Until this morning, I did not know that this marvelous facility even existed. The very welcoming lady at the entrance explained that their chief mission here was rescuing animals that could no longer sustain their lives in the wild. Their main focus is birds, although they have a well populated room with various reptiles. We wandered through the cages out back, looking in vain for the bald eagle, but the hawks and owls were there in all of their glory. This left us with the question "What other amazing places are on this island that we don't know about?" read more

See all

I loved this place so much. My son had the time of his life and we met the deer that basically lives here. I only wish we lived closer because we'd be here all the time. read more

I came here to deliver an orphaned duckling. You must call ahead and get the "ok" before you come. Once you arrive, fill out a form and wait for a wildlife caretaker to admit the animal. The staff was extremely accommodating and caring. They do great things here. You can tell they love and care for all animals. The duckling will be raised until old enough to be released into the wild where he/she belongs. I quickly walked over to the red tailed hawk sanctuary and oh my gosh what amazing animals. These are animals that are not able to be released back into the wild but receive excellent care and attention here. Of course the best situation is for the animal to be in its natural environment, but due to issues such as injuries, sometimes it will thrive better in captivity depending on the situation. There is a whole other area on the property and when I have more time I will return to see the rest of the nature center Thank you for doing great things for animals, many of which need this care due to the horrible actions of humans read more

See all

Well loved animals, w deer that comes close to the property and is tagged so people know to leave it alone in the woods, and great east "hiking" trails are filled with chipmunks. Highly recommend a visit and a donation to help with animal care. The butterfly exhibit was the best. read more

See all

Wow! My wife and I enjoyed a nice Sunday out exploring this amazing Nature Center local to us in Suffolk County. Had an educational walkthrough with their staff member Scott who was super knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. Halfway through the time there I was brought back to my younger self and felt as if I were on a field trip back in school. It was a truly great experience and would definitely recommend exploring this hidden gem! Thank you to Scott and all at this Center for the amazing things you do aiding our wildlife friends! read more

It's a great idea to have a lot of animals.The staff is very friendly and helpful. They have a lot of cool animals. The only thing that makes it worth the effort is the fact that they are very nice read more

We both love animals! We had a great time visiting this place. There is also a hiking trails inside. Great place to bring the kids. Highly recommended! read more

See all

This place is amazing. I called after them after finding an opposum in the middle of a lawn during the day and crows were attacking it. It wasn't moving so I wanted to get it help. I called around and was given the phone number to sweetbriar. They people there were so kind and helpful and took the opposum in! While I was at there center I walked around and it's amazing what they do here. I would recommend checking it out, so many animals and they do such amazing work! I'm grateful there are places like this! read more

See all

I was driving in an industrial area and was letting a family of geese cross the street.. what caught my eye was that there was a gosling that was trying to keep up with this family but they were attacking him (her). I watched from a distance and noticed they completely went off into another direction and this poor little gosling was all alone! I had a gut feeling that this precious bird wouldn't make it thru the night.. so my friend and I made a bunch of phone calls and everyone we spoke with said they couldn't pick up this gosling, call this number, call that number and ask them if someone would take this little guy in... I attempted to reunite the gosling back with the group that he was trying to be accepted by three times! every time they all nipped at it and walked away :( I finally got in touch with this nature center and without hesitation they said I could take him and they would care for him and try to bond him with another family. They saved the day :) read more

Sweetbriar Nature Center - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Smithtown, New York

My favorite visit of the day with was Nebulas a European Barn owl on a gloved hand of Volunteer Scott. She moved her head in many directions though her eyes stayed stationary as they are born with them attached to their head and skull, it is the many vertebrae 14 or so that allow them to pivot their heads in multiple directions. She celebrated her birthday and singing did not get much response. While she has been in a car the drive-up process of the vehicle startled her and she spread her wings. She along with the other birds and animals of prey were all quite beautiful, each in their own way. She seemed to know as the camera clicked away. (see pix) What we saw were maybe 10 or 12 animals with their handlers and volunteers. Each of them outside at designated spots as we in our cars with windows open drove turtle speed up the soil path and stopped at each directed location. Two Dans, a Dean and a few others, along with a few quieter ladies in the background, foil, as the animals took center stage attention. It was a nice event and a good day to drive to Sweetbriar Nature Center. The GPS almost got us there and then there was the sign on the right to make the turn into the development. We were there at 10:30am and the gates remained closed except for the workers and volunteers, until the 11 am start of the drive through activity at 20.00 a car. There was Ice coffee for sale at the entrance but with noted no bathroom access, the decision was not to get it. I found out that there were 25 cars Set for each event - 2 scheduled for this day, the later one starting at 3pm. I also found out that they were booked and full. There is another in mid-June which is also full and then another still open scheduled on Father's Day. You can check their Web page or FB for more information on other up coming times available. It was a nice event to add to one's calendar, and one I recommend for families with children. AC must be off, only windows allowed to be open, no music or loud noises and a short activity drive through. At the end there is a young girl noting the container for cash donations. We had no small bills and had paid the 20.00 online for the ticket with email confirmation. The only disappointment we had was that it was too short an event maybe lasting 30 minutes at most and we would have like to see at least a few more animals or other interaction interest activity. My thought here -and not my ideas, as other places have had different activities: as printout dittos to color with activities- which can be checked or written of what they saw and learned. In these days if the people choose, they can print them at home and write or color in the spots as they see the animals. Or perhaps a colorful display poster there to find images as they drive up, or even a trivia quiz on the site before or after the visit that all can play. People are going with apps which could possibly be interactive somehow. Something to extend and include, without over stressing the animals. We saw birds of Prey, raptures, one albino snake, one opossum and a few other animals. The opossum is said to be misunderstood. They eat snails, slugs and ticks as their main diet. If people leave cat food they will come but when it is gone they will move on. These animals had been brought to the center as injured and most live there as they were not able to be rehabilitated back into the wild. It was a nice ride to get out for a bit on a beautiful day and share the activity. I do recommend it. We looked for restaurants in the area in Smithtown. The people working there were not able to suggest and the few we did check were closed. We ended up at a Friendly's curbside, with lovely Nichole who as worked there nearly 4 years, to assist us. Ok so it was not gourmet Seafood, but we did get Ice Cream and a Shake before heading home. read more

See all

Free Town of Smithtown wildlife center. I haven't been here in many years and I was so happy that I visited today. They have a rescue center on site, a building with lots of different animals to visit, friendly staff, hiking trails, kids activities, animals, etc. We had a nice afternoon hiking, exploring, and having fun. The kids enjoyed themselves and we all look forward to going back! It's a great free and local place to learn, explore, enjoy nature and be outside! Or inside to check out everything too! read more

See all

This Sunday, September 23rd at Sweetbriar Nature Center is a special event called Taps & Talons. A great way to taste local breweries. Cost is $30, I believe. And it's unlimited drink. The cost for designated drivers is $20. All goes to a GREAT cause. There will b live music and hopefully I'll b face painting (or assisting)!!! Yay, come one - come all!!! read more

Sweetbriar Nature Center - Botanical Gardens Near Me - Smithtown, New York

Absolutely amazing! A seagull was injured and I called Sweet Briar. Someone came and saved the bird! I was crying tears of happiness. This place is awesome!!!! Thank God for a place like this!!!! read more

Cute public nature center with educational programs and activities for kids. Lovely gardens maintained by volunteers. About 0.5 miles of trails for hiking. Not a big place, but well maintained, welcoming and free! read more

If you love owls, birds, squirrels, ducks, or anything about nature, get yourself to Sweetbriar. The staff is super sweet and clearly love what they do (or at least, it appeared that way). They have cool events for kids, adults, and families, and they hold an awesome beer festival that I hope to attend this year. Love it! read more

The estate was given to the Town of Smithtown with the understanding that there would be no new construction. This keeps it very natural for Long Island and I appreciate that! There are about a half dozen Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County Master Gardeners trying to keep up with maintaining the numerous educational gardens. It is a huge task and I commend them for their volunteerism. If I lived nearby, I would join them. The animals are well maintained considering the budget they have. The staff does a great job trying to rehabilitate them to be released into the wild. I would like to return sometime and walk the trails. Kudos to all! read more

I've been going to the sweetbriar nature center since I was a kid and now recently started going annually with my girlfriend. Our favorite thing is the butterfly house, but they also have a selection of animals like ducks, pigs, goats, foxes, deer etc. will always come here and continue to support the animals and the community. I just have one tiny complaint / suggestion... the volunteer in the butterfly house needs to be more considerate how she speaks to people. Very aggressive with people about the butterflies/ them landing on you. If you touch anything even by accident you get yelled at. If you even remotely step off the path you get yelled at. Just tell her to take it down from a 12/10 to maybe a 8/10 and it will be fine. Like I said this place is awesome ( come sweaty and butterflies will land on you ) read more

What a very special place! My husband and I visited Sweetbriar today. It was such a wonderful experience!! I am huge animal lover and thoroughly enjoyed all the animals we saw here today! Dan was especially wonderful and gave us a very warm welcoming. He took some time to speak to my husband and I about the Eagle, Turkey Vultures, the fox, the sweet deer wandering around, and even let us pet the adorable resident Opossum! Dan was extremely knowledgeable and we could tell that he cared deeply about the animals her cared for at the sanctuary. Can't recommend this place enough! I look forward to visiting Sweetbriar again in the very near future read more

One of my favorite spots in Suffolk County. My kids have been going to camp here for years during summer and school breaks. You could spend the day for free or pay minimal donations for the vivarium and rain forest room. They have a wonderful mission-to educate the public about the local wildlife. read more

This place looks like it was abandoned 20 years ago. The pens/cages they have the animals in are falling apart and most of the brush, plants and grasses are really over grown and weedy. I feel like most of the animals here are waiting to die rather than be rehabilitated. And none of the animal information posts are legible anymore either. That being said, I don't hate it. Its odd and kind of cooky. It makes me feel like I'm in some random hippie's backyard. Its quiet and a little freaky, especially if you are the only people there ( which is likely). Though I feel like the town should be doing more to maintain it. Its free, so its worth a visit. read more

Been going here since i was a child. It'a nice place to see rescued wildlife that cannot be released. the butterfly house is really cute, and it's just a nice place to spend outdoors. there is also a rescue center on site, but they will only help wildlife that is native to long island. call volunteers for wildlife instead, because they will take any wildlife if you find someone who needs help! read more

We went today and had such a lovely time. Bless these good hearted souls and what they do for our precious wildlife. We especially want to note how exceptional one of their staff members Dan was. You could tell just how passionate he is about caring for these animals and so positive and kind! We told him how our daughter loved owls and he made the effort to take one out of the enclosure to show her. Thank you Dan for making our little girls and our day and our Sweetbriar experience that much sweeter. We will definitely be coming back and look forward to having a birthday party for our little one there in the future. The grounds are truly beautiful, the animals are truly loved and cared for and we highly recommend visiting this gem of a place!!! PS: There is a peaceful, serene, beautiful and positive energy to this place. Just being there made us feel so wonderful, refreshed and in touch with nature. read more

This place is truly one of a kind. So many awesome exhibits and animals. I am an animal lover and this place couldn't take better care of them :) Its truly amazing how many animals are rehabilitated here and get to go back and live there life in the wild. The staff does a wonderful job. They also host many events that can appeal to children and adults. Ive attended several and there always worth it and are run so well! read more

I visited Sweetbriar recently and was so surprised at all there is to see and experience. The staff here could not have been nicer; all were so pleasant and very informative about the animals that are there for rehabilitation. The outside cages had a bald eagle (truly magnificent), a vulture, owls, and other animals. But inside the main house was where I was completely surprised. Lots of different animals including talking parrots and Noah the Boa; it's just a wonderful place for kids and adults. They sponsor birthday parties and allow the kids to pet certain animals while teaching them about them. The grounds are huge with many walking trails. It truly was a wonderful find for me. read more

This beautiful nature center is a great excursion for families. There is a building with lots of animals to view, plus large grounds where kids can hike, visit a barn, and explore an outdoor play area with musical toys, water trough, natural seesaw, and more. we spent hours there exploring and my kids didn't want to leave. A treasure! read more