Lively Run Dairy
Experience farm life with adorable goats and savor award-winning artisan cheeses at Lively Run Dairy in the Finger Lakes.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
More activities and lively atmosphere
Lively Run Dairy
Best Time
More activities and lively atmosphere
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Experience farm life with adorable goats and savor award-winning artisan cheeses at Lively Run Dairy in the Finger Lakes.
"Life is just so much happier with a CHEESE FLIGHT!!! ALL of the cheeses were amazing."
🐐 Interact with the Goats
Bottle-feed baby goats or take one for a walk for a truly memorable farm experience!
🧀 Savor the Cheese Flights
Don't miss the cheese flights to sample a variety of delicious goat and cow cheeses.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Goat Interactions
Farm grounds
Bottle-feed baby goats, take a goat for a walk, or join a goat yoga class for unforgettable farm fun.
Artisan Cheese Tasting
Tasting room/porch
Sample award-winning goat and cow cheeses, including unique varieties like goat blue and feta.
Farm-to-Table Experience
Farm shop and surrounding areas
Discover local food pairings and specialty cheeses, perfect for picnics or taking home.
+1Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Goat Encounters & Cheese Delights
Farm Fun & Local Flavors
+1Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🐐 Interact with the Goats
Bottle-feed baby goats or take one for a walk for a truly memorable farm experience!
🧀 Savor the Cheese Flights
Don't miss the cheese flights to sample a variety of delicious goat and cow cheeses.
🐱 Watch for Cheese Thieves
Be mindful of the friendly cats who might try to sneak a bite of your cheese!
📅 Check Event Schedule
Look out for special events like goat yoga or the Mongolian Naadam Festival.
Tips
from all over the internet
🐐 Interact with the Goats
Bottle-feed baby goats or take one for a walk for a truly memorable farm experience!
🧀 Savor the Cheese Flights
Don't miss the cheese flights to sample a variety of delicious goat and cow cheeses.
🐱 Watch for Cheese Thieves
Be mindful of the friendly cats who might try to sneak a bite of your cheese!
📅 Check Event Schedule
Look out for special events like goat yoga or the Mongolian Naadam Festival.
🛍️ Shop Local Delights
Explore the gift shop for local foods and charcuterie to complement your cheese.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about Lively Run Dairy, highlighting the delightful goat interactions and the exceptional quality of their artisan cheeses. Many appreciate the opportunity to bottle-feed baby goats and enjoy cheese tastings. While some found the cheese platters small for the price, the overall experience is overwhelmingly positive, with many recommending it as a must-visit in the Finger Lakes.
"Heaven on Earth. We got to try several delicious cheeses, I was very impressed with the bucheron which I decided to buy to take home. We visited with the goats and enjoyed our tasting on the porch with the company of some alleged cheese thievin kittens."
Alina Neff
"Our group was excited to stop in for some goat cheese. We shared two platters which were the perfect amount for our group of 5. While visiting we had two cats hanging out, apparently they like to steal cheese when you aren't looking. The staff warned us so we were ready.
We were able to see kittens that had been born a few days earlier that the staff were caring for along with a bunch of goats. You can buy goat feed for $3 in the shop."
Sheila
"Was expecting more animals, only 7 goats and 2 horses
We tried the cheese platter. Was very small for the price"
Vincent Guanter
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Lively Run Dairy is located at 8978 County Road 142, Interlaken, NY 14847 in the Finger Lakes region. It's best accessed by car.
Yes, there is typically ample parking available for visitors at the dairy.
Public transportation options are limited in the Finger Lakes region. Having a car is highly recommended for visiting Lively Run Dairy.
GPS navigation is recommended. The dairy is situated in a scenic rural area, so enjoy the drive through the Finger Lakes countryside.
Yes, Lively Run Dairy is in the heart of the Finger Lakes, close to wineries like Airy Acres Vineyard and other farms.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Admission is often free, especially for general farm visits. However, specific activities like goat yoga or guided tastings may require separate tickets or reservations.
Hours can vary, especially seasonally. It's best to check their official website or social media for the most up-to-date operating hours before your visit.
Cheese tasting prices can vary. A cheese platter for a group of 5 was noted as being small for the price by one reviewer, while others enjoyed cheese flights.
Absolutely! Lively Run Dairy offers a wide variety of their award-winning goat and cow cheeses for purchase, along with local food pairings.
Keep an eye out for special events or promotions, such as free admission days for festivals like the Mongolian Naadam Festival.
🎫 🐐 Onsite Experience
You can bottle-feed baby goats, take a goat for a walk, participate in goat yoga, and enjoy guided cheese tastings.
Yes, you can purchase goat feed for $3 in the shop to feed the goats.
While goats are the main attraction, visitors have also reported seeing horses and kittens on the farm.
Yes, children often enjoy interacting with the goats, bottle-feeding, and participating in farm activities.
This is a special one-day event featuring Mongolian culture, including stick horse challenges, ankle bone games, calligraphy, and more.
🍽️ 🧀 Food & Dining
They produce a variety of award-winning goat and cow cheeses, including feta, bucheron, goat blue, and collaborations like 'Shire' cheese. +1
Yes, the farm shop offers a selection of their cheeses and local food items perfect for taking home or for a picnic.
While primarily a dairy farm, they sometimes feature special food events like cheesesteaks as part of brunch menus.
The shop often stocks local crackers, jams, and other charcuterie items to complement their cheeses.
While not always explicitly stated, visiting wineries like Airy Acres Vineyard nearby can provide excellent wine pairings for their cheeses.
📸 📸 Photography
Capture adorable moments with the goats, scenic farm landscapes, and beautifully presented cheese platters.
Yes, visitors are encouraged to take photos of the goats and the farm environment. Please be respectful of the animals.
Generally, photography is allowed for personal use. Always check for any specific signage or ask staff if unsure.
Morning or late afternoon light often provides the most flattering light for farm photography, with softer shadows.
Tours may offer glimpses into the dairy operations, but direct access to the cheese-making process might be limited.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Beyond animal encounters, look out for special events like the Mongolian Naadam Festival, which offers fun activities like stick horse challenges and games that children can participate in.
Purchasing goat feed for a few dollars allows for extended feeding fun. 🧀 Cheese Aficionados
Explore their collaborations, such as the 'Shire' cheese, which showcases innovative cheesemaking techniques.
The farm shop is also a treasure trove for finding local food pairings like crackers and jams to enhance your cheese experience at home. 🌿 Nature & Farm Enthusiasts
The opportunity to learn about dairy farming and cheese production adds an educational element to your visit. Consider visiting during a special event like the Mongolian Naadam Festival for a unique cultural experience set against the farm backdrop.
It's a chance to appreciate rural life and the dedication to producing high-quality local products.Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Art of Lively Run Cheese
One notable offering is their 'Shire' cheese, a raw cow's milk cheese soaked in a dark malty Scotch Ale from Hopshire Brewing. This unique process imparts flavors of dark malt and a subtle coffee-like bitterness, making it a complex and delightful cheese.
They also produce a raw cow's milk cheddar and a Cayuga Blue goat cheese, praised for its balanced, earthy notes. Beyond their signature cheeses, Lively Run Dairy often collaborates with other local producers. This allows them to offer a curated selection of local foods, crackers, and jams, perfect for creating your own charcuterie board or enjoying a picnic on the farm.
+1Goat Encounters: More Than Just Cute
For a more active engagement, visitors can opt to take a goat for a walk around the farm grounds. This offers a unique perspective and a chance for some lighthearted fun. For those seeking a truly unique experience, goat yoga sessions are also available, combining gentle exercise with the playful presence of goats.
These interactions are a significant part of the Lively Run Dairy experience, offering a glimpse into farm life and creating lasting memories. The opportunity to feed the goats with purchased feed adds another layer of engagement for visitors of all ages.
Special Events and Cultural Experiences
A particularly noteworthy event is the annual Mongolian Naadam Festival, held at the dairy. This festival offers a vibrant cultural immersion, featuring traditional Mongolian games like the stick horse challenge and ankle bone games, along with calligraphy workshops and displays of nomadic life.
These events transform a typical farm visit into a richer, more diverse experience, attracting visitors interested in culture, food, and unique local happenings. It's always a good idea to check Lively Run Dairy's schedule for upcoming events to make the most of your visit.
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