A Magical Trip to Pond Hill Farm

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On one of our first trips up to the Petoskey and Harbor Springs area, we stumbled upon a magical little place called Pond Hill Farm. Now, when most people hear the word “farm,” they probably think of stinky barn animals and hay. While Pond Hill Farm does include these typical barnyard attractions, it is also so much more than that! We were delighted to spend a lovely afternoon here surrounded by beautiful gardens, delicious food and drinks, and hidden little activities that kept our entire family busy for hours. We are happy to add this lovely diversion to our itinerary whenever we are in the area, and we think you will be too!

What: A working farm with a café, winery, brewery, and tons of activities for the kids
Where: 5699 S Lake Shore Drive, Harbor Springs, MI 49740
Fees: Admission and most activities are free, though you will have to pay extra is you want to participate in the squash catapult, eat in the café, purchase wine, etc.

During the numerous trips the GLL team has taken to Northern Michigan we have explored several of the bustling little tourist towns. One city that struck us in particular for its charm and atmosphere was Harbor Springs. We enjoyed our short daytrip there so much that we have added this adorable little city to our list of possible Northern Michigan vacation “base camps,” and we have looked into rental properties and hotel accommodations for future visits.

One of the most pleasantly surprising destinations in Harbor Springs lies a short drive outside the downtown area. Pond Hill Farm is located 5 miles north of Harbor Springs on M119. We weren’t really sure what to expect when others told us to check this place out. One of us may have asked, “you want us to drive out to a farm?” But we gave it a chance, and our trip to Pond Hill turned out to be a delightful day for our entire family.

Though we only had a few hours to spend there on our first trip, you could easily stretch out a longer visit at Pond Hill Farm. Between the café, general store, gnome hunt, walking trails, all of the animals and activities for children, and taking in the views of Lake Michigan from the top of the vineyard, there is plenty to keep everyone busy.

The first thing we noticed upon walking up to the farm from the parking lot was the beautiful garden of flowers that framed the general store. We stopped for a photo opportunity as we oriented ourselves to the property and took a quick peek inside the store.

After getting oriented and taking in the lovely scenery, our next stop was the livestock barn to visit some of our favorite farm animals. The children in our group, ranging in age from less than a year to about 6, loved seeing the animals, especially the chickens and kitten that could be found wondering freely on the grounds.

Once we got in a good dose of cute animals, we decided to explore some of the other kid-friendly activities around the property. The playground area was a big hit with the kids, and we enjoyed watching others test their skills at the squash catapult.

We worked up an appetite on the playground, so we headed into the café for lunch. Their special Parmesan crusted grilled cheese sandwich was delicious. Be sure to add the suggested tomatoes and basil! The adults also enjoyed a flight of beer and a charcuterie tray. The atmosphere inside is warm and inviting, with a separate tasting room adjacent to the dining area as well as an outdoor bier garden and deck for dining or drinking.

After lunch we checked out the wine and market. The market is well stocked with treats from the farm, such as jams, jellies, pickled foods, and pantry staples. Pond Hill also offers market items in their online store.

After browsing the store, we headed out on the Gnome Hunt. We had no idea what to expect from this gnome hunt, and it was admittedly a bit more time-consuming than we had expected, but the kids loved it! It consists of the 1.5-mile “Farm Loop Trail,” located adjacent to the Pond Hill buildings. Various signs mark your way to the forested area as well as to the gnome homes themselves.

During the hunt, we looked for 12 unique gnome houses that each include a little door that shows a letter. Once you put the letters together, you will get the secret code you can take to the market for a prize (candy for the kids).

Hunting for the gnome houses got a little dirty and involved. Some of the houses are located a short walk into the woods, and parts of the trail were muddy. The wooded path was beautiful, though, so we didn’t mind the walk. And the kids loved the adventure of it!

The entire gnome hunt took us about an hour, so plan accordingly. After coming back from our grand gnome adventure, we enjoyed a few snuggles from the local farm cat before making our purchases in the market and ending our day at Pond Hill Farm.

Other entertainment options at Pond Hill Farm include taking a tasting tour or feeding the fish in the trout pond, as well as several seasonal events and pizza on the farm nights. Be sure to check out the view of Lake Michigan from the top of the vineyard!

The photos above are courtesy of Pond Hill Farm, who owns the copyright. All other photos in this post are owned by Great Lakes Loving.

Overall, we think Pond Hill Farm is well worth a day trip for anyone visiting the area or passing through. We hope you enjoy your own magical day on the farm!