Where Agriculture and Tourism Meet
Agritourism is best described as an intersection where agriculture and tourism meet. It could be plucking an apple from a u-pick orchard, touring a creamery where you can meet cows then taste the cheese made from their milk, or horseback riding among beautiful forests and rolling pastures. If you are looking to explore the outdoors, enjoy the country air, and stretch your legs, we have an experience to fit your interest!
Cheese & Creameries
Here in Watkins Glen and Schuyler County, we are lucky to be surrounded by rich, fertile farmland. Our local farmers open their doors and welcome you to experience the beauty and bounty of the Finger Lakes!
While the area is known for the wine trail and the addition of many craft breweries as of late, the region's cheese is another shining star, with a collection of family-run dairy farms.
Farm Sanctuary
Fall in love with the animals at farm sanctuary
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 600 rescued cows, pigs, turkeys, and other farm animals. Their stories of struggle and survival, against all odds, give the public insight into the realities farm animals face in the modern food system. During your visit, you can take an hour-long tour of the shelter with a sanctuary guide, meeting the rescued residents along the way! After meeting your new farm animal friends, visit the Sanctuary Shop, which contains literature, cookbooks, apparel, and other souvenirs.
Advance registration is required. Guided tours are offered from May through October. Visits are approximately an hour long. Please plan to arrive 15 minutes ahead of your tour.
June through August: We are open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
May, September, and October: We are open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Farm Tours
In Watkins Glen and the surrounding area, there are a number of farms and agriculture-based businesses that welcome visitors to tour their operations! Perhaps you're interested in seeing a vineyard up close and learning more about the wine industry in the Finger Lakes, touring a working dairy farm and seeing how they turn their fresh milk into cheese, or perhaps you'd like to get out into the forest, cross a small creek and tour a woodland mushroom farm - we've got all of these experiences (and more!) just waiting for you. Download the Finger Lakes Farm Country app on your mobile device and start building your itinerary today!
There's nothing better than picking a fresh fruit or vegetable straight from the tree or vine and straight into your month. Head out for a fun afternoon, or stop by to get some fresh ingredients for pies or other dishes, you won't be disappointed.
