Best Farms Near Boston: 6 Family & Photo Spots
If you’re looking for farms near Boston that are actually worth the drive, whether for a family day out, apple picking, or stunning fall photos, I’ve got you covered. As a family photographer, a dad of two, and someone who lives on a 12th-generation working farm just outside the city, I’ve spent a lot of time exploring local farms with both a camera and kids in tow. I know what makes a location not just fun for children, but truly photo-worthy: great light, room to roam, and the kind of setting that makes everyone relax and enjoy the moment.
Each farm on this list is within about 45 minutes of Boston, and I’ve included all the important details: where to park, what to eat, when to go, and how to capture the magic.
1. Flint Farm (Lincoln, MA)
๐ Drive from Boston: 30 minutes
โฐ Best Time of Year to Visit: Spring through fall; private visits by appointment only
๐ฅช Lunch/Dinner Recommendation: Twisted Tree Cafe
Flint Farm is where my family lives, and where I photograph many of my sessions. It’s quiet, beautiful, and totally private. No crowds, no chaos, just open fields, vintage tractors, friendly animals, and space to slow down.
We only host one family at a time, which means your kids can truly relax and explore without getting trampled by a group of third-graders on a field trip. That flexibility allows us to do things other farms just can’t, like letting your child sit on the actual working tractors, wander safely through the cow pasture, and spend time feeding our three ridiculously photogenic alpacas: Harriet, Winnifred, and Louise.
They’re gentle, hilarious, and very food-motivated. You can read more about them (and the rest of the farm’s “staff”) in this blog post all about our animals.
The farm is also home to cows and horses, and we’re surrounded by quiet woodland trails full of birds and wildlife, including the occasional honking commentary from a flock of Canada geese who have decided they live here now. Horseback riding lessons are available through my sister-in-law’s program, and families who want to make a day of it can explore the surrounding Lincoln conservation trails, just steps from the pasture.
We’re not a commercial farm with tickets and snack shacks, but in the fall we often offer sweet corn for sale, and pick-your-own pumpkins when the season is right.
๐ฆ Why it’s great: A mix of history, charm, and natural beauty in a completely private setting.
๐ Kid-friendly features: Alpacas to feed, tractors to climb, and plenty of space to roam.
โ ๏ธ Caution: Alpacas can sometimes spit, though it’s almost always directed at me because they’ve accepted me as one of their own.
๐ธ Photo tip: Capture your kids’ genuine joy as they feed the alpacas or perch on one of the farm’s vintage tractors. It’s the kind of moment that tells a story all on its own.
๐ฉ Want to visit or book a photo session here? Just reach out! I offer relaxed, play-based sessions that let kids be themselves, and we can usually find a time that works for your schedule.
2. Drumlin Farm (Lincoln, MA)
๐ Drive from Boston: 30 minutes
โฐ Best Time of Year to Visit: April-October; weekday mornings are quietest
๐ฝ๏ธ Lunch/Dinner Recommendation: The Tack Room
Drumlin Farm is a bit of a hybrid: part working farm, part wildlife sanctuary, and all heart. It’s run by Mass Audubon, so your visit directly supports their statewide mission to protect birds, wildlife, and natural habitats.
You can meet pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, and cows; wander the loop to see them all; and hop onto one of the many trails through fields and forest. If your kids like hands-on learning, they’ll love this place. They also offer a popular summer camp that mixes farming, wildlife, and nature exploration.
There’s also a small but excellent farm stand where you can stock up on fresh veggies and seasonal goods.
๐ท Why it’s great: Educational programming, beautiful trails, and direct support for conservation efforts.
๐ฆ Kid-friendly features: Barnyard animals, nature trails, and seasonal camps for deeper exploration.
โ ๏ธ Caution: Popular on weekends during spring and fall. Arrive before 10 a.m. to avoid parking headaches.
๐ธ Photo tip: The red barns and wooden fences are great for framing your kids mid-goat-petting or trail-adventuring. Bonus points for catching a hawk overhead.
3. Lookout Farm (South Natick, MA)
๐ Drive from Boston: 35 minutes
โฐ Best Time of Year to Visit: August for peaches, September-October for apples; weekdays are less crowded
๐ Lunch/Dinner Recommendation: Lookout Cafรฉ (on-site)
Established in 1651, Lookout Farm is one of the oldest continuously operating farms in the U.S., which makes it our friendly historical rival, since Flint Farm dates all the way back to 1635. No hard feelings, Lookout. We’ll let you win on train rides, and we’ll take the alpacas.
What Lookout lacks in camelids, it makes up for with fruit trees, family fun, and food. You can hop on a kid-friendly train ride, pick apples and peaches in season, enjoy live music on weekends, and eat lunch right on-site. For families who like their farm experience with a side of cider (or hard cider), this one’s a winner.
๐ Why it’s great: Historic charm, pick-your-own orchards, and live music on weekends.
๐ Kid-friendly features: Train rides, play areas, and farm animals to visit.
โ ๏ธ Caution: Very popular in September and October. Go midweek if you want elbow room.
๐ธ Photo tip: Capture apple-picking in dappled afternoon light. Kids with full cheeks and sticky fingers make some of the best shots.
4. Smolak Farms (North Andover, MA)
๐ Drive from Boston: 45 minutes
โฐ Best Time of Year to Visit: May for flowers, August for sunflowers, September-October for fall activities; weekday mornings avoid crowds
๐ฅง Lunch/Dinner Recommendation: Smolak Bakery (on-site for cider donuts and pies)
Smolak Farms is what happens when someone says, “Let’s make a farm adorable,” and then absolutely commits. With white barns, fairy-tale orchards, decorative carts full of pumpkins, and a chapel that looks like it belongs in a Hallmark movie, this place is charming with a capital C.
Honestly? I’m a little jealous. A whole farm full of quaint, photogenic details is kind of the dream. We’ve got alpacas and rustic tractors, sure, but someday I’d love for Flint Farm to hit this level of curated cuteness.
It draws big crowds during peak seasons, especially on crisp fall weekends. But if you plan it right (think weekday mornings or slightly overcast afternoons), you can find some quieter corners for apple picking, hayrides, and family photos that don’t include a stranger’s elbow.
๐ธ Why it’s great: Picture-perfect settings, seasonal blooms, and exceptional attention to aesthetic detail.
๐จโ๐ฉโ๐งโ๐ฆ Kid-friendly features: Hayrides, farm animals, play areas, and seasonal events.
โ ๏ธ Caution: Very busy September through October, especially on weekends. Arrive before 10 a.m. or visit on weekdays.
๐ธ Photo tip: Orchard rows give that classic New England fall vibe. Golden hour adds a romantic glow, perfect for those frame-worthy shots.
5. Connors Farm (Danvers, MA)
๐ Drive from Boston: 35 minutes
โฐ Best Time of Year to Visit: August for sunflowers, September-October for full fall experience; weekday mornings if you want breathing room
๐ Lunch/Dinner Recommendation: On-site snack shack or Danvers center restaurants
Connors Farm isn’t just a farm. It’s a carnival that happens to have goats. There’s a corn maze the size of a small town, a sunflower field, hayrides, pony rides, zip lines, a bounce pillow, cider slushies, live music, and a haunted field in the fall. You’ll also find at least three things your child will fixate on that weren’t part of your budget or your plans.
For a lot of families, this is what fall is all about. The crowds don’t matter. The overstimulation doesn’t matter. If the kids are smiling and covered in a mixture of hay and cinnamon sugar, it’s a win.
Personally? It’s a bit overwhelming for me when my kids are little (currently three years and nine months), but I completely understand why families with older kids love the energy and variety here. It’s genuinely impressive what they’ve built.
๐ช Why it’s great: Maximum activities, maximum fun, maximum memories if you’re ready for the energy.
๐ป Kid-friendly features: Corn maze, sunflower fields, bounce pillow, zip lines, farm animals, and seasonal entertainment.
โ ๏ธ Caution: Huge crowds during fall weekends. Arrive early or prepare for a long walk from parking with a heavy kid on your shoulders.
๐ธ Photo tip: The sunflower fields in August are prime photo territory. Come golden hour, even a toddler with frosting on their face will look majestic. In September, the corn maze makes a dramatic (if slightly sweaty) backdrop.
6. Hanson’s Farm (Framingham, MA)
๐ Drive from Boston: 30 minutes
โฐ Best Time of Year to Visit: July-August for sunflowers, September for zinnias; mornings for best light
๐ฆ Lunch/Dinner Recommendation: O’Connell’s for ice cream nearby
If you’re looking for something low-key (like, truly low-key), Hanson’s might be your new favorite. No rides. No haunted attractions. No giant inflatable anything. Just wide-open fields, friendly goats, a quaint little farm stand, and rows of pick-your-own sunflowers and zinnias that somehow manage to be breathtaking without even trying.
I strive for our farm to be quaint above all else. I want to metaphorically paint it in quaint. Hanson’s embodies the kind of effortless charm and simplicity that I aspire to reach one day. If we’re plotting farms on a spectrum from quaint to, say, Connors Farm, this one lands squarely on the quilted-doily end.
๐ป Why it’s great: Peaceful atmosphere, stunning cut flowers, and a true farm stand experience.
๐ Kid-friendly features: Pick-your-own flowers, friendly farm animals, and plenty of space to explore.
โ ๏ธ Caution: Sunflower season (late July through August) draws the most visitors. Arrive before 10 a.m. for the best experience.
๐ธ Photo tip: Sunflowers face the morning light, so aim for mid-morning to get that soft, glowy brilliance. Bring wipes. Kids plus pollen equals rustic mess.
Picking the Right Farm (and the Right Moment)
Some smell like hay and cinnamon sugar. Some smell like fresh cider. Others smell like, well, manure. All of them offer a chance to slow down and make a memory.
Every one of these farms can be wonderful if you time it right. Avoiding peak hours, going on a weekday, or just being mentally prepared for the crowds can make a huge difference. And if that still feels like too much? There’s always Flint Farm. Private, peaceful, and quiet enough to hear the occasional guttural sound from alpacas having a disagreement.
As a photographer, I’m always looking for that mix of natural beauty, relaxed energy, and golden light. As a parent, I’m looking for a place where my kids can be themselves without a hyperglycemic crisis. The farms on this list hit different parts of that spectrum, but all of them have the potential for those small, meaningful moments you’ll want to remember.
So grab a snack, charge your phone, pack the wipes, and pick your vibe:
- ๐ช Carnival energy? Connors.
- ๐ Fall fantasy? Smolak.
- ๐ป Quiet charm? Hanson’s.
- ๐ธ Or private and personalized? Flint Farm’s always here when you need us.
