Things to Do in Milton

Going from managing ostriches to running a baseball business may seem like a strange jump, but it's just another day in the office for Better Baseball founder Glen Robinson III. In the 1980s, he began raising and selling ostriches and emus as food and as companions for people allergic to pet rocks. A warm spring morning brought an impromptu visit for a customer who was less interested in the massive birds, and more focused on the netting that separated the animals' pens. Soon, Glen was spending more time crafting batting cages than selling his livestock, inspiring him to open what would eventually become Better Baseball.

Today, this bird-free business furnishes players of America's favorite pastime with the gear they need to play Little League, softball, or even college-level games. After taking practice swings inside one of Glen's onsite cages, players can pick up the gloves, glove pads, and eye protection needed to help them catch any pop flies or poorly aimed Cracker Jack from the stands.

Kathy Antar opened The Sewing Studio planning to provide sewing services for design professionals and event producers, but was soon flooded with phone calls and emails from people who simply wanted to know how to use their sewing machines. To meet that need, The Sewing Studio began to offer a selection of beginner, intermediate, and advanced sewing classes. During each 2.5-hour session, students learn how to thread machines, wind the bobbin, and practice various stitches using their own machines. In addition to classes, Kathy custom-designs furniture upholstery, bedding, and window coverings and supplies expert design-consultation services, which can transform a client's dream design into a tactile reality.

At Fairhope Stables, owners Rick and Valerie Adams train professional show horses and guide students through lessons tailored to their individual skill levels. Instruction centers on basics of saddle seat riding and driving. Indoor and outdoor facilities allow the teaching team to host lessons throughout the year. In addition to personal instruction, the duo welcomes aspiring riders between the ages of 7–17 for summer-camp sessions. Campers enjoy riding activities and discussion of topics such as safety, breed characteristics, and whether or not horses understand irony.

A hayride rolls across 50 of Warbington Farms' 300-acres. Riders peer over the side as the tractor turns straight into a pasture where cattle graze and autograph cartons of milk. At the end of this agricultural journey, visitors can enjoy walks through the crisp autumn air, pet farm animals, and stock up on fresh eggs, jams, and ciders. Though a working farm behind the scenes, Warbington Farms prides itself most on creating these sorts of experiences for visitors. In Autumn, Pumpkin Palooza fills the grounds with live music and fall activities, including an inflatable slide and a sandbox filled with corn. Winter brings Christmas trees and visits from Santa, and the spring strawberry festival lets visitors pick their own morsels of fresh fruit.