Farm Sanctuary is a haven to hundreds of rescued farm animals who live at our peaceful shelters in Watkins Glen, New York, and Acton, California. On our guided tours (which garnered a Newsweek Readers’ Choice Award in 2025!), you can meet these resilient individuals and hear how they’re inspiring compassion for farm animals everywhere.

*Please note: Advanced registration is required for tours of our New York and California sanctuaries. Tours are available year-round in CA and beginning on April 18 in NY.

Have you planned your trip to visit Farm Sanctuary yet? Here are nine great reasons to do it today!

Introducing virtual tours! New this year, our virtual tours offer the chance to “meet” rescued farm animals, hear about their journeys to sanctuary, and see them happily enjoying their home, all from the comfort of your own home. To request your virtual visit, email us at [email protected].

Whether you join us in person or virtually, you’ll be moved by the inspiring stories of our rescued residents. Some have been saved from cruelty or neglect, while others have been surrendered into our forever care. Whatever their journeys have been, all have found compassion and friendship at Farm Sanctuary.

Are you feeling cooped up? The warmer weather is here, and it’s the perfect time to get outside and connect with nature. Come recharge at our 275-acre New York sanctuary or 26-acre California sanctuary, where you can slow down, take a breath, and enjoy a peaceful day with happy new animal friends. In NY, take a Self-Guided Tour to enjoy strolling at your own pace.

Both of our sanctuaries are right near popular destinations with endless activities! In New York, we’re next door to a beautiful state park in the Finger Lakes, a region filled with hiking trails, wineries, waterfalls, and the Watkins Glen International speedway. In California, it’s a quick drive from Acton to Los Angeles and the dazzling sights of Hollywood, like the Griffith Observatory and the Walk of Fame, plus plenty of good vegan food.

To encourage understanding of farm animals everywhere, we’ve expanded our sanctuary tours this year, incorporating more demonstrations of the enrichment we offer our rescued residents. From engaging treat toys to music, grooming brushes, and more, enrichment is vital to the cognitive, emotional, and social lives of farm animals, and you’ll hear why on our informative tours.

At our New York location, you can enjoy delicious plant-based foods without leaving our scenic grounds. Savor a vegan meal at The Kitchen at Farm Sanctuary, where we use produce grown right in our own garden or purchased from nearby farms to support our community and local food systems.

We’re living through uncertain and often heartbreaking times, but there is kindness in this world, and there are other people who, like you, are making it a kinder world every day. Take a moment to heal your heart in a place where gentle care erases the wounds left by cruelty, and where visitors leave inspired to spread compassion every day.

New this year in Watkins Glen (summer Saturdays only), we offer child-focused tours! While all of our tours are family-friendly, the discussions in these new tours are specifically designed for ages 4-10. Also new in Watkins Glen, participate in our Barnyard Book Buddies youth literacy program, where you can borrow a book and read to the rescues. Bring the compassionate kid in your life to nurture their kindness and help them learn more about farm animals!

At Farm Sanctuary, you’ll learn about issues facing farm animals and how you can continue to make a positive difference once you’re back home. Each day, you can make compassionate choices that create change for animals, your community, and the planet—and we can help! Come learn more.