- Attraction: Anderson & Girls Orchards
- Location: 2985 N Sheridan Rd, Stanton, MI 48888
- Industry: Farm
- Website: https://www.andersonandgirls.com/
Picture camels racing around a dirt track while sloths hang lazily overhead and exotic birds chatter in multiple languages.
This whimsical scene plays out daily at a remarkable family farm where admission costs absolutely nothing. Anderson & Girls Orchards transforms the traditional orchard experience into something entirely unexpected, combining fresh fruit picking with one of Michigan’s largest free petting zoos.
The Anderson family purchased this property in 1978 and gradually built what started as a simple fruit operation into a multi-generational destination that draws families from across the Midwest.
You’ll discover over 140 animals representing species from around the globe, plus fresh-baked donuts that have achieved legendary status among visitors, all nestled in the rural countryside just north of Stanton.
Animal Adventures & Unique Attractions
The Free Petting Zoo: Step into what feels like a miniature safari featuring exotic animals you’d never expect to encounter in central Michigan. You’ll meet zebras, yaks, reindeer, kangaroos, lemurs, sloths, and even water buffalo wandering freely throughout spacious enclosures. The variety astounds visitors who come expecting typical farm animals and discover creatures from every continent.
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Keep Exploring →Walk-Through Bird House: Enter an enclosed aviary where colorful parakeets, cockatoos, and macaws flutter around you, some chattering in recognizable words and phrases. These feathered residents often land on shoulders and heads, creating memorable photo opportunities that kids absolutely love. Weekend visitors can purchase seed sticks to hand-feed these social birds.
Interactive Animal Experiences: Watch weekend pig races where both miniature pigs and full-sized hogs compete around an oval track, generating genuine excitement and laughter from spectators. You can also ride camels on weekends, walk alongside wallabies, and hand-feed goats who eagerly gather whenever they spot visitors approaching with quarter-machine feed dispensers.
Goat Bridge Spectacle: Marvel at the famous goat bridge where nimble goats traverse elevated walkways high above the main pathways. This Instagram-worthy feature provides endless entertainment as goats navigate their aerial highway with remarkable balance and confidence.
Playground & Kid Zones: Children burn energy on a giant slide, swings, ride-on train, and climbing structures strategically placed throughout the property. The playground areas blend seamlessly with animal enclosures, allowing kids to play while keeping animals in view.
Sweet Treats & Farm Market Delights
Famous Fresh Donuts: These aren’t ordinary donuts – they’re crafted fresh daily and have achieved cult-like following among regular visitors. Choose from blueberry varieties (frosted or plain) and apple donuts available plain, rolled in cinnamon sugar, or topped with white powdered sugar and caramel frosting. The texture strikes the perfect balance between cake-like density and fluffy lightness.
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Discover MoreApple Cider & Seasonal Beverages: The on-site cider mill operates from late August through December, producing fresh apple cider that tastes like liquid autumn. During warmer months, you can upgrade to refreshing apple cider slushies that provide sweet relief after hours of animal encounters.
Ice Cream Shop Selection: The Sweet Shoppe serves hand-dipped ice cream alongside floats, flurries, and elaborate sundaes. Their lunch menu includes sandwiches, soups, and other comfort foods perfect for refueling between animal visits. The ice cream quality rivals dedicated parlors, with generous portions at reasonable prices.
Farm Market Bounty: Browse seasonal produce including strawberries starting in June, followed by peaches in August, and apples plus pears throughout fall. Local partnerships bring in Michigan honey, maple syrup, Amish jams, artisanal cheeses, and other regional specialties that make excellent souvenirs or gifts.
Atmosphere & Seasonal Magic
Rural Countryside Setting: The property sprawls across open farmland with mature trees providing natural shade and scenic backdrops for family photos. Wide pathways accommodate strollers and wheelchairs, while strategically placed benches offer rest spots with prime animal-viewing angles.
Seasonal Transformations: Spring brings one of Michigan’s largest Easter egg hunts with thousands of hidden eggs scattered across the grounds. Fall transforms the farm with pumpkin patch wagon rides, harvest decorations, and peak animal activity as cooler weather energizes the residents. Winter extends the season with holiday decorations and opportunities to meet Santa.
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Keep Exploring →Gift Shop Charm: The extensive gift shop overflows with farm-themed merchandise, seasonal decorations, logo apparel, flavored coffees, and quirky souvenirs. Local artisan products share shelf space with practical items like insulated mugs perfect for cider consumption.
Family-Friendly Layout: The entire property encourages exploration without feeling overwhelming. Animal enclosures connect via clearly marked paths, and multiple hand-washing stations keep hygiene simple after animal interactions.
Other Considerations
Unbeatable Value: Zero admission charges make this attraction accessible to families regardless of budget constraints. While animal feed costs fifty cents per dispenser and special weekend activities carry small additional fees, you can easily spend an entire day here for under twenty dollars per family. The value proposition becomes even more impressive when comparing to traditional zoos or theme parks.
Parking & Accessibility: Free parking eliminates one common family outing expense, and the spacious lot accommodates everything from compact cars to large RVs. The relatively flat terrain and wide pathways make navigation easy for visitors with mobility challenges.
Seasonal Timing: Plan visits between May and December for full operations, though hours vary by season. Weekend visits unlock additional activities like camel rides and bird feeding experiences. Call ahead during transitional months to confirm specific animal experiences and seasonal menu availability.
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Discover MoreBring Quarters: Come prepared with plenty of quarters for animal feed dispensers – kids become quickly addicted to hand-feeding eager animals, and the machines only accept coins. Many families report spending ten to fifteen dollars just on animal feed, but watching children’s faces light up during feeding interactions makes every quarter worthwhile.
Multi-Generational Appeal: The attraction genuinely entertains visitors from toddlers to grandparents, with something engaging for every age group and energy level.
Anderson & Girls Orchards
📍 2985 N Sheridan Rd, Stanton, MI 48888
