There’s a Farm Near Orlando Where You Can Meet Capybaras and Paint Pumpkins
Just outside Orlando sits a charming family-run farm where you can hang out with capybaras, paint pumpkins, and meet all kinds of friendly animals. Violette Hill Hay Farm in Mount Dora has quickly become a favorite spot for families looking for something different than the usual theme park routine. Whether you want to relax with the world’s largest rodent or cuddle baby bunnies, this little farm packs a big punch when it comes to unforgettable animal experiences.
1. Meet Pumpkin the Capybara
Pumpkin isn’t just any capybara. She’s the star of Violette Hill Hay Farm and probably the most relaxed animal you’ll ever meet. Visitors describe spending time with her as genuinely therapeutic, watching her munch on treats while soaking up affection like it’s her full-time job.
The capybara experience runs about 45 minutes and costs an additional $30 beyond general admission. You get up-close time feeding, petting, and learning everything about these gentle giants from knowledgeable staff who clearly adore their animals. Pumpkin has been known to fall asleep during visits, which tells you just how comfortable and well-cared-for she is.
What makes this encounter special is how unhurried it feels. You’re not rushed through for the next group. Staff members like Wayne and Ray take time answering questions, sharing capybara facts, and making sure everyone gets quality interaction time.
Many guests say this was their first capybara encounter, and Pumpkin’s easygoing personality makes it perfect for all ages. Kids especially love how docile and patient she is. The farm also has Spice, another capybara, so there’s double the fun.
If you’ve seen capybara videos online and thought they looked adorable, meeting one in person takes it to another level entirely. Pumpkin lives up to every bit of hype.
2. Paint Your Own Pumpkin
Forget the same old pumpkin carving routine. At Violette Hill, you can grab a pumpkin and paint it however you want. It’s hands-on, mess-friendly fun that works for toddlers and adults alike, and you get to take your creation home as a keepsake.
The farm provides pumpkins during fall season along with painting supplies. You can go realistic, abstract, silly, or seasonal. There’s no pressure to be perfect, which is exactly what makes it enjoyable.
This activity pairs beautifully with the animal encounters. After you’ve fed goats and cuddled bunnies, sitting down to decorate a pumpkin gives everyone a chance to relax and get creative. Parents appreciate having a quieter activity mixed in with the more active animal interactions.
Painted pumpkins last way longer than carved ones, so your masterpiece will stick around for weeks. Plus, younger kids who aren’t ready for sharp carving tools can totally handle paintbrushes and sponges. It’s inclusive, low-stress, and genuinely fun.
The farm’s rustic setting makes the whole experience feel authentic. You’re not at some corporate pumpkin patch with overpriced everything. You’re at a real working farm where creativity and animal care go hand-in-hand.
Seasonal activities like this keep the farm fresh and give families reasons to visit multiple times throughout the year. Check their website or call ahead to confirm pumpkin availability during your planned visit.
3. Feed and Pet the Friendly Goats
Goats have personality for days, and the ones at Violette Hill are no exception. They’re friendly, curious, and always ready for snacks. General admission includes feed, so you can hand-feed these goofy characters and watch them jostle for attention.
The goat area is easily accessible and kid-friendly. Even shy children warm up quickly because these goats are gentle and used to visitors. They’ll nibble feed right from your palm, and their antics will have everyone laughing.
What’s cool is how well-socialized these animals are. They’re not skittish or aggressive. The farm clearly puts effort into making sure their goats are comfortable around people, which creates a better experience for everyone involved.
Baby goats, when available, are an absolute highlight. They’re bouncy, playful, and ridiculously cute. Staff members like Sophia know all the goats by name and love sharing fun facts about each one’s personality quirks.
Goat feeding is included in your $15 admission, making it fantastic value. You’re not nickel-and-dimed for every little interaction. The farm wants you to enjoy the animals without constantly reaching for your wallet.
After feeding goats, you can move on to bunnies, chickens, pigs, or any of the other residents. The layout makes it easy to visit everyone at your own pace without feeling rushed or crowded.
4. Cuddle Baby Bunnies
Few things melt hearts faster than holding a baby bunny. Violette Hill has several friendly rabbits that love gentle attention, and visitors are welcome to sit and cuddle them during their visit. It’s pure, wholesome joy in fuzzy form.
The bunnies live in clean, well-maintained enclosures and are clearly accustomed to being handled. Staff provides lettuce for feeding, and the rabbits eagerly hop over for snacks and pets. Their soft fur and calm demeanor make them perfect for younger children.
Many reviews mention how much kids loved this part of the visit. There’s something special about the quiet, tender moment of holding a small animal. It teaches gentleness and respect for creatures in a hands-on way that really sticks with children.
The farm has both indoor and outdoor areas for bunny time, so weather isn’t usually an issue. You can take your time, let the kids get comfortable, and snap all the adorable photos you want. Nobody’s rushing you along.
These aren’t wild rabbits grabbed from a field. They’re socialized, healthy, and genuinely enjoy human interaction. That level of care shows in how relaxed and friendly they are with visitors.
Bunny cuddles are included in general admission, making this yet another reason the farm offers incredible value. You get so much more than just a quick look at animals behind fences.
5. Visit Kristoff the Highland Cow
Kristoff is a Scottish Highland cow, and if you’ve never seen one in person, prepare yourself. These cattle look like they walked straight out of a fantasy novel with their long horns and shaggy coats. Kristoff is gentle, photogenic, and surprisingly friendly for such an impressive animal.
Highland cattle are bred for cooler climates, so seeing one in Florida is unusual. The farm provides shade structures and takes extra care to keep Kristoff comfortable in the heat. Visitors can feed him (with supervision) and get surprisingly close for such a large animal.
Kids are fascinated by Kristoff’s appearance. His long fur, curved horns, and calm personality make him a fan favorite. Staff members are happy to explain the breed’s history and what makes Highland cattle special compared to regular cows.
The farm also has other cattle, including a baby Highland calf that’s absolutely adorable. Watching the calf interact with Kristoff gives visitors a sweet glimpse into farm life and animal relationships. It’s educational without feeling like a lecture.
Kristoff’s enclosure is easy to access during your visit. You’ll likely meet him after your capybara experience or while making the rounds to other animals. He’s patient with visitors and seems to genuinely enjoy the attention and treats.
Seeing a Highland cow up close is something most people never get to do, making this yet another unique aspect of Violette Hill Hay Farm.
6. Say Hi to Dominic the Donkey
Dominic the donkey has opinions, and he’s not afraid to share them. This chatty fellow greets visitors with enthusiastic braying and loves attention almost as much as he loves snacks. His personality shines through immediately, making him instantly memorable.
Donkeys are incredibly smart and social animals, and Dominic proves it. He recognizes regular visitors, responds to his name, and has distinct preferences about how he likes to be petted. Spending time with him feels less like visiting a farm animal and more like making a new friend.
Kids find Dominic hilarious. His vocalizations, expressions, and general attitude crack people up. He’s gentle enough for children to safely interact with but spirited enough to keep things entertaining.
Parents appreciate that he’s engaging without being unpredictable or scary.
The farm’s layout puts Dominic on one side of the property, so visiting him feels like a little adventure. You walk past other animals, through the rustic farm setting, and there he is, ready to say hello in his own special way.
Staff members clearly adore Dominic and love sharing stories about his antics. He’s one of those animals with enough personality to warrant his own fan club. Multiple reviews specifically mention him by name, which says everything about his charm.
Meeting Dominic is included in your general admission, so there’s no reason not to make the trek across the farm to say hi.
7. Explore the Chicken Coop and Aviary
Violette Hill has a variety of chickens, ducks, and other birds that call the farm home. The coop and aviary areas let you see different breeds up close, and if you time it right, you can even purchase fresh farm eggs to take home.
Chickens might seem ordinary, but watching them scratch around, interact, and show off their personalities is surprisingly entertaining. The farm has several breeds with different colors and characteristics, making it more interesting than you’d expect. Kids love spotting the differences and learning fun facts from staff.
The farm is currently working on new construction for an upgraded coop and aviary, showing their commitment to continuously improving animal housing. Even during construction, the birds are well-cared-for and accessible to visitors. The owners are transparent about ongoing projects and excited about future improvements.
Fresh eggs are available for purchase when in stock. There’s something special about buying eggs directly from the farm where you just met the chickens. It connects the dots between where food comes from and the animals that produce it, especially valuable for children.
The bird areas are part of the general farm tour, so you can explore at your own pace. Staff members are around to answer questions and make sure everyone has a good experience without feeling overwhelmed or unsupervised.
This section of the farm might not be the main attraction, but it rounds out the experience nicely and adds educational value.
8. Meet the Farm’s Knowledgeable Staff
What truly sets Violette Hill apart is the people who run it. Owners Wayne, Dawn, and Ray, along with team members like Sophia, aren’t just going through the motions. They genuinely love their animals and enjoy sharing that passion with visitors.
Their enthusiasm is contagious and makes every visit feel personal.
Multiple reviews specifically praise how knowledgeable the staff is. They don’t just supervise. They teach, answer endless questions, and share fascinating details about each animal’s personality and care requirements.
Whether you’re curious about capybara behavior or Highland cattle history, someone on staff can tell you all about it.
The family-owned aspect matters here. You’re not dealing with seasonal workers reading from scripts. These folks live and breathe this farm.
They know every animal by name, notice subtle changes in behavior, and clearly prioritize animal welfare above everything else.
Staff members are patient with children, accommodating with nervous visitors, and generous with their time. They want you to have a great experience, and it shows in how they interact with guests. Several reviews mention staff spending way more time than expected, making visits feel unhurried and special.
This personal touch transforms a simple farm visit into something memorable. You leave feeling like you made connections, not just with animals but with the people who care for them. That human element is increasingly rare and incredibly valuable.
