We didn’t buy a farm, but it sure felt like it last weekend.
Okay, we didn’t actually rent the entire farm, but when you stay at Queens Landing at Sweet Valley Ranch in Fayetteville, NC, it sure feels like you did.
We spent the weekend pretending we were a farmer. No paperwork, no chores, just a log cabin built for a queen and a golf cart with our name on it. Literally. When you book the adventure package, it comes with your own golf cart and I can’t stress this enough: highly recommend. Because the moment that last sip of coffee was gone each morning, we were off, riding down the path saying good morning to the animals like we were doing daily rounds.
And when I say animals, I mean everything. Goats, chickens, horses, donkeys, highland cows, llamas, a camel, and, because why not, a zebra. If it belongs on a farm (or vaguely resembles something that could), Sweet Valley Ranch probably has it. Even better? It was just us. Every single morning, every sunset ride, we never saw another soul out there. It felt like the place was ours.
Our absolute favorite part? Sitting on the porch at Queens Landing, overlooking the fountain, with a cup of hot coffee and the entire ranch slowly waking up around us. And then the last thing we did every night? Grabbed the golf cart and rode back around to say goodnight to every creature who called that place home.
While the ranch offered plenty of peaceful moments, we definitely found a few ways to crank up the adrenaline, we took off on the Heels and Thrills ATV ride, tearing through the trails on the property. It was like a roller coaster you get to drive yourself, with all the sudden turns, bumps, and that rush of the wind in your face. Every second was a blast, and by the end, we were left covered in dirt and grinning from ear to ear.
We met Buttermilk the Highland cow up close and personal during Hanging with the Highlands, and I’ll be honest, I may have gotten a little emotionally attached. He had the shaggy bangs and soulful eyes of a cow who knows things. And then there was Cornbread, the miniature donkey with the biggest personality and the loudest “hee-haw” this side of the state line. Every time he spotted us, he’d let out a yell like we were late for chores and come trotting over like he ran the ranch—and honestly, he kind of did. You don’t ignore Cornbread. He made sure of that.
So no, we didn’t buy a farm—but Sweet Valley Ranch let us live like we did. We waved at chickens, fed goats, and drove that golf cart like we had fences to check.Best part? No chores, no hay bales, no responsibilities—overalls optional.
Stay at Queens Landing and you don’t just get a cabin, you get a farm, at least for a little while.
Be a farmer for a day, or the whole weekend.
We didn’t buy a farm, but it sure felt like it.
Sweet Valley Ranch
2990 Sunnyside School Rd
Fayetteville, NC 28312
www.sweetvalleyranchnc.com
