Destination Guides: Ithaca, United States - Attractions

Admission Free

Sculptures remain on the pedestrian-only Ithaca Commons year round. Shops, boutiques, and restaurants inside the Centre Shopping Center are open during all business hours. Annual Sculpture show on the Commons starts in mid-June.

Asia House Gallery & Museum
118 South Meadow St. (Rt.13)
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-272-8850
Hours: Open year round, Tue.-Fri.11am-5pm, Sat.10am-2pm or by appointment.

Admission Charged

Asia House Gallery is renowned for original works of art in all media and from all periods. The Gallery specializes in sculpture, scrolls, screen & prints from China, Japan, India, Tibet and Russia. Eight intimate, elegant Galleries of Oriental Treasures. Heirloom quality European & American furniture and period accessories. Featuring Fine Arts & Archaeological artifacts from the Far & Middle East.

Buttermilk Falls State Park
Route 13 South
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-273-5761

Hours: Limited cross-country skiing, summer recreation program, call for additional information

Admission Charged
Buttermilk Creek descends more than 500 feet in a series of cascades and rapids. A natural pool at the base of Buttermilk Falls provides swimming with the feel of an old swimming hole. Upstream, a scenic trail circles Lake Treman.

Cascadilla Creek Gorge
Court St. & University Ave.
Ithaca, NY 14850
800-284-8422
Hours: Season: April- November

Admission Free
Known as “the greenway connecting town and gown.” A natural greenway in the heart of an urban area, one of the dramatic natural places that makes Ithaca unique. Gorge walk is 1.3 miles with many stairs.

Cass Park Rink & Pool
701 Taughannock Blvd.
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-273-9211
Hours: Open year round, call for additional information
Season: Year round, summer swimming daily, June-August, 12pm-7:30pm

Admission fee
Cass Park is a regionally active park with: Swimming pool, Cayuga Waterfront Trail, four tennis courts, 20 athletic fields, playground equipment, a picnic pavilion, and outdoor Ice Rink offering public ice skating, hockey games, and broomball.

Cayuga Nature Center
1420 Taughannock Blvd. (Rt 89)
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-273-6260
Hours: Open year round,
Season: Year Round, trails open daily dawn-dusk

Admission Charged
Discover nature by climbing into the forest canopy of Treetops Tower, viewing the summer butterfly house, and by exploring the interactive displays featuring a live animal collection.

Circle Greenway
Greater Ithaca Area
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-274-6570

Hours: Call for additional information

Admission Free
Circle Greenway is a ten mile self-guided walk or bicycle trip that touches Ithaca's natural and urban features including gorges, the waterfront, Cornell University Campus, and the Downtown Ithaca Commons. Free Brochure and map at City Hall or at the Ithaca/Tompkins County Visitors Bureau.

Community Recreation Center-The Rink/The Field
1767 E Shore Dr
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-277-RINK

Open year round. Public skating schedule starting October 1st Mon-Wed. 2-5pm, Fri. 7-9pm, Sat. 4-6pm and 8-10pm, Sun. 6:30-8:30pm.

Admission Charged

Cornell Lab of Ornithology/Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary
159 Sapsucker Woods Rd.
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-254-2473

Hours: Mon-Thurs 8am -5pm; Fri 8am -4pm, Sat. 9:30am – 4pm, Sun. 11am – 4pm
Admission Free, donations accepted
The Lab of Ornithology is an international center for the study, conservation, and appreciation of birds. It is located on the 220-acre Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary. Visitors experience the sights and sounds of birds in the observatory’s multimedia theater and view other interactive exhibits. Featured are paintings by renowned bird and wildlife artists. Enjoy views of Sapsucker Woods pond and bird-feeding garden through an expansive wall of windows. Hike more than four miles of trails through the sanctuary.

Cornell Plantations
One Plantation Rd.
Ithaca, NY 14853
607-255-3020
Hours: Closed to vehicles in winter. Information is available at the Garden Shop. Mon-Fri. 9am-4pm, Sat. 10am-5pm, Sun. 12pm-4pm. Drop-in tours beginning at the Gift Shop on Wed. & Sat. at 1pm.

Admission Free
Cornell Plantations' arboretum, and botanical garden are a museum of living plants with a network of trails through campus providing natural areas for hiking and nature study. Guided tours available for groups.

Cornell University
410 Thurston Avenue
Ithaca, NY 14853
607-255-2000
Hours: Open Year Round
Cornell is an international teaching and research Ivy League University offering Veterinary Sciences, Agriculture, Hotel Management, Architecture, Engineering, and many other areas of study. Cornell’s campus is frequently heralded as one of the most beautiful in the nation with 745 acres nestled among woodlands, gorges, and waterfalls. Walk around campus on a self-guided tour or take an escorted tour. Learn and see all the wonders of Cornell University.

Danby State Forest
off Route 96B
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-753-3095
Hours: Open Year Round

Admission Charged
State forest area offering rustic hiking trails.

Dewitt Mall

Seneca and Cayuga Streets

Ithaca, New York

Formerly Ithaca High School, this building and its predecessor have occupied the site for more than a century.  Framed photographs of “the old school days” decorate the halls.  The Mall contains Greenstar Cooperative Natural Foods Grocery and deli; Pastimes, which sells area memorabilia; the Dewitt Restaurant and deli; Guitarworks; a children’s specialty toy store; and the world famous Moosewood Restaurant. 

Downtown Ithaca Commons
The Commons
State St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-277-8679
Hours: Call for additional information

Admission Free
One of the largest pedestrian malls in America. Historic downtown Ithaca is home to the award-winning “Commons,” a pedestrian marketplace with an international flair. One can browse among downtown’s many unique specialty shops featuring apparel, art, ATM locations, fine crafts, jewelry, children’s store, specialty pet boutique, books, music, sporting goods, and contemporary furnishings or enjoy a variety of foods at any number of different places to eat. There is more shopping and great ethnic food at Center Ithaca and DeWitt Mall, as well as adjacent to The Commons on Cayuga and Aurora Streets.

East Hill Recreation Way
Maple Ave
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-273-8035

Hours: Call for additional information

Admission Free
2.2 mile multi-use trail that runs parallel to Cascadilla Creek and up through the Cornell Plantations. Cross country skiing.

Farm Trail Information
Cornell Cooperative Extension
615 Willow Ave
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-272-2292

Hours: Call for additional information

Admission Charged
Will arrange farm visits and garden tours.

G F Charters
Slip #22
Allen Treman State Marine Park
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-273-2861
Hours: Open April – October, call for additional information

Admission Charged
April 1st-Oct. 20th– 8 hr trips on Cayuga Lake starting out of Ithaca. Everything is supplied except food, drink, and fishing licenses. Includes a captain and crew who assist all day, clean the catch, bag it, and supply receipts.

Greater Ithaca Art Trail
Tompkins County Area
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-273-5072
Hours: Call for additional information

Admission Free

Unique concept designed to bring together over 50 regional and community artists. Self-guided tours of studios: sculptures, paintings, photography, wood carvings and more.

Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Fine Art
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
607-255-6464
Hours:  Open Tue-Sun 10am-5pm. Closed holidays.

Admission Free
Designed by I.M. Pei, the museum houses an impressive collection that spans forty centuries and six continents with particular strengths in prints as well as Asian and contemporary art. Offers panoramic views of Cornell, Ithaca and Cayuga Lake. Group tours available.

Ithaca Children's Garden
Cass Park, Rt. 89
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-272-2292

Hours: Call for additional information

Admission Free
Located on a 3-acre site in the developing Cayuga Lake waterfront area, the Ithaca Children's Garden is a garden in the making that currently features a wetland habitat garden with turtle’s earth sculpture and a labyrinth.

Ithaca College

South Hill

Ithaca, New York

Founded in 1892 as the Ithaca Conservatory of Music, Ithaca College is an outstanding private, coeducational college offering undergraduate and graduate programs in business, communications, health sciences and human performance, humanities and sciences, music, and interdisciplinary studies.  It has an enrollment of over 6,000 students.

Ithaca Falls
Lake St
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-272-1313
Hours: Open year round from dawn to dusk

Admission Free

Over 15,000 years ago, receding waters and erosion worked to form a one mile long gorge called Fall Creek. Features include six waterfalls, cascades & rapids. A small park is located on the south side of the trail for picnics.

Ithaca Paintball
619 West State Street
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-273-3904

Hours: Open daily, call for reservations

Admission Charged
Full line and full service paintball store and field complete with all the latest in paintball technology and custom playing fields, designed to bring out the strategist in everyone

John Hartell Gallery
Sibley Dome at Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-255-3299
Hours: Open year round, Mon.-Fri. 8am-4:30pm

Admission Free
Weekly exhibits of art and architectural work by students, faculty and guests.

Museum of the Earth at PRI
1259 Trumansburg Rd
Rte 96
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-273-6623

Hours: Mon. Wed., Fri. & Sat., 10am-5pm, Sun. 12-4pm; Thurs. 10am-7pm. Closed Tuesdays

Admission Charged
Experience what life was like beneath an ancient sea, track a herd of dinosaurs dashing across NYS, or touch relics of a world carved by ice. Concentrates on the geology & paleontology of the Northeastern US. The Museum exhibits over 650 specimens from one of nation's largest and finest fossil collections, including the skeletons of the Hyde Park Mastodon, Right Whale #2030 and the 500 foot mural, Rock of Ages Sands of Time.

Robert H. Treman State Park (Upper and Lower Enfield Glen Parks)
Rte 327
RD 10
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-273-3440
Hours:  Open mid May – late November

Admission Charged per car
Enfield Glen is the scenic highlight of this park. This is an area of rustic beauty with craggy gorges and winding trails bearing names like "fire and brimstone" with waterfalls named Lucifer Falls and Devil's Kitchen. Limited cross-country skiing, summer recreation program, old mill located at upper park, picnic area, swimming, playground, camping, cabins, dump station. Summer recreation programs and winter activities available.

Sciencenter
601 First St
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-272-0600
Hours: Tue-Sat 10am-5pm; Sun Noon-5pm; open Mon Nat'l holidays.
A hands-on science museum and outdoor science playground, the Sciencenter boasts over 150 exhibits including a walk-in camera, water raceway, and two-story kinetic ball sculpture, curiosity corner, animal room, and Discovery Space. Sponsor of the Carl Sagan Planet Walk. Also offering Galaxy Golf 18 hole mini-golf course.

Six Mile Creek Gorge
Ithaca, NY 14850
800-284-8422

Hours: Call for additional information

Admission Free
An Indian trail that offers remnants of an old mill building and the Elizabeth Mulholland Wildflower Preserve. Noted for its rich woodland flora.

South Hill Recreation Way
Hudson St
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-273-8035

Hours: Call for additional information

Admission Free
Popular with walkers, joggers, bicyclists, cross-country skiers, and college athletic teams. This trail also serves as a commuter route between the South Hill residential area, Ithaca College and Downtown. Built on an old railroad bed, this hard-packed gravel trail has an accessible entrance off Crescent Place. Many benches and a level rest area. 2.9 mile multi-use trail.

Stewart Park
Corner of NYS Rts 13 & 34
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-273-8364
Hours: Open year round, call for additional information

Admission Free
Formerly the site of the Wharton Brothers silent movie studios, Stewart Park now is home to playing fields, a children's playground, picnic area, concession stand, tennis courts, and the Fuertes Bird Sanctuary.

Striker Fishing /Sightseeing
Cayuga Lake
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-256-8214

Hours: Call for additional information

Admission Charged
Fishing and sightseeing charter on Cayuga Lake.

The History Center in Tompkins County
401 E State St
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-273-8284

Hours: Call for additional information

Admission Charged
The History Center in Tompkins County is the gateway for learning about the people, places, things, and stories that have shaped your past. You are invited to examine history through a local lens by exploring thousands of historic photographs, documents, diaries, scrapbooks, genealogies, maps, and more in the History Center Research Library. Discover the excitement of exploring the past at the History Center in Tompkins County.

Tompkins County Public Library
101 East Green St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-272-4557

Hours: Open year round, call for additional information

Admission Free
At Tompkins County Public Library visitors can find a world of information at their fingertips. Learn to "Navigate a Sea of Resources" with the help of librarians. At the library, visitors may connect to special databases, search the library catalogue for CDs, DVDs, videos, or their favorite author. Explore the Internet or simply sit back and read. Enjoy programming for all ages, from story telling to music on Sundays, from book discussion groups to author readings. Join cultural celebrations and appreciate art displays and other exhibitions.

Nearby

Arnot State Forest

Off Chaffee Creek Rd.
Newfield, NY 14867
607-753-3095
Hours: Open year round

Admission Charged

State forest area for hiking. Mostly unmarked trails.

Finger Lakes Skydivers
Ovid Airport, Parish Rd.
9752 Kingtown Rd.
Trumansburg, NY 14886

800-SKYDIVE

Hours: April-November, Wed-Sun 9am-dark

Admission Charged
Experience the thrill of a tandem skydive over the beautiful Finger Lakes. Reservations required.

Finger Lakes Trail
Several sites in Tompkins County
6111 Visitor Center Rd.
Mount Morris, NY 14510
585-658-9320
Hours: Open year round

Admission Free
The Finger Lakes Trail is a footpath for hikers which stretch 560 miles from the PA/NY border in Allegany State Park to the Long Path in the Catskill Forest Preserve, crossing beautiful and remote areas of the Southern Tier. Over 50 miles of the trail is in Tompkins County. These trails connect several State Land areas in Tompkins County including Connecticut Hill, Robert Treman State Park, Danby State Forest, and Shindagin Hollow State.

Freebrook Farms
39 Fall Creek Rd.
Freeville, NY 13068
607-844-8754
Hours: Open winter, call for additional information

Admission Charged
Horse-drawn sleigh rides for couples or groups up to 25 people. Buggy and sleigh museum open by appointment only- approximately 25 vehicles.

Greek Peak Mountain Ski Resort
2000 NYS Rt. 392
Cortland, NY 13045
607-835-6111
Hours: Open 7 days and nights in the winter. Call for tubing & cross-country hours & availability. Open Sun.-Thurs. 9:30am-9pm, Fri-Sat. 9:30am-10pm

Admission Charged

Great downhill skiing, and tubing are only 45 minutes from Ithaca, at Greek Peak Mountain Ski Resort. One of central NY's largest resorts. Full service offering skiing, snow shoeing, cross-country skiing.

Taughannock Falls State Park

Taughannock Park Road (Route 89)

Trumansburg, New York

Taughannock Falls for which the park is named, is one of the outstanding attractions of the northeast.  The 215 foot waterfall plunges through a rock amphitheater whose walls reach nearly 400 feet.  An easy 15-20  minute drive from downtown Ithaca.

Wind Rider Balloon Company
44 Deer Run Rd
Newfield, NY 14867
607-564-1009

Hours: Reservations required, call for additional information

Admission Charged
Scenic Hot Air Balloon flights over the Finger Lakes Region. FAA certified commercial pilot since 1984. Reservations required. Experience unique adventures.