Unearth The Voyage
Just outside downtown Columbia, there’s a small farm where a sloth named Tiki hangs out, a capybara called Pippi waddles around, and a baby kangaroo waits for its next visitor. It’s the kind of place most people drive right past without knowing exotic animals live behind the fence.
FairyTails Petting Farm packs sloths, lemurs, capybaras, and joeys into one weekend-only stop that regulars in Middle Tennessee love to keep to themselves. If you have ever wanted to meet animals you would normally only see on a nature show, this little Maury County farm makes it surprisingly easy.
Here is everything worth knowing before you plan a trip.
Where to Find It in Maury County
Tucked along a country road in Columbia, FairyTails Petting Farm sits at 1856 Bear Creek Pike, Columbia, TN 38401. Maury County puts it within an easy weekend drive of Nashville, Franklin, and Spring Hill, which makes it a natural detour for families cruising through Middle Tennessee.
You would not necessarily guess a sloth and a baby kangaroo live here based on the address alone. The setting is genuinely rural, with outdoor farm animals sharing space alongside an indoor building full of exotic residents.
Parking gets high marks for being simple and stress-free, so you will not be circling a crowded lot before your visit even starts. The property leans into its working-farm roots, meaning you should expect some outdoor terrain rather than polished walkways.
Because it is off the beaten path, this is exactly the sort of local-only spot that Tennessee residents like to discover and then quietly recommend to friends. It rewards the folks willing to wander a little past the interstate exits.
A Weekend-Only Animal Encounter
Part of what gives FairyTails its under-the-radar reputation is how little it is actually open. The farm welcomes guests only on Fridays and Saturdays, from noon to 3 PM, and stays closed the rest of the week.
That narrow window means planning matters. If you show up on a random Tuesday hoping to meet Tiki the sloth, you will find a closed gate instead.
The tight schedule also shapes the vibe of the place. Because everyone is funneled into the same short hours, weekends can feel busy at the start, though regulars mention the crowd tends to spread out the longer you stay.
Booking ahead is part of the routine here, and appointment slots help keep the animal encounters organized. The tradeoff for such limited access is a more curated, personal experience once you are inside, rather than a sprawling all-day attraction.
Meeting Tiki the Sloth
Few residents at the farm get more affection than Tiki the sloth, who has become something of a local celebrity. Guests come away calling this slow-moving charmer the highlight of their entire trip.
Petting a sloth is not something you can do at most places within driving distance of Nashville, which is a big part of the appeal. Tiki draws families back for repeat visits and shows up again and again as a favorite among the animals here.
Getting close to a sloth turns an ordinary weekend into a story worth retelling. Kids in particular tend to fixate on Tiki, and plenty of adults admit the sloth wins them over too.
Staff handle the introduction so the interaction stays calm for both the animal and the guest. That careful approach means you get a genuine moment with a creature most people have only ever seen in photos or on a screen.
Say Hello to Pippi the Capybara
Capybara fans have their own reason to make the drive, and her name is Pippi. As the world’s largest rodent, a capybara is an unusual thing to meet in person, and this baby version has a devoted following among younger guests.
One family surprised their capybara-obsessed son with a special holiday encounter featuring Pippi, and moments like that stick with people long after they head home. She has a relaxed, curious personality that makes her easy to warm up to.
Getting to pet a capybara rounds out the exotic lineup nicely. Between the sloth and Pippi, the farm covers two animals that rarely appear side by side anywhere in the region.
The air-conditioned indoor building where she often hangs out keeps the experience comfortable, especially during a warm Tennessee afternoon. Meeting a real capybara is the kind of bucket-list check-off that keeps this farm on people’s radar.
Cuddling a Baby Kangaroo
Holding a baby kangaroo lands near the top of nearly everyone’s list of memories from FairyTails. The young joey is a repeat favorite, and even folks who describe themselves as not particularly into animals single it out as the standout.
Cradling a joey is a genuinely rare opportunity, and it is one of the encounters guests remember most vividly. The little kangaroo has a way of winning over the whole group, regardless of age.
It fits perfectly into the farm’s mission of putting you face-to-face with creatures you would normally only glimpse at a zoo behind glass. Here, the interaction feels far more personal.
Staff oversee these moments so both the joey and the guest stay safe and calm. That balance of access and care is what turns a simple farm visit into a keepsake worth bragging about back home.
Lemurs, Guinea Pigs, and a Cast of Exotics
Beyond the headliners, the farm keeps a surprisingly deep roster of unusual animals. King Julian and Abu the lemurs bring ring-tailed personality, while a coati, a raccoon, an opossum, and Patagonian cavies round out the exotic crew.
Reptile and critter fans are not left out either. The lineup has included snakes, turtles, a scorpion, frogs, spiders, and a hairless guinea pig, giving curious kids plenty to gawk at.
One couple who says they have toured more than fifty petting zoos ranked this collection among the very best they have found. That kind of variety is rare for a farm this size.
The friendly goats and outdoor farm animals add a familiar, down-home touch to balance out the wilder residents. Between the exotics and the barnyard regulars, there is genuinely something that clicks with almost everyone in the group.
The Critter Cabin and Knowledgeable Staff
Much of the exotic action happens inside the critter cabin, a climate-controlled building where the indoor animals stay comfortable. Regulars note that on busy weekends it can feel a little crowded right when you walk in, though the space opens up as people fan out.
Many guests end up spending a solid half hour or more just hanging out with the capybara and lemur inside. The air conditioning is a genuine perk on a hot day.
What earns the most consistent praise, though, is the team running the place. The owners and staff come across as friendly, patient, and clearly passionate about the animals in their care.
They take time to explain each creature, answer every question, and supervise the hands-on moments so interactions stay safe. For USDA compliance, a staff member is present whenever guests interact with the animals, which shapes how the whole visit flows.
Setting Expectations Before You Go
A little honesty helps here, because the experience is billed as an encounter rather than a chance to physically hold every animal. Most of the exotics are meant to be interacted with under staff supervision, not scooped up into your arms.
The owners are upfront that many exotic animals are unsafe to hold without training, so they focus on safe, guided interaction instead. Knowing that going in prevents disappointment for guests hoping to cuddle everything in sight.
The farm is small and genuinely rural, so expect some muddy patches and outdoor terrain. Closed-toe shoes come recommended, and the property is not fully wheelchair-friendly, though the team does try to accommodate.
As with any farm surrounded by cows and horses, a few flies outside come with the territory. Most guests agree that setting realistic expectations turns the visit into exactly the charming, hands-on outing it is meant to be.
Is the Drive Worth It?
Holding a 4.2-star average across dozens of opinions, FairyTails has clearly won over a loyal base of Tennessee families. The overwhelming majority walk away delighted, especially those who arrive knowing it is an intimate encounter rather than a giant zoo.
Pricing sits in the neighborhood of $25 per person, and most feel that buys a genuinely worthwhile hour to hour-and-a-half with animals they would struggle to meet anywhere else nearby. Families with kids ages four to eight seem to have the most fun of all.
The visit works best when you book ahead, wear the right shoes, and lean into the personal, small-farm nature of the place. Go in expecting a curated meet-and-greet and you will likely leave planning your next trip.
For a weekend escape close to home, few Middle Tennessee outings put a sloth, a capybara, and a baby kangaroo in the same afternoon. That combination alone makes this quiet Columbia farm worth the detour.
