This Delray Beach Strawberry Patch Has U-Pick Berries, Highland Cows, And The Sweetest Family Fun
Tucked behind a plaza on Military Trail in Delray Beach sits one of South Florida’s best-kept secrets for family fun. The Girls Strawberry U-PICK delivers way more than its name suggests, blending old-school charm with hands-on animal encounters that’ll have your kids buzzing for weeks. From fluffy Highland cows to homemade ice cream served in an antique-style parlor, this spot packs serious nostalgia and genuine joy into one unforgettable outing.
1. Walk Through A Candy-Filled Time Capsule
Step inside and you’re instantly transported back to simpler times. Shelves overflow with retro candies you haven’t seen since childhood—wax bottles, Necco wafers, candy necklaces—plus vintage toys that spark instant nostalgia. The country store vibe feels genuine, not manufactured, like someone’s grandma curated every inch with love.
Wander deeper and the space unfolds into multiple experiences. You’ll pass displays of Italian frozen dishes, homemade baked goods, and quirky collectibles that beg you to slow down and browse. Kids press their noses against glass cases while parents snap photos of toys they played with decades ago.
The layout intentionally surprises you. What looks like a simple ice cream shop from the parking lot reveals layer after layer of discovery. There’s pizza by the slice, a full bakery counter with cinnamon raisin bread that customers rave about, and smoothie stations tucked into corners.
This isn’t just a store—it’s an experience designed to make you linger. Families spend way longer than planned just soaking in the atmosphere before they even reach the animals out back. The whole setup feels like walking through your favorite childhood memory, except now you get to share it with your own kids.
2. Feed Friendly Parakeets That Land Right On You
Forget looking at birds through wire mesh. Here you walk into their space and they come to you. Buy a special seed-covered branch for five bucks, hold it steady, and watch as brilliant green and yellow parakeets swoop down to perch on your hand.
Their tiny feet grip your fingers while they munch, completely unbothered by your presence.
Timing matters with these little guys. Morning visits work best because once they’ve eaten their fill, they lose interest and stay up in the trees. Early birds literally get the worm—or in this case, the magical experience of becoming a human perch.
Kids absolutely lose their minds over this interaction. There’s something transformative about a wild creature choosing to land on you, trusting you enough to eat from your palm. Parents report this as the highlight their children talk about for months afterward.
The aviary houses dozens of parakeets, so even on busy days you’ll get your turn. Staff members offer tips on holding the branch at the right angle and staying still enough to attract the birds. The whole encounter feels more intimate than any zoo visit, more personal than watching from behind glass.
You’re not observing nature here—you’re part of it, even if just for a few precious minutes while seeds disappear and tiny wings flutter inches from your face.
3. Cuddle Baby Bunnies In A Supervised Setting
Soft, warm, and impossibly cute—the baby rabbits steal hearts the second you spot them. Staff members supervise closely while visitors take turns holding these gentle creatures, teaching proper handling techniques before placing a bunny in your arms. Their noses twitch as they settle into your lap, surprisingly calm for animals meeting strangers all day.
This isn’t a quick photo-op situation. You actually get quality time with these rabbits, petting their silky fur and feeling their little heartbeats. Kids learn responsibility through the experience, understanding how to support the bunny’s body and move slowly to avoid startling them.
Some visitors mention minor scratches from nervous rabbits, which comes with the territory of live animal interaction. The staff prepares you for this possibility and provides guidance on positioning your arms to minimize any discomfort. Most bunnies, though, seem downright content to be cuddled.
The bunny area stays remarkably clean despite constant use. Handlers rotate the rabbits regularly so no single animal gets overwhelmed by attention. You can tell the welfare of these creatures matters here—they’re not stressed or skittish, just adorably tolerant of the endless stream of admirers wanting to experience that special softness only baby bunnies possess.
4. Cross The Famous Goat Bridge While They Beg For Snacks
Look up and you’ll see goats trotting along a wooden bridge suspended above the entire petting zoo. They’ve learned exactly where to pause and look down with those rectangular-pupil eyes, waiting for visitors to offer vegetables from the cups you can purchase. The setup creates hilarious photo opportunities as goats crane their necks downward, begging shamelessly.
These aren’t shy animals. They’re confident, social, and extremely food-motivated. Hold up a green bean and watch three goats jostle for position directly overhead.
Interestingly, reviewers note that goats eagerly devour green beans while other animals pass them over—apparently goats have less refined palates.
The bridge itself spans an impressive distance, giving goats a proper playground. They bounce across with surprising agility, hooves clattering on wood as they race to intercept anyone holding a snack cup. One particularly friendly goat reportedly loves sitting on the bench with visitors, cuddling like a lap dog despite being, well, a goat.
Kids find the whole concept hilarious—feeding animals from below instead of at eye level flips the typical petting zoo script. Parents appreciate the clever design that keeps the interaction engaging while giving goats their own space. It’s become the signature feature here, the thing everyone mentions when recommending the place to friends looking for something genuinely different.
5. Devour Surprisingly Delicious Pizza Before Exploring
Nobody expects amazing pizza at a petting zoo, which makes the quality here such a pleasant shock. The two-slice-and-a-drink deal runs $7.99, an absolute steal that tastes way better than it has any right to. Sicilian slices earn particular praise from reviewers who came for animals and left raving about the crust.
Grabbing food first makes strategic sense. Fuel up, let your meal settle, then head out back to walk off those calories while feeding goats and chasing parakeets. The timing works perfectly, especially with kids who’ll need energy for all the excitement waiting in the zoo area.
The pizza comes from a full restaurant setup that also serves Italian specialties you can take home frozen. It’s an unexpected combination—petting zoo meets Italian eatery—but somehow it works beautifully. The coffee soda deserves mention too; first-timers consistently report loving this unusual beverage that tastes exactly like it sounds.
Seating spreads between indoor and outdoor areas, so you’re never fighting for a table even on crowded weekends. The casual atmosphere encourages lingering, turning a quick lunch into a proper meal experience. Families appreciate having quality food options beyond typical theme park fare, and the reasonable prices mean you won’t blow your budget before even reaching the main attractions out back.
6. Ride A Miniature Train Through The Property
Chug through the entire property on a kid-sized train that loops past animal enclosures and landscaped gardens. It’s an extra charge beyond admission, but toddlers and young children consider it the pinnacle of the visit. The train moves slowly enough for safe viewing while maintaining that magical momentum kids crave.
The track covers more ground than you’d expect, offering a different perspective on the whole operation. From your seat you’ll spot animals you might have missed on foot, plus get a sense of how much space this place actually occupies behind that unassuming storefront.
Parents of train-obsessed kids report this as non-negotiable—their children won’t leave without a ride, sometimes demanding multiple trips. The operators accommodate repeat customers happily, understanding that for some little ones, this train represents the entire reason for coming.
The experience adds a theme park element to what’s essentially a petting zoo and restaurant combo. It ties everything together, giving kids one more activity to beg for and parents one more reason to plan a return visit. The train also provides a nice break for tired legs after walking the zoo area.
Smart families budget for the train from the start rather than treating it as an impulse add-on. Knowing it’s part of the plan prevents meltdowns and lets everyone relax into the full experience without worrying about costs adding up unexpectedly.
7. Finish With Massive Ice Cream Scoops Worth Photographing
Order a single scoop and receive what most places would call a double or triple. The portions border on ridiculous—in the best possible way. At $5.95, you’re getting serious value for homemade ice cream that actually tastes homemade, not like mass-produced product masquerading as artisan.
The parlor nails the old-timey aesthetic without feeling cheesy or forced. Vintage fixtures, classic sundae glasses, and that particular lighting that makes everything look like a Norman Rockwell painting. You’ll want photos before the ice cream melts, though that won’t take long in Florida heat.
Flavor selection runs deep, covering all the classics plus some creative options. The banana split earns specific shout-outs from reviewers who claim it’s the best they’ve had—high praise in a state with no shortage of ice cream shops. Everything gets made in-house, which you can taste immediately.
Timing your ice cream matters. Some families grab it first, others save it as the grand finale after animals and pizza. There’s no wrong answer, though ending on ice cream gives kids something to look forward to and parents leverage for good behavior throughout the visit.
The parlor stays busy but moves customers efficiently. Even on packed Sundays, you won’t wait forever. Staff members scoop with practiced speed, clearly experienced at handling the constant stream of families seeking that perfect sweet ending to an already sweet day.
8. Meet Highland Cows And Exotic Birds In One Spot
Highland cows—yes, those photogenic fluffy Scottish bovines with magnificent horns—hang out alongside macaws, toucans, mini horses, alpacas, and swans. The animal variety here rivals actual zoos, except you’re not separated by moats and safety glass. You’re right there with them, close enough to appreciate individual personalities.
The exotic birds command attention with their brilliant plumage and loud calls. Macaws especially seem to enjoy interacting with visitors, showing off their colors and occasionally mimicking sounds. It’s not every day you stand three feet from a toucan, yet here that’s just Tuesday.
Everything stays impeccably clean despite housing dozens of animals. Multiple reviewers express surprise that the place doesn’t smell, a testament to constant maintenance and proper animal care. The tropical landscaping enhances the experience, making you feel transported somewhere far more exotic than a South Florida strip mall.
Beyond the star animals, you’ll find donkeys, ponies, pigs, turkeys, and various other creatures that round out the menagerie. Each species gets appropriate space and enrichment. The animals appear healthy and content, not stressed by constant human interaction.
Budget extra time just for animal watching. You could easily spend an hour moving between enclosures, feeding different species, and capturing photos. The $10 admission price seems almost unfair given how much you’re actually getting—this isn’t a quick walk-through situation but a proper afternoon of engagement.
