Walk Farm Sanctuary with a guide and hear rescue stories
1 hour
Guided walking tour, Animal stories
Explore Farm Sanctuary on a 1-hour educational walking tour and meet rescued farm animals. Learn rescue stories, animal agriculture realities, and how the sanctuary helps animals, people, and the planet.
Closed-toe shoes are required. Strollers, wheelchairs, and walking aids cannot enter animal enclosures. Companion and ADA animals are not allowed on the shelter grounds; they are welcome in the Visitor Barn with a guardian.
Rebook up to 24 hours before the tour by using Change Booking in your confirmation email. Full refund if the operator cancels due to severe weather or other unforeseen circumstances. If the operator cancels due to inclement weather, staff will contact you the morning of your tour.
Register in advance. Walk-ins are subject to availability.
Arrive about 15 minutes early to check in. Tours start promptly, and due to limited staffing you can’t join once the tour has left the Visitor Barn; you may lose your spot to someone on the waitlist.
Wear closed-toe shoes or boots and dress for the weather. Bring a hat, sunscreen, a water bottle, and a raincoat or umbrella if rain is forecasted.
Watkins Glen, NY
This animal sanctuary offers a genuinely moving experience for visitors who want to meet rescued farm animals up close. The grounds are beautifully maintained and peaceful, with opportunities for personalized tours, special events like the Turkey Celebration, and even overnight stays in tiny houses that guests return to year after year. The staff consistently earns praise for being warm, knowledgeable, and deeply committed to the animals in their care. Many visitors describe the experience as life-changing, particularly when hearing the rescue stories and seeing how well the animals are thriving. A few things to know before visiting: the tours focus heavily on the realities of factory farming and animal welfare, which can be emotionally intense. Several parents noted that the opening video and detailed rescue stories may be too graphic for young children, particularly those sensitive to topics about animal suffering. The experience has a strong educational component about veganism and ethical farming practices, which most visitors appreciate, though a couple felt it overshadowed time with the animals themselves. The vegan café gets rave reviews for delicious food. Overall, this is a meaningful destination for animal lovers ready to engage with both the joyful present and difficult past of these rescued creatures.
I recently attended Farm Sanctuary’s Celebration for the Turkeys for the third time, and it was as special and meaningful as ever. The sanctuary itself is absolutely beautiful—peaceful, welcoming, and full of love. Spending time with the rescued animals, and knowing they’re safe and cared for for the rest of their lives, is both humbling and healing. The event was perfectly organized, from the delicious vegan mocktails, charcuterie, and feast to the heartfelt feeding of the turkeys ceremony. Watching the turkeys enjoy their own holiday meal was such a joyful moment. Hearing co-founder Gene Baur speak was inspiring, and every staff member I met was warm, kind, and clearly dedicated to the animals. Farm Sanctuary truly embodies compassion in action. It’s a place that changes hearts and minds—and one I’ll continue to visit and support for years to come.
Amie Freed
November 9, 2025
I recently attended Farm Sanctuary’s Celebration for the Turkeys for the third time, and it was as special and meaningful as ever. The sanctuary itself is absolutely beautiful—peaceful, welcoming, and full of love. Spending time with the rescued animals, and knowing they’re safe and cared for for the rest of their lives, is both humbling and healing. The event was perfectly organized, from the delicious vegan mocktails, charcuterie, and feast to the heartfelt feeding of the turkeys ceremony. Watching the turkeys enjoy their own holiday meal was such a joyful moment. Hearing co-founder Gene Baur speak was inspiring, and every staff member I met was warm, kind, and clearly dedicated to the animals. Farm Sanctuary truly embodies compassion in action. It’s a place that changes hearts and minds—and one I’ll continue to visit and support for years to come.
Amie Freed
November 9, 2025