fair oaks farms

Had my first experience at Fair Oaks farms and would go again. We did the Dairy Experience and the Pig Experience. For those of us that know nothing about farming it was an amazing experience. Was able to watch a calf being born, learned more about pigs then I ever thought imaginable. Got to watch a dairy farm in action. Watched dairy cows being milked and was amazed at the organization and the skill of the workers and the animals. I have to admit that I had my reservations about "mega" farms and the treatment of the animals but after touring Fair Oaks, I have to admit that I am impressed with the quality of the operation and the care of the animals. This is an excellent place to bring kids to learn more about were their food comes from. We ate at the Fair Oaks Restaurant and had excellent food. Finished with dessert at the gift shop. Spent the entire day there and will go again. Very nice staff everywhere we went on their grounds.

I drive a tour bus and have taken the same group to the National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville two years in a row. We stopped at Fair Oaks Farms last year and again this year; this year the group did a morning and afternoon tour around their lunch at the new restaurant.

We bought a Groupon for the dairy/pig adventure on a whim. What a surprising enjoyable time we had here!!! We were able to witness 3 calfs be born (one had to have 'help' from the farm) in the birthing barn. Our visit to the pig's was a little short & rushed as we wanted to see the calf be born. When we got to the pig barn (via the bus) even though it's a 'self tour' we ended up with a guide that rushed us thru. We easily could have taken well over an hour and a half, reading all the info on the walls & watching the pigs. But, the busses only run every hour, and apparently they thought we would like to rush thru!!! They are going to add other tours, including a chicken and beef experience in the future. This summer (2015) they will have a high ropes course and within 5 years they are going to be adding a hotel/waterpark.

We went on a Tuesday with a Groupon. It was my husband, my 10 month old, and myself. We had a wonderful time and the staff was very helpful. Our tour had a group that had people from west Africa and they were very accommodating to their language issue. Customer service was excellent! They led us on a guided tour since we were the only tour of the day.

Excellent experience at Fair Oaks Farms. Went with a group of 10, including children and adults. There was something for everyone to enjoy. From climb-on and interactive displays to hearing about proper nutrition and care of the animals there was not a moment "waiting for something to do". Enjoyed very tasty dinner in the cafe and topped off the day with their delicious freshly made ice cream. Also available are a wonderful bakery/market, cheese shop, chocolate shop, gift shop, and Farmhouse Restaurant for those who aren't interested or don't have time for the animal tours. We're already talking about when we can return.

This was part of a really great day. You learn a lot, eat a lot and come away very satisfied! Try the cheeses & you'll take home a lot. Their ice cream is out of this world. Their sandwiches are scrumptious! Everything is so clean. Just off of I-65 so it's an easy stop. So informative & you can learn while you eat.

Love Fair Oaks for their cheese and milk! Be prepared to spend some money on cheese. The wonderful thing is that you can sample all their cheeses before you buy them. I haven't found a bad flavor of fair oaks cheese! Their aged Gouda is fantastic! Don't forget to try their sweet Swiss and 5 year aged cheddar!

I enjoyed my unexpected stop on the way to Chicago. It is right off the Interstate if your heading to Chicago from Indianapolis. I first went to the Cafe and Gift Shop, which has AMAZING cheese, that is produced at Fair Oaks. This cafe is different from the restaurant, which I did not try. I only had time for the Cow/Dairy tour, (they do a pig tour too) which is really neat! It takes you into these huge, quarter mile long barns filled with cows, something you dont see everyday. The milking process there is amazing, they have a giant spinning wheel (they call it a carousel) in which they milk 72 cows at one time on. I learned a lot I didn't know about cows, and we have had quite a few on our family farm. The Tour Center has children museum type exhibits, and the tour inside of it has anamatronic farm animals, which kids may find enjoyable. The Birthing Barn is also interesting, while I viewed, the cow was coming out wrong, so they had to take it out of the viewing area, but I still got to see a cow learn to walk. They have a traffic light that shows if a birth is taking place and what stage it is in outside, so look at that first to see whats going on. As I mentioned, the cheese is so good, I came back to the cafe on my way back to Indianapoliss for it. This is a really neat and unique attraction, it is a little pricy, but I thought it was worth it.

We visited Fair Oaks Farm with our 12 and 10 year old grandsons recently. They tasted cheese, looked at the gift shop, tasted bread, and ate at the Farmhouse Restaurant. However, we could not interest them in any of the tours or exhibits. Next time we will bring the 8 and 4 year old grandsons.

I've been to Fair Oaks 3 times, and on this most recent visit, got to do the Pig Adventure. Before you go, know that this is a very modern, high tech American farm that produces products that feed millions of Americans. If you are offended by the "factory" atmosphere of the farm and the idea that calves and piglets aren't kept with their mothers very long, don't go. This is how farms can produce the food that feeds our country. The animals appear well taken care of, and their purpose is to supply us with food. They aren't cuddly cute petting zoo animals. The tours are very informative for adults and kids. The birthing barn is a hit or miss for witnessing a birth, but it is incredible if you catch one. The restaurant was good for lunch. Highly recommended as a great learning experience.

The Fair Oaks Farm is a class act! They treat folks really well. Staff are friendly, professional and knowledgeable. There is plenty to see and do for a whole day.

You don't find very much driving through this part of Indiana. It was only by luck we stopped off at this place and what a surprise. Excellent food at very reasonable price. Plus they have tours of their dairy and pig farms. And a shop where you can get excellent cheese (a lot of variety, try the habanero) and wonderful milk shake/malt. The restaurant serves excellent food and a very reasonable price and the service is personal and friendly. I will definitely visit Fair Oaks again when I visit Rensselaer, IN.

We have been here twice and we love it! Great place to visit! Love the market and bakery! Also, fun place to take kids!

Only had time to stop for lunch and a quick stroll through a few of the small retail buildings afterwards. But this was the high point of our drive through Indiana. The Farmhouse Restaurant was simply a joy. Just opened and sparkling clean and already working at high efficiency with enthusiastic staff. The farm to table food was fabulous, the epitome of freshness. Even the milk was special for being on site dairy fresh Portions were huge, so half went into our cooler for later. BBQ and Reuben are two chouces we can vouch for. Best in class. Worthy of Blue Ribbons at the county fair. Wish there were more places like this around the country.

Am definately going back this weekend for dinner. Had lunch there for the first time as was VERY impressed. Portions are very large so you will probably end up taking half home, Two meals for one price. Yippie. Tenderloin sandwich is to die for.