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Nature|Wildlife & Farms

Get Lost In This Beautiful 14-Acre Sunflower Farm In Connecticut

Buttonwood Farms in Griswold, Connecticut, is renowned for its sunflowers and ice cream, and hosts a successful fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish foundation.

Published Mar 26, 2021

Written by 

Marie Magoch

During the winter months, one of the things many of us look forward to is the beautiful flowers of springtime. Connecticut has a few flower farms that provide the state with locally grown blooms. When you want to feel like walking through sunshine, you'll want to pay a visit to Buttonwood Farms in Griswold. This 14-acre farm not only grows cheerful sunflowers but is also known for its delicious ice cream. Nothing feels more like summer than sunflowers and ice cream.

Buttonwood Farm began operation in 1975 as a dairy farm. As the farm grew over the years, it expanded not only in size, but in a blossom of new ideas. This started with an ice cream stand in 1997.

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Christina L/Tripadvisor

The old-fashioned, rich, and creamy, made from scratch, premium ice cream served on a fresh waffle cone immediately became a hit. Today, the farm offers 50 different flavors. and delicious toppings.

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Carrie D/Tripadvisor

The story of how Buttonwood Farms made Griswold the "Sunflower Capital of Connecticut" started with a fun idea in 2003 and soon expanded into a wish. 14-acres of wishes, to be exact.

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mari m /Tripadvisor

After that one-acre of sunflowers proved to be popular with the general public, the farm decided to expand its efforts. Each summer, over 300,000 sunflowers are grown and harvested as a fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish foundation.

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Alex D/Tripadvisor

The "Sunflowers for Wishes" fundraiser has been a local hit. Not only have many people enjoyed the gorgeous sunflowers, but the Make-A-Wish donations have totaled over $1 million since the fundraiser began in 2004. All proceeds from the sunflowers go directly to Make-A-Wish.

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Bernadette L/Tripadvisor

Whether you visit for the sunflowers or the ice cream you can be confident that every product from Buttonwood Farm is made with the highest quality and care.

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Carrie D./Tripadvisor

You will enjoy every moment of the views of the landscape, the hospitality of the farm, and being able to enjoy a few moments of serenity.

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Plan your visit to Buttonwood Farm by visiting their website. Keep up-date to find out the date for the 2021 Sunflowers for Wishes.

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Nature|Wildlife & Farms

Check Out The Connecticut Farm Where You Can Pet Alpacas And Purchase Their Yarn

Published Aug 9, 2024

Written by 

Lisa Sammons

I'm definitely an animal lover, and I know I'm not alone. Many of us have pets and enjoy checking out zoos and farms in Connecticut, especially if you've got younger kids that enjoy seeing critters. If you're looking for an animal encounter with some unique creatures, you might want to check out Roaring Acres in Suffield, CT. This farm near Hartford is home to alpacas, a South American member of the camel family that's raised for their fibers. A visit to this alpaca farm near Hartford, CT is quite the adorable way to spend an afternoon. Check it out:

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Alpacas resemble llamas, but they are a good bit smaller and have softer hair that's perfect for creating wool winterwear.

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Roaring Acres Alpacas

They also tend to have friendlier dispositions than their llama relatives, making a visit to an alpaca farm a fun adventure for the whole family.

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Lori Cocca/Google Reviews

Roaring Acres Alpacas is situated on 30 acres and has a variety of livestock on site.

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Jessica Torres/Google Reviews

During the farm's set public hours, visitors are able to feed and interact with these adorable creatures.

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Roaring Acres Alpacas/Facebook

You'll also find fun events held throughout the year, like painting classes and holiday celebrations.

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Roaring Acres Alpacas/Facebook

There's even an on-site boutique shop where you can purchase socks, scarves, and more made from the alpacas that live here.

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Roaring Acres Alpacas/Facebook

Next time you need to get out of the city a bit and enjoy a fun animal encounter, pay a visit to Roaring Acres Alpacas for some fun alpaca therapy.

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Michael Carroll/Google Reviews

Note that Roaring Acres Alpacas is open for visits at select dates and times. Make sure to check out all the rules for a visit before heading out. You can learn more about this alpaca farm near Hartford, CT from the Roaring Acres Alpacas website or Roaring Acres Alpacas Facebook page.

Not able to make it out to the farm right now but want to purchase some alpaca wool goods? Check out Roaring Acres Alpacas on Etsy!

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Nature|Wildlife & Farms

Here Are The 6 Absolute Best Pumpkin Patches In Connecticut To Enjoy In 2024

Discover some of the best pumpkin patches in Connecticut for fall family fun.

Updated Aug 1, 2024

Written by 

Lisa Sammons

A Pumpkin patch in Connecticut is connected to many other seasonal reminders. Those first few crisp mornings, the earliest tinges of leaf changes, the appearance of pumpkin spice flavors on the menu: ah, fall in Connecticut! Is there anything better? I don't know about you, but as soon as Labor Day is done, I start thinking about fall festivals and pumpkin patches near me. If you're hunting for some of the best pumpkin patches in Connecticut, we've got some great ones you'll want to check out this year.

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1. Jones Family Farms at Pumpkinseed Hill Farm: Shelton

A pumpkin patch with rows of orange pumpkins, a tractor in the background, and a scenic landscape under a cloudy sky.
Gloria H/Tripadvisor

Jones Family Farms is one of the biggest names in farming in Connecticut. With strawberries, blueberries, wine, Christmas trees, and more grown here, it's no surprise that the farm offers one of the best pumpkin patches near Bridgeport, CT. The farm's opening weekend for pumpkin picking is typically in late September, and the season runs daily through Halloween.

2. Jesse Lee Pumpkin Patch: Ridgefield

A pumpkin patch with numerous pumpkins on display, set against a backdrop of a church and trees on a sunny day.
Jesse Lee Pumpkin Patch/Facebook

The Jesse Lee Pumpkin Patch is a little different than some of the others on this list, because it's located at a church instead of a farm. The pumpkins you'll select from are actually shipped in from New Mexico, where they're grown without pesticides on a Navajo reservation. This place has been a mainstay of fall in Connecticut and in Ridgefield for more than 30 years. The pumpkin patch is open through October. You can get more information from the Jesse Lee Church website.

3. Castle Hill Farm: Newtown

A black and white dog sits beside a farm sign, surrounded by pumpkins and gourds in a rustic setting.
Castle Hill Farm/Facebook

Castle Hill Farm has been family-operated for five generations. The fall season here has a pumpkin patch, a seven-acre corn maze, hayrides, and more. There's nothing like the thrill of picking your own pumpkins, and this is one of the best pumpkin patches near Stamford. Check out the Castle Hill Farm website for all the exciting details.

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4. Blue Jay Orchards: Bethel

A large jack-o'-lantern stands among many pumpkins in a grassy field, with wheelbarrows nearby.
Blue Jay Orchards

Blue Jay Orchards is a 122-acre property that's been open for more than 70 years, offering some of the best things to do in Connecticut in the fall. Peruse the farmers market where you can pick pre-picked pumpkins, or enjoy pick-your-own in the patch. Find out more from the Blue Jay Orchards website.

5. Angevine Farm: Warren

A scenic pumpkin patch with various pumpkins displayed, surrounded by autumn foliage and a clear blue sky.
Angevine Farm

Angevine Farm has been operating since 1868, offering a variety of opportunities for fun depending on the season. The Harvest Barn Gift Shop and pick-your-own pumpkin patch opens the weekend of Sept. 21 and 22, 2024. Different pumpkins, gourds, and winter squashes are available here, giving you a wide variety of colors and sizes to choose from. Learn more on the Angevine Farm website.

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6. The Pickin' Patch: Avon

A rustic barn with a sign reading "The Pickin Patch" and a row of pumpkins displayed in front on a sunny day.
The Pickin' Patch/Facebook

The Pickin' Patch offers good, old-fashioned family fun. It's a small, family-owned farm that typically has hayrides, apples, pumpkins, and more in the fall. It's an adorable little spot that's one of the best pumpkin patches near Simsbury, CT. Find out more from the The Pickin' Patch Facebook page.

A visit to a pumpkin patch in Connecticut is one of the best parts of fall. Did we miss your favorite one?  Share your annual must-visit spot in the comments!

If you enjoy traveling through the beautiful state, consider this fall foliage road trip in Connecticut. And for some tips, visit our Road Trip Essentials Packing List before hitting the road for all your autumn adventures.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/connecticut/fall-foliage-drive-ct/

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