Charmingfare Farm
4.1(615)google
2.6(132)yelp
Wildlife WatchingKidsOutdoorHands-OnEducationalWildlifeFolk Culture
Overview
A wonderful 180-acre agricultural and wildlife park located in Candia. Designed primarily for families, it features a petting zoo with classic farm animals, a wildlife sanctuary home to North American predators like wolves and bears, seasonal hayrides, and festive holiday events.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration3-5 hours
Best TimeOctober during the harvest pumpkin festival or December for winter horse-drawn sleigh rides are premier windows. For daytime visits, arrive at 10:00 AM opening on weekdays from May to September; early hours guarantee active North American wildlife and farm animals, offering zero-line tractor trail rides for families.
Getting ThereLocated in Candia. Accessible strictly by car. From Manchester, drive east on NH-101 E to Exit 3 for NH-43 North. Follow NH-43 north for 2 miles, make a right turn onto South Road, and drive straight into the farm's immense, complimentary open-air surface parking field outside the main wooden barn gates.
Travel Tips
- Seasonal horse-drawn holiday events require online timed-entry booking; walk-up ticketing is fully suspended at the main gate during peak seasonal weekends.
- The zoo trails consist of unpaved, uneven dirt paths; regular strollers fail in wet conditions, making high-top waterproof muddy footwear absolutely essential.
- Feeding wildlife outside food is prohibited by law under heavy fines; use only specific pellet feeds purchased directly from authorized on-site dispensers.
Reviews
Positive
- Perfect for families with young toddlers; kids love feeding goats and sheep, and seeing native North American wildlife like elk and bears.
- Seasonal events are fantastic, especially the pumpkin festival in autumn and horse-drawn sleigh rides in winter, full of festive spirit.
- The farm features wide-open spaces and shady trails, providing a relaxing and pleasant walking experience for everyone.
- The staff takes great care of the animals and shows excellent patience with young visitors, making interactions educational and fun.
Heads up
- General admission doesn't cover tractor rides or pony rides; you have to pay extra for almost everything inside, which reduces its value.
- Some paths get extremely muddy after rain, and gravel sections make navigating strollers or wheelchairs a tough workout.
- The food options inside are very limited, mostly restricted to basic hot dogs and fries, and prices are steep, so packing a lunch is wise.
- Bugs and mosquitoes are intense during summer; because it's a wooded farm environment, you will get bitten without heavy insect repellent.