Have you visited Cottle Strawberry Farm for strawberry picking? Columbia, SC has one of the largest strawberry patches located on a beautiful, huge farm where strawberries are plentiful. Plus, it is such a memorable springtime experience to visit a strawberry farm. Columbia, SC’s Cottle Strawberry Farm offers both u-pick and prepicked strawberries, so you’ll never go without those sweet juicy berries.
The first thing I noticed when pulling into Cottle Strawberry Farm outside Columbia, SC was the rows upon rows upon rows of strawberries. The place is huge and the berries are juicy, sweet, and delicious.
Do you need a shady outdoor space to beat the spring and summer heat in Columbia? Citadel Park is sure to be a treat! This quaint, family-friendly playground has so many unique and cozy features including a “Little Free Library”, beautiful landscape and large green space, a designated toddler area, and plenty of sitting space.
Think a fun day would be an adventure with your family to a farm or petting zoo near you? It’s hard to resist a photo of your child petting or interacting with a cute animal at a farm or petting zoo.
I know what you are thinking, “are there any petting zoos near me?”
Yes! There are quite a few! We’ve pulled together a huge list of petting zoos and farms where you can interact with animals. These farms and petting zoos are located near Greenville, SC, in Western North Carolina, Northern Georgia, as well as in Charlotte, NC, and Columbia, SC. So wherever you are, find a petting zoo near you, or a farm that makes a great day trip.
Our list includes places open year-round places to pet animals, plus seasonal farms, and mobile and event-based petting zoos. We have tried to make sure these are places that treat their animals kindly and with respect as well. If we missed any, let us know in the comments.
Is There a Petting Zoo Near Me?
Yes, there probably is a petting zoo on this list near you! Use the links below to navigate this list by location.
Have you been to Founders Park to cheer on the Gamecock Baseball team yet? Spring is here and that can only mean one thing – it’s baseball season in Columbia, South Carolina! Time to load up on peanuts, cracker jacks, and wholesome, all-American family fun! My family and I love to cheer on the Gamecocks and I’ve got all you need to know on how to make your trip to Founders Park a homerun.
The 2023 regular season will end with a home game against Tennessee on May 20th. This leaves you plenty of time between now and then to go enjoy some strikes, steals, and fast pitches!
Catch a Game at Founders Park: USC Baseball
In 2010 and 2011, the USC Baseball team won back-to-back National Championships, awarding them tons of national popularity and an even larger fan base.
Founders Park, home of the Gamecock baseball team, is a standout ballpark that seats just over 8,000 fans! It is not super uncommon for the stadium to completely sell out, especially for big SEC matchups. Founders Park is known for being one of the most attended college baseball stadiums in the nation – WOW!
A Playground in the Stadium
Situated near first base, right behind “The Berm”, you will find the Hay Fant Sparks Jr. Playground. And let me just tell you, kids LOVE it here! There are several climbing structures and slides that make it the perfect place to allow your children to get their wiggles out before, during, or even after the game.
During the day, the playground is well shaded providing kiddos a nice break from the “famously hot” spring and summer sun. Have no fear, the playground is even lit for night games!
“The Berm” – Grassy Hill Seating at Founders Park
We can’t talk about Founders Park without mentioning “The Berm”. This is a grassy hillside next to right field that is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. This area is super popular for families with little ones, especially those who like to take advantage of the playground.
If you plan to sit here, be sure to bring a blanket to spread out on. It might even be a good idea to bring a baseball glove or two…who knows, you could get lucky and catch a foul ball!
At a recent game, my family and I chose to sit here and it was great for being able to walk my son to and from the playground and back to our blanket, all while being able to keep (somewhat) of an eye on the game. Since my youngest isn’t quite big enough to enjoy the play area, sitting on the hill also allowed her to move around and explore a bit – a big win for everyone!
Where Can I Find USC Baseball Tickets?
You can either purchase tickets at the stadium or online. The best way to manage online tickets is by downloading the “Gameday App”. Here you will be able to not only manage mobile tickets, but also stay updated on scores, schedules, important news, buy merchandise, and more for ALL Gamecock sports.
Ticket prices vary greatly depending on the opponent, day of the week, game time, etc. In general, SEC rivalry games will be a bit more pricey. As always, the earlier you plan and purchase your tickets, the better chance you have at finding more budget-friendly options.
Ballgame Tips
Here are a few things to be aware of before heading to a USC ballgame:
Do you have any baseball fans in your family? Have you ever been to a Columbia Fireflies baseball game at Segra Park? In this mom review of a Fireflies game with kids, we’ll tell you all about this Certified Sensory Inclusive ballpark where your family can enjoy a lively baseball game, engage in fun, family-friendly promotions, and have the chance to get free Fireflies gear.
Columbia Fireflies games are an excellent way to spend quality time with your family and friends and we’ve got all you need to know to plan the perfect night out at the ballfield!
Purchase individual game tickets now for the 2023 home games at Segra Park! The 2023 season will kick off with a home game on April 6th. The last regular season home game is scheduled for September 3, 2023 – giving you plenty of time to enjoy a day out at the ballfield.
Are you planning a trip to Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC? Some call it the Riverbank Zoo, some call it the Columbia Zoo, no matter what you call it, we know you’ll enjoy a trip to this popular zoo in South Carolina. With over 2,000 animals spread across 170-acres there is so much to explore, learn and do! We will share all of our tips, what to expect, and how to prepare for your day of wild, memorable fun at this awesome zoo in Columbia.
Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC
The Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is made up of two large sections. You have the zoo side and then you have the botanical gardens side. This is where Waterfall Junction, the popular splash pad and play space, is located. It’s so cool, that we have a whole other article focused just on the Riverbanks Botanical Gardens and Waterfall Junction.
Are you thinking about a visit to Saluda Shoals Park? If you’re looking for ways to enjoy the great outdoors, have some fun on the Saluda River or explore awesome play areas with your kids, Saluda Shoals is the place for you! Saluda makes for the perfect day trip activity or even a wonderful place to spend a few extra hours out of the house. We’ve got all you need to know about things to do, our favorite places to go within the park, and events you won’t want to miss out on!
Have you ever been to Woodland Park in Columbia, SC? With the warmer weather rolling in, Woodland Park is a great place to get some fresh air, enjoy the sunshine, and let your kiddos burn off some energy. Woodland Park features a huge playground, large open green spaces, a walking trail, pickleball and tennis courts, and is even dog-friendly. My family and I recently took a trip here and I think we found a new staple to add into our playground rotation – it’s THAT good!
Enjoy Nature at Woodland Park
Just off of Garners Ferry Road, tucked away in the Old Woodlands subdivision, you will find a FANTASTIC park for you and your family to enjoy! Even though we’d consider it a quiet area, you can almost always find a decent amount of kiddos for your children to play with here. Woodland Park is surrounded by trees, making it feel a little less like the hustle and bustle of city-life and a bit more relaxing as you enjoy nature all around.
Reasons to Love Woodland Park
There are so many things to love about Woodland Park, but my family’s absolute favorite thing about going here is the variety of playground equipment. For my 1-year-old, there were small slides, bucket swings, a rocking car, and even some climbing features that she could enjoy.
There were tons of things for my older son to enjoy as well – big slides, a variety of monkey bars, traditional swings, balancing equipment, and a large climbing structure. There is truly something for ALL ages at Woodland Park!
Open Ended Green Spaces
Along with the playground itself, my kids enjoyed playing hide-and-seek in the open green spaces. One part of the green space is filled with trees while the other is more open. Both of these areas would be perfect for sprawling out on a blanket and having a nice picnic! You could also toss a football, blow bubbles, catch a frisbee, or even fly a kite on a breezy day.
Walking Loop
Under the shade of the trees you will also find a walking trail that makes a large loop. My family and I took a quick stroll along the path and couldn’t help but notice all of the neat signs of nature. Several of the tree trunks were hollowed out which my son loved to carefully peak inside. We even saw and heard an owl flying around and “hoot-ing” up in the trees!
Pickleball and Tennis Courts
Have you given pickleball a try yet? With its new popularity, you might be searching for a nice place to play! At Woodland Park you will find 2 pickleball courts and 5 tennis courts. The courts are all open to the public on a first-come, first-serve basis.
A Few More Reasons to Go to Woodland Park
I know we’ve already given you so many great reasons to give Woodland Park a try, but if you’re still not sold, here are a few more:
Several benches
Picnic tables
Dog-friendly
Shade
Free little library
Large paved parking lot
More Things to do Near Woodland Park
Woodland Park is centrally located to several popular Columbia spots! In just under 15-minutes you can be in Five Points where you can find restaurants, coffee shops, and shopping. Maybe even make your way to the University of South Carolina and stroll through the beautiful, well-known “horseshoe.”
Are you planning a trip to Lake Murray Public Park in Lexington, SC? If you are looking for a family-friendly place to take a swim this summer, Lake Murray might be just the place. At Lake Murray Public Park you’ll find both a beach area and lake swimming access that’s the perfect place to play, then jump in and cool off. We recently visited Lake Murray Public Park and have all the details you need to know from a mom’s perspective.
Have you ever heard of Two Girls and a Farm – Mobile Petting Zoo? Are you looking for a unique way to interact with adorable animals? Two Girls and a Farm in Lexington, SC will bring the farm right to you or you can go to them for a visit. More than just your average petting zoo, here you will be able to feed, pet, and even hold and snuggle a variety of different farm animals. They are available for events such as birthday parties, weddings, school celebrations, and community gatherings and it just so happens that we’ve got all the info!
Thanks to Two Girls and a Farm for having us out to explore the farm!
You’ve Got to Give Two Girls and a Farm a Try!
Two Girls and a Farm – Mobile Petting Zoo is a women-owned business based out of Lexington, SC. Trisha and Kelsey, once neighbors who turned into friends and now business partners, love to share their animals with the community in a fun and unique way. They are most known for their mobile petting zoo and mini horse rides, however, what a lot of people don’t know is that they also offer meet and greets right at the farm!
Animals at Two Girls and a Farm
At Two Girls and a Farm you can expect to see a variety of different animals! All of their animals are very friendly with humans, including the tiny tots. During our recent trip, some of my family’s favorite animals were the baby ducks, baby pig, and the Zebu cow named “Stanley”. Oh, and we can’t forget about Evelyn! She’s a baby goat who loves to strut around in her adorable outfits and tutus – the true star of the show!
Some other animals you can expect to see are:
Goats
Mini horse
Rabbits
Guinea pig
Bearded dragon
Hedgehog
They hope to add an alpaca soon as well!
Several of the animals walk around freely and enjoy wandering from family to family to get their next treat. For animals such as the ducks and rabbits, you will be allowed to join them in their enclosures to love on them and even hold them if you’d like!
Mobile Petting Zoo: Two Girls and a Farm
The mobile petting zoo is perfect for big events or celebrations! If you’ve got a birthday party coming up, Two Girls and a Farm could help make it a memorable one, for sure. Along with birthday parties, they also travel to school and daycare events, church functions, nursing homes, weddings, farmers markets, and more. Although they are based in Lexington, they travel all throughout the Midlands to help make your event an extra special one!
Mobile Petting Zoo Packages for Private Events
Two Girls and a Farm offers multiple packages for private events. Please keep in mind that if these packages do not fit within your budget or party needs, they also offer custom packages and will do their best to bring as much joy to your party as possible. Each of these packages, with the exception of the Deluxe, includes 1 hour of animal fun. More time can be added for an additional fee if needed.
Hedgehog and bearded dragon can be added if temperature is above 70 degrees
1 hour
Cost: $200
Medium Package
2 goats, 1 mini pig, 2 rabbits, 1 guinea pig, ducks, mini cow
Hedgehog and bearded dragon can be added if temperature is above 70 degrees
1 hour
Cost: $250
Meet & Greets at Two Girls and a Farm
On weekends when they aren’t booked for the Mobile Petting Zoo, Two Girls and a Farm opens up their large backyards for family meet and greets! This gives families a chance to see where the animals live, interact with them, and meet the awesome owners. Since these meet and greets are scheduled around the mobile petting zoo, the best way to stay informed on when the next one will be is by following Two Girls and a Farm on Facebook.
How Much Do the Meet & Greets Cost?
The meet and greets cost $20 for a family of four and this includes 1 bag of animal feed. If there are more than 4 people in your family, it will cost $5 for each additional member. Additionally, if 1 bag of animal food isn’t enough, you can purchase more for just $3. Please be aware that meet and greets are cash only!
So Many Activities for Family Fun
Trisha and Kelsey, the owners of Two Girls and a Farm, have done an excellent job at making sure there is plenty to do when you come for a visit. With a quaint, friendly atmosphere you will feel welcome as soon as you enter. Here are a few things my family enjoyed during our visit:
Animals
All of the animals discussed above will be available for petting, holding, feeding, etc.
My daughter (1 year-old) loved the ducks and my son (4 year-old) enjoyed the mini pig the best
Face Painting
Two Girls and a Farm often partners with Ladybugs Face Painting. She sets up near the entrance and this was a huge hit with several of the kiddos!
Face painting will cost an additional charge that is not included with admission
Swings and Trampoline
Tire swing, saucer swing, large trampoline are all included in the admission price
Photo Credit: Ladybug’s Facepainting
Know Then Go!
Here are a few helpful hints to consider before loading your family up for your petting zoo adventure:
Wear boots or closed-toed shoes that you don’t mind getting a little dirty
Bring cash – like we stated above, meet and greets are CASH ONLY
Talk to your kiddos about properly petting, feeding, and respecting the animals before arriving – feeding with a flat hand, being gentle when petting, approaching them slowly, etc.
P.S. – you’re probably going to fall in love with their animals and leave trying to convince your spouse you need cute ducks and a zebu cow for your own home…you’ve been warned!
