A Wonderful Weekend at Farm Sanctuary in New York

Did you know that you can stay overnight at an animal sanctuary? Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, New York is a wonderful place to connect with rescued animals while enjoying the beauty of the surrounding countryside.

Located in the stunning Finger Lakes region, we're going to show you how to have an amazing weekend at Farm Sanctuary. This includes sleeping overnight in an idyllic accommodation, a tour of the property, plus other exciting destinations to visit in the area.

We first visited and stayed at one of Farm Sanctuary's cabins all the way back in 2013. In fact, this was one of our first vacations as travel bloggers and one of our first blog posts!

It's really a full circle moment that we had the opportunity to return to Farm Sanctuary over 13 years later.

This post is brought to you by Farm Sanctuary.

What is Farm Sanctuary?

Founded in 1986 by Gene Baur, Farm Sanctuary is a non-profit, charitable organization that was the first animal sanctuary for rescued farmed animals in the United States. It's also the largest farm animal rescue group and protection organization in the country.

Farm Sanctuary has two animal sanctuaries: their original location in Watkins Glen, New York and one in southern California near Los Angeles. They combat the disastrous impacts of animal agriculture and factory farming on animals, the environment, people, and public health.

Farm Sanctuary works under three pillars: rescue, educate and advocate. Over the years, Farm Sanctuary has provided a safe haven for thousands of farm animals. Each is an individual with their own story.

Then, it's all about education through sanctuary tours, humane education in classrooms, research projects, and growing public awareness of the harmful effects of factory farming.

And finally, Farm Sanctuary advocates on behalf of the voiceless. They take action for animals by fighting for change in government policies.

For a visual overview about Farm Sanctuary, their mission, and the good that they do, I suggest you watch their video, The Power of Sanctuary. This video is shown in the Visitor Barn before public tours of the property. You can watch it from anywhere in the world, too!

Our Stay at a Tiny House at Farm Sanctuary

It's possible to stay overnight at Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, NY. There are three tiny houses, three cabins and one lux cabin. Justin and I spent two nights at Tiny House 5.

The tiny houses are situated in a row with their own parking space out front. Even though the little homes are beside one another, there's still plenty of privacy. We loved having our own front porch with two chairs, so we could sit with a cup of coffee and look out to the pastures.

Sometimes we saw pigs frolicking a short distance from our house in the pasture. And I'm not sure if it was just the time of year when we visited (the fall), but we saw so many deer!

Particularly at dusk, dozens of deer bounded over the fences and wandered across the property. It was a nice surprise to see so much wildlife thriving throughout this natural space.

Tiny House 5 is Named After Marjorie

Tiny House 5 is dedicated to Marjorie the goat. Marjorie's story is displayed prominently on the wall. Marjorie was part of a neglect case in the Finger Lakes region where six goats and four chickens were rescued.

Marjorie was pregnant and she gave birth to her son, Gabriel, who she absolutely adored. In a rare situation for farm animals, Marjorie and Gabriel were not separated once Gabriel was born. They were able to live out their lives together and they were inseparable.

This mother and son often slept with their front legs or their necks intertwined. Even though Gabriel passed away from neurological issues, he was born free. He had a happy life and was able to spend it with his mom.

A Tour of Tiny House 5

Allow me to take you on a little tour of Tiny House 5! We immediately noticed a little sign personally welcoming us to the accommodation, perched on the desk. We always love that personal touch to make a stay even more special.

There's a living room with the most brilliant artwork splashed across the main wall featuring plants and forest creatures. At the same time, there are many photos of rescued animal residents adorning the walls of the tiny house, too.

In the living room, there's a sofa, coffee table, chair, desk and small flatscreen TV. Moving onto the kitchen, there's a fridge, stovetop, microwave, toaster, kettle and coffee maker. It essentially has everything you'd need for cooking some basic meals or storing/reheating some leftovers.

There are compostable coffee pods and single serve oat milk creamers (I think we used nearly all of them across our two days at Farm Sanctuary since we love our coffee). I usually can't find a good cup of coffee when I'm staying at a hotel. This couldn't be farther from the truth at Farm Sanctuary as we actually had excellent cups of coffee here!

The bed is super comfortable for a good night's sleep. Unlike some tiny houses and glamping accommodations, there's a full bathroom in Farm Sanctuary's tiny houses.

There's a toilet, sink, and shower, plus they provide guests with vegan and cruelty-free bath products, Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Magic Soap (good for washing your body, face and hair!).

Breakfast at Farm Sanctuary

Every overnight stay comes with breakfast at The Kitchen, which is attached to the main Visitor Barn. It's served between 7:45am and 8:45am, perfect timing as the private farm tour starts at 9:00am.

We were treated to two different breakfasts during our stay. On the first morning, we had breakfast tacos with a taco mix, greens and vegan sour cream. There was also some yogurt and fruit.

On the second morning, there was a tofu scramble, tofu bacon, sauteed greens, and some yogurt and fruit. Many of the ingredients are sourced directly from their own garden (we saw a wheelbarrow full of foraged Swiss chard!) and others are sourced from nearby local farms and producers (like the tofu).

More Cabins & Accommodations

There are other accommodations aside from the tiny houses. While the tiny houses are newer additions to Farm Sanctuary's overnight stays, there are three red wooden cabins that have been a longtime mainstay.

Justin and I spent the night at one of these cabins on our first visit to Farm Sanctuary in 2013. They're super comfy and cozy as well.

The main difference is that they don't have their own bathrooms. However, it's just a short walk to the Visitor Barn where you can use the bathroom facilities that are open 24/7. We didn't find this to be an issue on our last visit, though it is nice to have your own bathroom like in the tiny houses.

There's also a lux cabin that's a bit larger and comes with its own yard. It has its own bathroom as well. You can browse all of the places to stay at Farm Sanctuary on their accommodation page.

When it comes to any accommodations at Farm Sanctuary, I suggest booking as soon as you can. After all, there are only 7 total cabins/houses on site and they book up fast, especially for popular dates. Be sure to book your stay ASAP!

Our Private Farm Tour at Farm Sanctuary in New York

Farm Sanctuary's mission is to protect animals from cruelty, inspire change in the way that society views and treats farm animals, and to promote compassionate vegan living. A tour at Farm Sanctuary embodies all of these concepts.

Meeting the Animals

Justin and I attended a private tour with a few others who spent the night at Farm Sanctuary. We walked out to the pastures and barns to meet the rescued residents.

Each farm animal here is an individual with their own name, distinct personality and story. Our tour guide pointed out each animal and told us their names and something about them. Perhaps it was their origin story, something unique about their personality, or their likes and dislikes.

We only interacted with the animals that wanted to interact with us. The cows were pretty curious and loved some scratches and pets.

The sheep were a little more shy and mostly stayed in the barn. One was a little bit more curious and approached us for some attention. The others stayed in the warm comforts of the barn on this rainy day.

Conversely, most of the goats wanted to meet us. Goats have such funny and lively personalities. Some of them wanted all of the attention. On one occasion, I went to pet a different goat, and the other followed me and wanted me to keep scratching his chin! Good thing I have two hands and could pet both of them.

As for the pigs, it was feeding time so they weren't all that interested in us (understandable), though there are some occasions where you can pet the pigs if they're sleeping in the straw.

We also learned some fun facts about the animals from our tour guide. For instance, pigs are very clean, contrary to popular belief. They don't go to the bathroom where they sleep. And they like to roll in the mud to cool down and for sun protection/skincare (us humans enjoy a clay mask, too!).

Farm Sanctuary also rescues chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, and even pigeons.

A Memorial for Hilda

Every tour ends at the grave and memorial for Hilda the Sheep. Hilda was the first animal ever rescued by Farm Sanctuary and really helped start it all.

Hilda's seemingly lifeless body was found thrown away like trash on a pile of other dead animals at Lancaster Stockyards. Suddenly, she lifted up her head. Hilda was immediately placed into Gene Baur's VW van and transported to a veterinarian.

Remarkably, she stood up within 20 minutes and started drinking. She regained her strength and went on to live 11 happy years at what would become Farm Sanctuary.

The trucker who disposed of her knew she was still alive. He dragged her off the truck and threw her in the dead pile because she was a "downer" (too weak to stand or injured). This is a common and regular practice in the factory farming industry.

Hilda passed away in 1997 after living a peaceful life on the farm, dying of old age. She's buried in a beautiful grove on the farm in Watkins Glen with a memorial plaque to honor Hilda.

Farm Sanctuary Store

At the end of the tour, we were invited to shop at the Farm Sanctuary store on site. Naturally, all of the proceeds go towards Farm Sanctuary and they have so many amazing wares and gifts.

We loved the big collection of t-shirts and sweaters with plant powered messages on them (I couldn't help but buy one!). There's also handmade mugs, plush toys, tote bags, stickers, and even some yummy vegan snacks.

If you aren't able to visit Farm Sanctuary in person, they also have a great online shop, too!

More Things to Do at Farm Sanctuary

When you stay at Farm Sanctuary, you have access to the property during opening hours and beyond. Just don't enter the barns or gated pastures without permission, though you'll have plenty of time to meet and engage with the animals on the morning private tour.

Here are some more unmissable experiences to have at Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, NY.

Lunch at The Kitchen

The Kitchen is the place where we enjoyed breakfast, and you can also enjoy lunch here, too. The chef creates delightful and flavorful plant-based meals using ingredients from local farmers and Farm Sanctuary's own garden.

The meals are made fresh to order on the spot. There are quite a few offerings that change seasonally. Justin and I had the TLT (tofu lettuce tomato) and the Greek wrap with fries. Both were really tasty and satisfying.

Lunch at The Kitchen is available for any visitors to the farm, even if you don't spend the night. If you're taking a tour of the farm, be sure to stay for a delicious vegan meal, too.

Pollinator Garden

All guests at Farm Sanctuary are welcome to visit the new pollinator garden. It's located just behind the row of three red cabins.

This space supports bees, hummingbirds and other pollinators. There's also an expanded vegetable garden here, which showcases Farm Sanctuary's commitment to sustainable food systems.

Many of the plants that you'll eat at The Kitchen come directly from this garden!

Witness a Piece of Vegan History

Of course, I'm talking about Gene Baur's VW van! He drove this lime green van to Grateful Dead concerts in the 1980s and sold vegan hot dogs to hungry concert goers.

It's also the van that transported Hilda, the first rescued farm animal that really started it all. Hilda was found discarded on top of a pile of dead animals at Lancaster Stockyards.

Gene Baur's VW van played an important role during the early beginnings of Farm Sanctuary. Nowadays, it is on display around the back of the Visitor Barn, perfect for photos and selfies.

Rainbow Bridge at Farm Sanctuary, Watkins Glen

The Rainbow Bridge Memorial is nestled in a quiet corner of the sanctuary. This is a place for quiet reflection that pays tribute to people and animals who have passed, but aren't forgotten.

There are stones engraved with various names on them. It demonstrates how animals are so important to us and can even become members of our family. After all, we are all animals on this earth together.

While there aren't any stones dedicated to the important animals in my life, I thought about my cat, Chickpea, who we lost a few years ago and loved dearly. I noticed one stone dedicated to someone else's cat that also noted, "the love of my life". I totally felt that!

Visiting Watkins Glen, New York

Watkins Glen is an outdoorsy paradise and a thriving wine region. We usually try to go for a hike when we visit Watkins Glen.

Unfortunately, it was a bit too rainy and muddy this time around, but you should definitely consider exploring some of Watkins Glen's natural wonders when you visit.

Hiking the Watkins Glen Gorge

The Watkins Glen Gorge Trail is an incredible place to go hiking at Watkins Glen State Park. There are towering cliffs covered in moss and greenery, picturesque rock bridges, and a seemingly endless river that's carved out the rocks over thousands of years.

There are also numerous gently flowing waterfalls throughout the walk (19 waterfalls in total!). This dramatic landscape is entirely unique and makes the Watkins Glen Gorge an impressive and memorable place to go for a hike.

If you're looking for more places to hike in Watkins Glen, be sure to check out the Finger Lakes National Forest. It's New York's only national forests with several trails meandering through woodlands, ravines, meadows and former farmlands.

Apples and Moore

Apples and More is only a short drive from Farm Sanctuary in the countryside. It's the place to be for apple lovers as there are 20 varieties available both in their farm store and in their orchards for u-pick.

They also have quite a few products for sale in their market, like freshly made preserves, maple syrup, coffee, and apple slushies. Apple picking and buying pumpkins/gourds is a seasonal activity, so you should check it out if you're visiting Farm Sanctuary in the fall like we did.

Green Elephants Thai Vegan

Located in downtown Watkins Glen, Green Elephants Thai Vegan Restaurant is a 100% plant-based restaurant serving up authentic Thai dishes. Savor dishes like Pad Thai, Massaman curry and fresh summer rolls.

Justin and I sampled some spring rolls and a couple of soups, Royal Tom Yum and Wonton Soup. I always order a wonton soup if I see a vegan one on a menu, and this was one of the best ones I've tasted.

For the main course, we ordered the Drunken Noodles and the Pad Thai with mock duck, two enticing staples and favorites of ours. These meals were flavorful and satisfying, plus you could adjust the spice level to your liking.

It's wonderful to see a vegan restaurant thriving in the heart of Watkins Glen, and it makes for a fantastic dinner stop after a day of exploring the Finger Lakes.

Babes & Buds Coffee Lounge

Now this is a popular spot in town and for good reason! Babes & Buds Coffee Lounge is a cute (and very pink!) cafe in downtown Watkins Glen with kitschy decor and a vast menu of caffeinated beverages.

While this isn't a strictly vegan establishment, they're very vegan-friendly. They're known for their NYC bagels, straight from Brooklyn. Although it's not marked on the menu board, they have vegan cream cheese for the bagels, which we happily ordered.

They also have many different lattes, including seasonal offerings, using their own homemade coffee syrups. All of the syrups are vegan! I ordered a toasted marshmallow iced latte that was the perfect morning pick me up.

Visiting Corning, New York

About 30 minutes from Farm Sanctuary and located on the southern edge of the Finger Lakes, the town of Corning has a charming, small town feel. It's also home to a world class attraction, the Corning Museum of Glass!

Here's how to spend an afternoon in Corning, New York.

The Corning Museum of Glass

A trip to Corning isn't complete without a stop at the Corning Museum of Glass. People come from around the world to visit this renowned attraction. You might be wondering...how can you have a museum of glass?

There are a seemingly infinite amount of ways to create works out of glass. Glass is a very important component of history, both locally and internationally.

I kept noticing incredible works of art and commenting to Justin, "Can you believe this is made out of glass?". By the end of our trip, I'm sure I sounded like a broken record, but it really is that fascinating.

There are also glass blowing demonstrations, a giant Tiffany stained glass window, Frank Lloyd Wright stained glass windows, and many modern glass art pieces throughout bright and airy spaces.

It's also possible to make your own glass creations! I've done this on past trips (I made a glass flower, of course, with the careful assistance of an on-site expert). In the fall, there are an enormous amount of glass pumpkins for purchase throughout the huge museum shop.

Corning's Gaffer District

Downtown Corning has a very cute main street lined with boutique shops, cafes and restaurants. It's also lined with rows of trees that have vibrant yellow leaves in the fall. It's so beautiful!

Don't miss the historic town clock that's the centerpiece of Centerway Square. Connor's Mercantile was a favorite shop of mine to visit, a massive boutique with everything you could think of (including Jellycats, which I love to collect!).

Soul Full Cup is a long standing coffee shop in downtown Corning, celebrating its 30th year. I tried a peach pie latte for the first time (very tasty!) and they have some vegan sweet treats on offer, too.

The Cellar

The Cellar is a vegan-friendly establishment in Corning's Gaffer District that I've loved for many years. They serve up innovative, modern cuisine and have a massive wine list, too.

All of the vegan options are clearly marked on the menu. Justin and I decided to order a bunch of small sharable plates, including a mushroom flatbread, focaccia and oil, rosemary garlic popcorn, olives, and an impressive vegan cheese platter.

The vibes here are relaxed and welcoming, and the staff and servers are friendly and helpful. There's something comforting about returning to a restaurant you enjoyed years ago and finding that it still manages to exceed your expectations.

While Farm Sanctuary offers public tours for visitors in the afternoon, there's something really special about immersing yourself in this environment when staying the night. Plus, the private farm tours in the morning are a great way to meet the animals and enter some barns/pastures that you won't see on a public tour.

The two of us really enjoyed our return stay to Farm Sanctuary in New York. If you love animals, you're seeking a digital detox in nature, or even if you're slightest bit veg-curious, Farm Sanctuary is the place for you.

More Blog Posts About the Finger Lakes

We love traveling to the Finger Lakes region of New York State. Here are some more blog posts about the Finger Lakes to help you plan your trip:

• 1 Day in Watkins Glen Itinerary
• The Best Vegan Wineries on Seneca Lake
• Hiking the Watkins Glen Gorge Trail
• The Best Breweries in the Finger Lakes
• Taughannock Falls State Park
• Robert H Treman State Park
• How to Take a Glider Plane Ride in the Finger Lakes