Join Andie and Jim for an exciting morning with two of our beautiful owl friends. Learn all about owls. Make art with the unique opportunity to work directly from this intimate time with our special girls.
Sweetbriar’s experienced educators help open up the wonders of the natural world for children, through hands-on activities, live animals, crafts, and much more.
Join Artist In Residence Andie while we create nature based art inspired by the impressionist painters focus on color, emotion, and brush stroke.
Sweetbriar’s experienced educators help open up the wonders of the natural world for children, through hands-on activities, live animals, crafts, and much more.
Take a walking tour with Jim while he feeds our Birds of Prey and tells you about their incredible adaptations that help them survive in the wild. You’ll be seeing and learning about our Bald Eagle, our Turkey Vultures, our owls, hawks and many more.
How much: $10 per adult / $5 per child (Under 12y)
Take a walking tour with Jim while he feeds our Birds of Prey and tells you about their incredible adaptations that help them survive in the wild. You’ll be seeing and learning about our Bald Eagle, our Turkey Vultures, our owls, hawks and many more. 11am start
Event will be held weather permitting- light rain we will still hold the event
Join Artist In Residence Andie for our Sunday morning Art class series. More info and tickets for this date TBD
Sweetbriar’s experienced educators help open up the wonders of the natural world for children, through hands-on activities, live animals, crafts, and much more.
Sweetbriar’s experienced educators help open up the wonders of the natural world for children, through hands-on activities, live animals, crafts, and much more.
Join us for a fun outdoor tree adventure. Learn about local trees and meet the animal friends who live in them while doing a craft, going on a short walk, and participating in a fun activity.
Families Welcome. $15 child $5 Adult
Tickets are Nonrefundable and cannot be credited
Sunday, November 22, 2026
1:00 PM 3:00 PM
Join us for a fun outdoor tree adventure. Learn about local trees and the animals who live in them while doing a craft, going on a short walk, and participating in a fun treetivity.
Best for: Families with children over the age of 5y
How Much: $15 per child and $5 for adults
These tickets are non-refundable due to it being a fundraiser and cannot be credited towards any other event. Thank you for your understanding.
Sweetbriar’s experienced educators help open up the wonders of the natural world for children, through hands-on activities, live animals, crafts, and much more.
Join Artist In Residence Andie for our Sunday morning Art class series. More info and tickets for this date TBD
Join us for a magical afternoon at Sweetbriar's Annual Holiday Party for Wildlife! 🎄✨ Get into the holiday spirit with music, festive decorations, and heartwarming activities.
Highlights include:
🐾 Fascinating animal presentations
📸 Photo ops with our special wildlife guests🎁
🎨 Fun holiday crafts for kids and adults alike
Plus, make this season even brighter by bringing a small gift from our Wildlife Wish List to place under our beautifully decorated tree—no wrapping needed!
We’ll also have our new Monarch Butterfly ornaments available for purchase in our gift shop
This is the perfect way to celebrate the season while giving back to nature. Don’t miss this unforgettable holiday event! 🌟
Families are welcome. $15 per child $5 per adult
December 13th, 2026
Join us for a magical afternoon at Sweetbriar's Annual Holiday Party for Wildlife! 🎄✨ Get into the holiday spirit with music, festive decorations, and heartwarming activities.
Highlights include:
🐾 Fascinating animal presentations
📸 Photo ops with our special wildlife guests🎁
🎨 Fun holiday crafts for kids and adults alike
Special visitors for photos with animals and more!!
Plus, make this season even brighter by bringing a small gift from our Wildlife Wish List to place under our beautifully decorated tree—no wrapping needed!
This is the perfect way to celebrate the season while giving back to nature. Don’t miss this unforgettable holiday event! 🌟 Families are welcome. $15 per child $5 per adult
Tickets are Nonrefundable and cannot be credited
Join Artist In Residence Andie for our Sunday morning Art class series. More info and tickets for this date TBD
Join us for a fun groundhog adventure. Meet some of our animal friends, do some fun activities, and make a fun craft all while learning all about groundhogs and their friends.
Families Welcome. $15 child $5 Adult
Tickets are Nonrefundable and cannot be credited
Join us for an afternoon of close encounters with wildlife. Meet some of Sweetbriar’s cute and loveable animals, play an animal matching game for Valentine’s Day, and create a craft to remember the day. There will be many photo opportunities including our “Animal Kissing Booth”
Families Welcome
Best for ages 2y-10y
How Much: $15/child and $5 for adults
Tickets are Nonrefundable and cannot be credited
Slither on over to Sweetbriar to see a selection of several ssssensational serpents. Participants will meet several snakes and learn about their unique adaptations through games and other participatory activities. Create a cool snake craft to take home.
Best for: Families with children over the age of 5y
How Much: $15/child and $5 for adults
Tickets are Nonrefundable and cannot be credited
Come visit our center to learn about some local animals, make a green craft and learn ways to celebrate the Earth not just today but every day!
Celebrate the wonders of the natural world and living things that share the planet with us. Children will meet resident animals, enjoy the natural world through their senses, and go on a scavenger hunt to find out some of the things they can do to help the natural world. Come away with a craft to help reduce your impact on the Earth.
Best for: Families with children over the age of 4y
How Much: $15/child and $5 for adults
Tickets are Nonrefundable and cannot be credited
Join Artist In Residence Andie as we create our own self portraits inspired by Frida’s enchanting work. We will explore the nature around us and create personal symbolism that shows that portraiture is more than skin deep.
Take a walking tour with Jim while he feeds our Birds of Prey and tells you about their incredible adaptations that help them survive in the wild. You’ll be seeing and learning about our Bald Eagle, our Turkey Vultures, our owls, hawks and many more.
How much: $10 per adult / $5 per child (Under 12y)
Take a walking tour with Jim while he feeds our Birds of Prey and tells you about their incredible adaptations that help them survive in the wild. You’ll be seeing and learning about our Bald Eagle, our Turkey Vultures, our owls, hawks and many more.
Event will be held weather permitting- light rain we will still hold the event
Time: 11:00am- 12:00pm
Sweetbriar’s experienced educators help open up the wonders of the natural world for children, through hands-on activities, live animals, crafts, and much more.
Join Andie in a artistic celebration of this colorful and enchanting time of year.
We will make own own art inspired by the changing colors of the trees and the fall splendor of the Sweetbriar grounds. We will talk about color and light in nature and how to bring it into our art. This is an opportunity for artists of all levels to explore new techniques.
Sweetbriar’s experienced educators help open up the wonders of the natural world for children, through hands-on activities, live animals, crafts, and much more.
Enjoy eerie animal presentations, a ghostly graveyard, creepy games, scary music, and spooky night trails.
Great for ghouls 7 years and up.
6pm-9pm
No refunds - this is a fundraiser event. Rain Date Sunday 10/11
🎃🕸️TIPS FOR YOUR VISIT🕸️🎃
Here are some tips for your visit…..
Load up your ticket email before you get to Sweetbriar, the service is spotty. Show your ticket(s) on your phone for entry. If you can’t find your email, we will also have a list.
Gates will open at 6pm, you do not need to show up early. People usually spend about an hour and a half at this event.
Eerie trail and Terror Tunnel will open when it gets dark. They just wouldn’t be as great in the daylight.
Wear a costume, come see a staff member if you’d like to enter in our costume contest. Make sure to leave your phone number for us to call you if you win!
Bring a flashlight for the walk back to your car and drive slow please.
House will be closed, port-o-pottys and sinks are available.
Please carpool, it’s better for the environment and it will make it easier for our wonderful Sweetbriar Volunteers to park everyone. There is train station parking about a mile from the nature center.
IF YOU ARE DROPPING OFF TEENAGERS. Please remind your children that this is an event to raise money for the animals at the center. Stealing items, destroying props, and being destructive will not be tolerated and we will ask them to leave.
Best for Ages: Families and adults, children of all ages
$20 per person (children under 2y no charge)
Timed entry - Please show up near your entry time to cut down on traffic and parking issues
Event Description: Join us for an evening of gentle Halloween wonder at Sweetbriar Nature Center! Wander a softly lit pumpkin lantern walk through the grounds, meet our animal ambassadors during special live presentations, and step into our Misunderstood Creatures tent to learn the truth behind Halloween's most feared (and most misjudged) animals.
This event is designed to be welcoming for all ages, including children with sensory sensitivities. No scary trails, jump-scares, or loud music—just twinkling lanterns, seasonal decorations, animal presentations and calm, family-friendly fun for kids and adults alike.
Sweetbriar’s experienced educators help open up the wonders of the natural world for children, through hands-on activities, live animals, crafts, and much more.
Trick or Treat trail and Halloween fun for ages 2-7 years old
Sweetbriar’s experienced educators help open up the wonders of the natural world for children, through hands-on activities, live animals, crafts, and much more.
POSTPONED
NEW DATE WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON
Our local Smithtown kids are coming by to perform a rock show with Musicology. The kids have been working hard all year making music. Both bands perform rock covers for all ages. There is no fee for this event, and open to all ages. Donations will be gladly accepted at the show if you’d like to bring it. We will also have stickers and more available for sale.
Join us this Friday evening September 25th at 6:30 PM for a unique and relaxing Owl Yoga experience at the historic Barn at Sweetbriar Nature Center.
We'll begin by meeting some of our very special live owl ambassadors and learning a little about these fascinating birds. Then, enjoy a gentle, all-levels yoga session designed to help you unwind and connect with nature. We'll conclude the evening with a short guided meditation.
Please bring your own yoga mat. The program lasts approximately one hour and is suitable for participants of all experience levels.
Space is limited, so reserve your spot today!
Sweetbriar’s experienced educators help open up the wonders of the natural world for children, through hands-on activities, live animals, crafts, and much more.
This amazing event taking place at Sweetbriar features beer tastings, live music, and wildlife demonstrations.
Join us for a light afternoon walk along our short trails as we search for some of the season's most fascinating fungi. Naturalist Connor will point out amazing specimens along the way, and there's no telling what else we might stumble upon.
Before we set off, we'll gather for a short talk covering the basics about mushrooms, who eats them, and why these often-overlooked organisms matter so much to a healthy forest. We'll also touch on some local animals that forage for mushrooms themselves — and keep an eye out, because you might just meet a cute critter or two before we set out for our hike.
Bring your curiosity (and maybe a camera) for an easygoing walk through the hidden world beneath our feet.
$10 per person
Sweetbriar’s experienced educators help open up the wonders of the natural world for children, through hands-on activities, live animals, crafts, and much more.
Take a walking tour with Jim while he feeds our Birds of Prey and tells you about their incredible adaptations that help them survive in the wild. You’ll be seeing and learning about our Bald Eagle, our Turkey Vultures, our owls, hawks and many more.
How much: $10 per adult / $5 per child (Under 12y)
Sweetbriar’s experienced educators help open up the wonders of the natural world for children, through hands-on activities, live animals, crafts, and much more.
Learn all about how watercolor painting is a fun and easy way to bring color into any art piece.
Sweetbriar’s experienced educators help open up the wonders of the natural world for children, through hands-on activities, live animals, crafts, and much more.
Sweetbriar’s experienced educators help open up the wonders of the natural world for children, through hands-on activities, live animals, crafts, and much more.
Learn the Fundamentals of portraiture with both people and animals with Resident Artist Andie at our barn.
Sweetbriar’s experienced educators help open up the wonders of the natural world for children, through hands-on activities, live animals, crafts, and much more.
Sweetbriar’s experienced educators help open up the wonders of the natural world for children, through hands-on activities, live animals, crafts, and much more.
Sweetbriar’s experienced educators help open up the wonders of the natural world for children, through hands-on activities, live animals, crafts, and much more.
Children will meet many of our resident animals, search out wildlife on the preserve and be involved in fun activities as they gain a better understanding of the animals with which we share the earth with.
Ages 6-11y
9am- 3pm
Members $375 Non-Members $425
*Also offered the week of June 29- July 3
Join us for an exciting week at the Nature Center, where teens aged 13-16 will dive into the world of wildlife rehabilitation, animal care, and animal education! This hands-on program blends animal care with learning how to teach natural science education to others. Participants will practice handling mammals like rabbits and hedgehogs while developing skills in educating others about their care. They'll also learn to teach about and care for reptiles, amphibians, and birds, including raptors. Each day features interactive games, outdoor adventures, and opportunities to assist in real wildlife and domestic animal care. Guided by Sweetbriar’s experienced staff, teens will gain valuable skills in both animal care and wildlife education, while connecting with nature and building confidence in presenting scientific knowledge to others.
Ages: 13-16
Time: 9:00am- 3:00pm
How Much: Members $475 / Non-Members $525
Also: Week of June 29- July 3
Learn the Fundamentals of plein air oil painting with Resident Artist Andie.
Sweetbriar’s experienced educators help open up the wonders of the natural world for children, through hands-on activities, live animals, crafts, and much more.
