Farm Tours

Looking for something fun to do in Iowa? Families, students and other groups frequently take our farm tours to learn about dairy farming and milk processing — and get to interact with our fun animals along the way. All tourists have the opportunity to purchase products at our on-farm retail store. We are located in Hudson, Iowa, near Waterloo and Cedar Falls.

We are open during COVID-19.

We are a Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Site.

  • Tour Season: Monday through Saturday, April 1 to Oct. 31. We are open on Memorial Day and Labor Day holidays for Hands-On Tours.
  • Reservations: YOU MUST HAVE A TOUR RESERVATION TO VISIT THE FARM. Walk-ins are not accepted. Make reservations online or call (319) 242-1074.
  • Want to give the gift of a tour? Purchase a Tour Gift Card!
  • Frequently-Asked Questions: Click Here

Your Tour Sneak Peek

What visitors will experience during a Hands-On Tour at Hansen’s Dairy.

Tour Options

Hands-On Tour

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  • Best for families. This guided farm tour is our full experience! Tour takes you through the process of getting milk from the cow to your table. Admission includes a trolley ride to the farm, then a tour on foot to pet all of our animals and see our facilities. All participants can feed a calf, milk a cow by hand, pet the kangaroos, make homemade butter, sample Hansen’s products and eat ice cream. NOTE: This tour includes everything on the Animal Petting Tour. Guests do not need to book both tours.
  • Cost: Age 5 & older, $20. Age 4 & younger, free.
  • Time: Begins at 3:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
  • Duration: 2 hours.
  • Number of people: Maximum 30 people total.
  • MUST MAKE RESERVATION by clicking the Book Now button above, or calling (319) 242-1074.

Animal Petting Tour

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  • Good for families. Guided farm tour through the process of getting milk from the cow to your table. Admission includes a trolley ride to the farm, then a walking tour to see our animals and facilities. Visitors pet the cows, calves, and kangaroos, make homemade butter, sample Hansen’s products and eat ice cream. NOTE: Visitors will NOT milk a cow or bottle-feed a calf on this tour as it does not fit with the cows’ schedule. If you wish to do these activities, you must book a Hands-On Tour.
  • Cost: Age 5 & older, $15. Age 4 & younger, free.
  • Time: Begins at 12:30 p.m. Saturdays only.
  • Duration: 2 hours.
  • Number of people: Maximum 30 people total.
  • MUST MAKE RESERVATION by clicking the Book Now button above, or calling (319) 242-1074.

School or Daycare Tour

  • Allowed for schools, daycares and home-schools. A guided farm tour that takes students through the process of getting milk from the cow to the table. Admission includes a trolley ride to the farm, then a walking tour to see our cows, calves, kangaroos, milking parlor, barn and creamery. All participants get ice cream.
  • Cost: Children 3 & up and parents (including home-schools), $5. Teachers, drivers and assigned chaperones, free. Minimum charge for this tour is $50.
  • Time: Can start anytime between 9 a.m. and noon.
  • Duration: 1.5 hours
  • Cannot book online; call (319) 242-1074 for reservations.

Adult Group Tour

  • Best for clubs, organizations, care facilities and charter buses. A guided farm tour that takes people through the process of getting milk from the cow to the table. Admission includes a trolley ride to the farm, then a walking tour to see our cows, calves, kangaroos, milking parlor, barn and creamery. All participants get ice cream.
  • Cost: Adults, $10. Staff and drivers, free. Minimum charge for this tour is $100.
  • Time: Can start anytime between 9 a.m. and noon.
  • Duration: 1.5 hours
  • Cannot book online; call (319) 242-1074 for reservations.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 is the difference between the Hands-On Tour 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 visitor policy during COVID-19?

Please understand that there is inherent risk in choosing to engage in public activities during a pandemic, but we are doing our best to make your tour a safe experience. Please adhere to the following guidelines during your visit.

  • Do not come if you’re sick or showing symptoms of illness.
  • Stay with those who came with you, and practice 6 feet of social distancing with other guests. Most of the tour is outside and not crowded.
  • Masks are optional.

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.

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.

Are wheelchairs and walkers welcome?

The farm tour route includes a lot of gravel. Walkers and wheelchairs are welcome, but prepare for bumpy ground!

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.

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.

Can you book school tours or adult group tours online?

Not at this time. Please call (319) 242-1074 to make school/daycare or adult group tour reservations. Availability may be limited during COVID-19.

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.

Farm Tour Fun