Animal and Reptile encounters

With farms, exhibits and hands-on experiences to explore, Richmond and Wayne County make it easy to walk on the wild side. Bring the whole family along for an unforgettable animal adventure this fall!
With a name that’s guaranteed to cause a few giggles, One Happy Ass Farm in Lynn gives adorable miniature donkeys and friendly rescue dogs plenty of room to roam, frolic and interact with visitors of all ages. 

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The charming petting farm at Dougherty Orchard (the oldest in Indiana) in Cambridge City gives guests the opportunity to view, touch and feed its colorful resident menagerie of animals, birds and koi fish.

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If creepy crawlers are more your speed, check out the live snakes and turtles on display at the Cope Environmental Center in Centerville, or admire the frog pond and reptile exhibits in the nature center at Hayes Regional Arboretum on Richmond’s east side. There’s also a butterfly garden and a bird-watching room for visitors who might be more inclined to follow things that fly, and you’re likely to catch glimpses of other native wildlife during leisurely hikes along the wooded trails.

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The Joseph Moore Museum on the Earlham College campus showcases Richmond’s multi-faceted natural history through living animals, taxidermied mounts, fossilized mastodon and allosaurus skeletons, and other intriguing artifacts. And the recently opened Four Leaf Honey Farm just north of Richmond on S.R. 227 offers a fascinating examination of the humble honeybee through observation hives, beekeeping instruction and a retail inventory of honey-based products.

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For more info about planning a getaway to Richmond and Wayne County, look for the 2023 Visitor Guide publication on racks detailing additional trip ideas, itineraries, activities, events and attractions. Be sure to mark your calendars for the April 8, 2024 Total Solar Eclipse(link is external) – Richmond / Wayne County, Indiana will be in the line of totality with 4 minutes of complete darkness and plenty of events and festivals occuring to celebrate!