The Reindeer Farm Archives : TRAVEL/FOOD

“This year, people seem to have gotten a jump on hauling out the holly and decorating everything that’s not moving,” writes my friend Mindy Bianca, owner of Mindy Bianca Public Relations. “But we suggest taking that holiday spirit on the road and having a few experiences that could result in the best gift of the season: memories made with family and friends. From reindeer prancing through Kentucky to a gingerbread display that hits it out of the park in New York, there’s no shortage of merry and bright adventures waiting in some of MBPR’s client destinations. Get ready to unwrap some one-of-a-kind happenings that will make your season extra bright this year.”

Run, Run Reindeer

The Reindeer Farm in Bowling Green, Kentucky

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and what better way to embrace the magic than spending time with Santa’s favorite critters? This hands-on farm experience lets you get close to a team of more than eight not-so-tiny reindeer, plus you can take a ride on a festive sleigh, stroll through holiday-themed displays and ice sculptures, and spend time with the jolly guy himself. New this year, the farm just added a zipline, so if the sight of these creatures playing reindeer games inspires YOU to really know how to fly … have at it!

These Halls are Decked

Houmas House in Ascension Parish, Louisiana

“Let it snow” might not be the theme of a Louisiana Christmas, but that doesn’t mean the holiday season is any less jolly here. At Houmas House Estate and Gardens, the Southern Christmas vibe is strong, with majestic oak trees draped in twinkling lights and a grand historic home decked out like something straight out of a classic holiday movie. Guests can stroll the beautifully lit gardens, have a cup of cheer and enjoy delicious culinary offerings.

Santa’s Little Helpers

Storybook Holiday in Frostburg, Maryland

Photo courtesy of the City of Frostburg.

Frostburg, located on the Mountain Side of Maryland, is home to the nationally recognized Storybook Holiday event, complete with the ever-popular Elf Olympics, kid’s activities, a Christmas market, shops, a featured children’s author and a parade led by none other than Jack Frost himself. Fitting for a town named “Frost”-burg, Mr. Frost closes out the day’s activities by hosting a town-wide snowball fight. The 21^stannual Storybook Holiday is scheduled for Saturday, December 7. Even if you can’t make it to town on that particular day, Frostburg is one of the most charmingly decorated holiday towns on the East Coast throughout the season.

Have a Holly, Dolly Christmas

Dollywood Resorts in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Photo courtesy of the Dollywood Company.

They say there’s no place like home for the holidays, but what if you could enjoy all the cozy vibes without the food prep and dirty dishes, laborious set-up and take-down of decorations, and the ensuing stress? Have yourself a merrier little Christmas at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa or Dollywood’s HeartSong Lodge & Resort in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Cozy accommodations, carolers and holiday-themed packages (including one featuring a tree in your room) will make your stay as sweet as sugar plums. And just in case your holiday barometer measures in this way: This part of east Tennessee was the set for a bonafide Hallmark movie, “Christmas at Dollywood,” back in 2019.

Have a Holly, Dolly Christmas

The Otesaga Resort Hotel in Cooperstown, New York

Photo courtesy of the Otesaga Resort Hotel.

The Otesaga Resort Hotel is the place to stay during a visit to Cooperstown, home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum. Each year, The Otesaga’s culinary team pulls out all the stops to create an amazing gingerbread creation that’s proudly displayed throughout the holiday season. This time they’ve hit a home run by building a gingerbread replica of historic Doubleday Field. For nearly 100 years, this celebrated baseball stadium has seen everyone from Hall of Famers to lucky kids play America’s pastime here in the village. Now it’s been transformed into gingerbread and royal icing.

If you’re dreaming of a merry and bright holiday season, gather your loved ones, pack your favorite holiday sweaters (ugly or not) and get ready to make memories that will last way longer than the extra pounds you pick up during this festive time of year.

Move Over, Rudolph – It’s Moodolph’s Chance to Shine!

As the holiday season approaches, here’s just the place for families looking for unique experiences to create lasting memories and new traditions.

Located in the heart of Bowling Green, Kentucky, a family-owned reindeer farm has become a popular holiday destination for locals and visitors alike. It’s the only spot in Kentucky with an immersive live reindeer encounter and – thanks to the Anderson family’s commitment to providing a magical experience and spreading holiday cheer – this farm has become a cherished Christmas tradition to all who visit.

The entire family pitches in here at The Reindeer Farm. Husband-and-wife team Russell and Jessica Anderson lead the herd with everyday operations. Ten-year-old Aniston is the farm manager who helps with the petting zoo, guest relations and guest check-in. Nine-year-old Ashton is “head of farm security” (she’s a black belt, so she isn’t messing around!) and 7-year-old Russ acts as assistant manager. Jessica and Russell’s parents and siblings can also be found helping out around the venue.

The farm is the entire family’s passion, stemming from Jessica’s love for Christmas and Russell’s background in farming. Starting this site was the perfect way to combine everyone’s interests and skills.

The farm offers an unforgettable opportunity to get up close and personal with Santa’s favorite companions, along with more traditional farm animals like pigs, bunnies and miniature cows. One of the many things that sets this family-owned reindeer farm apart is the dedication to an authentic, respectful animal experience. The Andersons offer Reindeer Encounters to help educate guests about reindeer and what makes the species so unique. The Encounters include a 30-minute experience with the reindeer inside their enclosure, which is the perfect time to snap a photo for your family holiday card this year!

Apart from its educational aspect, the farm also offers a range of holiday-themed activities to get families into the spirit of decking the halls. Though you won’t find chestnuts roasting on an open fire, you WILL find s’mores … and plenty more! With an indoor playground, live ice sculpting demonstrations, train rides, breakfast with Santa, Christmas karaoke, free hot cocoa and a station for writing letters to Santa, kids and adults alike always have a holly-jolly good time. The farm is also adorned with festive lights and decorations, in addition to an overflowing gift shop, all working to create a cheerful atmosphere that adds to the Christmas spirit.

Now … on to the part you’ve been waiting for! You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen … but what about Flea, Mistletoe and Clarice? Though they may not be part of the “front line” on Christmas Eve, they (and seven others) are front and center here at the farm. The reindeer spend their time grazing, napping and playing reindeer games (yes, it’s a real thing)! Christmas came early to the farm this year, and gifted reindeer pair Moodolph and Mistletoe with a calf … the farm’s first. Baby Anderson loves attention and can’t wait to welcome visitors to his first Christmas season.

That season kicks off on November 17 and the farm will be open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until December 17. It’ll then be open daily through December 23.

We’ll leave you with this fun fact: The lyrics from a Christmas classic – “up on the housetop, click, click, click” – doesn’t refer to hearing reindeer hooves on the roof. These animals have joints that click loudly as a way to alert the herd members to their whereabouts in the event of inclement weather. So, the next time you hear clicking on Christmas Eve, it’s just Santa’s sleigh-pullers communicating with each other through the snow.

To learn so much more about reindeer, check out https://thereindeerfarm.com/.