SPOTLIGHT: Beech Hill Farm

If you're looking for a unique place to take your family for ice cream, it's hard to beat Beech Hill Farm in Hopkinton, NH (near Concord). Here, you're in for a real sweet treat!

Basics: A beautiful farm with a plethora of animals, from cows and donkeys to peacocks and bunnies, a garden center packed with perennials, annuals, planters, and a wide variety of pumpkins and gourds (seasonal of course), a newly-added barn with antique farm equipment, and a farm store chock-full of locally-made jellies, fudge, meats, etc. and, of course, a huge assortment of ice cream flavors with an optional sundae bar.

Features: A sandpile loaded with dumptrucks and tractors for the kiddos to play in, Corn mazes (seasonal, small fee), a nature trail, and a separate barn to hold special events like birthday parties.

Wanderer's Tip: 1: Did I mention you can visit all the animals for free? Of course, you'll be hard-pressed to leave without purchasing at least an ice cream from this adorable farm. The portions are generous, and the sundae bar is do-it-yourself! The Munchkin loves to add his own M&Ms and sprinkles.

2: Keep a lookout for the barn cat: a fluffy black and white kitty who loves to snooze on the cushioned chairs in the garden barn. He (or she?) is very sweet and gentle.

Garden barn

Cows

Sand pile

Pumpkins