Beaches and bike rides might be high on your list of things to do near Anna Maria Island on your next fall vacation to Florida’s Gulf Coast, but if you’re looking for some other outdoor fun with an emphasis on local produce, crafts, and seasonal entertainment, then you should definitely consider stopping in at well-known, family-owned and -operated Hunsader Farms.
From its playground with slides, swings, and sandbox to the Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival in October, there’s something for everyone in the family at this produce farm-slash-market-slash-just about everything. There’s a petting zoo, pick-it-yourself flower and vegetable fields, barn shop, ice cream shop, and antiques. There’s no small reason that TripAdvisor shows the vast majority of reviews of Hunsader Farms to be Excellent or Very Good.
So, head out from whichever Bradenton Beach vacation rentals you’re staying in and plan for several hours of enjoyment at one of the best seasonal things to do in Bradenton. You’ll be just 40 minutes or less from most Bradenton rentals—worth the ride to spend time in the refreshing autumn outdoors!
History
In 1967, three brothers—Paul, Donald, and Robert Hunsader—left their dairy farm in Wisconsin to start a new farm venture in sunny Florida. They started with 80 acres of tomatoes that same fall.
The prosperous farm business was handed down to the brothers’ sons in 1990, and from there was born the Hunsader Farms name and the added attractions and events that would come to define the location. The new owners quickly added the farm market after taking over, followed by the petting zoo in 1991, the Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival in 1992, the craft and antique store in 2002, the ice cream and gift shop in 2005, and the antique barn in 2013.
In addition, today’s Hunsader Farms hosts a Country Christmas event, private and birthday parties, school field trips, and more.
Farm Market
There’s nothing quite like homegrown vegetables, and Hunsader Farms gives you the opportunity not only to enjoy the taste but to pick them yourself as well.
Seasonal veggies and fruits such as peas, green beans, eggplant, and strawberries can be picked by customers. U-Pick fields close at 3:30, with a cut-off at 3:15. Note that some items, including cabbage, broccoli, sweet corn, squash, cucumber, and watermelon are not offered as U-Pick.
In the barn-like market, you’ll find lots of homemade goodies such as jams, jellies, and honey.
The farm market is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
U-Pick Flowers
Hunsader Farms also gives you the opportunity to brighten up your vacation rentals in Bradenton, FL, with a bouquet of self-picked flowers.
For just $5/cup (cup provided but not included in the price), you can choose from a variety of sunflowers (besides yellow, you’ll find red, chocolate, purple, and orange), zinnias, and wildflowers. Note: bring your own cutters or scissors!
Professional photographers taking pictures for weddings, birthdays, or other occasions can use the fields for up to two hours a session. The fee for photography sessions is $50.
The U-Pick flower fields are open seven days a week: Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. These fields close one hour before the farm.
Petting Zoo
You may have touched and hand-fed goats, pigs, deer, and ducks at some point in your life, but have you ever petted or fed a kangaroo? Or an emu? Or an alpaca?
For just an $8 admission fee (which covers care for the animals, such as food and vet costs) that allows entrance to both the petting zoo and playground, you and your kids can pet and feed 15 different animals. You’ll get to go back home and tell your friends that you actually fed a zebu!
While at the zoo, you can also see (though not feed or touch) peacocks, lemurs, cockatoos, parrots, and an iguana. And how can you not smile at the antics of the Marmoset monkey?
From September to June, seasonal tickets to the petting zoo and playground are available for $35. This might be an option if you’re taking multiple trips to the Anna Maria Island area. Kids 12 months and under enter for free.
Special Events
Besides all of the usual attractions and activities, Hunsader Farms isn’t done delivering the fun yet: the farm offers some special events you and your family will love. They have set aside 15 acres of land devoted to these special events.
The Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival is a must-see if you’re in town in mid-October. From craft shows and vendor tables to just about everything in between, the Festival has been a popular family event in Bradenton for three decades.
Make your way through a corn maze. Ride the big train ride (or take the little ones on a children’s train ride). Watch stunning chainsaw sculptures take shape. Romp on a barnyard playground. Take a hayride. Roam through the central spot: of course, a pumpkin patch! Oh, and eat, shop, browse, and take in the live music, scarecrow displays, and more.
Past entertainment has included Monster Truck shows, stunt shows, frog jumping, and zip line. Admission is $10, and kids ten and under enter for free. Parking is $5.
In early to mid-December, you can celebrate the coming holiday at the Country Christmas event, a yearly event that had been popular for some time and then was stopped for 20 years before resuming in 2017.
Plan Your Stay
There are countless fun things to do when you visit Anna Maria Island in the autumn. Contact the Island Vacation Properties team to book your rental!
Just because it’s not snowing doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate the most festive time of year. Sit around a campfire and listen to Christmas music. Go on a hayride. Enjoy snow tubing. Marvel at the more than 300,000 Christmas lights and village display. Watch a Christmas movie outdoors on a big screen. And, of course, no Christmas activity would be complete without Santa, so you can be sure Ol’ Saint Nick will show up during this event.
Be sure to stop at the S’mores Station or grab a warm pretzel—especially gratifying if it’s a cool night.
Admission is the same as that for the Pumpkin Festival. Parking and kids under five are free.
As you can see, an off-season visit to Anna Maria Island doesn’t mean there is a shortage of things to do. From the best rentals in Bradenton, FL, to plenty of outdoor activities despite cooler fall temperatures, there is no reason that an October through December trip to the Florida Gulf Coast should be any less enjoyable than one taken in the summer months.
Hunsader Farms operates from September to mid-June, closing down in July and August.
Your Anna Maria Island Vacation Rental
This fall, Anna Maria Island should be top of your list on your potential list of vacation destinations. In addition to Hunsader Farms, you can also explore the countless shops and restaurants on Bridge Street, Pine Avenue, and all the other thoroughfares of AMI as well as other things to do in Bradenton. Plus, you’ve got plenty of beaches, museums, and more to explore with your family. But before you can plan on any of that, you’ve got to find a place to stay.
Island Vacation Properties is proud to offer Anna Maria Island vacation rentals for families of all sizes. Experience amenities like complimentary WiFi, flat-screen TVs, fully stocked kitchens, and more. Contact our team today to get started!
