Looking for a delightful family outing in Connecticut? Just a stone’s throw from West Hartford, Fish Family Farm in Bolton, CT, offers a charming and educational experience for all ages. After a reader’s tip and hearing about a Lutz Children’s Museum fundraiser held there, we decided to explore this local gem and were thrilled with our visit to Fish Family Farm.
Alt text: Welcoming sign for Fish Family Farm in Bolton, Connecticut, inviting visitors to a family-owned dairy farm.
Located just a 25-minute drive from West Hartford, Fish Family Farm is easily accessible. Prior to our visit, Bolton, Connecticut was a new location for us, situated near Manchester off Route 384. For those unfamiliar with the area, Bolton is conveniently located, making Fish Family Farm a perfect destination for a local family adventure.
Alt text: Map pinpointing the location of Bolton, Connecticut, showcasing the accessibility of Fish Family Farm from surrounding areas.
Finding the farm was straightforward using GPS, leading us directly to the entrance marked by a welcoming sign.
Alt text: Entrance sign for Fish Family Farm in Bolton, Connecticut, highlighting it as a family dairy farm and local store.
The scenic drive up to Fish Family Farm is a treat in itself, featuring rolling hills, grazing cows, and a charming duck pond. While not a sprawling, all-day attraction, Fish Family Farm provides an engaging and enjoyable visit lasting an hour or two, ideal for families with young children.
Upon arrival, following the road leads directly to the retail store with ample parking available right in front.
Alt text: Exterior view of the retail store at Fish Family Farm, Bolton, CT, inviting visitors to explore local farm products.
Alt text: Front porch of Fish Family Farm’s retail store, showing a welcoming entrance for visitors to the farm store.
Our first stop was the retail store to learn more about Fish Family Farm and its offerings.
Alt text: Inside the Fish Family Farm retail store, showcasing fresh farm products and a view of milk bottling process.
Visiting on a Monday, we witnessed the milk processing and bottling, a weekly event. A large glass window inside the store provides a fascinating view of the bottling process, often managed by Mr. Fish himself, the family patriarch, as we learned from his grandson working in the store.
Fresh Dairy and Local Goodies at the Farm Store
The dairy store, while cozy, is packed with delicious farm-fresh products. Fish Family Farm proudly offers a range of dairy items directly from their cows, including classic milk, rich chocolate milk, heavy cream, various cheeses, and creamy ice cream. Beyond dairy, they also sell farm-fresh eggs from their chickens and partner with other local farms to offer honey from Tolland and savory sauces and condiments from the Country Butcher, also in Tolland.
Milk is sold in reusable glass half-gallon containers. Initially, the $5 price tag seemed steep, but we discovered a $2 bottle deposit (note: while the website may list $1.50, it’s currently $2). This brings the actual milk cost to a reasonable $3 per half gallon. Many locals were seen returning empty bottles for refills, highlighting the community’s support for Fish Family Farm. Remember to bring cash, as Fish Family Farm operates on a cash-only basis.
Alt text: Display of fresh milk in glass bottles at Fish Family Farm store, emphasizing local dairy products.
Alt text: Close-up of glass milk bottles from Fish Family Farm, highlighting the fresh and local dairy offering.
Ice cream is another must-try at Fish Family Farm. Enjoy a scoop in a cup or cone or take a pint home. We were tempted by the upcoming coffee ice cream with heath bar, and learned about seasonal fall flavors like apple pie and pumpkin joining the menu soon, alongside their regular flavors displayed on a chalkboard. While the website lists flavors, the in-store chalkboard provides the most up-to-date options.
Alt text: Chalkboard menu showcasing ice cream flavors at Fish Family Farm, inviting visitors to try local farm-made ice cream.
Alt text: Delicious scoops of ice cream, highlighting the creamy and flavorful offerings at Fish Family Farm’s ice cream counter.
Meeting the Moo-Moos and Exploring the Farm
After exploring the store, it was time to meet the cows, or “moo moos” as the kids call them. Fish Family Farm is home to over 70 cows, including 24 milking cows and 7 calves. The calves are housed in the barn to the left of the store, with more cows in the field behind the barn.
The barn has that authentic farm aroma, adding to the experience.
Alt text: Exterior of the barn at Fish Family Farm, Bolton, CT, where visitors can see calves and learn about farm animals.
A sign advises adult supervision for children in the barn, an important safety reminder. While kids are welcome to explore the barn and farm, keeping a close eye on them ensures a safe visit.
Inside the barn, we found the adorable calves and their mother.
Alt text: Close-up of calves in the barn at Fish Family Farm, offering a heartwarming encounter with young farm animals.
Alt text: Cows and calves inside the barn at Fish Family Farm, providing an opportunity to see farm animals up close.
Venturing behind the barn, we found about a dozen cows grazing in the field. Mr. Fish’s only rule: stay outside the fences and gates. Otherwise, visitors are free to explore. Our kids enjoyed feeding grass to the cows, though some were a bit more hesitant than others!
Alt text: Child feeding grass to cows at Fish Family Farm, illustrating interactive experiences with farm animals.
Alt text: Children interacting with cows in the field at Fish Family Farm, highlighting family-friendly activities on the farm.
Alt text: Cows grazing in a field at Fish Family Farm, showcasing the farm’s pastoral setting and healthy animals.
We also visited the chicken coop on the other side of the store.
Alt text: Chicken coop at Fish Family Farm, where visitors can observe chickens and learn about egg production.
And enjoyed a relaxing moment on the swing set.
Alt text: Children playing on a swing at Fish Family Farm, suggesting recreational activities for families visiting the farm.
Across from the store, fields with geese offered more to explore. After running around and animal encounters, it was lunchtime. Picnic benches under shady trees provided a perfect spot for our packed lunch.
Handwashing was essential after petting the animals, and we were pleased to find a surprisingly clean public restroom inside the barn.
Alt text: Entrance to the restroom inside the barn at Fish Family Farm, indicating convenient facilities for visitors.
The restroom was basic, without a baby changing table, but clean and functional for a farm setting.
Alt text: Interior of the clean restroom at Fish Family Farm, showing the farm’s commitment to visitor comfort.
Alt text: Happy child eating lunch at Fish Family Farm, showcasing the farm as a pleasant place for family picnics.
Lunch was a hit, followed by a quick email check for dad and a moment for mom and baby. We then returned to the store for some treats.
Ice cream on the front porch was the perfect ending. They even have a kid-sized picnic table.
Alt text: Children enjoying ice cream on the porch at Fish Family Farm, capturing the joy of farm-fresh treats.
The “kid scoop” and “one scoop” sizes seemed similar, and while generous portions led to a bit of a mess, the ice cream was delicious.
Before leaving, we purchased fresh milk in glass bottles to take home – a true taste of Fish Family Farm.
Momsense Tips for Visiting Fish Family Farm:
Fish Family Farm
20 Dimock Lane, Bolton, Connecticut
(860) 646-9745
http://www.fishfamilyfarm.com/
Get Directions Here
Hours:
- Closed Sundays
- Milking: Mondays 6-8am & 4-6pm
- Store & Barn Tours: 8am – 8pm
- Ice Cream Counter: 11am – 8pm
Admission: FREE
Helpful Hints:
- Restroom in barn (side door access, no changing table).
- Jogging strollers are manageable. Baby carriers work well for infants, and kids can walk.
- Cash only!
- Pack a picnic to enjoy outdoors.
- Visit on Mondays to see milk bottling.
- Early morning or evening visits for milking views.
- Long pants recommended for field exploration.
- Farm store offers milk, cream, ice cream, cheese, eggs, honey, and local goods.
Fish Family Farm is a wonderful local destination for families seeking a fun, educational, and delicious farm experience.
