Monday, August 24, 2009

Volkening Heritage Farm

My mom has been in town since Thursday night. We had a really great weekend together with a great balance of fun, work and relaxation.

On Friday we went to the Volkening Heritage Farm in Schaumburg. It is a restored, working farm being run as if it were the 1800's. There are actually quite a few similar places in the surrounding area. This one had a couple of things going for it, first and foremost being that it is 100% free! It is also located on a nature preserve that has prairie, wetland and wooded areas. Much of the paths are paved which is great for the stroller set.

Probably the neatest thing about the farm portion is that you can just wander around all of the buildings and the kids are allowed to touch all of the items. There is a big barn with hayloft, a farmhouse with vegetable garden, and a chicken coop. The farm keeps a few cows, a couple of horses, lots of chickens and some ducks and geese. There are a few people around in historical garb and you can ask them questions, but other than that you are left to your own devices. Miss D liked the barn the best, although she found it stinky.

I'm sure it's crazier on the weekends but it was a very fun free thing to do with the kid.

5 comments:

Dad said...

Does it remind you at all of your own trips to Grandma's farm?

alexis said...

I wonder if that name is German or Dutch in origin.

Lakeview Coffee Joe said...

You hit on one of the things I really like about having a flexible schedule: you don't have to go see stuff when EVERYONE else is there seeing it. Sometimes I go bowling in the morning, or hit the driving range....it's just nice.

stef said...

well dad, the smells are similar. But grandma and grandpa's equipment was a bit updated from the 1800's!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like the Wagner Farm in Glenview (the place where Ellie's party was last year). I love that it's free - I take my kids there almost every time I am at my mom's house. Lisa