Christmas Tree
Farms, Tree Lots, Hayrides, Sleigh Rides and Other Winter Fun
Where to find a sleigh ride or winter hay ride in your area!
There's nothing like a sleigh ride on a cold winter day! Whether you are going for a midwinter activity in January, February or March, or going in December to pick a Christmas tree, cut your own tree, get one already cut, or just want a fun and romantic sleigh ride or horse-drawn hayride; here's the complete list of where to find sleighrides. If I've missed farms or stables offering sleigh rides, please write me to suggest them!
Many of the sleigh and winter hay rides are offered by Christmas tree farms that have cut-your-own trees, precut or you-choose-and-they-cut trees, but just as many are offered by stables that operate sleigh rides throughout the winter (and carriage ride, hayrides and horse riding in the other months).
Also keep in mind that due to the absence of snow, many more farms offer wagon rides and hayrides. So if you can't find a sleigh ride in your area, don't despair, try a hay ride instead; you can find them in almost every area! If you want a hayride or wagon ride instead, click here to find one near you!
Before you go ALWAYS CALL THEM to verify:
- the availability on the date and time that you want.
- the nature of the sleigh ride (is it a sleigh on sleds, or a wagon made to look like a sleigh, is there hay or blankets, how long is the ride, what is the terrain or scenery, how cold is it) and
- the price.
Click on the blue links below, of the area closest to you. Then just scroll down the page and look for the yellow highlighted "sleigh rides". I've indicated the number of farms/stables below! Also see this section for sleigh riding tips!
California
Eldorado County -1 sleigh ride location
Solano County - 1 sleigh ride location
Colorado
Connecticut
Hartford - 3 sleigh ride locations
Eastern CT (New London County) - 2 locations
Florida
Seminole County - 1 sleigh ride location (don't ask me how!)Idaho
Blaine County - 1 sleigh ride location
Illinois
Chicago area - 1 sleigh ride locations
Indiana
Northern Indiana - 1 sleigh ride location
Central Indiana:
Childs' Farm - Follows organic practices, horse-drawn hayrides, Horse-drawn sleigh rides (weather permitting), Fresh eggs, restrooms, farm animals, school tours
14118 Peach Road, Plymouth, IN 46563. Phone: 574-936-9262. Open: Reserved hayrides available anytime,Spring through fall, call! Sleigh rides are weekends, 1pm to 3pm. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. Open for sleigh rides December through February weather permitting; Call first!. We follow organic practices, but are not seeking certification. Payment: Cash, only. We are "Certified Naturally Grown", a farmer's organization for organically grown farm products. (ADDED: December 01, 2009)
Kansas
Kentucky
Hopkins County - 1 sleigh ride or winter hay ride location
Louisianna
Maine
Massachusetts
Michigan
Allegan County - 4 sleigh ride locations
Berrien County - 1 sleigh ride location
Cass County - 1 sleigh ride location
Clinton County - 1 sleigh ride location
Eaton County - 1 sleigh ride location
Genesee County - 3 sleigh ride locations
Ingham County - 1 sleigh ride location
Ionia County - 1 sleigh ride location
Jackson County - 1 sleigh ride location
Kalamazoo County - 1 sleigh ride location
Kent County - 1 sleigh ride location
Macomb County - 3 sleigh ride locations
Manistee County - 1 sleigh ride location
Monroe County - 2 sleigh ride locations
Ottawa County - 1 sleigh ride location
Saginaw County - 1 sleigh ride location
Sanilac County - 2 sleigh ride locations
St. Clair County - 5 sleigh ride locations
Minnesota
Anoka County - 1 sleigh ride location
Dakota County - 1 sleigh ride location
Hennepin County - 1 sleigh ride location
Otter Tail County - 2 sleigh ride locations
Missouri
Montana
New Hampshire
- Ledgewood Belgian Farms - horse-drawn hayrides, Organic farming, Horse-drawn sleigh rides (weather permitting), pony rides, farm animals, birthday parties, school tours, events at your location (call for info)
216 Pleasant Street, Epping, NH 03042. Phone: 603-679-4373. Email: ledgewoodbelgianfarm@comcast.net. Open: Horsedrawn Hay and Sleigh Rides by reservations. Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. Horsedrawn Hay and Sleigh Rides by reservations throughout the year; Bonfires included; Book your Holiday rides now;. Payment: Cash, only. (UPDATED: November 30, 2009)
New York
-
Andrusz Carriage Service - horse-drawn hayrides, horse-drawn carriage rides, Horse-drawn
sleigh rides (weather permitting), snacks, refreshments and/or concessions,
children welcome,
12067 Nice Road, Akron, NY 14001. Phone: 716-542-5767. Email: dan@wnyhorsedrawn.com. Open: We are available Monday thru Monday seven days a week. Click here for current open hours, days and dates. Directions: 12067 Nice Road, Akron, NY 14001. Click here for a map and directions. Call to schedule any event;. Payment: Cash, Check. We specialize in Weddings, Parades and Corporate events. We also have hay rides, and sleigh rides for parties at your location or ours. (ADDED: December 04, 2009)
Nevada
1 Sleigh ride location in Reno / Lake Tahoe
North Carolina
Coastal NC - 1 sleigh ride location
Western NC - winter hay rides
Ohio
Columbiana County - 1 sleigh ride location
Geauga County - 1 sleigh ride location
Summit County - 1 sleigh ride location (near Cleveland)
Pennsylvania
Texas
Vermont
Virginia
Prince William County - 1 sleigh ride location
Washington State
Wisconsin
Central WI - Marquette County - 1 sleigh ride location
Greenbay area - Door County - 1 sleigh ride location
Western WI - 1 sleigh ride location
- Northwoods Sleigh & Carriage - horse-drawn hayrides, horse-drawn carriage rides, Horse-drawn sleigh rides (weather permitting),
3100 Junction Road, Ashland, WI 54806. Phone: 715-682-4963. Alternate Phone: 715-292-2252. Email: pat@northwoodscarriage.com. Open: Carriage rides, wagon rides, sleigh rides by reservation only. Directions: Click here for a map and directions. Payment: Cash, Check. (ADDED: December 03, 2009)
Wyoming
Canada
British Columbia
Ontario
Ontario - Ottawa area- 2 sleigh ride locations
Ontario - northwest Toronto area- 1 sleigh ride location
Ontario - greater Toronto area- 1 sleigh ride location
Ontario, Peterborough area:
Merrylynd Farm - sleigh rides, plus skating, toboganning, hot chocolate
RR 4, Lakefield, Ontario K0L 2H0. Phone: 705-755-1081. Alternate phone: 705-755-0519. Email: merrylynd@peterboro.net. Merrylynd Farm is a certified organic family farm just outside of Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. During the winter months, we love to hook up our beautiful Belgian horses and take folks for long horse-drawn sleighrides through the rolling hills of our 100 acre property. There's skating, toboganning, hot chocolate from an iron kettle over an open fire, and much more. Or come in the Fall to visit Kara and Kirsten's pumpkin patch, where you can choose your very own organic pumpkin. We also sell organic beef, flour, and natural chicken from the farm gate.Quebec
Sleigh Ride Tips
What to bring
- Pack for a day trip - I always bring snacks, hand towels or disposable wipes and plenty of liquids to drink.
- Dress in old clothes and hiking boots or old athletic shoes; you want to be comfortable and not worried about staining or tearing your clothes! If the ground is wet, it will really ruin any nice shoe, so wear your beat up old ones! Bring heavy gloves to protect your hands and a jacket or other garment to protect your arms.
- Bring layered clothing, and some extra socks and a blanket. Dress for the weather. The kids may get wet feet, or cold. When you get back to the car, you can wrap them up in the blanket and they'll sleep all the way home!
- The weather could change without notice. If you get hit by a downpour (presuming it's not cold enough for snow), be ready to switch to Plan B and if you can't wait it out, go to the backup plan; such as a visit to a museum, tourist or historic site nearby. Your kids will remember it as "the time we went to cut a Christmas tree and instead had fun doing" something else.
- Pack snacks. You'll be gone for a while and all that being outdoors will work up a big appetite! Bring a cooler and back it with your favorite snacks; hot chocolate or warm apple cider are great. Many farms supply free cider, coffee and hot chocolate; some have lunches and snack for sale.
- Don't forget the camera. You may want to capture those memories you're making. But remember you'll be out on the farm and bring a cheap or disposable camera, rather than the expensive one.