Exotic Animal Farm Kansas Style

Julie greets a friend.

Ah, memories!

We are currently in the thick of sorting through and packing up our belongings. We are taking this opportunity, then, to go through many photos of people we've met and places we have traveled, especially these last 26 years while living in Kansas.

One nearby gem we went to a few years ago was Hedrick's Exotic Animal Farm and Bed & Breakfast. Our daughter and her husband had stayed there and recommended it to us. 

One of the things I have enjoyed the most about living in Kansas is that we live in a city, but are surrounded by the country.

I grew up in a busy metropolitan city area and my husband in more of a rural farm setting. The Wichita area has beautifully provided both of those life experiences for us.

Hedrick's Exotic Animal Farm is about an hour northwest of our Wichita home. The Farm and Bed & Breakfast are owned and operated by Joe and Sondra Hedrick, native Kansas ranchers.

The farm provides tours to the Bed & Breakfast guests, school groups, families, and other groups. They raise and breed both domestic and exotic animals which, in addition to their local educational activities, they take to fairs around the country.

Hedrick's, just west of Hutchinson, Kansas.

Different from any typical zoo experience, one of their staff guides you on an educational and entertaining tour experience. It’s very interactive. You will be taken into areas where you can actually touch, feed, and experience the animals up close and personal. 

Lyndon poses with a new friend.

The tour will educate you about the large variety of exotics and domestics that they have on their farm. We had the opportunity to feed and pet kangaroos, and interact with a beautiful giraffe.

Probably my favorite experience was feeding the giraffes. You could put the sweet potato stick on your hand or in your mouth for them to take. For such a large animal, they were surprisingly gentle.  

I think Lyndon really enjoyed interacting and petting all the animals. He also really liked the camel ride. I, on the other hand, was a bit scared, but I did take that very bumpy ride as well.

We also were there just hours after the birth of a baby camel. Amazing to see the size of the “baby”!

Is it bad to say that I don’t remember all that much about the Bed & Breakfast? It was fine, or I would remember more if it was awful! I think we stayed in a themed room, one decorated like an African Safari.

At any rate, the experience with the animals is what really still stands out in my mind. They have zebras, ostriches, and a whole host of other well-cared for animals as well.

We highly recommend a visit if you are in the Wichita area. For more information visit their website.

Have you visited something 'exotic' near where you live? We've discovered that you don't have to travel very far in order to discover and experience an interesting adventure! Comment below and share your stories! We'd love to hear what you've experienced 'just next door.'

One mean ostrich! We did not pet this bird!