Sweet Briar Nature Center

We have been visiting sweet briar since I was a kid. My daughter and her cousins are now also enjoying sweet briar. The events are always so well put together. The staff and volunteers go over the top, vibe is positive and the learning is fun.. the butterfly house a dont miss.

This is an animal rehabilitation clinic and the caretakers do a great job with each rescue. All staff members we encountered were eager to introduce us to and educate us about the various animals. It is evident that they enjoy what they do here and are making a positive impact with our wildlife (and domesticated animals, as well).

Had the most amazing experience here today, held an owl and pet a deer!!! Outstanding friendly people running the place too, I would go back in a heartbeat.

Very nice place, especially if you are there with young kids. Well kept secret in Suffolk County, as very few people were there on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. Also a small butterfly exhibit, which costs $5 for adults, but the kids will love it.

This is one of the best Wildlife Preserve places Ive been to please go and support them they are great people and it is a wonderful family place

Lots of birds they are helping to save. The grounds would look amazing if they did some upkeep. Cool walk.

Great family friendly spot for a nature walk, and to let the kids see rehabilitated animals up close, including hawk, owl, bald eagle, hedgehog, rabbit, bearded dragon. Staff was very knowledgeable and patient. We did the drive through visit during coronavirus but could see coming back again when the center reopens.

Good educational programs for kids about local wildlife.

It was good it just felt like there wasnt much to see ya know

Such a peaceful nice walking trail/woods/bike path with fields of critters to see and enjoy with your family. Some of it is good for handicapped but is worth the trip for whole family!

Great place to walk around with the kids, get some fresh air and see some cool animals

Open year round and perfect on a Fall day. Not crowded like most of long island. It was quiet enough to see three deer. Staff is super friendly. Amazing small to medium sized rehab. Theyre doing good stuff here.

I must see place with kids. The butterfly house is an excellent experience and it is very well priced. There’s an outdoor play area for kids and a small naturalist museum. This place rehabilitates animals and also has outdoor animal exhibits. Defiantly a family jewel on Long Island.

We were pleasantly suprised to find that they were open today. Love this place lots of animals and fun for the kids :)

Took my grandkids here. They have an indoor and outdoor portion of this preserve. The staff is very friendly and helpful, giving us individual attention. They took many reptiles, rabbits and other animals out of their cages and let the children handle them. Outdoors, they have numerous animals and birds in cages. In the summer they have a butterfly enclosure where the butterflies will land on you.

Theres so much to do and to see!!! Excellent for kids...

It seems not much going on during the winter..., I would definitely visit back when the weather gets warmer, looking forward to exploring more, by the way we saw a deer in the field, it made some excitement for us.

Celebrated Nebulas Birthday

Great place, they truly care for the animals. This place isnt funded by the town which is a shame Which is why all the donations/help they get is crucial to keep this beautiful place here

Fantastic place to bring the kids. Make sure you visit while the butterfly garden is open to the public. Beautiful experience.

This place is amazing, such a positive, friendly and full of nature place. I love bringing my daughter here.

This place is awesome they have so many animals to see. The staff is friendly caring and ready to assist you. I urge anyone that has kids to visit the butterfly garden and take a stroll around the trail.

Great little preserve tucked away in a cute neighborhood. Nice walking trails along the river. Inside house very interesting with interactive activities and animals. So nice to be able to see birds such as an eagle, owls and falcons up close. Have nice events here as well. Been bringing my children since they were babies.

Brought my little guy there today took him in a few minutes to warm up once he did he loved it

My first visit. Went for the butterfly exhibit. Too hot to walk around much so I cant really give a fair appraisal. This place does need an infusion of cash for upkeep. Thank God for the volunteers!!!

Super friendly workers,son loved it

I was greeted by this adorable duck. Its a wonderful educational center in Smithtown. Its a must see with your family or a nice quiet visit by yourself

This nature center and wildlife rehab center is wonderful! One can see about 5 different species if owls, a few other raptors (including Harris hawks & red tailed hawks ), turtles, reptiles, an axolotyl, and more. There is an indoor rainforest room (with cockatoos next door) for a modest donation, an outdoor butterfly garden (also for a modest fee), gardens, hiking trails, & more. Im excited to return (especially as my children were too tired to explore the hiking trails...)

I love visiting, they do such good work.

Found a baby squirrel in the backyard that was lethargic, cold and had a few scratches to his paws and neck. Wrapped him with a warm pack and towel and he began to perk up. Then I got on the phone to find somewhere to take him. I was surprised to find that I had very poor luck with responses ranging from were full to we dont take squirrels. I was nearing a panic when I was referred to sweet briar by another wildlife shelter. I phoned and was told I could bring him in, even though it was close to closing time. I arrived and someone rushed out to scoop him up. I was told his prospects were not good but they would do their best and that yes, I could call and check on him. I filled out a short form then was on my way. I was so relieved I found a place for him as I have a very curious dog and couldnt imagine how I could nurse the little one back to health in my home if nobody would have taken him. Hoping he pulls through and so grateful to know the folks at sweet briar are around for even the smallest critters. Thank you!***Update! Baby squirrel turned out fine after a bit of care!

Love the work they are doing!! Come and support this center and see amazing animals being helped ..

My son loves to see the animals especially the deer and enjoy the play area, that includes a slide with a house, the paint area and the movement and music area.

I have so many wonderful memories of going to this place while growing up! The exhibits within the house are perfect for kids. Also, unlike a typical zoo, many of the animals here are only temporary residents and are being prepared for re-release into the wild. This helped ease many of the ethical qualms I feel towards other places where animals are pit on display. The staff is comprised mostly of volunteers who are genuinely passionate and excited about what they are doing. However, my own experience volunteering here was made difficult by some people in the management who were either overly demanding or just openly condescending towards me.

This place is a treasure. Volunteer run facility with natural activities for kids to engage in. The butterfly house is really neat and modestly priced at a $3.00 admission fee. There’s tons of little creatures to look at inside the main house and outside the main house. As I understand it, all animals were rescued.

Nice outside area with walking trail.

Great place where they do wonderful things for animals

Nice and friendly, full of love. YOu should visit!

This is a nice place to spend some time seeing and learning about different kinds of animals indoors and out. Butterfly canopy, a Rain Forest room, talking/singing birds, turtles, Eagles, roosters, hawks, pig, rabbits and a lot more. All have been rescued and they help/rehabilitate those that can be placed back into the wild. Outside theres a creative area for kids to play in. Open grassy areas, great for picnics. Trails that are easy enough for the little feet. Inside a little gift shop too. Staff is very friendly. They have classes and camps there. Even on a rainy day this place has enough to offer inside to be a good trip to take.

Went with a cub scout pack. The program for the scouts was informative (Even as an adult I learned things). Staff was very knowledgable and friendly. Would recommend for other young scouting groups.

Went to Sweetbriar Preserve today, with a sick wild baby rabbit. They took it in and will nurse to health. They have an amazing property with natural settings for a variety of animals, and many animals being cared for, including birds of prey. My kids loved coming here when young. What a wonderful resource for Long Islanders.

The property itself is very nice. However, the staff is horrible. My son had a class trip here and the volunteer they had leading our group spoke to 6 year old children as if they were adults. She spoke to the kids about a fox having cancer, so inappropriate. They have a loose friendly deer roaming the property. We received no warning about there being a deer and how we may come in contact with it. The deer of course approached the class and the volunteer yelled at the kids, telling them to stay away and not to overreact... Again these are 6 year old kids, how do you expect them not to react when a deer is following them? Another staff member addressed a group of kids as animals, his exact words to the group were, so youre here to see the animals, no, youre not, because youre the animals. I get the sarcasm, but again not age appropriate... they have a butterfly house, which they pretty much want you to be a statue when entering, again yelling at the kids because they were scared when the butterflies would land on them... The experience overall was terrible, my child left highly upset from that place as did other children.

Hidden gem!! Beautiful nature trails. Friendly staff and animals. Great vistas. Play area for kids. Various gardens. Farm and nature conservatory. Interactive exhibits at the main house. Free to park and walk around. Great for families and couples

Very quiet peaceful trail for hiking very picturesque as well. Beautiful scenery and great atmosphere for meditation. Well worth the visit!

Always enjoy nature and knowing how they rescue animals is a plus

Awesome place for taking young children. Lots of animals and a nice nature walk. Definitely stop in if youre in the area and want a 3 hour event.

Great Halloween event!! Very organized & all the event staff were outgoing & polite. Would definitely do it again

BEAUTIFUL ANIMALS, SCENERY VERY FRIENDLY AND HELPFUL STAFF. THEY DO SUCH WONDERFUL THINGS TO REHAB ALL THE ANIMALS. SO WORTH THE TRIP!!!!

Love this place. Its great to take the kid and walk around

Visited for a field trip with Extreme STEAM Science Kids and had a wonderful time. We had a very large group and the facility was very accommodating. The staff were all very patient, knowledgeable, friendly and attentive to our children. If you havent brought your children yet, or booked a class trip, you are missing out on a fun, inexpensive and rich learning experience! Do it!

Nice for an easy hike. Some animals to view and nice gardens. Make sure to visit the house.

Main house was clised

They do great things!!

Love this place. Free and just amazing seeing animals they are helping

Taps for Talons is my favorite beer festival.

Must go place....late spring is best time in my opinion....

Beautiful place to walk

This is a beautiful and relaxing place. It is great to go for a walk on one of their short trails and enjoy a little taste of nature.

Beautiful place with a selection of animals and birds

As a volunteer in the nature center, I have to say the staff did an amazing job on this property. If you have kids that love nature, they would certainly love this place. Lots of displays and knowledge on the animals, plenty of opportunities for the children to play and learn.

First, Sweetbriar has a great calendar of events. Family fun and educational events for both children and adults. There are a number of previously injured birds here, kept in captivity because they can no longer survive in the wild. These include a Bald Eagle, Red Tailed Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Great Horned and Screech Owls. Also, there is an aviary rehabilitation center for birds that are on the mend, destined to be re-released into the wild!

Nice place to hike and experience nature. They also have some animals they care for and you can see such as an Eagle and some owls.

We love this place.

My most favorite relaxing afternoons are here. So peaceful and serene. Love the staff!

Nice place to see owls. The butterfly garden is nice too.

Small but lovely nature area. Rehabilitation of animals is always good!

Beautiful area, great place to walk around on a nice day. Must see!

Smaller nature center, the animals are all injured or being rehabilitated. Lots of different activities for kids. Free except for the butterfly tent.

GO! This is the sort of place LIers need to support. You will get a lot out of your visit and they are caring for so many great animals. Makes for a perfect weekend trip.

Nice place, grounds and volunteers.

Great place to see native species that cant be released into the wild due to injuries

Yard Sale on October 18th Nature Center. Besides finding some great bargains, met Eric, Jeff, Mary, Joe, & Madeline. Great staff and friendly people. The trail is fun and well maintained

This place is serene and peaceful and I loved being there.

This place is a Haven for injured and sick wildlife.

Fun place

So much to see and do! Butterfly house, trail, animals, garden, childrens outdoor play area, touched hedgehog and geckos inside the building ...

Ever changing depending on the season, Sweetbriar is a charming local place to experience nature up close and personal. There are habitats for the all sorts of rescued and saved animals in various stages of rehabilitation and for those that are permanent residents who can not be returned to the wild due to disabilities. The habitats are scattered throughout the lovely grounds so you must walk about and explore. Ask anyone you see whatever questions you have, I have never met anybody there who has not been super friendly and helpful, too.To me, the grounds are really the highlight of Sweetbriar! They are wonderful because they are not done up like an arboretum. Its classic North Shore, Long Island which means the perfect mix of hills and woods and fields and trails, and all the critters that are there. Its a beautiful place for a hike, a Geocache trip, to take the kids, or just because maybe youve always wondered about it. And yes, they do need those donations so although it may be free to visit, feel free to donate - caring for all those animals must get pricey. Thank you Sweetbriar. See you soon!

Nice charities rescue for wild animals.

Great staff. Butterfly exhibit.

Its incredible

Great local getaway

It was great there my son went on a feld trip then I went AWESOME

Great place for the young and old at heart!

Great place for kids. Hidden little gem that not that many people know about

Great place to see animals and experience Nature

Rundown not much to see. This place needs a serious upgrade : (

Cute place to see butterflies.

Great place for a day out with the kids

Easy access well maintained trails!!!

Peaceful place. Love it there.

Amazing place

Great place to bring the kids to

Great helpful people

Awesome place to volunteer at.

Gteat place for the family or just a couples day out.

Its was ok little to much money for what the offered

Beautiful property.

Theres a parrot there that dances with me

The fox was cute

Great sanctuary

Lovely place, very relaxing