Visitor Update
Book your 2026 visit now! Interested in touring with a Non-Profit, School Group, or Girl/Boy Scouts? Want to inquire about Virtual Tours? We want to host you! Email [email protected].
The Sanctuary Experience
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 hundreds of 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.
Come for a tour – stay the day!
During your visit, you can take an hour-long guided tour or stroll the grounds on a self-guided tour. After meeting new farm animal friends, enjoy lunch at our garden-to-table cafe, play frisbee on the lawn, and reflect at our Rainbow Bridge memorial. Find cookbooks, literature, apparel, and other local sustainable items at our Sanctuary Shop.
We are located next door to Sugar Hill State Forest, 20 minutes west of Watkins Glen.
Advanced registration required. See below for more information!
“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
Facebook Review
Photo: Jo-Anne McArthur
Sanctuary Tours
2026 Visitor Season
Visit us from April through October. Tours are 60-75 minutes long, but you can spend all day enjoying our offerings. Advance registration is required.
June through August:
- Wednesday through Sunday
April, May, September and October:
- Tours begin on April 18, 2026
- Friday, Saturday and Sunday and select weekdays
The Sanctuary Shop is open on tour days from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays and weekdays in September and October
2026 Visitor Season
Visit us from April through October. Tours are 60-75 minutes long, but you can spend all day enjoying our offerings. Advance registration is required.
June through August:
- Wednesday through Sunday
April, May, September and October:
- Tours begin on April 18, 2026
- Friday, Saturday and Sunday and select weekdays
The Sanctuary Shop is open on tour days from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays and weekdays in September and October
Private tours are available for individuals or groups year round. Great for those looking to have a more intimate experience and animal lovers’ celebrations of all kinds.
Private tours are now available to book online on select days! Request a private tour at an alternate date or time by emailing [email protected].
K-12 classes, Girl and Boy Scouts, summer camps, and youth programs can book complimentary tours by emailing [email protected].
An animal enrichment activity will be included in your visit. Farm Sanctuary Fun Patches are available for Scouts.
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 into animal areas for the safety of the animals, guests, and staff. The residents can become too curious, which can lead to a dangerous situation.
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.
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.
During summer months, please bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a water bottle. Close-toed shoes are always required.
Scenes from Sanctuary
VISIT US
Accommodations
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.
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.
Camping
Immerse yourself in nature with camping at Farm Sanctuary in New York’s scenic Finger Lakes region! Pick the perfect spot for your tent in our camping area, just a short distance from Farm Sanctuary and Sugar Hill State Park. Start each day with a plant-based breakfast at our sanctuary cafe, then meet our rescued animal residents on a guided tour, and visit our shop.
The Kitchen at Farm Sanctuary
The Kitchen at Farm Sanctuary is now closed for the 2025 season and will reopen Spring 2026.
Hours of Operation: Thursday to Sunday, 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Part of a broad program to support kind and sustainable food systems, the cafe and plant-based education center at our Watkins Glen sanctuary serves flavorful vegan meals.
Join us at a place of cuisine, compassion, and community! The Kitchen at Farm Sanctuary will proudly feature ingredients provided by local farmers and grown in our own garden. Soon, we will also host plant-based cooking classes, kids’ activities, and more.
Visitors to our sanctuary can enjoy plant-based meals before or after touring our scenic grounds, meeting our rescued animal residents, and staying in our charming tiny houses or cabins.
You don’t need to be a sanctuary guest to enjoy a meal with us—The Kitchen Café is open to all! No reservation needed, just stop by for a delicious, plant-based lunch and take in the beauty of the sanctuary.
We always have a seat at the table for you!
Plan a visit to Farm Sanctuary New York soon. For more information, email [email protected].
Local & Surrounding Area Vegan Restaurants
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
Black Sheep Inn
Hammondsport, NY
stayblacksheepinn.co
West Lake Manor
Bradford, NY
vegvisits.com/rooms/vegans-in-the-fingerlakes!
Please visit the local Watkins Glen Chamber Commerce website for a comprehensive listing and information on places to stay near Farm Sanctuary.
Local Attractions
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.
Photo: Songquan Deng
Frequently Asked Questions
Closer to the West Coast?
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.
Need More Info?
To book a tour or an accommodation at our Watkins Glen, NY Sanctuary: