10 Fun Things to Do at Pond Hill Farm in Harbor Springs, MI
Location: 5699 South Lakeshore Drive, Harbor Springs, MI 49740
Hours: 11am to 6pm (Pizza served until 7:30pm on Saturdays!)
Contact: (231) 526-3276 *note that dogs are welcome outdoors but must be friendly and on a leash
Pond Hill Farm is a great place to relax, unwind, and have some family fun.
Not only do they sell fresh produce and have farm animals to visit, but they also have a café, market, outdoor bar, playground, hiking trails, winter recreation, and fun events that all ages can enjoy! From fun fall festivals to winter activities; from summer fun to spring hikes, there is always something fun to do at this northern Michigan spot.
The best part? This special place is located right along the popular Tunnel of Trees Heritage Route, a favorite scenic drive in Michigan.
They’re family-operated and have been running their business for over 20 years. Visitors have a lot of great things to say about them, and to tell you why, I’ve put together a list of 10 fun things to do at Pond Hill Farm.
Visit and Feed the Animals at Pond Hill Farm
Farms with cute animals are the best kinds of farms! Come say hi to the goats, pigs, and chickens at the barn. If you would like to feed the goats, make sure to bring quarters for the machines. There is also a pond with machines nearby to see the fish and feed them, too!
Hike, Bike, or Stroll Through the Great Outdoors
The outdoor fun at Pond Hill Farm never ends! There are beautiful trails that wind through the
woods, great for hiking or biking and enjoying the scenery. Also on the property are vast grassy fields for taking calm walks. If you climb to the top of the vineyard hill, you can also get a gorgeous panoramic view of Lake Michigan and the surrounding wildlife.
The paths are well-maintained year-round, which means winter hiking or fat-tire biking! As long as the farm is open, the trails are open.
Search for Gnome Houses in the Gnome House Hunt
Think you can spot all the gnome houses along the trails during your hike? Check in at the market and grab a map to go on the Gnome House Hunt. Each of the 12 houses have a letter on the door.
Write each one down, then later arrange the letters together to find the “secret code.” If you go back to the market and tell them the code, you’ll win a prize!
The trail is a loop around a mile long and can get a little muddy or rough at times. Make sure to wear good shoes or boots for hiking. The activity is year-round, so feel free to visit in winter, too. If you need assistance while out on the trails, call (231) 526-3276.
Shop at the Pond Hill Farm Market
There are a lot of cool things and tasty goodies you’ll find at the market! They have farm-fresh produce, homemade canned goods, locally sourced snacks, beer, wine, cider, handcrafted soaps, gifts, t-shirts, hats, home goods, and other merchandise.
It’s worth stopping by while you’re at the farm, so you can take something good home with you. Don’t forget to say hi to the cat in the shop, too!
Enjoy a Bite or Drink at the Café
All that fun will certainly work up an appetite, so why not stop by the café for food and drinks?
Here you can try their pizza, soups, wraps, salads, hotdogs, cider, beer, wine, soft drinks, hot cocoa, and more. They also have their famous parmesan crusted grilled cheese, popular with the guests who visit. Both indoor and outdoor seating is available.
There is also an outdoor bar where you can get the beverages served at the café, as well.
Let the Kids Roam Free on the Playground
There’s all sorts of fun for all ages at Pond Hill Farm, including a playground. Let your young ones let out their energy on the climbing wall, play in the sandbox, ride down the slides, and swing on the swing sets. Let them run and mingle with the other kids while you sit and relax.
Join the Fun at the Fall Fest
Each year during the fall season, Pond Hill Farm hosts their annual Fall Fest, with many games and activities going on. This festival takes place every weekend from late September through late October. There are hayrides, pumpkin bowling, pumpkin smashing, bounce houses, and a huge pumpkin patch with a wide variety of pumpkins of all shapes and sizes.
You’ll also be cider and donuts, as well as estate-grown wine and hard cider tasting ($14 for four tastes and a glass you can keep).
In order to play games and participate in the activities offered, you purchase tickets at the market for $1 each. The games and activities will each cost different amounts of tickets to play, ranging from one to four tickets. Tickets cannot be exchanged for food or drinks and are non- refundable, but they can be used to buy pumpkins if you have extras.
There are also FREE games like kickball, volleyball, human foosball, and more!
Survive the Haunted Vineyard or Sit Around the Bonfire
If you’re feeling daring, try to make your way through the haunted vineyard! While it will be a spooky fun time, it’s also very scary, so only those ages 12 and older are allowed to enter. It goes on each Friday night during the fall season and goes from 7pm to 9pm. Currently, the price is $10 per person.
If you would like a more relaxed evening activity, there will also be a bonfire during the same time, starting at 6pm. They will have s’mores, brats, hotdogs, beer, wine, cider, and hot cocoa.
Enter the Kids’ Costume Contest
Does your child have a creative costume this Halloween season?
Enter the Kids’ Halloween Costume Contest Saturday, October 29 th at 3pm and try to take home a trophy! There will also be pizza, beer, wine, and cider. Also at the event will be dancing witches!
Have Some Winter Fun
Pond Hill Farm is open all year long, so that means you can have fun in the snow during the winter season. There’s cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fat-tire biking, and hiking along the maintained trails. The vineyard hill also makes a great sledding hill for more winter fun! If you want to go sledding, helmets are encouraged, as stated by the owner.
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About the Author-
Aiden Peltier is a content writer for My Michigan Beach who is currently in their senior year studying at Grand Valley State University, with a major in Writing. They have enjoyed writing and drawing since they were a child, and they take a lot of inspiration from music and nature. They are currently exploring many opportunities in the writing field and plan to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in December 2022.