baby goats. Dates are very limited, so follow the Possum Kingdom Kreamery Facebook for sign up dates.
• Admission: $20+ to feed baby goats
• Animals: Lots of baby goats, a llama, rescued deer

520 Acker Road, Belton | 864.423.4048 | Possum Kingdom Kreamery
Kidding Around Greenville Review of Possum Kingdom Kreamery

Deer Park Zoo at Tweetsie Railroad

The petting zoo is part of Tweetsie Railroad theme park near Boone, North Carolina. 

• In Blowing Rock, NC
• Hours: Saturday & Sunday from 10 am – 6 pm; Extended days and hours from May-October. Be sure to check their calendar for the latest hours of operation.
• Admission: Included with admission to Tweetsie Railroad ($58/adults, $39/kids ages 3-12)
• Animals: Goats, llamas, emus, miniature horses, and some fluffy sheep called an Olde English Babydoll Southdown Sheep

300 Tweetsie Railroad Lane, Blowing Rock, NC | 800.526.5740 | Deer Park
Kidding Around Greenville Review of Tweetsie Railroad

Justus Orchard

The family-run apple orchard is a fantastic fall destination with tons of great activities for kids – and they have a petting zoo with gentle goats and a pond where kids can feed fish (bring quarters!).

• In Hendersonville, NC
• Hours: 9 am – 5 pm Monday through Sunday. These hours are seasonal starting around July and ending in early November. Check their website before you go.
• Admission: Free admission to the orchard. If you want to feed the animals, you can pay for a bucket but it’s free to pet them. The petting zoo is open on weekends but you can see the animals if they are out anytime.
• Animals: Goats, donkeys, a pig, fish

187 Garren Road, Hendersonville, NC | 828.974.1232 | Justus Orchard
Kidding Around Greenville Review

Stewart Farms

Known for their spring strawberry patches and fall corn maze and hayrides, Stewart Farms also has an area for kids to pet farmyard animals.

• In Enoree, SC
• Hours: See website for dates and times.
• Admission: Free admission to the farm and barnyard; additional fees for pumpkins, corn maze, and wagon rides.
• Animals: Farmyard animals.

6600 SC-92, Enoree | 864.969.7270 | Stewart Farms
Kidding Around Greenville Review of Stewart Farms

Sky Top Orchard

The farm animals are part of the larger experience at Sky Top Orchard in Flat Rock, NC, known for their cider donuts and apple picking. 

• In Flat Rock NC
• Hours: Starting in August and running through the Sunday after Thanksgiving, they are open daily from 9 am – 6 pm except for Thanksgiving.
• Admission: Free admission; bring change to buy food for the animals.
• Animals: Sheep, chickens, goats, peacocks

1193 Pinnacle Mountain Rd, Flat Rock, NC | 828.692.7930 | Sky Top Orchard
Kidding Around Greenville Review of Sky Top Orchard

Mobile & Event-Based Petting Zoos

If you’d like to plan an event like a birthday party, scout outing, or office event with animals, these places can either host you or will come to your location. 

Safe Haven & Educational Adventures, Inc.

Safe Haven is a permanent sanctuary for exotic wildlife that have either been abandoned, abused, lost their home for some reason. They do educational programs, including birthday parties, and bring their animals to educate and be loved on. 
864.246.4425 | Rescue Exotics

Critter Keeper

Super popular in the Upstate, the Critter Keeper “brings the jungle” to you for parties and events with reptiles and fluffy critters for kids to enjoy.
864.640.2295 | Critter Keeper

Wildlife Geeks

Snakes, squirrels, spiders, lizards are some of the neat animals that consist of the Wildlife Geeks traveling show.
843.592.8079 | Wildlife Geeks 
Kidding Around Greenville Review of Wildlife Geeks

Emit’s Farm Adventure Park

Located in the Upstate, they bring animals to your special events and parties.
Emit’s Farm Adventure Park

Herbert and Friends Mobile Petting Zoo

They have bunnies, alpacas, goats, and guinea pigs and bring all the cute animals right to you. They are located in Greenville.
864.346.6991 | Herbert and Friends Mobile Petting Zoo

Triple Lake Farm

A mobile petting zoo based in Easley, SC. They have miniature cows, goats, donkeys, and offer pony rides.

864.908.8640 | Triple Lake Farm

Sam Path Petting Zoo

Located in Northern Georgia, Sam Path Petting Zoo has zebras, monkeys, camels, kangaroos, and all kinds of other animals perfect for a cute party. 
706.717.8837 | Sam Path Petting Zoo

Jackson Farm: Sprinkle’s Mobile Petting Zoo

Right across the border in Western North Carolina, Jackson Farm will bring the zoo to you with their mobile petting zoo full of sweet animals like goats, unicorns, and bunnies.
828.233.6399 | Jackson Farm Sprinkle’s Mobile Petting Zoo 

Which is your favorite petting zoo?