Are you seeking more alpaca action in your life? Do you crave the sight of fluffy fur clouds? Come join me on a joyous tour of an alpaca and llama farm in Williamstown, MA to satiate these cravings!
The spot where these cuddly creatures roam is called Sweet Brook Farm, and it is SO worth a visit if you’re anywhere around Western Massachusetts. Even if you don’t enjoy alpacas (WHAT?!) the farm’s views of the Berkshire Mountains are priceless. Our two young kids cavorted through the fields, gulping in sunshine and ogling the animals.
Sweet Brook Farm is over 100 years old (it’s part of the elite “Century Farmers” club), and is run by a man named Pete who represents the seventh generation of Phelps family farm owners. That’s a lot of generations!
In addition to raising alpacas, the farm makes its own maple syrup. (When I called to fact-check this article, Sweet Brook was deep in March maple syrup production.) The farm’s syrup is so good, that we took home a bottle and used it on our waffles today, back home in Boston.
Our son was particularly entranced by the farm store, which features alpaca wool socks (my husband bought some purple ones and refuses to take them off, they’re so comfy), syrup, and… the poofy alpaca doll that little Devi wanted to marry.
“Mama! It’s so SOFT!” Devi cooed, cradling the alpaca doll.
His toddler sister, Jojo, snagged her own doll, grunting, “My ‘Paca. MINE. ONLY MINE.” (Yes, she is doing the Terrible Twos thing like a champ.)
Our girl sleeps with “‘Paca” to this day, and he’s held up surprisingly well, despite the baby drool now mingled with his fur.
Let’s head back outside and meet the actual alpacas, shall we? First, the winner for best hair goes to this ‘paca, pictured above. Though the alpacas had been recently shorn and were all sporting jaunty buzz cuts on their coats, this one kept a shock of spikes on its head, eyes peeking from under the bangs like a too-cool teenager.
Why alpacas? Farmer Pete decided to shift away from cows and towards fiber-producing animals, and concluded that alpacas were a more delightful choice than sheep to reach that goal. The farm got its first alpaca, Mimi, in 2007. Sweet Brook Farm now has 16 charming alpacas… and one llama named Zabu.
I applaud Pete’s choice of animals. My own alpaca obsession began in 2014 when our family stumbled upon an alpaca farm in Martha’s Vineyard, of all places. I shall never forget that first moment of touching alpaca fur — a coat so thick and deep that my hand sank completely out of view. I wanted to swim in that fur.
Taking this alpaca love to the next level, I planned trip to Peru for February to see llamas and alpacas in the wild. Alas, I had to unexpectedly cancel the trip when it came time to get on the plane, due to delirious fever that would not have matched well with 11,000-foot altitude of Cuzco. I shall continue my quest to seek out alpacas in every corner of the world, however — starting with my own state of Massachusetts!
Here, now, are some tips, should you plan to stop by Sweet Brook Farm. Parking is free, and the hours are 10am to 5pm, year round. Their Facebook page and TripAdvisor page have some useful details, as well as the address and contact options.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a wedding venue, Sweet Brook Farm offers its rolling hills for a picturesque option. As much as I loved our reality TV wedding in Boston, I have a slight pang of regret that I did not ride into matrimony on the back of an alpaca.
For nearby eating, I HIGHLY recommend this Williamstown restaurant, The Store at Five Corners, keeping with the theme of eating locally-produced, high-quality goodies, and history-steeped shops that are over a century old. Drat — now I’m hungry for their fresh pizza.
Want culture? Right near Sweet Brook Farm in North Adams sits MASS MoCA, one of the best modern art museums in the United States. Meanwhile, the Clark Art Museum stands strong, just up the road in Williamstown, itself.
Seeking accommodations around Williamstown? Here are some options. (Note: These are affiliates that provide a small commission on purchase or click, at no extra cost to you.)
- Here’s an easy link to the top-rated hotels around Williamstown.
- Our favorite site to rent a whole home or condo is this one. (We used it for this trip to find a house with great mountain views, and economically stuffed it with family!)
- This is another vacation home rental site that has some excellent deals.
I’ve traveled all over the world, but am always awed by the splendor of New England, just a three hour drive from my home in Boston. We had a such good time in Williamstown (in part because of Sweet Brook Farm and its joy-inducing alpacas) that we are going back to Western Massachusetts for a week again this summer! Will we go see the alpacas again? You bet.
So what do YOU think? Have you ever been to Western Massachusetts? To Sweet Brook Farm? Do you also feel alpaca adoration? Do share!
Vanessa Ball says
Never been to Western Massachusetts but if I do I’d love to visit this place, the photos are just awesome, you just fall in love with the faces of these fluffy alpacas. The scenery looks fabulous too!
Kirstie says
I love love love these photos! Llamas and alpacas are the best!
Lillie says
Yesssssss!
Lori says
We had an Alpaca farm in northern VA that we visited on the annual farm tour, always fun although they didn’t have maple syrup. Great tips for western Mass especially that you included the museums. We saw plenty of Alpacas in Peru, and should you decide to visit there brace yourself because they’re also on the menu just about everywhere.
Lillie says
Oh my goodness! Thanks for the heads-up!
Kate Rebel says
Oh my gooooshh, how can alpaca’s be so adorable? The pictures are hilarious and I love that you can get stuffed ones too! I am actually not sure if I’ve ever seen one in my life – probably somewhere in a zoo – but can’t really recall. Maybe it’s time for some alpaca action for me! Great idea for family quality time though!
Lillie says
It sure is time for some alpaca action! Can that be the new trending hashtag for this year?
Alice Teacake says
I am in LOVE with alpacas! They are so adorable (and they make woolly jumpers yay!). If you can’t make it to Peru, this is certainly a good start 😀
Medha Verma says
Sweet Brook Farm sounds like an amazing place for kids (and even for me, actually!). Can you believe it, I’ve never seen Alpacas! They’re such cute animals and mostly found in cold countries, maybe that’s why. The alpaca cuddly toys are super cute too, I’d be sure to pick one for myself (I’m in my 30s, but who cares!). Alpaca wool scarves must be so warm!
Lillie says
The day you finally see (or even cuddle) an alpaca in person will be a great one, for sure!
Fiona Maclean says
I have to confess I think I might do a terrible twos myself if I got my hands on one of those cute alpaca toys! Definitely MINE.
It’s lovely when you can combine education with such a fun visit isn’t it?
Lillie says
Hah! We all have our Terrible Twos moments, and that doll might just be the trigger!
Sarah Jay says
I would like to take my children to llama farms. They are so cute and fluffy that I want to take one home for my children. Even I love taking care of llama.
Christina Pfeiffer says
Alpacas are amazingly intelligent animals. They have such soulful and expressive eyes. We have six of them on our farm – they look after the little lambs and keep the foxes away.
Dolf says
They look so cute and fluffy! And looking at your pictures and reading through your post, actually makes me laugh 🙂
Lillie says
Alpacas make me giggle, too!
Sarah says
They’re really adorable. Maybe I’m missing alpacas in my life!?
Robbie says
I love llamas!
Eleanor H. says
Oh my goodness! These alpacas (and llama) are so, amazingly, FLUFFY!!! The homemade syrup sounds amazing, and your children are so adorable! I will be sure to check that out, along with the Store at Five Corners!
Lillie says
Let me know what you think!
Tamara says
They are so cute! We have visited a llama farm in the past but I think I need to take my daughter to see these alpacas.
Dianne says
These guys are the absolute cutest! I want to bring one home!!!
Lulu says
OMG! This was truly beautiful, and the alpaca fluff has transformed my world of melancholy to a world of beauty and color. I myself have only greeted a few alpacas on rare occasions, so reading this article gave me a peek into the world of alpacas!
Kaylee says
I love alpacas so much!
Khanh says
OMG THE ALPACAS ARE SO ADORABLE AND FLUFFEH!!! I just couldn’t help myself so I tried to pet the fluffy little guys through my computer screens. That’s so cool that for you and your family to see alpacas and the amazingly beautiful landscapes. Definitely putting this on my bucket list. UGH! All I want to do now is to dive into a pool of fluffy alpacas!
Lillie says
Haha! Right?!
Jody Robbins says
You had me at the farm store and homemade maple syrup! This looks like an ideal spot for families to visit.
Lillie says
You just gotta go in with a plan to not be tempted to buy the whole store! Or save up the whole year for it. Hehe.
Diana Rowe says
So much fun! Our family loves visiting llama farms – those animals are so adorable and soft!
Lillie says
You’re reminding me that I should time our next visit for right before their haircuts, so we can experience full fur fluff!
Karen says
They are even more adorable in person!
We have an alpaca farm in Rehoboth, MA.
kaverockalpaca.com
Lillie says
Ahh! Thanks for the tip — I’ll have to come visit the next time I’m down that way. Let the grand tour of all alpacas in New England continue!
Dave M. says
Such great pics of a magical place! It’s funny how their fur sometimes looks like a carpet…