Lookout Farm Offers a Getaway for a Day [Video]

Tucked away in South Natick, the has been offering beautiful scenery and fruit for picking since 1651, making the it one of the oldest continuously operating farms in the country.

Since the Spring, the strawberries have been growing and ripening to perfection and finally, they are ready to enjoy. Last year, the berries were ripe by Memorial Day weekend and were devoured by the third week in June, according to Nina Colburn, the farm's event and marketing manager.

"When I was a kid, we never had strawberries until the middle of June, so believe it or not, this is the way it used to be," said Colburn, who has worked on the farm for the past three years.

While strawberries are the only fruits currently in season on the farm, the 180-acre farm also boasts 20,000 apple trees, 20,000 stone fruit trees (peaches, plums and nectarines) and 20,000 Asian pear trees, which will be in season in August.

"We have people, honestly, that come by the busload from the city because Asian pears are so hard to find," said Colburn, as she drove around the property in the farm Jeep, keeping track of the group of school children who were visiting for the day. "You crunch it just like an apple, but it tastes like a pear."

With plenty of field space for BBQ, a kiddy train, pony and camel rides and other farm animals, Lookout Farm has become a popular spot for corporate events, kids' birthday parties and families wanting to get away from the chaos of the week.

"If you live in a city or you live in an apartment, even if you live in an apartment in Natick, it's a great place to get out," said Colburn.

The farm is open for strawberry picking, live entertainment, train rides and other kid-friendly activities every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Strawberries are $6 per quart and admission is $8 per person; children under two are free. For more information, call the farm at 508–653–0653.