Catskill Mountain Farm Stay

City Slicker Adventure on a Family Farm in New York

As I overpacked for our three-day weekend trip to the farm, I realized I was still missing the mud boots our host Larissa recommended. Kids outgrow shoes so quickly, so the summer Crocs had to do. Earlton, New York is about two and a half hours from the Bronx, and the idea of staying on a farm with chickens, sheep, ponies, and goats sounded like a dream for our newly-walking one-year-old and animal-loving three-year-old.

Between meetings and diaper changes I reached out to Larissa on Airbnb. She was thoughtful and practical, offering packing tips and ideas for our stay—it felt like we had a friend waiting for us.

We had two options for the drive: I-87 straight up or the scenic Taconic State Parkway. We chose the direct route for the way there and saved the scenic return for later. With the car packed to the brim, the kids sang along to our road-trip playlist until they dozed off—thanks to my “perfect nap timing” (otherwise known as running late). I stocked the car with Melissa & Doug sticker books and planned to stop at Storm King Art Center, but when both kids stayed asleep, we kept rolling.

When they woke, their chorus of “we want a snack” aligned perfectly with a Yelp suggestion for Lakeside Licks Ice Cream Shoppe in Saugerties. Thirty-plus flavors later, we were fueled up and back on the road. Saugerties’ main street is a charming place to eat, stretch, and browse local shops.

Finding the farm took a couple of wrong turns, but as soon as we drove up the right road, chickens and ponies greeted us. The kids took convincing to leave their new friends outside and explore the barn house. Once inside, the loft became their castle tower while I fell in love with the fully stocked kitchen—condiments, utensils, and everything I needed to cook the pork chops I brought from home. Being able to cook saves money and guarantees a few healthy meals on vacation.

After dinner and another walk around the property, we met Larissa and her son. She gave us a quick farm tour and invited us to the Kids Country Fair the next day. Her daughter was designing a dragon costume for her horse, and Elias eagerly joined in. We collected fresh eggs for breakfast and settled in for an electronic-free night of board games from Larissa’s well-stocked library.

The bathroom was spotless and stocked with toiletries and fluffy towels. The kids slept in the smaller bedroom while we took the room with a view of the fields. With no mosquitos in sight, we slept without a care.

Morning arrives with roosters on a farm, so we were up bright and early. The kids dashed out to help with chores while I cooked breakfast with the herbs and cherry tomatoes they gathered, plus the eggs we collected the night before. There’s nothing like a farm-fresh meal.

Later we headed to the Kids Country Fair and then up to Hudson for lunch at Café Le Perche. Pancakes, a ham and Gruyère omelet, and a hummus sandwich hit the spot while the kids colored and charmed the staff. We squeezed in playground time, picked up local cider at Hudson Wine Merchants for the grown-ups, and browsed The Bees Knees toy store for unique gifts. Hudson’s main street is wonderful for wandering; check the Hudson Opera House calendar for family events before you go.

For our final adventure we followed Larissa’s detailed directions to a watering hole at the Hannacroix Creek Preserve-LaVern E. Irving Trail. The 20-minute hike wound through the woods—bug spray was essential—and other families on the trail cheered us along. Selena rode in our Ergobaby carrier while Elias conquered the path with a walking stick and a few boosts. The creek at the end made every step worth it.

Back at the farm we ended the evening with local hard cider while the kids fell asleep instantly after such a full day. The next morning Larissa helped Elias enjoy his much-anticipated pony ride—he was a natural. Selena’s turn will come on our next visit because we’re already planning to return.