Bluebird Gap Farm

A few weeks ago, Anne picked up a horse barn and a dozen plastic horses at a yard sale, and immediately started asking to see some real horses in person. I figured it would be a great opportunity to introduce her to Bluebird Gap Farm in Hampton, which was a favorite place of mine when I was a little older than her. Bluebird Gap is kind of a magical place for a little kid -- not only can you see and meet all sorts of barnyard animals but you can, in many cases, get the chance to pet and feed them, too.

We set off on a perfect day and made friends with some very nice chickens, turkeys, goats, fluffy sheep and alpacas, and even a very inquisitive emu or two. Anouk loved seeing the cows grazing and was fascinated by the pigs. And as for horses, we not only got to pet several, but we got to see them being exercised in the yard, which was a treat.




Besides the barnyard, Bluebird Gap features one of the prettiest flower and vegetable gardens in the area, and a really boss playground and an easy, kid-friendly nature trail, too. We spent a good chunk of our Saturday there, checking it all out. It was one of the things I love best about living in this area where I grew up -- sharing places that I loved as a child with A., and seeing her fall in love with them just like I did.

Bluebird Gap is a city park, which means it's FREE and open to the public seven days a week. If you go on a Wednesday morning between 10:30 and 11:30, you just might get the chance to see the sheep being sheared in the livestock barn! Too cool. Find a checklist of things to plan to see/bring to the farm for a wonderful visit here.