Try These Virginia Getaways with a Focus on Farm Animals

Need to get away? Try these rentals where you can be close to cows, sheep, and goats.

By Kate Oczypok • Posted April 10, 2024 at 2:54 p.m.

Courtesy AirBnB

If you need a Virginia getaway and love farm animals, these properties have what you need. They are in peaceful locations and allow you to watch and get up close with cows, donkeys, and other animals you wouldn’t normally encounter in Northern Virginia.

Luna, a Modern and Cozy Container Home

Distance from Dulles: 2 hours

This container ship-turned-tiny-house in the Shenandoah Valley is great for cow-watching, specifically Scottish Highland cows. And you’ll find yourself watching chickens, geese, turkeys look for food. The farm where it’s located also has a self-serve farm store that runs on a honor system. The hosts, Cozy in Canvas, also have glamping and cottage rentals. Singers Glen

Private Animal Sanctuary and Tiny Cottage

Distance from Dulles: 2 hours, 30 minutes

This little Scottsville gem was voted one of the coolest Airbnbs in Virginia by the website Trips to Discover and one of the top 12 tiny houses in Virginia by the site Trip101. Guests have said they feel the animals that live at the farm are watching over them. The farm’s focus is to promote ecotourism and support its sister nonprofit, Gentle Moon Conservancy. Gentle Moon provides lifetime care and shelter for animals in need. Scottsville

The Cozy Cottage at Grateful Meadows

Distance from Dulles: 2 hours, 30 minutes

Guests who want to get away from chaotic city or suburban life can book a stay at this nonprofit animal sanctuary. There are rescued pigs, donkeys, cats, and rabbits to meet and a saltwater pool open June 1 through August 31. For the safety of rescued animals, pets are not allowed. West Point

Animals, Mountains, and More in the Shenandoah Valley

Distance from Dulles: 2 hours

Horse lovers will be pleased with this getaway placed on top of a modern monitor horse barn. Guests can enjoy complimentary hot chocolate, coffee, or tea while they take in the property’s three horses — Dawn, Lane, and Gabe. There are also alpacas to see, as well as pot-bellied pigs, goats, ducks, and Holland lops, a type of miniature rabbit. Broadway

Unique Oasis Silo Barn

Distance from Dulles: 2 hours

Stay in a converted barn and silo with a private natural swim pond and waterfall as you enjoy connecting with sheep, miniature silky fainting goats, chickens, ducks, rabbits, turkeys, and more. The barn and silo are separate from other listings on the property and are the closest to the sheep, goats, and animal fencing. Additional listings include a tugboat, airstream, and log cabin. Louisa

Feature image courtesy Airbnb

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Kate Oczypok

Contributing Writer

Kate Oczypok has been a freelance writer since 2011, and is proud to be a regular contributor to Northern Virginia Magazine in digital and print since 2020. Her bylines have appeared in The New York Times, People.com, Better Homes and Gardens, and locally The Georgetowner and Washingtonian Magazine, among others. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Print Journalism from American University and a M.Ed. in Education from Penn State. She also teaches virtual piano lessons in the after school hours and does portrait photography on weekends.