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Visit Us

Watkins Glen, New York

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Visitor Update

Public tour season at our NY shelter will open in May 2024. Booking is open to reserve your guided tour! Private tours are available year round and are available to book online (weather permitting)! Email [email protected] for more info.

The Sanctuary Experience

Guest with sheep at Farm Sanctuary, credit Jo-Anne McArthur

Photo: Jo-Anne McArthur

Nestled in the beautiful Finger Lakes Region of upstate New York, the rolling green pastures of Farm Sanctuary’s 275-acre New York shelter are home to more than 400 rescued cows, pigs, turkeys, and other farm animals — and each has a special story. Their stories of struggle and survival, against all odds, give the public insight into the realities farm animals face in the modern food system, but also introduce us to inspiring individuals through their heartwarming tales.

During your visit to our Sanctuary, you can take an hour-long tour of the Sanctuary with one of our Sanctuary Guides, meeting our rescued residents along the way! After meeting our farm animal friends, visit our Sanctuary Shop, which contains literature, cookbooks, apparel, and other souvenirs.

We are located next door to Sugar Hill State Forest, 20 minutes west of Watkins Glen.

Advanced registration required. See below for more information!

BOOK A TOUR
Guest with pig at Farm Sanctuary, credit Jo-Anne McArthur
“A beautiful and peaceful slice of heaven! All the staff were so friendly and accommodating and the animals were extremely happy and well cared for.”
- Cheryl, Farm Sanctuary Visitor
Facebook Review

Photo: Jo-Anne McArthur

Sanctuary Tours

Vertical explainer photo 1 - Farm Sanctuary tour guide gives a tour at the Farm Animal Care Conference

Our 2024 Public tour season commences May 2024

Guided tours are offered May through October. Visits are approximately an hour long and start promptly! Please plan to arrive 15 minutes ahead of your tour. Advance registration is required.

June through August:

  • Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
  • The Sanctuary Shop is open during tour season from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from Wednesday-Sunday

May, September and October:

  • Friday, Saturday and Sunday and select weekdays in September and October
  • The Sanctuary Shop is open during tour season from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays and weekdays in September and October
Book Your Tour
Farm Sanctuary tour guide gives a tour at the Farm Animal Care Conference

Our 2024 Public tour season commences May 2024

Guided tours are offered May through October. Visits are approximately an hour long and start promptly! Please plan to arrive 15 minutes ahead of your tour. Advance registration is required.

June through August:

  • Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
  • The Sanctuary Shop is open during tour season from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from Wednesday-Sunday

May, September and October:

  • Friday, Saturday and Sunday and select weekdays in September and October
  • The Sanctuary Shop is open during tour season from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays and weekdays in September and October
Book Your Tour
Snickerdoodle and Michael Morgan calves at Farm Sanctuary.

Private tours are available for individuals or groups year round.

A limited number of private tours are now available to book online on select days! Your group of up to 8 guests will enjoy an intimate hour long visit, exclusively for you, led by one of our Sanctuary Guides. If you desire a private tour on an alternate date or time, please email [email protected] and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

Price: $250 (fixed rate)

Book Now
ducklings

Admission charges will be waived for middle school and high school children that are visiting Farm Sanctuary as part of a school group tour. School group tours are limited to ages 12 and older.

For additional information, or to book a school group tour, please contact [email protected].

Nikki and piglets at Farm Sanctuary

The research on the transmission of COVID-19 to animals is ongoing, and as such, we will be taking extra precautions to protect our animal residents, including reduced capacity.

Our main priority is to keep guests, animal residents, and our staff safe! If anyone in your group is feeling unwell, please contact us directly to cancel or reschedule your tour. We thank you for helping us in this effort.

Farm Sanctuary does not discriminate against sanctuary visitors on the basis of a person’s disability and will work to provide reasonable accommodations to visitors who need such accommodations to ensure equal access to our tours, programs, services, events, and activities. We want to make sure that all of our visitors have a meaningful and safe experience and are comfortable during a visit to our Sanctuaries. Therefore, we encourage individuals with disabilities who may have special accommodation requests to make a prior arrangement. To set up arrangements or for more information about accommodations that we can make, please contact [email protected] or call 607-583-2225 x278.

We cannot bring wheelchairs or walkers in with the cattle or pigs for the safety of the animals, guests, and staff. The residents can become too curious, which can lead to a dangerous situation. Our staff will try our best to facilitate cattle and pig interactions over the fence or gate, though we cannot guarantee that the animal residents will interact.

We cannot bring power wheelchairs into any animal area since they have a higher potential to hurt our residents. Manual wheelchairs are permitted in certain enclosures.

Please note there is limited shade and seating areas while on the tour. The road through the shelter area is used by farm equipment and is largely composed of compacted dirt and gravel. The path can be slippery when wet and dusty when dry. Short segments of the tour path have a steep grade. While the tour path itself includes a hardened surface, the connections to the animal enclosures may include grassy areas and uneven terrain.

During winter months, please wear boots and winter apparel that will keep you warm as we will be outside for an hour. Please note that there may be snow and ice along the tour path.

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Accommodations

Tiny house in summer at Farm Sanctuary
Cabins at Farm Sanctuary

Tiny Houses

Immerse yourself in the Farm Sanctuary experience with a stay at one of our luxurious Tiny Houses at our New York shelter. Sip your cup of coffee on the front porch and watch the pigs frolic in the adjacent pasture before starting your day with a private tour only for those staying in Sanctuary accommodations. A complimentary breakfast and a guided sanctuary tour is included every morning of your stay.

Note: You must be a Farm Sanctuary member to book. Become a member for a full year with a simple $25 donation.

Learn more

Cabins

Snuggle up in one of our cozy cabins and start living the Farm Sanctuary life! You’ll enjoy stunning views of our picturesque location in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York while learning about farm animal issues and forging a closer bond with the rescued animals at our shelter. A complimentary breakfast and a guided sanctuary tour is included every morning of your stay.

Note: You must be a Farm Sanctuary member to book. Become a member for a full year with a simple $25 donation.

Learn more
Tiny house in summer at Farm Sanctuary

Tiny Houses

Immerse yourself in the Farm Sanctuary experience with a stay at one of our luxurious Tiny Houses at our New York shelter. Sip your cup of coffee on the front porch and watch the pigs frolic in the adjacent pasture before starting your day with a private tour only for those staying in Sanctuary accommodations. A complimentary breakfast and a guided sanctuary tour is included every morning of your stay.

Note: You must be a Farm Sanctuary member to book. Become a member for a full year with a simple $25 donation.

Learn more
Cabins at Farm Sanctuary

Cabins

Snuggle up in one of our cozy cabins and start living the Farm Sanctuary life! You’ll enjoy stunning views of our picturesque location in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York while learning about farm animal issues and forging a closer bond with the rescued animals at our shelter. A complimentary breakfast and a guided sanctuary tour is included every morning of your stay.

Note: You must be a Farm Sanctuary member to book. Become a member for a full year with a simple $25 donation.

Learn more

Local & Surrounding Area Vegan Restaurants

Beyond Meat wraps at Farm Sanctuary event

Grandma’s Kitchen
123 South Catherine Street (Route 14)
Montour Falls, NY 14865
grandmaskitchenmontourfalls.com

Green Elephant’s Thai Vegan Restaurant
507 N Franklin St
Watkins Glen, NY 14891
greenelephantsthaivegan.com

AngelHearts
401 E State Street, Suite G2
Ithaca, New York 14850
angelheartsdiner.com

Parlor City Vegan
81 Clinton Street
Binghamton, NY 13905
parlorcityvegan.com

For area restaurants with vegan options, visit Happy Cow.

Visiting a winery, brewery or distillery? Visit Barnivore, your vegan beer, wine and liquor guide.

Getting to Farm Sanctuary

Farm Sanctuary’s New York shelter is located just west of Watkins Glen in the Finger Lakes region of New York. The Sanctuary is one-and-a-half hours southeast of Rochester and half an hour north of Elmira.

Physical address (for mapping purposes only):
3136 Aikens Rd
Watkins Glen, NY 14891

Please note: It is best to use our driving directions once you reach Watkins Glen as navigation apps might direct you to take small, unmarked seasonal roads through the surrounding forest. Mail may not be sent to this address. All Farm Sanctuary mail should be sent to PO Box 150, Watkins Glen, NY 14891.

Farm Sanctuary’s New York shelter is located just west of Watkins Glen in the Finger Lakes region of New York. The Sanctuary is one-and-a-half hours southeast of Rochester and half an hour north of Elmira.

Physical address (for mapping purposes only):
3136 Aikens Rd
Watkins Glen, NY 14891

Please note: It is best to use our driving directions once you reach Watkins Glen as navigation apps might direct you to take small, unmarked seasonal roads through the surrounding forest. Mail may not be sent to this address. All Farm Sanctuary mail should be sent to PO Box 150, Watkins Glen, NY 14891.

From Watkins Glen

  • From Route 14/Franklin Street, head West on Fourth Street/Route 409
  • Turn right onto Route 23/28
  • Stay on Route 23 as it branches off to the left (one mile)
  • Continue on Route 23 for eight miles and then turn left onto Aikens Road
  • Follow Aikens Road for two miles until you see the Farm Sanctuary Visitor Barn on the left. Look for Farm Sanctuary signs along the way

From Rochester

  • Take 390 S to 17E (86) and then take Savona Exit 40
  • Turn left on Route 226 North, then right on Route 23
  • Take a right on Aikens Road and proceed two miles to the Visitor Barn

Please note: Route 17 is also Interstate 86.

Unfortunately, there is not any public transportation available that will take you to the Sanctuary. If you are flying or taking the bus, you will need to rent a car or take a taxi to the Sanctuary. Taxi rides do need to be scheduled in advance.

Elmira/Corning Regional Airport
45 minutes from the Sanctuary.

Ithaca Regional Airport
1 hour from the Sanctuary.

Rochester Airport
1.5 hours from the Sanctuary.

Taxi Services
Elmira/Corning Regional Airport
Bells Taxi
1 hour notice required; approximately $75.
607-731-8801 • 607-731-8880

Ithaca & Elmira Airports
Ithaca Dispatch Inc.
1 day or several hours’ notice preferred, approximately $80.
607-277-7777

Bus Transportation
Greyhound 800-231-2222
Shortline 607-734-2001
NY Trailways 800-295-5555
Coach USA 800-647-6471

Car Rentals
Avis 800-831-2847
Enterprise 800-325-8007
Hertz 800-654-3131
National 800-227-7368

Area Accommodations

Eric and Rory pigs at Farm Sanctuary

Black Sheep Inn
Hammondsport, NY
stayblacksheepinn.com

Ginger Cat Bed and Breakfast
2475 Altay Road
Rock Stream, NY 14878
gingercat-bb.com

Cozy Private Home
Watkins Glen, NY
(5 minutes from Farm Sanctuary)
vegvisits.com/rooms/45378

Please visit the local Watkins Glen Chamber Commerce website for a comprehensive listing and information on places to stay near Farm Sanctuary.

Local Attractions

Waterfall in Watkins Glen, NY, Credit, Songquan Deng

Photo: Songquan Deng

The Finger Lakes area is alive with opportunities for exploration! Visit local wineries, hike gorges and waterfalls, or stroll through an area museum. Some highlights include the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, Watkins Glen State Park, the Corning Museum of Glass, and Ithaca’s many waterfalls.

For a comprehensive list, visit Explore Watkins Glen or the Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance.

Waterfall in Watkins Glen, NY, Credit, Songquan Deng

Photo: Songquan Deng

Frequently Asked Questions

For their safety and that of our animal residents, companion animals are not allowed on guided tours or on the shelter grounds at any time. Dogs are welcome in our Visitor Center provided they are on a leash; however, they may not be left unattended in the Visitor Center. Please do not leave companion animals inside your vehicle while you are visiting as temperatures inside of a vehicle can reach life-threatening conditions very quickly, even with windows open. If you are planning to bring your companion animals to Farm Sanctuary, please make sure that you have someone to watch them while you are touring our shelter. If a companion animal is found unattended on shelter grounds or in parking areas, Farm Sanctuary staff may call the police to investigate. Thank you for your cooperation.

In order to ensure the safety of our staff, volunteers, visitors, resident animals, and visiting service animals (under the ADA, a service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability), certain areas of the sanctuary are accessible only by staff, our resident animals, and visiting guests. A clean and safe area can be made available for a service dog during a guest’s visit to restricted areas. Please note that the restricted areas include all resident animal enclosures. For any other species of service animal, please contact us so that we can determine whether accommodation may be made. Contacting us in advance to make arrangements for service animals is strongly encouraged to assist us in preparing appropriate accommodations for the service animal upon arrival. Please contact [email protected].

Farm Sanctuary does not discriminate against Sanctuary visitors on the basis of a person’s disability and will work to provide reasonable accommodations to visitors who need such accommodations to ensure equal access to our tours, programs, services, events, and activities. We want to make sure that all of our visitors have a meaningful and safe experience and are comfortable during a visit to our Sanctuaries. Therefore, we encourage individuals with disabilities who may have special accommodation requests to make a prior arrangement. To set up arrangements or for more information about accommodations we can make, please contact [email protected].

Photos and/or videos taken on the premises taken by visitors are for personal use only and may not be distributed to the public or used for commercial or fundraising purposes without Farm Sanctuary’s prior written consent.

Photos or videos posted on personal social media sites should be tagged #farmsanctuary.

Closer to the West Coast?

Cows outside Farm Sanctuary

Our 26-acre Southern California Sanctuary is located on a beautiful hacienda ranch in Acton, just 45 minutes from Hollywood, and provides Sanctuary for approximately 100 animals.

Learn More

Need More Info?

To book a tour or an accommodation at our Watkins Glen, NY Sanctuary:

607-583-2225 (x278 tours, x355 stays)

Connie sheep at Farm Sanctuary

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