Unearth The Voyage
Florida is full of surprises, but stumbling across kangaroos just a short drive from St. Petersburg might be the most unexpected one yet. There is a working farm in Manatee County where you can pick your own strawberries, wander through a pumpkin patch, and yes, spot exotic animals including kangaroos, all in one afternoon.
The place has been drawing families for years, and it keeps growing with new areas, festivals, and activities that make every visit feel a little different. Whether you are a local looking for a fresh outing or a visitor wanting something beyond the usual Florida beach routine, this farm delivers a genuinely fun, grounded experience that is hard to find anywhere else in the region.
Where It All Starts: The Farm Address and Setting
A working farm tucked into the rural backroads of Manatee County, Hunsader Farms sits at 5500 Co Rd 675, Bradenton, roughly 30 to 40 minutes east of St. Petersburg. The drive itself feels like a gradual exhale, with flat green fields replacing strip malls and traffic lights as you head inland.
The farm is open Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 5 PM, and on Sundays from 10 AM to 4 PM. Those hours give you plenty of time to explore without rushing, though arriving early on weekends is a smart move when festivals are in session.
The Kangaroos and Exotic Animal Area
Yes, there really are kangaroos here, and that detail alone tends to stop first-time visitors mid-sentence. The exotic animal area at Hunsader Farms features a collection of animals that go well beyond the typical farm roster, and the kangaroos are the undisputed headliners.
The train ride that loops around part of the property offers a view of the exotic animal section, which is one of the more charming ways to take it all in. Seeing a kangaroo hop past Florida palms and open pasture is a genuinely odd and wonderful combination.
Beyond the kangaroos, the area includes other animals that are not commonly found on a working farm, making the whole experience feel like a cross between a countryside outing and a small wildlife park. It is the kind of unexpected detail that turns a regular farm visit into a story worth telling.
The Petting Zoo That Kids Talk About for Weeks
The petting zoo at Hunsader Farms is genuinely large, with a variety of animals that keep younger visitors occupied for a surprisingly long stretch of time. Goats are a favorite, and there are enough of them that every kid gets a real moment of connection rather than just a quick glance through a fence.
At around $12 per person for entry into the petting zoo area, it sits at a reasonable price point for the amount of time most families spend inside. The animals are interactive, and the whole setup feels relaxed rather than rushed or overcrowded.
One visitor practically adopted a black-and-white goat on the spot, which probably says everything you need to know about the appeal of this section. The staff are present throughout, keeping things moving and helping guests interact with the animals in a way that feels safe and enjoyable for everyone.
Pick-Your-Own Fields and Fresh Produce
Few things beat picking your own produce straight from the field, and Hunsader Farms makes that experience genuinely accessible. Strawberries are a seasonal favorite, and on a good Sunday morning the fields are active but not overwhelming, with families moving through the rows at their own pace.
The pricing is refreshingly straightforward. You pay for what you pick, and the quality of the fruit right off the plant is noticeably better than anything from a grocery store shelf.
Wildflower picking is also available, with a cup to fill for just $8, which is an incredible deal for the experience it delivers.
The farm store nearby sells fresh vegetables grown just steps from where they are displayed, along with homemade jams, pickled beets, salad dressings, and other locally made goods. Grabbing a jar of something homemade on the way out has become a personal ritual every time I visit.
The Annual Pumpkin Festival
Every fall, Hunsader Farms transforms into one of the most festive destinations in the entire Tampa Bay area. The Pumpkin Festival draws thousands of visitors each year, and the farm handles the crowds with an organization that feels almost effortless from the guest side of things.
The pumpkin fields are extensive, with plenty of good picks still available even later in the festival run. Beyond the pumpkins, there is live music, craft vendor booths, a corn maze, hayrides, a pumpkin cannon, and enough food vendors to make a meal plan feel necessary before you arrive.
Admission runs $15 per person with a $5 parking fee, and the festival is cash only, so planning ahead matters. For a family of four, the day can add up, but the sheer volume of things to do makes it feel like a full event rather than just a farm walk.
Food Vendors and Farm Store Eats
The food at Hunsader Farms during festival weekends is a serious part of the experience, not an afterthought. Roasted corn, funnel cakes, fresh-squeezed lemonade, homemade pies, and cheeseburgers from various vendors fill the air with a smell that immediately sets the mood for the day.
It is worth noting that food vendors are primarily available on weekends. If you visit during the week, the farm store is your best option, stocked with fresh produce, cheeses, butters, and preserved goods that are well worth browsing even without a festival happening around you.
Prices at the food stands lean toward the higher end, with cheeseburgers running around $15, which is typical for a festival setting but worth factoring into your budget. Packing water is also a smart move, as hydration options from vendors can be limited depending on the day and crowd size.
Tiny Town and the Kids Play Area
One of the most charming corners of Hunsader Farms is a miniature village area known as Tiny Town, a collection of small-scale historic buildings that are sized for kids but big enough for adults to walk through as well. The buildings represent structures from the 1600s, 1700s, and 1800s, and each one has a distinct character that makes exploring them feel like a scavenger hunt.
A firehouse with an actual working pole that kids can slide down tends to be a crowd favorite, and younger visitors tend to circle back to it multiple times. The whole area has a nostalgic, handcrafted quality that feels genuinely different from the plastic playground equipment you find everywhere else.
Beyond Tiny Town, the kids area also includes a go-kart track, a large trampoline, bounce houses, and slides, giving families with children of different ages plenty of options to keep everyone occupied throughout the day.
Train Rides Around the Property
The train ride at Hunsader Farms is one of those simple pleasures that ends up being more enjoyable than you expect. It loops around a section of the property and passes by the exotic animal area, giving riders a relaxed, seated view of parts of the farm that are harder to reach on foot.
The train is small and charming rather than elaborate, which fits perfectly with the overall vibe of the place. Taller adults may find it a bit snug, but for kids and most grown-ups it is a comfortable and genuinely fun way to see the farm from a different angle.
Like most activities here, the train does come with an additional fee, and during busy festival weekends the line can get long. Arriving early and heading to the train first is a strategy worth considering if your group is especially excited about that particular ride.
The Flower Festival and Wildflower Fields
The Flower Festival is one of Hunsader Farms’ most visually stunning events, and it tends to fly under the radar compared to the more famous Pumpkin Festival. The wildflower fields stretch out in a way that makes the whole place look like something from a different part of the country entirely.
For $8, you get a cup to fill with as many wildflowers as you can fit, which is an almost absurdly generous deal for an activity that ends up being meditative and genuinely beautiful. The colors vary by season, but the fields are consistently full and well maintained.
Live country music plays in the background during the festival, and the farm store and animal areas are all open alongside the flower picking. The combination of music, animals, fresh air, and flowers makes the Flower Festival one of the most well-rounded events the farm puts on throughout the year.
Hayrides, Corn Maze, and Seasonal Activities
Fall at Hunsader Farms means hayrides rolling through the property at a gentle pace, with the Florida sun softened by the season and the smell of roasted corn drifting from nearby vendor stands. The hayrides are relaxed and family-friendly, lasting long enough to feel worthwhile without dragging on.
The corn maze adds a layer of playful adventure to the festival experience. It is not an elaborate labyrinth, but it is fun for kids and provides a nice change of pace from the open-field wandering that makes up most of the day.
The pumpkin cannon is one of those unexpected highlights that generates genuine excitement across all age groups, launching pumpkins with a satisfying thud that draws a crowd every time it fires. Seasonal activities like these are rotated in and out across different festivals, which is part of why repeat visitors keep finding reasons to come back.
Pony Rides and Birthday Party Options
Hunsader Farms offers pony rides as an add-on activity, and they are consistently one of the most requested experiences for younger visitors. The ponies are well-handled, and the whole setup feels calm and supervised rather than chaotic, which matters a lot when small kids are involved.
The farm also hosts birthday parties, and the setup is more flexible than most venues of this type. Groups can bring their own food and drinks, which is a genuinely appreciated perk that helps keep costs manageable.
Pizza can also be ordered on-site for those who prefer not to coordinate catering.
A birthday party here comes with access to the petting zoo, Tiny Town, pony rides, and train rides as optional additions, giving families a customizable experience. The outdoor setting and variety of activities mean kids from toddlers to preteens can all find something that holds their attention throughout the event.
Tips for Making the Most of Your Visit
A few practical notes can make the difference between a smooth visit and a frustrating one. Admission during festivals is $15 per person with a $5 parking fee, and the farm operates on cash only, so stopping at an ATM before you arrive is not optional, it is essential.
Bringing your own water is strongly recommended, especially during warmer months when shade is limited and the sun is relentless. A hat, sunscreen, and comfortable walking shoes round out the packing list for a day spent mostly outdoors on uneven terrain.
Food vendors are only active on weekends, so weekday visitors should plan accordingly and either bring a packed lunch or stock up from the farm store. The farm can be reached by phone at 941-322-2168, and their website at hunsaderfarms.com keeps an updated calendar of upcoming festivals and seasonal events worth planning around.
