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Welcome to Ithaca, NY!Ithaca is located on the traditional homelands of the Gayogohó:nǫɁ (the Cayuga Nation) and sits at the southern tip of Cayuga Lake. The City of Ithaca is home to both Cornell University (established in 1865) and Ithaca College (established in 1892), and Tompkins County is home to Tompkins Cortland Community College (established in 1968). There are four state parks within 10 miles of downtown Ithaca. They are Buttermilk Falls State Park, Robert Treman State Park, Allen Treman State Marine Park, and Taughannock Falls State Park. Ithaca is famous for its many waterfalls, more than 100 within 10 miles of downtown. If you put them all together, it's a waterfall 7,342 feet tall. That's 1.39 miles of falling water! Things to Do and See Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art Cornell University A world of art in an I. M. Pei building that offers panoramic views of Ithaca and Cayuga Lake, this is one of the most jaw-dropping attractions on the Discovery Trail. Admission is always free. For more information and hours, please visit our website. The Johnson Museum boasts a permanent collection of 40,000 pieces and is regarded among the nation's best university galleries. The museum is especially well known for its Asian art and prints. Notable names in the galleries include Rembrandt, Matisse, Manet, Alberto Giacometti, James McNeill Whistler, and Alfred Stieglitz, among others. An homage to the late Cornell astronomy professor Carl Sagan, "Leo Villareal: Cosmos" is visible day and night on the ceiling of the outdoor sculpture court. The 2012 site-specific installation was created with 12,000 LEDs. |
Buttermilk Falls |
Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Sapsucker Woods 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd. Ithaca, NY The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a world leader in the study, appreciation, and conservation of birds. Our hallmarks are scientific excellence and technological innovation to advance the understanding of nature and to engage people of all ages in learning about birds and protecting the planet. Visit the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in the 220-acre Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary. Hike wooded trails, learn bird sounds, and watch movies about birds and nature in the observatory. For info, beautiful photographs and a calendar of events, visit their website and Facebook Page! Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am to 4pm. Closed Thanksgiving Day and during the holiday week between Christmas Day and New Year's Day. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is on the Ithaca Discovery Trail. Check out our trails, events, and virtual programs. Discovery Trail From nature walks to hands-on fun, there's so much to see, do, and learn along the Discovery Trail. There are multiple fascinating sites spread out across downtown Ithaca, the Cornell campus and on the hill overlooking beautiful Cayuga Lake. The Discovery Trail offers cultural explorers of all ages many unique activities and entertainment, both indoors and outdoors. It is a collaboration of eight brainy, family attractions in the Ithaca area that strive to bring science, art, and history to life in fun ways that can be enjoyed by anyone looking to learn, play, and discover. All Discovery Trail attractions are open year-round, with various exhibits changing seasonally. Handwerker Gallery Ithaca College Scholarly exhibitions, Thursdays at the Handwerker series, Tuesday Salon series, lectures, colloquia, music, readings, special events. Tours and group visits accommodated upon request. Open Aug-May, Mon-Wed, Fri 10am-6pm, Thurs 10am-9pm, Sat-Sun 12pm-5pm. (Closed when Ithaca College is not in session). Museum of the Earth 1259 Trumansburg Rd. Ithaca Museum of the Earth provides a unique opportunity to explore Earth and its prehistoric past—from the tiniest trilobites to the mighty mastodon—through engaging and interactive displays, hands-on features, stunning fossils, and science-inspired art. The museum’s 8,000-square-foot permanent exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the 4.5 billion years of history, from the Earth’s origin to the present day. Through hands-on, visual exhibitions and outreach, the Museum of the Earth encourages critical thinking about life on Earth in the past and today, and how our species is affecting the natural world. Marvel at the Hyde Park Mastodon—one of the most complete mastodon skeletons ever found. Find and take home your own fossil from the Fossil Lab. Visit Steggy the Stegosaurus in the Jurassic-themed early-learner Dino Zone. Watch as dinosaur bones and other fascinating specimens are uncovered in our Fossil Prep Lab. View the 44-foot long Right Whale #2030 skeleton and learn her story. Journey 540 million years back in time through our 500-foot mural, Rock of Ages, Sands of Time. Discover the diversity of life in our coral reefs and learn how changing climates shape the Earth. Sciencenter 601 1st St. Ithaca An unforgettable experience awaits you at the Sciencenter! Splash, climb, think, build, and bounce your way through hands-on exhibits that will spark curiosity in all ages. From astronomy to zoology, there’s something for everyone at the Sciencenter! Enjoy our seasonal outdoor science parks, play a round of mini-golf, and meet animals up close and personal! The Cherry Arts 102 Cherry St. Ithaca The Cherry Arts is a waterfront arts destination on the Cayuga Inlet for performing and visual arts. The Cherry presents new and innovative works that are radically local, radically international, and seriously fresh. At the Artspace, the performing arts venue, this work includes theater, dance, music, puppetry, and other exceptional works from Ithaca-area artists and beyond. In the Gallery, next door at 130 Cherry St, visual arts exhibitions are on display on the weekends. The History Center in Tompkins County 110 N Tioga St. (inside the Tompkins Center for History & Culture) Ithaca The History Center in Tompkins County is a state of the art museum and research space highlighting the histories of Tompkins County and the Finger Lakes region. Learn about the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫˀ (Cayuga), the establishment of Cornell University, Ithaca College and the growth of local industry and agriculture. The History Center changes exhibits on an annual basis (Exhibits open in February and are on display through December each year), highlighting different stories and objects from their collections. Explore thehistorycenter.net/exhibit-hall for details on the current exhibit. Ulysses Historical Society Museum 39 South St. Trumansburg Exhibits of Old Main Street and Silver Dan, the horse in the window. Genealogy research by appointment call 273-0834. April-Dec; Fri-Sat 2-4pm, Mon 9-11am. No entrance fee charged. |  Tompkins Center for History & Culture
The Johnson Museum of Art overlooking Cayuga Lake
Ithaca Downtown Commons
Museum of the Earth
Sciencenter |
