If you love having behind-the-scenes access at an attraction, you’ll want to check out the special experiences offered at Heritage Farm and Museum in Huntington, WV.
These specialized tours and experiences can help you dive deeper into a specific area of interest, give access to areas not open to the public, or provide an exciting outdoor adventure at The Adventure Park.
This article is written in partnership with Heritage Farm. All opinions are my own.
What Types of Special Tours and Experiences are Available at Heritage Farm for an Additional Fee?
You can choose from the following special experiences at Heritage Farm:
- General Guided Museum Tour
- Barnyard Basics
- Family Guided Museum Tour
- Theme Guided Museum Tour
- Blacksmith Basics
Barnyard Basics
Guests can help care for the animals and assist with the daily duties at Heritage Farm under the supervision of their animal care team.
Some of the Barnyard Basics tasks may include:
- Feeding the animals
- Cleaning and taking care of their pens/ habitat areas
Barnyard Basics guests should wear closed-toed shoes and wear clothing that can get dirty.
* A paying adult is required to accompany guests 12 years old and younger.
During our visit to Heritage Farm, my friend’s daughter chose the Barnyard Basic experience.
That particular day there was a pony who needed to be groomed. She started by helping clean out the stall.
Yes, you can pay to have your kids do farm chores and they’ll actually love it…and not complain about it!
…Sorry I can’t promise that the same enthusiasm will transfer when they come back to chores at home.
Next, she groomed the pony and then she braided his tail. She opted for a braid design that was similar to hers.
Afterward, she returned the pony to his clean stall and helped fill up his drinking area with additional fresh water. She loved having one-on-one time caring for an animal.
Blacksmith Basics
During the Blacksmith Basics experience, you can learn more about how a blacksmith prepares and works during the 3-4 hour class.
Blacksmith Basic participants must be at least 13 years old to participate. Guests between the ages of 13-17 must be accompanied by an adult who can pay to participate or purchase an observer pass.
*This class occurs when the farm isn’t open to the public.
Guided Museum Tours
The Guided Tours at Heritage Farm last 90 minutes on days that are not open to the public.
There are several guided tours available that can be customized to your group’s ages or interests.
The most popular tour is the “General Guided Museum Tour” which focuses on the highlights of the museums with a guide.
For younger guests ages 12 and under, “The Family Guided Museum Tour” is customized for a younger audience, their interests, and their attention span.
If you want to dive deeper into a specific topic you may want to try one of the “Themed Guided Museum Tours.” Examples of themed tour topics include the creation of the United States and women in Appalachian History.
Contact the museum if you have a specific area of interest for a tour.
*A paying adult is required to accompany guests 12 years old and younger.
Adventure Park Add Ons
You can experience the following outdoor adventures at the Adventure Park:
- RedTail Racers
- TalithaKoum
- Combo: RTR and TaK
- Wilder’s Zip-n-Climb
- Holler Hauler Ride
- Mountain Rim Bike Park
- Holler Hauler Bike Transport
Adventure Park Operating Days
The Adventure Park opens for the 2023 Season on Saturday, May 27.
*Check the online schedule for The Adventure Park for the summer and fall operating days before you go.
All Adventure Park activities break from 12:30 – 1:00 (excluding Rock Wall) and end by 3:30.
Take a Ride in the Holler Hauler
Let staff take you on a “West Virginia roller coaster” as they travel up the steep and windy mountain trails in a chauffeured UTV ride.
This ride is so much FUN!!! It was also nice to not be the one in charge of driving on the steep terrain.
You can purchase a full ride as an activity or you’ll get a shorter version of this ride included with admission for RedTail Racers and TalithaKoum as your transportation up the hill!
Guests under 18 who are participating in RedTail Racers or TalithaKoum will be given a ride for one chaperone to accompany them on the ride up the hill. Others may join for an additional fee.
*This experience does not include general admission.
TalithaKoum Aerial Course at Heritage Farm
TalithaKoum aerial course is located on the top of the mountain and features 30 different elements on 3 levels ranging from 15-40 feet in the air.
The name “TalithaKoum” means “rise up” in Aramaic and guests on the course can be reminded of the early Appalachian settlers who were faced with obstacles in the untamed landscape.
Guests on the aerial course are challenged to overcome obstacles including swinging beams, cargo nets, rope and cable bridges, and teetering platforms.
Participants who enjoy a thrill will love the Mountian Top Drop on the course that’s a 40-foot belayed free fall.
TalithaKoum Aerial Course Times:
- 10:15 AM – 12:30 PM
- 1:15 PM – 3:30 PM
Guests may join at any point during a session, but access ends when the session ends, regardless of when the participant began.
*Closed-toed shoes, shorts, or pants are required on this course.
Weight requirement: 75-250 lbs.
Wilder’s Zip-n-Climb
Wilder’s Zip-n-Climb is a great course for families to build confidence and overcome challenges together.
The aerial course has 17 elements with a cargo net and rope cable bridges, over 2 levels. The lower level is 5 feet high and the higher level is 15 feet high. One of the highlights for families on the course is the zipline that is equipped for adults or kids.
Wilder’s Zip-n-Climb Times: Times:
- 10:30 AM
- 11:30 AM
- 1:00 PM
- 2:00 PM
Weight requirement: 50-250 lbs.
*Guests must wear closed-toe shoes, and pants or shorts.
RedTail Racers Zipline at Heritage Farm
You can travel at the speed of a Red-Tailed Hawk at 40 mph on one of the dual racing 1100-foot-long zip lines.
Zipline participants can enjoy incredible birds-eye views of Heritage Farm from the air.
*Weight requirement: 75-250 lbs.
RedTail Racers Zipline Times:
- 10:15 AM
- 11:30 AM
- 1:00 PM
- 2:15 PM
(2 zipline rides in approx. 1 hour)
Guests must wear closed-toe shoes and pants or shorts.
Mountain Rim Bike Park
If you enjoy mountain biking you’ll definitely want to check out the downhill trails through the Appalachian forest at Mountain Rim Bike Park.
There are 10 trails to choose from that vary in difficulty, scenery, and challenges as you make your way back down the mountain.
The trails at Mountain Rim Bike Park are named after and marked by farm equipment through the years with names including Stump Grinder, Hay Baler, and the Humdinger.
The trail names were an intentional way that Heritage Farm chose to honor the hard-working people of Appalachia.
How Do You Get to the Top of Mountain Rim Bike Park?
To reach the top of the mountain you have two options:
- Take the 1.1-mile Grindstone uphill winding trail to the top of the mountain.
- Purchase the MRBP: Holler Hauler Transport similar to a ski lift ticket that’s good for the full day. Riders will be picked up with their bikes at the Adventure Station and taken to the top of the mountain at the trail hub.
Equipment for Moutain Rim Bike Park
Mountain bikes and e-bikes are available for rent or you can bring your own. If you’re renting a bike you’ll need to select it before your desired date.
*Personal bikes and helmets must be inspected by Mountain Rim before use on the trails. Bringing your own bike or helmet does not guarantee that you will be approved to use it.
*Rides must be at least 48 inches tall
Mountain Rim Bike Park Pass Times
- 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM with a break from 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM
- The final trip to the top of the hill for all riders, regardless of bike type, is 3:00 PM.
- All trails are to be clear by 3:30 PM.
