Tour Our Farm

Hoof it on over to our Hudson farm to learn about dairy farming and processing — and pet our cows and kangaroos along the way! Conveniently located near Waterloo and Cedar Falls, our farm offers tours perfect for families, students and other groups. Our legen-dairy tours have made us a Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Site!

Reservations REQUIRED.
Walk-ins not accepted.

Give the gift of a tour with a
Hansen’s Dairy Tour Gift Card!

Hands-on Tour

  • Guided tour. 2-hour tour includes a trolley ride to the farm and a walking tour of our operations.
  • Hands on. This is the full experience! Feed a calf, milk a cow, pet our kangaroos, make butter, sample our products and eat ice cream.
  • When. 3:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, April 1 – Oct. 31.
  • Cost. Age 5 & older, $20. Age 4 & younger, free. Reservations required.
  • Availability. Maximum 30 people total.
  • Accessibility. Please review our accessibility info before making a reservation.

Animal Petting tour

  • Guided tour. 2-hour tour includes a trolley ride to the farm and a walking tour of our operations.
  • Furry friends. Pet cows, calves and kangaroos, make butter, sample our products and eat ice cream.
  • When. 12:30 p.m. Saturdays only, April 1 – Oct. 31.
  • Cost. Age 5 & older, $15. Age 4 & younger, free. Reservations required.
  • Availability. Maximum 30 people total.
  • Accessibility. Please review our accessibility info before making a reservation.

School or Daycare tour

  • Guided tour. 1.5-hour tour includes trolley ride to the farm, a walking tour and ice cream.
  • Cost. Children 3 & up and parents, $5. Teachers, drivers and assigned chaperones, free. Minimum charge for this tour is $50.
  • When. Can start anytime between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, April 1 – Oct. 31.
  • Booking note. Cannot book online; call (319) 242-1074 or email for reservations.
  • Accessibility. Please review our accessibility info before making a reservation.
Hansen's Dairy trolley driving tour across open field

Adult Group tour

  • Guided tour. 1.5-hour tour includes trolley ride to the farm, a walking tour and ice cream.
  • Cost. Adults, $10. Staff and drivers, free. Minimum charge for this tour is $100.
  • When. Can start anytime between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, April 1 – Oct. 31.
  • Booking note. Cannot book online; call (319) 242-1074 or email for reservations.
  • Accessibility. Please review our accessibility info before making a reservation.

Your Tour Sneak Peek

What you’ll experience during a Hands-On Tour at Hansen’s Dairy.

See more Hansen’s Dairy videos on our YouTube Channel.

Frequently asked questions

How accessible is your farm for people with disabilities?

The farm tour route includes a lot of gravel. Walkers and wheelchairs are welcome, but prepare for bumpy ground! Larger wheels on wheelchairs work best. There are two parts of the tour where accessibility is limited: the trolley for transportation to the farm, and the milking parlor. Please call (319) 242-1074 to inform us of your needs prior to making a reservation.

How much walking is involved?

The trolley ride only transports people between the Tour Center and farm. Tourists must walk about 50-100 feet between 6-8 stations.

Can we come to the farm to see the kangaroos any time without doing a tour?

NO. Please respect that we are a working farm first and a tourist attraction second. We do not allow visitors to walk around the farm without a guide. We have specific times for families to come for farm tours. YOU MUST HAVE A RESERVATION.

What’s the difference between the Hands-On and the Animal Petting Tour?

The two differences are that you CANNOT bottle-feed a calf or milk a cow during the Animal Petting Tour at 12:30. To do these activities, you must book a Hands-On Tour at 3:30.

What is your cancellation policy?

Customers will receive a full refund with no penalty by notifying us at least 24 hours before your scheduled tour time. Customers will also receive a full refund if Hansen’s Dairy cancels the tour due to unforeseen circumstances.

Thinking of booking a certain date but have not verified with all members of your party? We recommend booking your desired date as soon as possible, then canceling if necessary. Slots fill up fast, and cancellations with full refunds are available when notifying us at least 24 hours before your scheduled tour time. Use link from confirmation email to cancel, or contact us by phone at (319) 242-1074. No-shows will be charged the full price.

Do you cancel the tour in inclement weather?

We typically do not cancel the tour for weather unless it is lightning. We will do the tour in the rain for whoever still wants to. We will try to stay indoors as much as possible, but some animals can only be seen outside. Umbrellas and rain gear welcome! You may receive a full refund if you choose to cancel due to weather.

What should I wear/bring?

Please wear closed-toed shoes and clothes that you don’t mind getting a little dirty.
Bring rain gear/umbrellas if rainy weather is expected.
During the cooler months, it’s best to dress in layers. The wide-open space on this farm in Iowa is a lot colder and windier than you think!
Bring a cooler to keep in your car; you may want to purchase some dairy products or meat before you go home.

Can I bring a stroller?

Newborns are probably best in a baby carrier, but strollers are welcome for toddlers. Strollers with larger wheels are best for traversing the gravel on the farm. We have a jogging stroller for anyone who would like to use it. Strollers will fit on the trolley.

Can you book School/Daycare Tours or Adult Group Tours online?

Not at this time. Please call (319) 242-1074 to make school/daycare or adult group tour reservations.

Are restrooms available during the tour?

Clean, updated restrooms are available at our Tour Center. There are restrooms on the farm, but they are not as nice as the Tour Center restrooms. Total time at the farm is no more than 90 minutes.

Can I buy ice cream, cheese curds and other tasty things after the tour?

Yes! Our farm store is open for shopping after the tour. We sell Hansen’s Dairy products, souvenirs and other locally made items. We accept cash, debit or credit card, and mobile pay.