Some of the best days in Florida start with a small sign spotted from the side of a country road. Tucked along a quiet stretch of central Florida, there is a family-run farm where you can hand-feed goats, cuddle bunnies, and hang out with a very relaxed capybara named Pumpkin.
It is the kind of unassuming place that neighbors drive past for years without realizing what they are missing. If you love animals, low-key adventures, and a little autumn fun, this hidden spot might just steal your whole afternoon.
A Roadside Gem in Mt Dora’s Countryside
Driving up Orange Blossom Trail toward Mt Dora, you would be forgiven for cruising right past the modest sign that marks Violette Hill Hay Farm. Plenty of visitors mention that spotting it from the road was pure luck, and that pulling in turned into the highlight of their trip.
Sitting at 5505 N Orange Blossom Trail, this is a genuine small, family-owned farm rather than a polished theme park. The animals live on the property, the owners greet you personally, and the whole vibe leans relaxed and homey.
What makes it special is the up-close access. You are not peering over a fence from twenty feet away here.
You are feeding, petting, and learning about the animals, guided by people who clearly adore them.
Pumpkin the Capybara Steals the Spotlight
Say hello to Pumpkin, the four-legged celebrity everyone drives out to meet. With big brown eyes, long eyelashes, and the calmest personality imaginable, this capybara has a way of melting hearts within seconds.
Guests consistently describe time with Pumpkin as almost therapeutic. Watching her happily munch snacks while soaking up belly rubs leaves visitors grinning and already planning their return trip.
The capybara experience is a private, guided session that runs about 45 minutes, which many say is far longer than similar encounters elsewhere. Some visitors have even met a second capybara named Spice during the younger capybara encounters.
Fun fact: capybaras are the largest rodents on the planet, yet they are famously easygoing and social, which explains why Pumpkin is so happy to hang out with new friends.
Paint Your Own Pumpkin This Fall
Autumn brings an extra dose of charm to the farm, and the seasonal pumpkin fun is a big reason families circle their calendars. Pumpkins show up often in what visitors rave about, and the fall festivities give kids a creative, hands-on activity beyond the animal pens.
Grabbing a pumpkin and decorating it with your own designs makes for a sweet keepsake and plenty of photo opportunities. It pairs perfectly with a day of feeding goats and cuddling bunnies.
For Florida families craving that crisp fall feeling without leaving the state, a pumpkin-painting afternoon on a working farm hits the mark. It is simple, wholesome, and genuinely memorable.
A Barnyard Full of Friendly Faces
Beyond the capybara, the farm is bursting with critters eager for attention. Visitors recall feeding goats, cuddling baby bunnies, and meeting chickens, ducks, pigs, sheep, a pony, and a chatty donkey.
Children especially light up here. Parents share stories of little ones thrilled to hand lettuce to bunnies and scoop feed for the goats, all while the animals stayed calm and friendly.
Every review points to the same thing: the animals are healthy, well loved, and comfortable around people. That trust between the caregivers and their animals shines through in every interaction.
Meet Kristoff the Highland Cow
Few animals earn as many delighted gasps as the shaggy Scottish Highland cow. With his mop of hair and gentle presence, Kristoff the little Scottie is a crowd favorite, sometimes joined by an adorable baby highland calf that visitors affectionately call a highland coo.
Getting to pet and feed a Highland cow up close is a rare treat in Florida. Families mention it as one of the surprising bonuses of their visit, right alongside the capybara.
The owners are attentive to the animals’ comfort in the Florida heat and have shared plans to add more shade structures for their beloved cow. That responsiveness to feedback shows how seriously they take their animals’ well-being.
Warm Welcomes From Knowledgeable Hosts
Ask anyone who has visited and the conversation quickly turns to the people running the show. Guides like Wayne, Ray, and owner Dawn come up again and again as friendly, patient, and remarkably knowledgeable about every animal on the property.
Their passion is contagious. Guests leave having learned real facts about capybara behavior, Highland cattle care, and daily farm life, all delivered with genuine warmth.
This personal touch is what sets a small family business apart. You are treated less like a ticket holder and more like a guest who wandered onto a friend’s farm for the afternoon.
An Outing That Fits All Kinds of Visitors
Whether you are wrangling a carful of kids or planning a laid-back solo adventure, this farm flexes to fit. Visitors have recommended it for families, couples on a day date, and even lone explorers looking for something different.
One parent shared how welcoming the farm was for their child with autism, calling it a wonderful option for special-needs families thanks to the calm animals and accommodating staff. Cozy indoor and outdoor petting areas give everyone a comfortable place to slow down.
People happily drive two hours or more to get here, and many say they will return every year. That kind of loyalty tells you the experience lands across all ages and interests.
Planning Your Visit and the Bottom Line
Ready to go? The farm opens Thursday and Friday from 12 to 4 PM, Saturday and Sunday from 11 AM to 4 PM, with extended Wednesday hours, and it is closed Monday and Tuesday.
You can reach them at +1 407-404-8123 or book through violettehillhayfarm.com.
General admission runs around $15 per person, with children under 4 admitted free, and the capybara encounter is an additional ticket. Guests widely praise the value, noting the capybara sessions are longer and more affordable than many other spots.
Fresh farm eggs are also worth grabbing on your way out.
Set expectations for a genuine working farm rather than a manicured attraction, and you will be charmed by the animals and the heartfelt hospitality. For a low-cost, memorable Florida afternoon that most locals do not even know exists, this roadside spot near Mt Dora punches well above its size.
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