Nature & animals in Western New York

9 listed across 8 towns. Ages, schedule, and price up front - we link out to each provider.

Outdoor Arts & Recreation Society (OARS)

nature/animal · Cuba

Ages8+

ScheduleYouth Learning Lab Tuesdays 9:00–11:00am; Ridge Runners youth outdoor skills course Saturdays 10:00–11:00am when listed; Make / Hike & Discover kids craft-and-hike evenings seasonally on the events calendar

Price$25/season Ridge Runners youth program (STEM Learning Labs free during beta; scholarships available)

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Pfeiffer Nature Center

nature/animal · Portville

AgesSome family programs open ages 6+ (e.g. first-aid class requires parent if under 12)

ScheduleYear-round trails dawn–dusk; programs and walks posted on calendar

PriceFree (no admission fee; many programs free)

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Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve

nature/animal · Depew

AgesGuided youth tours preK and up (program-dependent); school lessons PreK–12

ScheduleYear-round guided tours and school programs; summer day camps referenced on tours+programs hub; public programs need advance registration

PriceGuided tour $5/person; Winter Challenges $10/person with snowshoes; school outdoor lessons $5 per child

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Aquarium of Niagara

nature/animal · Niagara Falls

AgesSummer camps by grade entering fall 2026: 1st-2nd, 3rd-4th, 5th-6th; school-year day camps ages 9-12; weeklong ages 8-12 or 10-14 by program

ScheduleSummer weekly July 6 – August 28, Mon-Fri 9am-4pm; school-year day and weeklong camps on break dates

PriceSummer weeklong $300 (members save 10%); school-year day camps $40; school-year weeklong $300

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Buffalo Zoo

nature/animal · Buffalo

AgesLittle Explorers ages 2–4 with caregiver; Summer Zoo Camp ages 4–12; School Break Camp ages 6–12; Homeschool workshops ages 5–9

ScheduleYear-round education programs; summer and school-break camps when offered

PriceSummer Zoo Camp listed member/non-member weekly rates on camp page when open

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Hawk Creek Wildlife Center

nature/animal · East Aurora

AgesTiny Talons and Fur/Feathers/Scales Pre-K–2nd; many programs 3rd grade to adult; on-site tours Pre-K to adult

ScheduleOn-site tours, outreach programs, classes, and public events by schedule

PriceWander the Wild $8 adult / $5 child (under 4 free)

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Rock City Park

nature/animal · Olean

ScheduleOpen May 1 through October 31; daily 9:00am–5:00pm; last ticket sold at 4:00pm; may close for inclement weather

PriceSingle adult day pass $8; child, group, military, and senior discounts available; day pass includes parking, museum, gift shop, and 45-minute hiking trail

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Tifft Nature Preserve

nature/animal · Buffalo

AgesDiscovery Camps preschool through grade 8; family and school programs vary

ScheduleSummer Discovery Camps 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.; preserve open for visits Wed–Sun (hours on site)

PriceCamp weekly rates on Discovery Camps page; BMS members save

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Allegany State Park — Red House Area

nature/animal · Salamanca

SchedulePark open year-round; Red House Natural History Museum open daily; 2026 swimming season listed mid-June through Labor Day weekend

PriceVehicle use fee $7 in season (weekends/daily windows vary); Empire Pass $80

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