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A Week in the Country: Try an Agri-Tourism Adventure This Year

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By bluerabbit


Peach trees in bloom on Orchard Mesa near Palisade.

A Different Kind of Vacation

Airfares are high. Gas prices are soaring. Many people are cancelling their vacations and making plans to clean out their closets or watch two weeks of daytime TV.

Don't despair! You can still have a memorable vacation without breaking the bank. Consider an exciting new travel option called agri-tourism.


Cattle in a field by a country road near Delta, Colorado
Cattle in a field by a country road near Delta, Colorado
Western Colorado offers wine-tasting tours at wonderful vineyards, year-round
Western Colorado offers wine-tasting tours at wonderful vineyards, year-round
Country roads are great for walking, biking, or quiet drives.
Country roads are great for walking, biking, or quiet drives.
Late summer harvest on a ranch near Ridgway, Colorado provides fantastic photo opportunities.
Late summer harvest on a ranch near Ridgway, Colorado provides fantastic photo opportunities.

Things to Do in the Country

Agri-tourism opportunities are as varied as tourists. A few of the many activities offered include

  • Winery tours and wine tasting parties
  • Romantic B and Bs
  • bike rides on country roads
  • guided hikes on peaceful trails
  • horseback rides, hayrides, and carriage rides
  • rodeos
  • cattle drives
  • tours of working farms
  • seasonal photography expeditions led by famous pro-shooters
  • art studio tours and gallery openings
  • music festivals in the fields
  • farmers' markets
  • county fairs
  • agricultural museums and living history projects
  • restaurant jaunts featuring fresh local produce
  • local harvest festivals
  • small-town old-fashioned parades and Fourth of July Celebrations
  • folk art workshops
  • writing workshops with agricultural themes
  • ecology preservation tours
  • organic gardening workshops
  • regional cooking workshops
  • plein air painting by the side of the road
  • visiting a pick-it-yourself orchard and coming home with bagsful of fresh summer fruit (warning--unless you pay for this priviledge at a special farm, picking fruit from an orchard is theft, and will be prosecuted.)

 


Orchard and the snowy Grand Mesa (all photos by Linda Armstrong
Orchard and the snowy Grand Mesa (all photos by Linda Armstrong
Fruit Grower's Reservoir Bird Sanctuary near Eckert, Colorado. Sandhill Cranes stop here during their migrations.
Fruit Grower's Reservoir Bird Sanctuary near Eckert, Colorado. Sandhill Cranes stop here during their migrations.
Walk in the Country
Walk in the Country

Agri-tourism in the News

  • BC BREAKING NEWS :Kelowna Capital News2 days ago

    others also read... Grapes, anyone? When you conjure up images of vineyards basking in the sun’s warm glow, the often rainy, chilly Arrow Lakes Valley probably isn’t one that crosses your mind.

  • Forsyth considers wineriesAppen Newspapers2 days ago

    January 04, 2010 CUMMING - Someday soon motorists driving up the Hospitality Highway (Ga. 400) might stop in Forsyth County for a taste of wine from local vineyards, rather than heading all the way north to Lumpkin County.

  • 2009 Year in Review (part 2)Brattleboro Reformer6 days ago

    BRATTLEBORO -- It was a year that began with local high school musicians marching down Pennsylvania Avenue playing music for a new president.

Agritourism in New York State

Comments

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Eileen Hughes profile image

Eileen Hughes  says:
2 years ago

This looks like a brilliant way to go, Great pictures too. Thanks

Jane Heitman  says:
2 years ago

Great article, inspiring photos, informative links. Thanks!

jane

Cailin Gallagher profile image

Cailin Gallagher  says:
2 years ago

Thank you for this informative article. Our family is inspired to go this route with camping in the summer:)

stephhicks68 profile image

stephhicks68  says:
2 years ago

OMG - I love Colorado. We almost moved there from Washington, but picked a closer Central Oregon 2 years ago. Beautiful landscape! I am loving the photos.

Myron D.S. profile image

Myron D.S.  says:
2 years ago

Thank you! Your article has given me some new insites about agriculture. Being born and raised to farm life, I had never given any thought to agriculture as being entertaining to anyone outside the industry. Being that I live in an agricultural area(Greeley, CO), I had given some thought to write some articals about the area and local activities concected to agriculture, and your artical has slanted my thoughts to a more beneficial plane. I have been hoping to do some touring over in your neck of the woods sometime soon.

bluerabbit profile image

bluerabbit  says:
2 years ago

Yes! Some of our farmers have been having a tough time fighting against residential development. Agri-tourism, especially in Palisade, is growing. We have vineyards and, of course, the best peaches in the entire world! They ripen in late July and August. September is great, too--the aspens on the mesa turn gold!

Rochelle Frank profile image

Rochelle Frank  says:
18 months ago

This is happening in my area too. California, Sierra foothills. Not only is it fun for the tourists, farms, winerys and ranches are finding it a source of income that helps keep the area rural.

guidebaba profile image

guidebaba  says:
17 months ago

My background is from the countryside and now when I am living in the hustle and bustle of a big city, I miss the Fresh air and fresh food of the countryside.

Sally's Trove profile image

Sally's Trove  says:
17 months ago

Wonderful pictures and very interesting reading. It made me stop to think how many agri tourism opportunities we have like this in southeastern Pennsylvania. The Agri-tourism World website is especially fascinating with its articles and listings. Thank you!

ESAHS  says:
16 months ago

"Nice!" "I like to get away myself but not just yet!"

"I like the pictures they are realistic!"

"Chow!"

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