Family-Friendly Fun Just Outside of Franklin: Lucky Ladd Farms in Eagleville, Tennessee
If you’re looking for a family-friendly adventure close to Williamson County, Tennessee, look no further than Lucky Ladd Farms in Eagleville, located about half-an-hour from Downtown Franklin. The “Ag-Venture Farm Fun Park” has something for everyone: nature and wildlife trails, park attractions, a petting farm and zoo, and rotating seasonal events. The whole family can spend the day immersed in the beauty of rural Tennessee, supporting the local farming community and learning all about the plants and animals that call the incredible facility home.
About Lucky Ladd
Lucky Ladd Farms is a 60-acre agricultural wonderland owned by the Ladd family, who formerly owned a farm in Franklin that they loved to share with community families. In 2008 they purchased their current farm in Eagleville, and the rest is history. The increased acreage allowed for more growth and visitation, and Lucky Ladd was officially opened as an attraction in 2009. The family is passionate about sharing agricultural experiences and education with the community. The Ladd’s feel very fortunate to get to do what they do, hence the name “Lucky Ladd,” and their continued goal is to connect visitors to the natural world, immersing them in the magic of rural living.
Farm attractions include Lucky’s Barnyard petting farm, zoo & wildlife exhibits, pony rides, hands-on animal encounters, animal keeper talks, fun park activities, nature trails, livestock sales, and seasonal festivals. Alongside fun happenings, there are also dining and shopping options. A well-oiled machine, Lucky Ladd is open to the public every Thursday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Wednesdays, they’re open for field trip groups only. Popular seasonal attractions and festivals at the farm include tulips in the spring, strawberries and sunflowers in the summer, a pumpkin patch and corn maze in the fall, and Christmas events during the holiday season. General admission tickets range from $10-$21 pre-purchased or $16-$27 at the gate. There are also purchase options for additional activities and season pass options for regulars. Parking at the farm is free.
Farmyard Friends
Lucky Ladd is home to the largest petting farm attraction in the state of Tennessee, featuring hundreds of domesticated farm animals and exotic livestock. The attraction is interactive and immersive, allowing guests to pet, hug, feed, and take photos with the animals. In Lucky’s Barnyard petting zoo, you can show some love to the farm’s friendliest sheep and goats. Lucky Ladd’s larger barnyard area is home to llamas, alpacas, cows, pigs, donkeys, rabbits, chickens, turkey, pea-fowl, pigs, and more. The barnyard exhibit is included with admission, with purchase options for a souvenir cup of animal feed ($6/cup, $4 refills) or lettuce treats ($2). There are also pony rides ($6 per ride) for small children. Once in the saddle, kids are safely led around a fenced, carousel encloser manned by a trained attendant.
In the barnyard and beyond, Lucky Ladd is home to over 500 animals made up of over 50 species, either rescued or born in captivity. Since the beginning, Lucky Ladd’s Zoo & Wildlife Animal Farm has been dedicated to protecting species of rare and endangered livestock and poultry breeds. With this in mind, the farm has extended beyond typical farm animals, maintaining wildlife facilities and animal care teams that have made Lucky Ladd a premier zoological park in Middle Tennessee, with unique animal exhibits and top-notch enclosures including small mammal, reptile, and amphibian facilities and an interactive aviary. New animals that will soon be featured at the park include Egyptian fruit bats, grey squirrels, North American porcupines, axolotl, and the slender glass lizard. Patrons can learn more about specific species through Lucky Ladd’s Daily Keeper Talks, hosted at their All-Star Animal Stage.
For additional purchase, Lucky Ladd offers Animal Encounter experiences with racoons, capybaras, prairie dogs, and sloths. Each encounter includes a 20-3o minute session and costs $40-50 per person. This is an up-close, hands-on experience, though touching and feeding of the animal is at the discretion of the handler. This is a fun and educational experience, and a great photo-op! Keep in mind that tickets for animal encounters should be purchased 24-hours in advance.
Lucky Ladd is also proud to breed healthy, well-nurtured livestock, available for hobby-farm purchase at livestock sales. Animals include sheep (Babydoll Southdown, Shetland, and Katadin), goats (Pygmy, Nigerian Dwarf, Fainting, and Mini Silkies), and exotics (llamas, alpacas, cows, and more).
The farm is committed to the health and safety of both guests and animals. To prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases that are naturally carried by animals and bugs present in the park, the farm encourages safe interaction and caution for those with higher risk, including children under 5, seniors, pregnant women, or those with easily compromised immune systems. For optimal safety, hand-washing and sanitizing stations are located near animal facilities.
Farm Field Experiences: Pick-Your-Own
Alongside a variety of fresh, wholesale produce grown at Lucky Ladd, pick-your-own field experiences cycle throughout the year and are popular among park-goers. Blooming times vary year-by-year, depending on environmental factors. These pick-your-own events are perfect for a fun daytime excursion and gorgeous photos. Popular among both amateur and professional photographers, Lucky Ladd offers a photography pass and guidelines for professional shoots during their most photogenic seasons.
The Pick-Your-Own Tulip Farm Experience typically takes place mid-March and runs until mid-April, with peak time in early April. The farm plants no less than 1-million tulip bulbs, covering the field in vibrant, breathtaking color. This is a fantastic opportunity to get stunning photos, special occasion or otherwise. To pick and purchase tulips, it’s $2.50 per stem. Near the end of tulip season, the farm also hosts Tulip Bulb Dig Days, allowing ticket-holders the chance to dig up bulbs for at-home planting.
Lucky Ladd is the only farm in Tennessee that offers public strawberry picking from a hydroponic growing system. A feat of modern agriculture, hydroponic growing systems utilizes a vertical, soilless planting technique that uses solar energy and a drip irrigation system. This is an eco-friendly practice, as it uses 1/10th of typical land space and up to 90% less water. At Lucky Ladd, this system nourishes over 15,000 strawberry plants. Strawberry picking dates are estimated between late April and the beginning of June. Pick-your-own strawberries are $6 per pound. Pre-picked strawberries are also available for purchase at $24 per 3.5 lb. container when you pre-order online, and $26 per container in store.
There are nearly 4 acres of sunflower fields at Lucky Ladd, which bloom from late-June to late-July. During this premier summertime event, guests of the farm have the opportunity to wander the beautiful fields, picking their own sunflower and zinnia stems. Sunflowers cost $3 per individual stem. A French-Market Bucket, which includes 10 sunflowers and an unlimited number of zinnias, is $45. Individual zinnia stems are $1, or $15 for a quart jar or vase with unlimited zinnias and 2 sunflowers.
Lucky Ladd’s pumpkin patch has received several first place accolades, and is a must visit in the fall. The patch is open from September 20th to October 31st, and has thousands of pumpkins to choose from. During the season, the farm is bustling with autumnal festivities, including a corn maze, entertainment, caramel apples, apple cider donuts, and more. Lucky Ladd’s corn maze has been voted the best in Tennessee, 8 years in a row. In August, they’re set to reveal the 2025 maze design.
Premier Events Info
Adjacent to the Pick-Your-Own Field Experiences, Lucky Ladd hosts popular festivals and events throughout the year, celebrating the beautiful bounty of each season. Advanced ticket purchase for festivals and events is highly recommended, as they tend to sell out fast.
In early April, the Tennessee Tulip Festival comes to the farm. Alongside tulip picking and photo-ops there’s live music, arts & crafts, Dutch-themed food and treats, and more! In 2025, the event was held on April 5th and 6th.
On May 3rd and 4th, The Strawberry Jam Festival celebrates the colorful peak of strawberry season with live music, arts & crafts, a homemade strawberry jam contest, a strawberry pie eating contest, and more strawberry-themed fun.
From June 19th through July 27th, Lucky Ladd’s Butterfly Festival is set to enchant guests, through an interactive butterfly enclosure and daily butterfly releases at 12 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sundays. It’s only $6 to release your very own butterfly, and advised to book this experience in advance due to limited supply.
On July 5th and 6th, the Tennessee Sunflower Festival will be hosted at Lucky Ladd, which includes an arts & crafts fair, live music, festival food and drink, cheerful photo-ops, and even more summer fun.
The Holly Jolly Festival of Lights is hosted Wednesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. from November 28th through December 21st, with bonus days on December 22nd and 23rd. The Christmas festival includes nearly a mile of walkable light displays, a nativity scene, character meet-and-greets, a snow globe experience, cozy campfires, and so much more!
Most of Lucky Ladd’s main events are “Pups in the Park” friendly, meaning you are welcome to bring your furry friends along for the fun. For additional information on seasonal and holiday events for the whole family, check out our more in-depth overview of Lucky Ladd’s 2025 events.
Cedar Glade Nature & Wildlife Trails
Did you know that there’s a unique ecosystem that can only be found in Middle Tennessee? It’s called the Tennessee Cedar Glades, an ecosystem defined by limestone bedrock, shallow soil, and harsh conditions, which create a desert-like environment. Despite these conditions, the cedar glades are home to native and rare plant species, including the endangered Tennessee coneflower, lyrate bladderpod and Nashville breadroot. Lucky Ladd Farms has created a system of walking trails throughout the special habitat. These efforts preserve the unique terrain while also providing sanctuary for wildlife and education for park-goers. Some key points of the nature park include fossils, a sink hole, interactive activities, and the rare plant life and wildlife encountered along the trails.
Educational Programs
Lucky Ladd offers a number of educational opportunities and programs, including guided and self-guided field trips and homeschool days on Wednesdays during fall and spring.
Standard field trips include farm animal encounters, a choice of educational program, a wilderness wagon ride, and fun on the playground. The 2.5 hour guided tours give students the chance to learn about agriculture in an exciting, hands-on environment. When paid for by the school, these tours are $10/person; school staff and bus drivers have free admission.
During the summers, Lucky Ladd also hosts themed summer camps that give kids the opportunity to learn more about life on the farm.
Shopping & Dining
If you’re looking for gourmet goods, decor, in-season fruits, vegetables, flowers, and more, The Gift Barn at Lucky Ladd is a perfect stop for all your gift shop needs. Some of their gourmet products include local honey, jams and jellies, pickles, salsa, sauces, and fresh baked goods. Additionally, they have a great selection of country-style decor and an assortment of adorable stuffed animals and toys for the kids. The farm bakery is proud to serve homemade goods including cookies, dessert bars, candies, brownies, and pies. During the holidays, they offer online orders for holiday bakery items such as gourmet caramel apples, fudge squares, popcorn baskets, and Christmas cookie boxes. Baked goods are made from scratch in Lucky Ladd’s family-owned kitchen.
Lucky Ladd hosts a Maker’s Market at large events. This market features local vendors who sell handcrafted goods, specialty food, vintage items, and art, surrounded by live music and festive activities. In conjunction with this, their Kid’s Market gives young entrepreneurs—18 and under—a chance to sell their handcrafted items. You can apply to be a vendor via Lucky Ladd’s website.
If you work up an appetite during your day at the farm, The Barnyard Grill has a great selection of snacks, meals, drinks, and sweets for the whole family. Keep in mind that food selection does depend on anticipated crowd size and season. Some classic options include fried cheese sticks, a giant Bavarian pretzel with beer cheese dip, burgers, sandwiches, chicken tenders, pizza, and a Kids Meal hotdog served with apple sauce and a drink. Alongside fresh bakery items, Lucky Ladd also serves ice cream and coffee.
Fun on the Farm
Agriculture is the backbone of Middle Tennessee, and we’re proud of the local farmers who are committed to serving our communities, continually providing crucial resources. Farms like Lucky Ladd, that offer open-to-the-public experiences, bring communities together to learn about the industry in a fun and welcoming environment. Interacting with the world around us is important in every stage of life, and especially enriching for kids. The immersive experience provided at Lucky Ladd Farms is particularly inspiring, as it allows for direct, educational interaction with the plants and animals of Tennessee and beyond.
Here in Williamson County, there is plenty of opportunity to lean into the rural landscape. To support local farms, consider partaking in one of our many agritourism experiences, including tours, tastings, horseback riding, and more! There are also an abundance of opportunities to purchase locally produced goods at farmers markets around the county.
Finding activities to keep the whole family entertained, especially as we jump into spring and summer, can be a challenge. But our region is full of incredible family-friendly opportunities for outdoor fun and events for all, from the barnyard to beyond!
