Farm Stay Vacations

Work the land on your next vacation

Vacation is usually a time to escape working.

But a bucolic farm stay can be equal parts relaxing and educational. So roll up your sleeves and prepare to get your hands (a little) dirty.

Stonehaven Farm: This picturesque property is located near charming New Bedford and Horseneck Beach in Westport, Massachusetts. Guests participate in farm life by handling hens, plucking multicolored eggs from their nests and helping feed baby lambs. Pick tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and Tuscan kale from the garden, or collect fresh berries from the raspberry patch–then enjoy the berries in the farm's country-style breakfasts. Doubles from $150

Mesa Winds Farm: If you're more of a mountain man (or woman), marvel at the majestic Rockies at this farm in Colorado. Help pick organic peaches and apples in the orchards, or strap on a pair of binoculars to spot local birds like the purple martin. For fun off the property, there's rafting, trout fishing and tastings at the area's dozen or so wineries. Doubles from $110

Flip Flop Ranch: At this sustainable ranch in California's Lucerne Valley, guests of the recently launched farm stay milk goats, spin wool, learn to make cheese or laze around in a hammock (while playing with the farm's kittens, of course). And because Pinot Noir, Zinfandel and Merlot grapes, among others, are grown on the grounds, you can make your own small batch of private-label wine. Talk about enjoying the fruits of your labor. Doubles from $150