9 Totally Adorable Things to Do on a Goat Farm

Swapping out elegant theaters for a more rustic vibe, Farm to Ballet Project puts classical-ballet dancers right in the pasture with animals, including goats. During this summer’s performance season, shows hosted at Vermont goat farms include Shelburne Farms in Shelburne and Retreat Farm in Battleboro.

Imagine a goat walking on your back during Downward Dog for the perfect massage. Classes at Welcome Home—a ranch that’s a 30-minute drive from Phoenix—often sell out at 100 people. Lest you think each class is the same, it’s not: for Shark Week the goats dressed up with fins and there are occasional “Sunset Goat Yoga” classes.

Wisconsin’s version of Cape Cod—the Door County peninsula between Lake Michigan and Green Bay—is rooted in Swedish culture and that includes goats on the grassy roof at Al Johnson’s. Say “hi” to the “kids” then walk inside for pancakes topped with lingonberries.

Think zoo entertainment is only about caged animals? Through Nashville Zoo’s “Critter Encounters” program, reach out a hand and brush any members of the goat herd roaming around you. You’ll feel like a kid again.

This is so much better than the circus. At this Atlanta-area adventure park 20 miles from Atlanta, goats prance and dance in the Farmyard area. For those interested in animal behavior, questions to the goat whisperers are more than welcome.

This family-owned goat farm in Sonoma County makes its own line of paraben-free soap and lotion using milk from its goat herd. Learn to make your own—and, let’s be honest, play with the goats, too—through either group or private lessons at the farm. Check the website for dates.

In a tiny town of under 150 people, 20 miles south of Wilmington, this family-owned organic farm hosts guided tours that coach would-be farmers in managing a homestead. This includes learning to milk a goat (how else would you get chevre?).

What’s great about this opportunity is that you don’t have to leave the city. You can even arrive at this small-scale farm on a bicycle or in an Uber. Tour this rare urban farm—in Texas’ capital city—on daily farm tours.

California’s Central coastline is already stunning, but if you throw in a few goats, man does it make a blissful vacay. Thinking of buying some goats for your hobby farm? Or just want to hang with these furry kids while helping with chores? Book a night here, on the farm, and help the owners care for the goats from sun-up to sun-down.