This post on Hugli’s Blueberry Ranch is courtesy of our contributor Mary of Calculated Traveller…Part farm, part petting zoo, part play park, and part country gift store, Hugli’s Blueberry Ranch is a great family-friendly adventure in Pembroke Ontario worthy of a visit any time of the year.
This family owned business has been growing blueberries for over 30 years so they surely know their stuff. The property is massive and said to be the largest blueberry farm in Eastern Ontario at 17 acres in size.
Hugli’s Blueberry Ranch — Not just Berries
Hugli’s is open year round and has a multitude of activities up their sleeves to keep the entire family entertained and yearning to come back for more.
We visited in late October and had a great time running through the 6-acre corn maze that proved to be exhausting due to all the belly aching laughter and need to be the first one successfully through the maze.
Caption: Hugli’s Blueberry Ranch Corn Maze. Don’t worry – there are shortcuts if you need them!
We made new friends at the petting zoo, screamed with glee as we slid down the tunnel hill and watched our first ever hog race.
I’d never heard of hog racing before let alone been a witness of a pig race and I have to tell you that it was hilarious and action packed. The best thing about the competition is the hog calling commentary and hearing the spectators around you root for their pig to win! No betting, please!
If I had been braver, I would have liked a ride on the jumping horse swings or zip line but I can see fearless kids (and kids at heart) having fun on these.
Caption: Brian Hugli himself encouraging me to ride the jumping horse swing
Hugli’s Blueberry Ranch also features a petting zoo with an assortment of farm animals such as llamas, chickens, pigs, goats and lambs – my favourite is the miniature horse – so tiny!!
Other fall activities include wagon rides, puppet shows, a pumpkin patch, giant pumpkin boat races on their pond, a Halloween scare fest, and the pumpkin canon show where they shoot pumpkins out of a cannon at targets set out throughout the ranch.
Once winter arrives, Hugli’s Blueberry Ranch gets festive for the holidays with cut your own Christmas trees and seasonal events.
But wait… what about those blueberries?
From Mid July to September (Labour Day) Hugli’s Blueberry Ranch has 17 varieties of blueberries available for pick-your-own or ready-to-buy.
Perfect for people with mobility issues, the blueberry plants closest to the main ranch building are purposely grown 6 feet off the ground and planted in wider rows — to allow for wheelchair accessibility.
Before you leave, visit the dairy parlour for some ice cream, and pick up some homemade baked goods, fudge, gifts and souvenirs. They also sell a house brand Hugli’s Blueberry Ranch preserves, salsas and sauces made from blueberries farmed at the ranch should you visit outside of berry season.
Hugli’s Blueberry Ranch is a great spot for a bit of agri-tainment and education within the Ottawa Valley for the entire family.
Hugli’s Blueberry Ranch
2139 Greenwood Road, Pembroke Ontario K8A 6W2
(613) 638-1288
There is no fee to visit the shop.
Play park admission varies according to the season and the event.
Visit their website for the most updated information.
Travel assistance provided by Ontario’s Highlands. All opinions are that of the author.
Mary Chong is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. A travel writer / world cruiser she writes about all things travel on her website Calculated Traveller, follow her latest adventures on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!