Public Sanctuary Tour
1-hour guided tour with a public group
Watkins Glen
Overview
- Meeting point
- Watkins Glen
- Group size
- Up to 12 passengers
Rates
| — | Adult |
| — | Teens |
| — | Children |
| — | Young Children |
| — | Adopt a Farm Animal Sponsors |
| — | Comps |
| — | Major Gift/Hilda Club Donors |
| — | Volunteers |
Details
Come meet rescued animals at the nation's first farm animal sanctuary! This is an hour-long educational walking tour. Learn inspiring rescue stories, animal agriculture realities, and what Farm Sanctuary does for animals, people, and the planet.
Advance registration is required.
Walk-ins subject to availability.
The Kitchen is open for lunch from 12pm-3pm Thurs-Sun during May-Oct.
The gift shop is open during tour hours.
Please Note:
- This is a ~1 hour, 1 mile outdoor walking tour (closed-toe shoes required)
- Strollers, wheelchairs, and walking aids cannot enter animal enclosures for safety purposes.
- Tours start promptly at the designated times.
Tickets
Guests must be on a guided tour to enter animal enclosures. You will receive your confirmation and liability waivers via email.
Think exploring at your own pace might be best suited for your party? Consider booking a **Self-Guided Tour**.
About
Nestled in the beautiful Finger Lakes Region of upstate NY, Farm Sanctuary’s 275-acre New York shelter is home to rescued cows, pigs, birds, and other farm animals. Their stories of struggle and survival give us insight into the realities of our modern food system. Animals who began their lives abused and neglected now spend their days digging in the dirt, basking in the sun, and napping in the straw.
Guests are encouraged to view the [Power of Sanctuary] (https://www.farmsanctuary.org/the-power-of-sanctuary) video and to browse our website to learn more about our mission.
Planning Your Visit
Latecomers** will miss part of or lose their spot on the tour. **Arrive 15 minutes early to check in.
The tour path is unpaved.** The road through the sanctuary is composed of compacted dirt and gravel. The path is slippery when wet and dusty when dry. Short segments have a steep grade, include grassy areas, and uneven terrain. There is limited shade and few areas to sit or rest while on the tour.
We want to make sure all our visitors have a safe and comfortable visit. For more information on potential accommodations (including Adopt a Farm Animal visits), please email [email protected] two weeks in advance.
Policies
No-shows are non-refundable.** If you cannot attend your tour, you must notify us at [email protected] **at least 24 hours in advance** to be rebooked or refunded.
Any non-refundable payment will be a general donation to support Farm Sanctuary's rescue, education, and advocacy efforts. This gift will be tax-deductible.
Change of plans? You can **rebook your tickets** to a new time by clicking "Change Booking" in your confirmation email at least 24 hours prior to the tour.
Guests will receive a full refund if a tour gets cancelled due to severe weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
Companion and ADA animals are not allowed on the shelter grounds at any time.** Accompanied by a guardian, they are welcome in our Visitor Barn.
Before you go
We look forward to seeing you! Please remember to sign your waivers before arrival. See link below.
Planning Your Visit:
We are 20 minutes outside the town of Watkins Glen.
Please plan your day accordingly in order to arrive on time. Tours start promptly at the designated times. Please plan to arrive approximately 15 minutes before your tour to check in and secure a spot for your guided tour. Late guests may miss the opportunity to visit our resident animals and their spot will be given to another guest on the waitlist.
Due to limited staffing, latecomers will be unable to join the tour once it has left the Visitor Barn
Waivers:
Before your arrival, each guest must sign the Liability Waiver (adults must sign for minors).** If booking for others, remember to share the Liability Waiver with everyone in your party in advance.
Please note that the tour path is not paved.** The path can be slippery when wet and dusty when dry and has a steep grade. While the tour path itself includes a hardened surface, the animals' pastures include grassy areas and uneven terrain. This may be difficult for those with mobility issues. The walking tour is approximately 1 mile in length with limited shade and areas to sit and rest.
What to Bring:
Check the weather and come wearing weather-appropriate clothing.
-Wear closed toe shoes or boots
-Hat & Sunscreen
-Water Bottle
-Raincoat or umbrella if rain is forecasted
Many of our animals love being in photos so don’t forget your smartphones and cameras!
Companion animals are not allowed on guided tours or shelter grounds at any time.** Please refer to the FAQ on our website for more information on our companion animal policy.
