Washington’s countryside is a natural place for kids to get close to animals. You’ll find your share of traditional farms – familiar places where you’ll pet barnyard denizens such as horses, chickens, pigs, cows, and sheep. But the country also offers another dimension in animal encounters. How would your youngsters like to feed a buffalo or llama? Learn about emu and ostriches? Or hold a lovable Cashmere kid goat in their arms? Washington’s new crop of oddball animal farms offers discoveries for kids and parents alike. All over the state, from Vashon Island to the Skagit and Nooksack valleys, wine country to Whidbey and the San Juan islands, Olympic Peninsula to eastern Washington – unusual animal farms are inviting the public in for visits (check with local visitor bureaus or chambers of commerce for a list).
In the Skagit Valley (about one hour north of Seattle on I-5), a must-see is the Woolley Prairie Buffalo Company outside Sedro Woolley off Hwy 9. Arrange to join a safe group tour on a flatbed truck to feed buffalo in their pasture and learn about history and lore, 360-856-0310. Elsewhere in the valley you can meet Cashmere goats, feed llamas, see emu and ostrich. Farmers/entrepreneurs are raising these unusual animals for a variety of commercial purposes on as little as two acres of land.
The Outback in Arlington is a wildlife animal park offering guided tours. Hand feed the kangaroos, wallabies and wallaroos. Learn about llamas and alpacas, pygmy goats and ostrich. Open daily March through October, 360-403-7474. www.christmastreesandroos.com
Snake your way to the Washington Serpentarium, northeast of Seattle in Gold Bar (Hwy 2). It houses over 200 not-socuddly creatures, including 75 species of chameleons, scorpions, turtles, and spiders. Visit with The Reptile Man and see rattlesnakes, pythons, cobras, and mambas. (360-793-2000)
In the shadow of Mount Rainier in Eatonville is Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. Free roaming herds of bison, caribou, elk, and big-horned sheep are just some of the animals families can see along a naturalist-guided tour through the 635-acre park. Wolves, grizzlies, and cougars also roam free in moat-protected natural habitats. Enjoy the Children’s Discovery Center, nature trails, and picnic meadow. 360-832-6117
You'll find a howling good time just down the road from Northwest Trek at Wolf Haven in Tenino off of Hwy 507. It is home to almost 30 wolves. Guided tours will give you an up-close look at these rare and endangered animals, while learning more about them. Call 360-264-4695 or visit www.wolfhaven.org
In Sequim, on the Olympic Peninsula, The Olympic Game Farm houses and trains exotic wildlife – water buffalo, lions, tigers, zebras, and much more. Take a drive-through “safari” to see animals from the safety of your car. Call 800-778-4295, 360-683-4295 or visit www.olygamefarm.com.