By Micaela Williamson
Strawberries are delicious, fresh, and a perfect sweet natural treat for kids. The pick-your-own strawberry season in Northern Virginia is starting soon. Some quick tips are to always call ahead and go early before crops are picked out. Also be sure to dress the kids in darker colors, as juicy strawberries tend to stain clothing. And we just can’t help ourselves to use the pun again and say, “Have a berry good time!”
Great Country Farms
18780 Foggy Bottom Road
Bluemont, 20135
This popular farm is well known for its awesome family attractions such as the giant jumping pillow, big slides, cow train, playgrounds, barnyard animals, and more. Visit during the weekends of May 24-25and May 31-June 1 for the Strawberry Jubilee. This is the biggest u-pick strawberry festival in Northern Virginia and is packed with live music, contests, u-pick strawberries, and delectable strawberry food.
Hollin Farms
1436 Snowden Road
Delaplane, 20144
This four-generation family farm is just 45-minutes from the Beltway located in beautiful Delaplane. Due to the cold winter, the Hollin Farms’ website estimates opening around June 4, 2014 for strawberries. Other spring vegetables, lettuce, radishes, arugula and snow peas are also available for picking.
Mackintosh Fruit Farm
1608 Russell Road
Berryville, 22611
Appropriately located in Berryville, this farm opens sometime in May for pick your own strawberries. The produce is highly rated, and the pick-your-own crops are well known as some of the best throughout the area. Enjoy a picnic with the whole family and get a great tour of the farm by taking a walk on the new hiking trail that wines through the woods and fields.
Westmoreland Berry Farm & Market
1235 Berry Farm Lane
Oak Grove, 22443
Westmoreland Berry Farm & Market is a great family-run fruit and berry farm situated along the banks of the Rappahannock River. Pick fresh berries and buy great produce, homemade jams and local gifts in the country story. Plus, kids will love the amazing overhead goat walk, children’s play area and hay rides on the weekends. Bring a picnic or enjoy their famous pulled pork BBQ sandwich and fresh fruit sundaes for dessert. The farm is adjacent to a nature preserve and boasts an unspoiled, natural environment and great spot for bird watching, including bald eagle sightings. Check their Facebook page for updates on crop availability.
Wegmeyer Farms
38299 Hughesville Road
Hamilton, 20158
Located down a dirt road among the rolling hills of Northern Virginia, this farm is the place to go for an authentic pick-your-own experience. Come with the whole family to pick fresh, juicy strawberries. Due to the cold winter, strawberry fields are anticipated to open in mid to late May. Check the website for the latest updates.
- Courtesy of Tiffany Brown, Mamaratzy Photography
Micaela Williamson is a co-author of local travel guide, Kid Trips Northern Virginia, an extraordinary resource that provides descriptions, useful information and insider tips for hundreds of local destinations. Micaela is also an award winning blogger who enjoys supporting area businesses and scouting out family-friendly venues with her two young sons.
