text: Watkins Glen, NY - Farm Sanctuary
  As a precautionary measure due to COVID-19 concerns, we are temporarily suspending public programs and events at our Sanctuaries at least through the end of September. This includes all tours, visitors, accommodations, and volunteer opportunities.
  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 800 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.
  "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
  Tour Schedule & Prices - +
  The New York Sanctuary is open to visitors from May through October according to the schedule below. Tours start promptly on the hour. Please plan to arrive approximately 15 minutes prior to your tour to have time to sign in.
  Due to weather and staffing, the New York Shelter is closed to visitors from November through April. We encourage you to get to know our animals through our animal rescue stories.
  Before Your Tour - +
  Review the tour-day closures
  Check the weather and come prepared
  Please bring warm clothes, umbrellas, water bottles, sunscreen, etc., as appropriate. Comfortable, closed-toe footwear is advisable during any sanctuary visit. If it has rained in the past week, we recommend waterproof boots, as the Sanctuary gets very muddy.
  Tour-Day Closures - +
  We are currently closed for events and tours
  Group Tours - +
  Farm Sanctuary also offers private group tours.
  Private group tours are $10 per person with a minimum charge of $150.
  School Groups: Admission charges will be waived for middle school and high school children that are visiting Farm Sanctuary as part of a school group tour.
  Group tours need to be scheduled in advance and all minors will need to have a liability release signed by their parent or guardian before the tour. If you would like to arrange a group tour or want additional information, please contact [email protected].
  For important safety reasons concerning our tour guests and the animals, school group tours are limited to ages 12 and older.
  Liability Waivers - +
  All guests 18 or older will be required to sign a liability waiver upon arrival at the Sanctuary. Anyone under 18 will need to have a waiver signed on their behalf by a parent or guardian. If you are bringing children to the Sanctuary for whom you do not have guardianship, please email [email protected] or click here for a copy of the waiver to have signed before the tour.
  Tour-Day Closures
  Scenes from Sanctuary
  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.
  Getting to Farm Sanctuary
  Address - +
  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.
  Driving Directions - +
  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
  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.
  Transportation Information - +
  Please visit the local Chamber of Commerce or lodging association website for a comprehensive listing and information on places to stay near Farm Sanctuary. For your convenience, we've included a list of guest picks.
  Please make sure to mention that you are visiting Farm Sanctuary when you make your reservation. Thank you!
  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.
  Can I bring my companion animal?
  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, 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].
  Is Farm Sanctuary accessible?
  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].
  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.