Petting Zoos and Pony Rides Near Jersey City
As animal lovers, we remember nothing more vividly than animal-filled experiences, like trips to zoos or aquariums where we witnessed innumerable beautiful and exotic animals. If your little ones love animals, petting zoos or pony rides would be the perfect endeavor to create unforgettable memories and lifelong knowledge about animals. These activities will be an excellent addition if you want to liven up your birthday festivities!
Feel free to check out the list of petting zoos and pony rides near Jersey City we’ve compiled specifically for you!
Abma’s Farms
700 Lawlins Rd, Wyckoff
After nine decades and four generations, Abma’s Farms is still Bergen County’s only produce and poultry farm. They have a barnyard full of animals for your child to interact with. They’ve rebuilt their Barnyard from the ground up, giving it a completely different educational experience for you and your family! Check out the new duck pond, Bunnyville, ‘Three Little Pigs’ homes, and much more. The barnyard is open Monday – Friday from 8:30 AM-5:30 PM and on Saturdays 8:30 AM-5 PM. Your $3 purchase to enter the Barnyard covers exceptional care for their animals, routine maintenance for their grounds, and the Barnyard staff. This farm is about an hour from Jersey City.
The Friendly Farmyard
PO Box 57, Verona, New Jersey
Phone: (917) 804-0091
Can’t make it to the animals? No worries! The Friendly Farmyard Traveling Petting Zoo and Pony Rides bring the fun straight to you! The Friendly Farmyard offers fun, interactive, and customized pony and petting zoo parties and events. Experienced professionals work with you and the animals to ensure a fun and safe experience for all!
Johnson’s Corner Farm
133 Church Rd, Medford
Phone:(609) 654-8643
Like other working farms and locations on this list, Johnson’s Corner Farm offers a wide range of activities year-round, including the petting zoo. This location features the Discovery Barnyard, where kids can explore an obstacle course, ride pedal go-carts perfect for more minor and older children, and a pretend farm. Sheep, goats, and chickens are all on the animal farm, and visitors get the opportunity to feed them! A day pass goes for $9.00 per child between the ages of 12 months and 12 years old and $4.50 for adults and children 13 and older! They are open daily from 8 AM-7 PM and are located about an hour and a half from Jersey City.
Hunter Brook Horse Farm
672 Fort Plains Rd. Howell
Phone: (732) 319-0662
Get ready to saddle up! Hunter Brook Horse Farm is unlike any other equestrian center in the area! Hunter Brook Horse farm is a full-service equestrian facility featuring boarding, horse sales, riding instruction, summer and winter camps, birthday parties, and friendly staff who are happy to work with you every step of the way. They offer lessons for any skill level! You can call Hunter Brook Horse Farm for more information on pricing options and book a lesson! Hunter Brook is located an hour from Jersey City.
New Joy Farm
Phone: (908) 376-9375
New Joy Farm has no problem traveling! They serve the NJ area along with surrounding areas! The kids can enjoy Pony Parties bounce houses, face painting, and unicorns. That’s right, a unicorn! Birthday parties are definitely the most frequently requested party event, but New Joy Farm also works with special occasions such as church functions, festivals, school functions, daycare, graduations, reunions, and company outings.
Alstede Farms
1 Alstede Farms Lane Chester
Phone: (908) 528-8823
Alstede is a great place to bring the family year-round and offers everything from fresh produce to Christmas trees. They also have had a diverse variety of livestock, including cattle, horses, sheep, goats, peacocks, miniature and large donkeys, ponies and mini horses, waterfowl, bunnies, cats, and poultry. Having a wide range of animals helps them to provide a more educational and enjoyable farm experience for every guest earning them a spot on our list of Petting Zoos and Pony Rides Near Jersey City! You can visit the animals daily from 9 AM-7 PM, located a little less than an hour from Jersey City!
The Barnyard Sanctuary
PO Box 167, Blairstown
Phone: (973) 670-4477
The Barnyard Sanctuary is an NJ 501(c)3 non-profit charity that has rescued displaced farm animals and provided a safe haven for animals for over eight years, landing it a well-deserved spot on our list of Petting Zoos and Pony Rides Near Jersey City! Since opening its doors, The Barnyard Sanctuary has saved the lives of over 3,000 farm animals, and today approximately 700 farm animals call this farm home. You can help this cause in several ways, and you can even adopt an animal needing a home. This amazing place is open to visitors, but you must schedule an appointment. They are located an hour from Jersey City and are open to the public Monday-Friday between 9 am–3 pm and Saturday from 9 am-noon.
Funny Farm Rescue
6908 Railroad Blvd, Mays Landing
Phone: (609) 742-9410
Funny Farm Rescue, where each animal has a story. Goats roam free, roosters, and a large white horse that will nuzzle you. Parents can purchase a bucket of food for the pigs and horses, and kids can spend some time feeding them. Their visiting hours are Tuesday and Sunday, 8 AM-4 PM, and they are located about 2 hours from Jersey City.
Pony and Pals
Howell, NJ
Phone: (732) 358-7555
Pony and Pals is a family-owned traveling pony and petting zoo rental business. Make your child’s dream come true by having their own petting zoo and/or pony in their own backyard. No yard? No problem, they can set up in a driveway or garage. Pony and Pals provide fond memories that families and kids of all ages will cherish for a lifetime. Prices start at $195 but can vary based on event location and duration.
Mountainside Stables
49 Sunset Inn Rd, Lafayette Township
Phone: (973) 300-3307
Mountainside Stables has been providing excellent entertainment services for events throughout the NJ Tri-State Area for 20 years! They provide traveling petting farms, pony rides, and horse and carriage ride for events of any size! The traveling farm is a unique addition to any party that all of your guests will love! They bring clean and friendly animals of all varieties, including Chicks, ducklings, Rabbits, Mini-horse, Mini-donkey, Goats, Llamas, and so much more!
If you are looking for more family-friendly activities to do, you came across the right place! For a unique alternative to zoos, experience the drive-thru zoos or farms, where you witness thousands of animals from the comfort of your car. Keep the children active and entertained at a nearby playground, sprinkler park, or the carousels in Jersey City. Looking for a more notable experience? Enjoy nature’s beauty on hiking trails or strawberry picking.
Updated June 28th 2023
