Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm

I went to the nearby Aullwood Gardens as the Audubon Center was closed. (They actually touch each other if you go far enough into either one.) Unlike the center, the gardens are free to visit and don’t close until dusk. I had a great time exploring as the gardens are much larger than you might expect from a first impression.

I attended a wedding here in the convention center area and everything was beautiful. I’m sure a lot of it was the decorations, but the animal exhibits outside in the main area were a nice addition to the celebratory atmosphere. The wedding was held just outside in a unique stone circle, with rocks jutting out here and there. There was a deck overlooking that wedding spot, and it that was attached to the convention center area where the reception was held. What a great venue for a wedding!

We went to the Farm Babies Fest today. All was great until the Wagon ride people decided to close early while we were in line. You can imagine the unhappy children. I hope that in the future they will consider using another tractor to shorten the lines and so they don’t have to turn people away.

Aullwood is a fantastic farm and nature center near the airport in a most beautiful section of the woods. We found out about them through searching for something to do, and seeing an advertisement about an «Apple Fest» they were going to be having. We didn’t quite know what to expect, but adventure called, and we were absolutely blown away at what was waiting for us!
Aullwood seems off in the country, off the beaten path if I may, and once you’re there, you cannot help but feel transported to a better time a place, where the world is at peace and life is good. They have miles of beautiful trails for hiking, an organic garden bursting with fresh fruit, veggies and herbs (oh my!) happy chickens with even happier eggs for sale, and free range meats for sale. They have goats for the kiddos to get up close and friendly with too, plus so much more. This place is a kindergarteners paradise!
During Apple Fest, we were able to watch as our son fed apples into the cider press to make fresh cider and then tried a sip, it was absolutely delicious! Just around the corner apple pies were being made out on a grassy hill, their decadent sweet smoke from the open fire beckoning to all within smelling-​range! There was a man dressed as Jonny Appleseed handing apples to kids as they walked with their parents, fun kids crafts booths, vendors a’plenty, bushels of apples for sale from local farms, beautiful handmade candles and painted rocks, home made goodies, and more that I am certain my Mommy brain failed to notice amidst all the amusement and merriment!
We joined the «Friends of Aullwood» membership that day, and our ticket prices were deducted from our membership fee. The membership allows us free entry into the center and farm during operating hours all throughout the year, including most events. We like to make it a bi-​monthly excursion at the least, taking to the trails rain or shine. They are always open, even in storms! It’s such a beautiful peaceful place to go. At the center (a different building than the farm) you can find things such as a glass beehive for kids to watch as they go about their business. They have a gift store filled with beautiful and delicious things, kid-​friendly exhibits and animals to pet. Seriously, too much to list here! Just know if you are looking for a family fun afternoon, any day at Aullwood promises to be a beautiful entertaining treat for everyone.

Very nice Audubon park. Good trails.

If you like nature, this is pretty cool. They have a live farm you can walk around with animals as well as miles of paths. This is good for any wildlife lover and I suspect is very good for kids.
Admission is $ 4.00 for adults, but I’m not sure they enforce it.

I was asked to speak here a few weekends ago and found the place to be very endearing.
The Center is located in Dayton near Englewood and smack in the middle of a huge forest with an adjacent praire.
Before entering the center’s grounds, I drove a huge suspension bridge and got a look at the intact riparian forest.
It was beautiful.
I was a speaker for the winter lecture series that runs from Jan-​Mar on Sundays and there were about 75 people in attendence, mostly birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.
The center looks like an old farm house which it originally was before its remodeling a few years ago. Inside you will find exhibits about the habitat and animals of the grounds, a nature store, three classrooms, and a large conference room.
It is a little hokey but the sentiment grows on you as you walk through the space.
I had a little time to walk the trails and even though it was cold did a little creeking in search of early salamanders. No luck.
I took the trail to the organic farm and saw a few cows but not much else was going on this time of year.
Admission is just a few bucks and worth it. The center staff is very kinowledgeable and offers classes in nature study and trips to places like the Everglades and other national parks.
Tomorrow is the annual pancake breakfast which also features a hike out to tap some maples.
Good clean fun.