The 16 Best Things to do in Ithaca, NY for everyone

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Ithaca is a lovely, overflowing spot to visit that has a ton making it work.

Ithaca is with history with charming old designs, historic regions, and shocking museums spotted by and large.

Nobody can truly determine what you’ll find with the things to do in Ithaca.

It might be something transitory, like a rainbow in the obscurity of one of the various Ithaca fountains, or something solid, like information from an acclaimed speaker close by at Cornell University.

Related: Ultimate Fun Things to Do in Buffalo, New York

Anything that you pick, your visit will be indispensable.

Detail of the Top 16 Things to do in Ithaca

Here are the very best things to do in Ithaca, including Ithaca hotels and the best restaurants, and that is just a glimpse of something larger.

1. Ithaca waterfalls

Waterfall in New York State
[See Map]

Waterfalls are among the best spots and things to do in Ithaca to find an enduring feeling of concordance of mind, and Ithaca has many waterfalls (more than 150).

These fountains stream across the town and have made gorges in Ithaca as they go.

The most famous waterfalls in Ithaca are in the three state stops close to the city.

There’s Taughannock overflow, Robert Treman, and Buttermilk Falls.

There are brilliant trips in these state stops, magnificent on a new fall day!

If you’ve not had your piece of the falls in Ithaca, then attempt to take a gander at the 150-ft Ithaca Falls near Cayuga Lake.

Related: Awesome Things to Do In Brooklyn, New York City

2. Visit Cornell University

Land-grant university in Ithaca, New York
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Address: Ithaca, NY 14850, United States
Phone: +1 607-254-4636

Cornell University sits high on a slant in implied “Collegetown,” from which it concentrates on the rest of Ithaca and the unfathomable stripe of Cayuga Lake that stretches out northward.

Close by, the top public draw is the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art.

The construction close by, McGraw Tower, is known for the Cornell Chimes, an obsolete played every day by students and graduated class.

East of Beebe Lake is the school’s display corridor of living plants, Cornell Plantations, a certifiable find and most certainly worth a visit for garden dears or only a tad of solace.

General society is allowed to visit the nursery, wildflower nursery, and Newman Arboretum.

Related: Cool Free Things to Do in San Antonio, Texas

3. Kayak on Cayuga Lake

Lake in New York State
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Lake Cayuga is among the top things to do in Ithaca that lies in Finger Lake in upstate New York.

You can participate in some kayaking, kayaking, or paddleboarding on the lake when the water hushes up by renting kayaks from Puddledockers in Ithaca.

It costs between $30-35 to rent a board or kayak for an hour, and the association offers sunset visits for $45.

4. Test Moosewood Vegetarian restaurant

Moosewood Restaurant has turned out successfully for quite a while. 

Moosewood Restaurant at DeWitt Mall, Ithaca, New York
[See Map]
Address: 215 N Cayuga St, Ithaca, NY 14850, United States
Phone: +1 607-273-9610

Suppers consolidate new vegetables, flavors, fruits, whole grains, nuts, beans, first-rate oils, spices, and fine imported and local cheddar.

The Ithaca Ale House’s specific dish should be imaginative and wanton burgers.

Pull out all the stops with their “Fat Kid,” a burger sandwiched by grilled cheeses for buns. If you love Mexican food, Viva Taqueria is your place in Ithaca.

5. Go shopping at Ithaca Commons

Shopping mall in Ithaca, New York
[See Map]
Address: 171 E M.L.K. Jr. St, Ithaca, NY 14850, United States
Phone: +1 607-277-8679

It is essential and so is interesting to Shop in Ithaca.

Shopping is among the fascinating things to do in Ithaca.

Stroll around art showcases and shops while taking in the certain midtown Ithaca Commons plan, or advance two or three blocks down to Ithaca’s shopping locale.

You can find everything from pearls and solely gathered bikes to comprehensive flavors and inside plan items for each taste, monetary arrangement, and style.

Visit one of only a handful of exceptional Ithaca malls in favorable regions or reused stores that can be all through town. 

Shopping in Ithaca is just about as varied as people who live here.

6. Taughannock Falls State Park

State park in New York State
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Address: 1740 Taughannock Blvd, Trumansburg, NY 14886, United States
Phone: +1 607-387-6739

Taughannock Falls State Park offers breathtaking points of view on the gorge and falls that plunge right around 215 feet.

To stop and see Taughannock Falls can be a whole day undertaking.

The state park contains campsites and hotels for visitors to stay in for the time being on the mishap of the falls.

You can see boats in the nearby marina in the pre-summer or cross-country skiers in the amusement region all through the colder season. Climbers participate in the view all through the whole year.

7. Buttermilk Falls State Park

State park in New York State
[See Map]
Address: 106 E Buttermilk Falls Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850, United States
Phone: +1 607-273-5761

Go during a time in nature at buttermilk falls state park and spend a day there as it is one of the best things to do in Ithaca.

Research the ample nature at Buttermilk Falls State Park on this two-hour move to Ithaca, New York.

Starting from Firelight Camps, venture across woods, meadows, and lowlands, searching for a combination of plants, developments, and berries.

There are many educated helpers and preservationists to answer questions and tell climbers the best way to see and scrounge an assortment of the neighborhood.

8. Southern Tier Balloon Tours

Balloon ride tour agency in New York State
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Address: 197 Bostwick Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850, United States
Phone: +1 607-222-7620

Southern Tier Balloon Tours offers a touring hot air balloon ride over the ideal city.

Wonder about the delightful points of view and outside air as you move into the skies.

It is fun for friends and family or a private trip if you like a sincere date.

See Ithaca from a raised viewpoint with this fundamental inflatable visit.

The experience is close to 3 hours, with each flight persevering up to 70 minutes long, so you’ll irrefutably have the choice to take in the sights of Ithaca.

9. Cayuga Nature Center

Nature preserve in New York State
[See Map]
Address: 1420 Taughannock Blvd, Ithaca, NY 14850, United States
Phone: +1 607-273-6260

At the Cayuga Nature Center, visitors learn about the rich organic arrangement of the Cayuga Lake Basin, and it is probably among the top things to do in Ithaca.

Cayuga Nature center sits on 100 segments of a place known for woods and fields, defending the critters of the area.

A treehouse gives a remarkable survey feature take in the scene of Ithaca while climbing trails guide visitors along with ways with fountains, streams, and crevasses.

The aquarium in the Finger Lakes region houses entrancing fish for visitors to explore.

Additionally, visitors can explore outside shows with carry-on with local untamed life, from foxes to flying predators.

10. Ithaca Children’s Garden

Garden in Ithaca, New York
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Address: 121 Turtle Ln, Ithaca, NY 14850, United States
Phone: +1 607-319-4203

At the Ithaca Children’s Garden, your little pioneer can skip into an assortment of customary greatness and horseplay.

The nursery features clever outside shows and activities ideal for keeping your little involved.

At the Birds Habitat, youngsters can explore the environment of adjacent birds while tuning in for bird calls and “flying around.”

Kids can search for tadpoles, frogs, and fish at the rice paddy lake while exploring nearby wetlands.

A triumph at the nursery is the Troll House, where dream creatures live.

The nursery is free and open to the public the entire year, so you can visit this pearl paying little mind to any time you visit Ithaca!

11. HF Johnson Museum of Art

Art museum in Ithaca, New York
[See Map]
Address: 114 Central Ave, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States
Phone: +1 607-255-6464

Art fans will love going on an excursion to the HF Johnson Museum of Art arranged in the center of Ithaca. 

Visiting here is among the interesting things to do in Ithaca for families.

The design is a work of art, featuring a development poured in concrete and a present-day plan that differentiates the dated buildings of Cornell University.

Inside the museum, visitors can research groupings spreading from African art to Modern and Contemporary.

Experts range from Cornell labor force to overall trained professionals.

You’ll need to come around the Morgan Garden.

12. Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Non-profit organization in Lansing, New York
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Address: 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850, United States
Phone: +1 800-843-2473

Cornell Lab of Ornithology center has captivating educational shows, craftsmanships, and outside practices for visitors to appreciate.

The lab has broadened enormously and has numerous scientists and students working in the workplace.

Consistently, they produce crucial and enticing investigations on the scope of birds, their approaches to acting and masses, and the Earth’s regular assortment.

You can similarly stroll around the wetlands and forests of the Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary, where more than 200 sorts of birds.

13. Robert H. Treman State Park

Robert H. Treman State Park is forested land and one of the top things to do in Ithaca, in the Finger Lakes district, known for its fountains and rapids.

Walking ways are equivalent to the diverse wellsprings of the stream as it turns through a significant precipice.

Swim in a trademark pool in nature, enveloped basically by trees and the sound of birdcalls.

Stand in the light sprinkle of Lower Falls as it drops into the stream dealt with the pool at its base.

Bounce from the dive stage into the fresh water for a resuscitating rush on a hot day.

Follow the climbing trail to the 115-foot Lucifer Falls, in the western piece of the entertainment region.

Participate in a picnic at one of the tables and safe havens around the entertainment region. Eat with your family near the faltering floods.

The entertainment region opens to visitors the entire year and charges a vehicle cost in summer.

14. Hanger Theater

Hanger Theater is by the Hanger Company.

A regional scene expects to move the center with its massive scope of emotional execution that upgrades and enlightens the minds.

It plays out a lot of types, taking unique consideration of everyone’s needs.

Besides this, the association facilitates a couple of events, studios, and classes that rotate around presentations and ways of behaving non-emotional through all seasons.

15. Namgyal Monastery

Religious institution in the South Hill, New York
[See Map]
Address: 201Tibet Dr, Ithaca, NY 14850, United States
Phone: +1 607-272-2785

Namgyal Monastery is among the top things to do in Ithaca fundamental for the fourteenth Dalai Lama branch.

It sits on an area of 28 acres. It is by backwoods that add to the calm thought of the group.

The Monastery perfectly typifies the social importance of Buddhism and will be a library and display which has Buddhist scriptures, examples, works, and all of the volumes of sutras.

The strict local area moreover progresses Buddhist assessments and offers classes.

The energy and radiation of the spot calm the visitor and advances personal development.

16. The Sagan Planet Walk

The Sagan Planet Walk is in upstate New York due to Cornell University professor Carl Sagan.

The planetary gathering is a 1.5 billion scale model that expands a couple of miles.

The walk starts from the Ithaca hotel and completions at Sciencenter. Here Pluto is organized.

Each planet station gives unequivocal experiences about the planet, NASA pictures, and other factors.

Model development at each station takes a gander at the planet to the sun to make the walk fascinating.

At present, the space rock belt and the model of the nearest star are also there.

Best Hotels to stay in Ithaca, NY

There are various decisions for comfort in Ithaca. I’ve chosen a piece of the first in class Ithaca hotels underneath.

Ithaca Marriott Downtown

This midtown motel is impressive and present day with an on-the-spot bar and a restaurant.

Event Inn Express and Suites

Decide on lodgings in Ithaca close to fountains and downtown. This monetary arrangement obliges chain motels has had what you truly need for a pleasant stay.

The Inn at Taughannock Falls

The Inn at Taughannock Falls is out of the point of convergence of Ithaca, but you can participate in this Ithaca fountain and trails two or three stages away.

Firelight Camps

Firelight Camps offer yurt-style comfort in Ithaca in a superb field setting.

Where to eat in Ithaca, NY?

You will require food ultimately in Ithaca, and luckily the town is stacked with delightful restaurants.

There are more diners in Ithaca per capita than in New York City! Here are presumably the best restaurants in Ithaca, NY.

1. Moosewood

One of the famous and best restaurants in Ithaca is Moosewood. 

Moosewood Restaurant is known for its veggie sweetheart food.

2. Ithaca Ale House

The Ithaca Ale House knows how to do burgers suitably, and they’ve transformed into unquestionable dishes.

3. Viva Taqueria

Looking for Mexican food in Ithaca? Endeavor Viva Taqueria for new strong Mexican food gotten along pleasantly.

4. Simeon’s bistro

Simeon’s Restaurant is a spot for eating in Ithaca if you have a party for an extraordinary occasion.

5. The Coal Yard Café

The Coal Yard Cafe is a spot for early lunch in Ithaca that serves omelets, scrambles, and sandwiches, and everything sounds delicious.

6. Ministers on the Common

Ministers on the Common serve Belgium Waffles, pancakes, breakfast flatbreads, or hot wings.

7. Get a refreshment from Collegetown Bagels

Collegetown Bagels serves bagels and neighborhood brews, and it’s an unprecedented spot to invest energy with students while participating in a delightful drink and piece of food.

8. Liquid State Brewing Company

Liquid State Brewing Company is with a remarkable selection of ales, a food truck, and a very much arranged air.

9. Frozen yogurt Sundaes

Ithaca is the beginning of the frozen yogurt parfait.

Conclusion

Ithaca is presumably the best vacation spot in New York. 

There’s energy here, not like somewhere else in America. Likewise, experiencing it is the most effective way to track it down.

Ithaca solidifies an important neighborhood sagacious climate with the perfect sights of Central New York.

The city is a haven of remarkable designs, museums, science, and development, all with a rich, verdant scene that attracts out the ivy of the Ivy League.

You can explore the Finger Lakes wine country and visit flows or relax in dark pauses and research things to do in Ithaca while you participate in the quiet side of the Empire State.

About the Author
Bella

Bella Hartley, founder of TraveLover Planet, hails from San Francisco and has a background in Anthropology and Journalism. Her love for travel and storytelling led her from a media career to creating a platform dedicated to global exploration. A seasoned traveler, Bella cherishes the stories and connections she makes on her journeys. Off the road, she enjoys yoga and experimenting with international cuisines. Join Bella as she inspires others to embrace the wonders of travel.

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