🦙 If you love fluffy alpacas, a trip to Serenity Alpacas just outside Statesville, NC, under an hour from Charlotte, is the place to go!
Looking for a short and super cute day trip from Charlotte that your kids will love (and you’ll secretly love just as much)? Head to Serenity Alpacas in Stony Point, NC, just under an hour north of the city! This working alpaca farm is a total win for families who want a hands-on animal experience — complete with fuzzy snuggles, kid-friendly fun, and lots of cool alpaca facts.
What You’ll Find at Serenity Alpaca Farm
As soon as you arrive, you’ll be greeted by dozens of curious alpacas — and probably Valerie, the incredibly kind and knowledgeable co-owner. She’s happy to tell you all about alpaca care, fiber spinning, and what makes these animals so special. She might even let you browse handmade scarves or give you the chance to feed a few alpacas by hand (which is hilarious and oddly calming).
Bonus for little ones: There’s a shaded playground area and a covered picnic space, making this farm visit easy to enjoy with young kids.
Yes, You Can Snuggle a Baby Alpaca
If you’re lucky, you’ll get to meet a baby alpaca (called a cria) — and maybe even hold one! On our visit, Javi (Valerie’s husband and farm co-owner) walked over holding a fluffy two-month-old cria and casually asked, “Do you want to hold him?” Uh, YES. He was soft, warm, and seriously therapeutic to cuddle.
Alpaca therapy should totally be a thing.
Fun Alpaca Facts for Your Kids to Share at Dinner
We picked up some fun alpaca trivia you’ll want to share:
- Cria gestation is 380 days. That’s over a year!
- Alpacas get shorn every April. Their fleece is softer than wool and hypoallergenic.
- Younger = fluffier. That soft, plushy coat is at its peak early on.
- Alpacas don’t like to be alone. They’re very social animals.
- Their job titles are hilarious. Some boys are just there to “meet the ladies.”
What to Know Before You Go
- Tours are by reservation only. You can book online.
- Cost:
- $5: Self-guided
- $10: “Alpaca Hug Tour” (worth it!)
- $15: Educational Tour with Valerie
- Bathrooms: Yes
- Stroller-friendly: Mostly gravel — joggers are fine; umbrella strollers may be tricky.
- Leave pets at home. Alpacas are prey animals and spook easily.
- Wear farm-friendly shoes. You’ll be walking through active animal areas.
Make It a Day Trip from Charlotte
With just a 50-minute drive from Uptown Charlotte, Serenity Alpaca Farm is perfect for:
- A weekend family outing
- A birthday surprise
- Or a homeschool field trip packed with science and giggles
You can easily pair this with a meal in downtown Statesville, which has walkable streets, local restaurants, and even a hot air balloon festival if your timing is right.
Touring Serenity Alpaca Farm
Tours are ongoing at the farm, but you do need to make a reservation ahead of time.
Tickets are $5 for the self-guided tour, $10 for an Alpaca Hug Tour, and $15 for an Educational Alpaca Tour. Please leave pets at home and wear shoes you are comfortable getting a little dirty – it’s a working farm.
To book a tour, use the Serenity Alpacas online calendar or give them a call.
If you’d like to have a birthday party there, that’s doable. I mean, I’d love to have a birthday party at an alpaca farm. Just saying.
Serenity Alpacas
226 Walker Valley Drive, Stony Point, NC
Serenity Alpaca Farm Website | Serenity Alpaca Farm Facebook
