Haute Goat

Although there are ticket prices for special events and experiences, if you just want to explore the farm and have fun with the animals, then you can either donate or pay whatever you can. This rural encounter with nature and animals is a perfect way to de-stress, appreciate other lives, learn a new skill and have a great laugh along the way.

You also get to experience how doing yoga with goats feels. “Release the goats” is what you will hear before stepping onto your yoga mats for a fun exercise session. You can also opt for goat shmurgles — hugging and snuggling goats — or self-guided walks with alpaca and baby goats through an apothecary garden and shiitake mushroom lodge. Or spend your time interacting with the horses. There are lots of options, and they all feel like the best medicine.

Their most popular classes, “Milk a Goat, Make Goat Cheese,” costs about $100. You will learn how to milk a goat properly, which is followed by a class in the kitchen, where you learn all about making fresh warm batches of goat cheese.

Soap making, beekeeping and other special events take place throughout the year, including goat races, alpaca shearing and an open house. The couple strives to bring rural life to urbanites. Rooms are open for guests and can accommodate four people with a morning breakfast.

If you’re looking for nearby places to include on your tour, then The Screaming Goat restaurant is a great choice. It serves farm-to-table lunches and sells heavenly goat fudge, caramel corn and other goat edibles.

The nearby Capitol Theatre is also a great stop. The theatre was built in 1930 and is designed as a medieval courtyard, where the twinkling virtual sky will accompany you during the evening. You can shop accessories and clothes, enjoy a meal or two, or get mesmerized at a concert.

The quirky The Big Apple is another nearby place to visit for the best all-in-one cultural experience. It’s a cute roadside venue with counter-serve dining, a country store selling all kinds of goodies, mini golf and kiddie train rides. The main building appears like a big smiley faced apple. For great hiking trails, visit Ganaraska Forest. You can opt for a myriad of activities to do in the forest, including hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and nature appreciation.

The scenic Port Hope Golf and Country Club is a challenging 18 hole course. They also serve delectable foods to satisfy your hunger.

The Northumberland Arts Gallery and Shop is a not-for-profit corporation showcasing jewellery, pottery, textiles, wooden turnings and wares and folk art pieces. You can also search their website first to select the items you’d like to buy.

Presqu’ile Provincial Park is home to an impressive 337 different bird species. Lakeside fishing can be done at Rice Lake. If you just want to hang out at a beach, Victorian Beach could be the perfect choice.