Hammond, Louisiana is rich in farms and educational centers that welcome families from across the globe. Most activities promote learning and are best enjoyed with children. Go in a wildlife exploration, experience strawberry picking, weigh and paint pumpkins you’ve picked, or treat your kids to a whole day of fun and discovery in an interactive center. Here are seven of the most interesting things to do when in Hammond whether you’re young or young at heart.
1. Global Wildlife
For 26 years now, Global Wildlife has been offering guided tours for big and small groups including educational trips and private parties. If you’re coming from Hammond, you can easily drive to Folsom where you can visit this largest wildlife reserve in the country. You can choose between a safari tour or a private tour. The safari tour takes you around the wildlife’s 360 hectares (900 acres) of land in a safari wagon.
You will see extinct animals up close including camels, zebras, American bison, llamas, and more! The animals are freely roaming around and can be fed with in-house animal food. It is advisable to go with a big group.
But if you want a more intimate experience and plenty of time with both wild and friendly animals, go for a private tour aboard a private Pinzgauer, good for up to eight guests. Tour times are available on the Global Wildlife website. Make sure to come earlier than the specified times so you can purchase enough tickets for you and your family!
Global Wildlife
Address: 26389 Louisiana 40, 70437 Folsom, LA
Website: Global Wildlife
2. Mrs. Heather's Farms
Mrs. Heather’s Farms features the Pumpkin Patch Farm and the Strawberry Farm. Here, children and adults can experience farm living with different activities to enjoy. Learn how strawberries grow, pick your own fruit, or use their picnic area for a refreshing family bonding. Children can have their faces painted with strawberries and have fun playing. There’s also a zip line course for thrill-seekers.
The same fun awaits at Mrs. Heather’s Pumpkin Patch, where kids can play in a tunnel slide, hay maze, merry-go-round, play horseshoes, and get a first-hand experience milking a cow. You can also paint your own pumpkin during the weekend. Adults can enjoy the farm for free while kids are charged 7 USD. They are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
Mrs. Heather's Farms
Address: 11215 Lees Ln, 70401 Hammond, LA
Website: Mrs. Heather’s Farms
3. Liuzza Land
Liuzza Land was born six years ago with the goal of providing a safe and fun environment where families can bond over harvesting and planting, meeting animals, and much more. It is a great way to educate children and adults about farm living. You will learn how to grow fruits and vegetables and nurture them until harvest time.
The best part for me is that you can actually take home a seed, plant it in your own backyard and take care of it guided with the instructions you’ll learn from Liuzza Land. It is such a rewarding thing to do! If you’re coming with a big group, you should try their guided wagon tour which features the whole process of growing produce. You’ll know the proper way of doing it from start to end: from plowing the land and planting the seeds to giving fertilizers to harvesting the produce and delivering them to grocery stores.
Another favorite is the Ag-venture Land where guests can help out in gathering goods in the farm using their own bushels. It is so much fun! Young or old, the whole Liuzza Land experience will make you appreciate the simple things in life.
Liuzza Land
Address: 56188 Holden Cir, 70443 Independence, LA
Website: Liuzza Land
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4. Kliebert's Turtle and Alligator Farm
How about getting up close with some of America’s biggest alligators or look at how turtles reproduce? You’ll experience both at Kliebert’s Turtle and Alligator Farm. They offer a guided tour where you’ll learn about different kinds of turtles and see how alligators spend the day in their natural habitat. By the way, this facility houses 47,000 turtles!
The guests cannot feed the alligators, but you can witness how it is done by professional guides and caretakers in the farm. They are highly experienced in handling alligators and reptiles, so you can safely walk through their Swamp People Trail. Make sure that you get a glimpse of their 4.5-meter (15-foot) python and the legendary crush, a 4.5-meter (15-foot) alligator. Rates and schedules vary per season. Children ages 3 and below are free of charge.
Kliebert's Turtle and Alligator Farm
Address: 41083 W Yellow Water Rd, 70403 Hammond, LA
Website: Kliebert’s Turtle and Alligator Farm
5. Safari Quest Family Fun Center
If you’re looking for more active recreation, the Safari Quest will provide you a perfect playground. Enjoy a laser tag game with your family, take an exciting rope course and see who finishes with the best time, or climb a coconut tree for fun! This safari-themed facility opened December 2010 and now caters to walk-ins, party reservations, and other group celebrations.
They also have an arcade area where you can practice your video game skills. Everyone can enjoy the activities! There are no age or height restrictions.
The laser tag arena is safe and equipped with the latest technology to make every game realistic and fun for all. You can use a discount if you have 10 or more people in your group. But if you’re going solo, no problem! Different game styles are available on certain days.
Safari Quest Family Fun Center
Address: 200 Hewitt Rd, 70403 Hammond, LA
Website: Safari Quest Family Fun Center
6. Louisiana Children's Discovery Center
The Louisiana Children’s Discovery Center or LCDC is an interactive educational center that combines play and learning for toddlers and children up to 10 years old. It offers a different approach to museum trips. Instead of just walking around, children are engaged in various activities to help them discover things at their own pace.
There are over 30 stations to explore inside this facility including a music factory, a vet clinic, an aerobic alley and a hot air balloon experience where children can see what it feels like to fly without even leaving the ground. Children will have to perform and complete certain tasks in some stations. Kids and adults are charged 8 USD for an unlimited play for one day. Have fun and learn together with your family!
Louisiana Children's Discovery Center
Address: 113 N Cypress St, 70401 Hammond, LA
7. Hammond Farmers Market
If you happen to be in Hammond on a Saturday, you must visit the Hammond Farmers Market. Visitors from near and far check out this place to get the freshest local produce, herbs, plants, local honey, artisan products, pasture-raised eggs, and more. You will also find some unusual pepper jams and even gator meals sold in the area!
It is open from 8 a.m. to noon, so better get up early! It is also the best venue to get a cup of coffee or some lemonade after going around. Talk to the vendors–they always wear a smile and are very helpful.
You will love the calm and inviting vibe of this market! It will make you want to come back every weekend. There’s something new every week and the goods are always fresh and yummy!
Hammond Farmers Market
Address: 2 W Thomas St., 70401 Hammond, Louisiana
Website: Hammond Farmers Market
Learning made fun in Hammond
Hands down, Hammond, Louisiana is an ideal place for visiting families. It is a city that cultivates learning in various ways and keeps the process exciting all the time. There are many farms and lands to explore and new things for you to discover and I bet the list of activities will continue to grow as more years pass. Hammond will keep on amusing and nurturing the minds of both old and young visitors.
History
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