10 Things To Do In Ithaca: Complete Guide To Upstate New York's Most Beautiful City (2024)

This article is part of a directory: East Coast USA: Complete Travel Guide

Ithaca, New York, tucked into the Finger Lakes Region and home to renowned Cornell University, is a stunning location sitting aesthetically in stunning upstate New York. Travelers make their way to this city for a variety of reasons. The city enjoys a pleasant climate, lovely architecture, and an abundance of stunning nature, making Ithaca a must-visit destination.

Things To Do

Ithaca, New York, is surrounded by stunning attractions, from the Finger Lakes to local waterfalls. The city itself is beautiful with its aesthetic architecture and locations like Cornell University.

Travelers looking to visit Ithaca may have questions about the city and what it has to offer. To help travelers out, here is a guide to Ithaca, Upstate New York’s most beautiful city.

1 Sciencenter

View of Cornell University, Ithaca's elite Ivy League school.

One fun thing to experience while in Ithaca, New York, is the city's Sciencenter complex. Here, guests can walk through the hands-on science museum, enjoying unique exhibits and learning about the area's various natural wonders.

Notably, this location boasts more than 250 exhibits, educational programs, a gift shop, an outdoor science park, and a seasonal miniature golf course.

• Address: 601 1st St, Ithaca, NY 14850
• Hours: Daily from 10 am to 5 pm
• Admission: $10

2 Ithaca Farmers Market

Fall in Ithaca, New York

Another thing to experience while in Ithaca is the town's famous farmer's market. Here, locals and tourists can enjoy a seasonal weekend market featuring baked goods, art, produce and crafts, music, wine tastings, and street food.

• Address: Ithaca Market Steamboat Landing, 545 3rd St, Ithaca, NY 14850
• Hours: Saturday (9 am to 3 pm) and Sunday (10 am to 3 pm)

3 Herbert F. Johnson Museum Of Art

Car driving down street in Ithaca, NY

The next thing to check out while in Ithaca is the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art. Here, guests can appreciate an art museum located on the northwest corner of the Arts Quad on the main campus of Cornell University.

This location boasts two windows from Frank Lloyd Wright's Darwin D. Martin House and more than 35,000 other works.

• Address: 114 Central Ave, Ithaca, NY 14853
• Hours: Wednesday through Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm

4 Ithaca Commons

Ithaca, NY

For those wanting to go shopping in Ithaca, the city's mall is a nice choice. Ithaca Commons is a two-block pedestrian mall in the business improvement district known as Downtown Ithaca and serves as the "hub" of the city.

• Address: 171 E M.L.K. Jr. St, Ithaca, NY 14850
• Hours: Open 24 hours a day

5 Buttermilk Falls State Park

Ithaca, New York

One of the more popular destinations in Ithaca, NY, is Buttermilk Falls State Park. Here, visitors can appreciate the 811-acre state park located southwest of the city.

Buttermilk Falls State Park features Buttermilk Creek, which winds its way down the valley side toward Cayuga Lake. The park is divided into two main areas. There are also various campgrounds in Upstate NY worth considering.

• Address: 106 E Buttermilk Falls Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850
• Hours: Daily from 8 am to 7:30 pm

6 Ithaca Children's Garden

Scenery in Ithaca New York

The next stop in Ithaca is the city's beloved children's garden. Here, guests can enjoy the sanctuary fostering hope, love, peace, and conservation in the heart of the city.

This garden is in collaboration with the Ithaca Childbearing Loss Network and the Bulb Labyrinth Memorial Garden and is a top-rated destination for families.

• Address: 121 Turtle Ln, Ithaca, NY 14850
• Hours: Open daily from 7 am to 7 pm

7 Museum Of The Earth

Panoramic view of Ithaca, New York

For those wanting to learn while in Ithaca, the Museum of the Earth is a top-rated destination to consider. Here, visitors can experience a natural history museum boasting engaging and interactive displays, hands-on features, and art from around the country.

• Address: 1259 Trumansburg Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850
• Hours: Monday, Thursday-Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm
• Admission: $12.50 Adults, $9.50 Senior, Youth 4-17 $7.50

8 The Finger Lakes

The Finger Lakes in New York

The Finger Lakes, found just on the doorstep of Ithaca, are an ideal destination for all four seasons. Home to 11 aesthetic lakes in central upstate New York, the Finger Lakes are a great destination to escape to.

Travelers can one or multiple nights or just make it into a day trip. The region around the lakes is also known for its wine, so travelers can look forward to enjoying a drink while soaking up the beauty of the region.

• Distance From Syracuse - 45 min (33.8 miles)
• Route From Ithaca

9 Robert Treman State Park

Robert Treman State Park

Robert Treman State Park is a beautiful location home to stunning falls and a mix of easy and challenging trails. Popular destinations in the park include The Lower Falls, which is just a short walk from the parking lot.

There is even a swimming area here, complete with a lifeguard. Travelers looking for more of a challenge can venture up to The Upper Falls and Gorge trail.

• Top Trails

Related:

10 Cornell University

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One of the USA’s most iconic universities for both academics and architecture, visiting Cornell University is a popular activity for many visiting Ithaca.

Even travelers with no interest in studying here will still be to enjoy a stroll through the university’s grounds is worth it as this is a truly stunning university.

• Address: 616 Thurston Ave. Ithaca, NY 14853
• Hours: Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 2 - 4 p.m. EST.

11 Best Time To Visit Ithaca, New York

Nature scenery in Ithaca NY

• Fall is one of the best times of year to visit Ithaca, New York.
• Temperatures during fall in Ithaca typically reach 82 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and down to ten degrees at night.

Looking into Ithaca’s weather and local happenings in the region, October stands out as the best time to go to Ithaca. This is primarily because of Ithaca’s fall climate, which is usually quite nice with plenty of sunshine, even if it is cooling down outside.

Related: 10 Breathtakingly Beautiful Cities In Upstate New York

Fall is also slightly less crowded despite the fun fall activities in Ithaca and how beautiful the city looks, immersed in fall foliage. In the fall, temperatures reach as high as 82℉ and as low as 10℉.

It should be stated that anytime is really a good time to visit Ithaca; mid-autumn just happens to be the best.

12 Best Ways To Get Around Ithaca

Taxi parked outside home in Ithaca New York

Ithaca is an incredibly accessible city; being a college town, it also has many alternatives to cars for getting around the city. The bus system in Ithaca is quite nice, and the city is quite walkable.

Related: The Ultimate Travel Guide To Exploring Syracuse, New York, Like A Local

By Bicycle

Ithaca is a lovely city that is perfect for cycling around. There are many routes through and around Ithaca that are simply fun to ride and will get travelers where they want to get to.

Cars and Rentals

Travelers who want to use their car or rent a car during a visit to Ithaca will have an easy time doing so. Driving in Ithaca isn’t difficult, and there are also plenty of car rental services available for travelers to take advantage of.

• Rent Now - Kayak

Taxis and Taxi Services

Travelers visiting Ithaca will be able to use the city’s taxi service and several private taxi services. Travelers will also be able to make use of Uber and Lyft while in Ithaca.

• Ithaca Dispatch - Handles dispatch for Cayuga Taxi, University Taxi, and Yellow Cab
• Collegetown Cab
• Executive Limousine & Sedan

TCAT and Bussing

Many living in Ithaca do so without a car, so public transportation is a popular way to get around the city. Ithaca’s TCAT is a great system for both getting around the city and to close-by destinations. There are 40 TCAT routes in the city.

• For travelers looking to get a bit further out of the city, there are Greyhound buses available.

By Foot

Travelers who don’t want to bother with rentals or bus routes, and don’t mind a little walking, will find that Ithaca is incredibly accessible by food.

According to Walkscore.com, Ithaca receives a 72, meaning it is a very walkable city.

Related:

13 Where To Eat In Ithaca, New York

View of Ithaca, New York

Ithaca is full of amazing restaurants ranging from affordable options for college students to upscale dining, great for visitors to the city.

Ithaca Bakery - Breakfast

Those looking for a great breakfast in Ithaca should look no further than the Ithaca Bakery. Breakfast lovers will love savoring the delicious flavors of their scratch-made sandwiches, homemade entrees and salads, a variety of artisan bread and bagels, delicious pastries, cheeses, and fair-trade coffee.

• Address - 400 N Meadow St, Ithaca, NY 14850-3227
• Contact - +1 607-273-7110
• Cost - $$-$$$
• Fan-Favorite - Southwest Sourdough Bread
• Website

MIX Kitchen and Bar - Lunch/dinner

Regardless of whether Travelers are looking for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or drinks in the evening, MIX Kitchen and Bar is the perfect place to stop by. Their goal is to provide a fun dining atmosphere that provides multicultural cuisine to visitors.

• Address - 205 Elmira Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850-5301
• Contact - +1 607-319-4248
• Cost - $$-$$$
• Fan-Favorite - The Duck Confit
• Menu

The Heights Restaurant - Dinner

Established in 1995 by Culinary Institute of America graduate James Larounis and his wife Heidi, the Heights Restaurant brings classic fine American dining with a Mediterranean element to Ithaca.

On top of fine cuisine, they also have an incredible and renowned wine list to choose from.

• Address - 903 Hanshaw Rd Ste 19, Ithaca, NY 14850-1530
• Contact - +1 607-257-4144
• Cost - $$$$
• Fan-Favorites - Arancini Ball
• Menu

14 Where To Stay In Ithaca, New York

Cornell University in Ithaca, NY

Travelers to Ithaca will have many choices for where to stay. However, to help travelers out, here are three of the top-rated yet affordable hotels that can be found in Ithaca.

Rodeway Inn & Suites - Budget

Rodeway Inn & Suites is a popular destination for budget-minded travelers visiting Ithaca. This hotel provides comforts, luxuries, and convenience that rival other hotels in the city with a much better value. In terms of conscience, the hotel is surrounded by local landmarks, including Namgyal Monastery (2.2 mi) and Gourdlandia (2.3 mi).

• Accommodation: Rodeway Inn & Suites
• Address:654 Elmira Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850-8745
• Amenities - Free parking, Free High-Speed Internet (Wi-Fi), Free Breakfast, Pets Allowed (Dog / Pet Friendly), Business Center with Internet Access, BBQ facilities, Non-smoking hotel, 24-hour front desk, Parking, Wi-Fi, Breakfast available, Breakfast buffet

Hilton Garden Inn Ithaca - Mid-tier

Ithaca’s Hilton Garden Inn offers travelers fantastic accommodations and is conveniently located not too far from Cornell University. This hotel features both rooms and suites with an in-room refrigerator, microwave, and Wi-Fi. Travelers will also be able to enjoy their pool and meeting space.

• Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn Ithaca
• Address - 130 E Seneca St, Ithaca, NY 14850
• Amenities - Free parking, Free High-Speed Internet (Wi-Fi), Indoor pool, Fitness Center with Gym / Workout Room, Bar/Lounge, Karaoke, Board Games/Puzzles, Free Airport Transportation

La Tourelle Hotel, Bistro, Spa - Luxury

Travelers who want everything in one place will love La Tourelle Hotel. Here travelers will have access to their incredible dining and wine selection as well.

This hotel is the home to the August Moon Spa. On top of everything, this hotel is nestled into the Finger Lakes, making for a truly stunning location.

• Accommodation: La Tourelle Hotel, Bistro, Spa
• Address - 1150 Danby Rd Route 96B, Ithaca, NY 14850-9406
• Amenities - Free parking, Free High-Speed Internet (Wi-Fi), Fitness Center with Gym / Workout Room, Restaurant, Hiking, Kids stay free, Books, DVDs, music for children, Pets Allowed (Dog / Pet Friendly)

15 Tips For Visiting Ithaca, New York

Aerial view of Ithaca, New York

• Ithaca is a college town, so there will be peak times for traffic, partying, and noise.
• July is the best summer month to come here, as June is the rainiest time of year.

Travelers visiting Ithaca should make sure to keep a few things in mind. First, Ithaca is a college town; during the usual times of the year when colleges get busy, Ithaca also becomes busy.

Second, travelers should avoid arriving in June. It is the rainiest month in Ithaca, and the rain can really put a damper on outdoor activities.

And third, travelers who want to visit during the summer should do so in July. The June rains have lightened up, the days are long, and all the college kids are back home.

16 How To Spend A Perfect Day In Ithaca, New York

Dock on lake in Ithaca, New York

It's not hard to spend a perfect day in Ithaca, especially for nature lovers. A must-do is hiking Downtown's gorge, where heading outdoors and onto the trail leads travelers past eight waterfalls.

Dining out at one of Ithaca's farm-to-table restaurants is also a must, whether it's for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Finally, a walk through the Cornell Botanic Gardens or a trip to any of the local state parks gives another much-needed dose of nature before visitors get back on the road home.

FAQ

Q: Where Does Ithaca Compare To Its Neighbor Syracuse?

Syracuse is a much larger city than Ithaca meaning it will have some of the amenities that larger cities have that Ithaca may lack. However, Ithaca is much closer to the Finger Lakes and is perhaps the most aesthetic city in New York and perhaps most of the country.

However, from both, travelers will have great access to nature and will have many fun places to explore both on the way there and once they arrive.

(The Ultimate Travel Guide To Exploring Syracuse, New York Like A Local)

Q: How Does Exploring The Falls Around Ithaca Compare With Niagara Falls?

Exploring both would be incredible for travelers to do as they are quite different. The falls around Ithaca are stunning but much smaller than Niagara, however, they offer travelers the chance to enjoy beautiful hikes and stunning landscapes on their way to experience the falls.

Q: How Does Ithaca Compare To Rochester New York?

Rochester is perhaps the most neighborly town in the US and is located right on Lake Ontario. Rochester is nearly seven times larger than Ithaca meaning it is a much busier place, but still quiet to visit. Ithaca offers a more quiet, peaceful, and aesthetic atmosphere for travelers to explore.