Posted : June 12, 2025
Our blog is chock full of great ideas for fun things to see and do in York Durham and Headwaters. We are always adding new content and updating old posts, but sometimes you might stumble upon something from our vault. If this article has inspired you to hit the road, be sure to double-check that the featured stops in this post are still welcoming visitors.
Ever dreamed of swapping city streets for cuddles with muddy hooves and woolly noses? Animal lovers, get ready—because in York Durham Headwaters, you’ll find more than just scenic views, exceptional food, and charming towns. Here, you can slow down, breathe in the scent of fresh hay, and enjoy unforgettable moments with some of the friendliest animals around. From cuddly cows to goofy goats, the animals in York Durham Headwaters are ready to greet you with curiosity and maybe even a few snuggles. It’s the perfect region to connect with nature—and make a few furry friends along the way. Whether you’re looking for a hands-on farm experience, a peaceful pasture stroll, or just a chance to connect with creatures in a meaningful way, these top spots to meet animals across the region promise memory-making moments that are equal parts entertaining and heartwarming.
Erin Hill Acres
Famous for its Christmas experience, this family run tree farm in Erin is a must-visit all year round! This rural gem is the perfect place to cozy up with some Highland cows. You’ll be transported to the green hills of Scotland when you book a mingle with these furry friends.
Met Clover, who the team at Erin Hill Acres refers to as their super model. Decked out with blonde highlights, this Highland cow is anything but a diva. She loves cuddles. being groomed and getting all the attention.
Along with Clover, and four other adorable Highland cows on the farm, there’s dwarf pygmy goats, a deer, and chickens that have fun personalities to match their comical names – Hillary Fluff, Hennifer Aniston and Stevie Chicks.
If you can tear yourself away from the animals, there’s plenty to do and see at the farm. Kids will love the play area and toys to ride on and you won’t go hungry with their delicious wood fired pizza from their café.
Pingles Farm and Market
A fun farm to visit all year long in the region is Pingles Farm! This one stop entertaining spot is located in Hampton, just 15 minutes northeast of downtown Oshawa. One of the many things to do at Pingle Farm is grab a pass to Pingle’s Playland. This wonderland of fun and games has plenty to keep you busy and laughing with wagon rides, mini-putt, and animal encounters!
At Pingles Farm you’ll meet a wide array of farmyard friends, like goats, sheep, chickens and bunnies. Plus, there’s a Polish rooster named Marshmallow who sports a marvelous mohawk of feathers atop his head. Look way up when you enter the barn, he’s often hanging out up top keeping an eye on the other animals.
Pingles Farm is also home to one of the most unique animals in York Durham Headwaters – zebu! Many might not know, but zebus are a type of cattle known for the hump that grows behind their head and their gentle personalities. And there are two at the farm, Spartacus and Zelda, the latter of which loves soaking in the sun in the afternoons.
Beyond the playful pigpen full of animals, Pingle’s Farm is also home to the largest tulip experience in the Toronto area. After the tulips come the pick your own fields where you can pick strawberries and asparagus. Plus, be sure to pop into their market that’s full of fresh produce and baked goods. Grab one of their famous pies, you won’t be disappointed.
Heartwood Farm and Cidery
One of the best places to hang out with animals in York Durham Headwaters is Heartwood Farm and Cidery. Your visit will go beyond cute animal cuddles and will leave you enriched as you learn about regenerative farming from caretaker and owner, Val.
Located along the backroads of Erin, a visit to Heartwood Farm will delight both kids and adults alike. The farm features a number of barnyard friends like cows, sheep, chickens and pigs. One of which, Sparkle, is named after a line of their tasty non-alcoholic beverages. Sparkle is a Kunkune pig who was the runt of her litter but is quite the bright one, learning tricks and running obstacle courses. One of her favourite activities is roaming the orchard, eating up all the dropped fruit.
During your visit, you might also meet Fiona and Rhona, the two llamas, whose job of guarding over their other barnyard friends they take very seriously. Always keeping a cautious eye on animal and people, you can win Fiona over with a handful of grain.
Heartwood Farm boasts a number of things to do, from animal encounters to tastings of their incredible cider. Plus, you can also book a glamping stay. This immersive farm stay is the perfect way to disconnect while reconnecting with nature.
Haute Goat
Want to take a walk with goats? Then plan a trip to Haute Goat! This 200 acre farm, located 15 minutes east of Clarington, is best known for their goat shmurgle experiences! What is a shmurgle you ask? It’s their signature experience that includes a walk with their Nigerian dwarf goats through the field and you end up in their goat playground for snuggles and cuddles!
Haute Goat boasts a number of fun events and unique experiences – like goat yoga, where you can meet their happy herd that includes Huacaya alpacas, Icelandic horses, exotic chickens, and babydoll sheep.
One of their shinning stars from the goat herd is Dizzy. This 2-year-old whirlwind is a star of all of their animal experiences. You’ll find him jumping on unsuspecting guests and knocking over wheelbarrows when he’s not curled up in someone’s lap. The way to his heart is with a good bum or shoulder rub, where you’ll find his tail wiggle like a dog!
They also have pigs! One special pig at Haute Goat is Scrappy. This nearly 1 year old was the runt of the litter and quickly started stealing the hearts of all he encountered. Due to a manageable heart condition that requires that stress be at a minimum, Scrappy is living the lux life with his own ‘condo’ where he gets all of his meals. This smart little guy will even sit for his meal!
Beyond the awesome animal encounters, Haute Goat has a disc golf course and a place to eat called the Screaming Goat Café that’s a great spot to fuel up before your animal encounter with their farm to table lunch menu.
Can’t get enough? You can also book one of their unique stays at the farm, one of which includes glamping in the alpaca pen.
Reptilia
While they may not be the typical cute and cuddly animals for some, reptiles are a fascinating lot to see and learn about. And luckily there are two spots in York Durham Headwaters where you can hang out with these cool creatures, Reptilia!
Reptilia has two locations in the region, one in Vaughan and the other in Whitby. Known as the largest reptile rescue in Canada, they are home to everything from crocodiles to venomous snakes, turtles and chameleons.
One animal at Reptilia with an interesting story is Toothless, who came to live at Reptilia Vaughan after being found as a hatchling sewn into someone’s jacket at the airport. Now, this 21-year-old American alligator is 6 feet long and likes to bellow when no one is around. If you hear it, you might even think it’s a lion.
Head over to Reptilia Whitby to meet a Stanley the Asian water monitor. As a local celebrity, Stanley proudly sports a Reptilia-issued driver’s license—and even got a speeding ticket from the Durham Regional Police during a surprise visit on his birthday in 2024! Be sure to mark your calendars for this fall when he celebrates his birthday on October 16th! It’s not just his size that impresses visitors; his charm has won over many during public feedings as he struts his stuff.
They are so much more than a zoo, 75% of the animals at Reptilia are rescues and they also participate in conservation efforts. At Reptilia you can meet and watch unique creatures in a variety of experiences. They have daily shows and feedings, where you can learn about some of their residents as well as after dark experiences where you can watch nocturnal creatures come to life.
Soper Creek Wildlife Rescue
On the backroads of Bowmanville is one of the most rewarding places to meet animals in Durham region. Soper Creek Wildlife Rescue is the only wildlife rehabilitation hospital and outdoor education centre in the region.
They offer a number of different animal experiences to choose from. If you’re looking for something for your kids to do for PA days, they run day camps. Plus, there’s various tours where you can learn about what’s involved in wildlife rehabilitation and meet some of their animal ambassadors – like Paintbrush and Jet, a pair of red foxes.
After having a large litter, their mom was unable to care for these two fox kits, so Soper Creek Wildlife Rescue took on their care. Paintbrush is a testament to their exceptional care and the determination of wild animals. She had an infection in her early days that resulted in the loss of one of her legs. But even with three legs, she loves long walks through the woods with her brother Jet and playing in the creek.
Another adorable animal ambassador is Gary the groundhog. This herbivore loves munching on his favourite foods, which include dandelion leaves and broccoli. And while he might look like he has a cold, he’s not sick, Gary has a nasal cavity deformity that causes mucus discharge. The team and Gary take it all in stride and have nicknamed him Mr. Boogers!
If you’re looking for a unique place to stay in Durham region, Soper Creek Wildlife Rescue has just the spot! They offer off the grid glamping stays in their villas along the Oak Ridges Moraine. It’s the perfect spot to stay and reconnect with nature.
Oshawa Zoo & Fun Farm
Save the gas on a trip to the Toronto Zoo and visit the Oshawa Zoo and Fun Farm instead. This small local zoo is perfect for families with kids wanting to get up close and see animals.
The Oshawa Zoo has a terrific mix of exotic and domestic animals. Visitors will see everything from lemurs to kangaroos. And sloths too! One of which, Molasses, loves to hang out on her branches and cozy up in her nesting box.
Don’t miss out on the fun farm animals like donkeys, alpacas, and goats. One of their little Boer goats named Honey loves a good back scratch, so be sure to give her a good rub when you see her.
If you’re looking for a fun spot to visit with the family this summer, add the Oshawa Zoo to your list.
Whether you’re feeding llamas, chilling with Highland cows, or snapping selfies with giddy goats, York Durham Headwaters offers unforgettable animal encounters that go far beyond the ordinary. These experiences aren’t just fun—they’re grounding, joyful, and a perfect way to slow down and reconnect with nature. Whether you’re planning a family outing, a date day, or a solo adventure, these furry friends are ready to welcome you. So, grab your camera, pack your sense of wonder, and get ready to meet the locals—you just might leave with a new favorite spot and a few four-legged friends.
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