Hershberger Petting Zoo
Petting and feeding animals are things that most children enjoy. A trip to Hershberger Petting Zoo, located between Berlin and Millersburg in Amish Country, makes this possible in a friendly setting. An indoor barn holds many of the animals in pens for easy access but not too close for small children who might be a little afraid of petting these animals.
The pens hold pigs, chickens, geese, llamas, alpacas, and calves. There are also some free-roaming animals under cover like peacocks, rabbits, goats, and more. Pick up a rabbit and feel its soft hair or cuddle a piglet. If the child falls in love with a rabbit, you can even purchase one to take home with you.
One mother told me, “My daughters get to pet and feed animals, we get to see them smile. The produce and fry pies are amazing also!”
Maybe you might even get lucky and a baby goat will let you pick it up. Baby animals are always favorites of children and adults. Often you will find animals that have wandered away from their cages. One small goat decided that my slacks would be a good snack but did no damage. That reminded me of an old song that I learned when beginning to play the piano.
Bill Grogan’s goat was feeling fine
Ate three red shirts right off the line.
Children and adults will also like seeing and petting Hershy’s King Buck, a massive, registered Belgian horse – the biggest horse ever raised on their farm. He was born in September of 2021 and weighs 3,126 pounds. Feed King Buck a carrot to make him happy. He is amazing!
A large screened-in area contains an aviary, which holds many local and colorful birds with a variety of places for them to rest. Outside pens where the animals have more room to roam contain llamas, calves, ponies, and even longhorn cattle.
There’s a live carousel inside where children can have a draft horse ride. This is not on King Buck but on some of the other beautiful, large horses at the farm. There are additional charges for the horse and buggy rides.
Take a relaxing ride in an Amish buggy while visiting. Kids and adults both enjoy the buggy rides, with stories by an Amish driver, that take you around the Hershberger Farm to see the animals out in pasture.
This is a family day that everyone is certain to remember. Don’t wear your Sunday best clothes even if you watch your step. Picking up the small animals is likely to get a little dirt on your clothing.
Entry fee for the Petting Zoo is $5 per person. Kids 3 and under are admitted free. Take along some one-dollar bills or quarters so you can purchase whole carrots or sliced-up carrots to feed the animals. It’s always fun to have them eating out of your hand!
Before leaving, moms especially will want to visit the Farm Store or the on-site bakery where they can pick up some delicious cream sticks to eat in the shade or take home. Some think the bakery alone is a good reason to visit. Cheese and kettle corn are also available. There’s a place to get ice cream or a fresh Angus hamburger. There’s plenty of outdoor seating here to relax and enjoy a snack.
Hershberger’s Petting Zoo at 5452 State Route 557, Millersburg is open from March 1 – December 24. During that time they are always open from 10 – 4. Closed on Sunday throughout the year. Amish Country is a very busy place so visit on a weekday if you can. This is a place your children will want to go back to again and again.
On a recent Sunday afternoon, my car headed out to one of my favorite spots for thinking and dreaming at Salt Fork Lake Dam. From there, it was a matter of luck where the next stops might be. Ride along and see what interesting places appeared along the way.
Along the way the trees were finally getting their leaves in that beautiful spring green with some colorful redbuds thrown into the mix to add a little color.
The small town of Plainfield made my heart swell as their main street was lined with the US flag. Houses and businesses all along the street had a flag in their front yard to show their support of our country.
Coming into Coshocton, I spotted an old depot no longer in use but a great reminder of how railroads were an important part of our past.
A drive through Roscoe Village always gives pleasure. Today there were a few people out walking but not much traffic. The little shops along the way looked like they were lonesome for customers.
Nearby Clary Gardens has not only a flower garden, but a hillside amphitheater for entertainment and weddings. There is also a lovely Quilt Barn on the premises.
Down the road at Dresden, you can witness the largest basket in the world. This delightful, small town continues to make handwoven baskets at Dresden & Co.
Coming through Zanesville, a Whit’s custard ice cream cone called to me. The flavor of the month was Almond Joy, a delicious treat.
While visiting Vicksburg, Mississippi to do some research for a Civil War Diary, my journey took me to Snyder’s Bluff, one of the places frequently mentioned in the diary. This is where my GPS took me that hot, southern day.
Gypsy Road Trip 