What to do in Ithaca, NY

Activities, attractions and tours

Ithaca
Ithaca
Ithaca, New York, USA - October 19, 2025: Afternoon aerial autumn image of the area surrounding the City of Ithaca, NY,.
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Beautiful long exposure handheld shot of Ithica falls. #BvS100k

Ithaca Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Ithaca has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Ithaca is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Ithaca to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Ithaca Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Ithaca.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Ithaca attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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What to do in Ithaca

Discover the most popular places to visit in Ithaca

Pathways to wander. Secret Garden, Alice in Wonderland, or The Hobbit, your choice of daydreams. #gardens #floral #newyork #university

Cornell University

4.5/5(34 reviews)

Take a campus tour or just explore the area around Cornell University, a top university in Ithaca. Discover the area's beautiful waterfalls and top-notch restaurants.

Cornell University
Views of Cayuga Lake are beautiful from campus. One of nicest visitors centers I've seen.

Ithaca College

4/5(5 reviews)

Explore the campus of Ithaca College, during your travels in South Hill. Discover the area's beautiful waterfalls and top-notch restaurants.

Ithaca College
Buttermilk Falls State Park featuring tranquil scenes and a river or creek

Buttermilk Falls State Park

4.5/5(11 reviews)

Enjoy an old-fashioned swimming hole at the base of this park’s creek and wander through the sprawling glen and wetlands.

Buttermilk Falls State Park
A bare tree, free from it's leaves at Ithace Falls Natural Area in New York State, grows from the wet rocks below with a waterfall blurred by it's motion in the background.

Ithaca Falls Natural Area

Explore the great outdoors at Ithaca Falls Natural Area and enjoy the beautiful waterfalls during your trip to Ithaca. Amble around the area's lakeside, or seek out its hiking trails.

Ithaca Falls Natural Area
Empty open air farmers market wooden stalls within a pavilion on a bright sunny day.

Ithaca Farmers Market

5/5(2 reviews)

You can enjoy retail therapy at Ithaca Farmers Market during your visit to Ithaca. Discover the area's beautiful waterfalls and top-notch restaurants.

Ithaca Farmers Market
Summer Lake

Cornell Botanic Gardens

Explore the great outdoors at Cornell Botanic Gardens, a lovely green space in Ithaca. Stroll along the area's lakeside or simply enjoy its restaurants.

Cornell Botanic Gardens
With hiking trails circling a lake, visiting Sapsucker Woods is a quiet reprieve where you can observe chipmunks skittering about and the various bird species of the area plus those who are migrating through. In late September/early October it’s a leafers dream with beautiful foliage the closer to the lake you get. #hiking #birdwatching #foliage

Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary

Enjoy the beautiful waterfalls and explore Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary, a lovely green space in Ithaca. While you're here, you can savor the top-notch restaurants.

Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary

Ithaca Commons

4/5(16 reviews)

You can do some window-shopping at Ithaca Commons during your trip to Ithaca. Discover the area's beautiful waterfalls and top-notch restaurants.

Ithaca Commons

State Theatre of Ithaca

5/5(4 reviews)

You can get tickets for a performance at State Theatre of Ithaca on your trip to Ithaca. Discover the area's beautiful waterfalls and top-notch restaurants.

State Theatre of Ithaca

Explore areas of Ithaca

ithaca commons sign at entrance to public pedestrian path downtown

Downtown Ithaca

While visiting Downtown Ithaca, you might make a stop by sights like State Theatre of Ithaca and Ithaca Commons.

Downtown Ithaca
Neat old abandoned dam. Steep hike down, but great for Urban Exploration!

South Hill

South Hill might not have many top sights, but Ithaca Commons and State Theatre of Ithaca are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

South Hill
Taughannock Falls Tompkins County New York

Fall Creek

Fall Creek might not have many top sights, but Ithaca Falls Natural Area and Ithaca Farmers Market are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Fall Creek
Taughannock Falls is a 215-foot plunge waterfall, that is the highest single-drop waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains, located about 10 miles north of Ithaca in New York State, USA, at winter.

East Ithaca

You'll enjoy the restaurants and wineries in East Ithaca. You might want to make time for a stop at Reis Tennis Center or Six Mile Creek Vineyard.

East Ithaca
The #Cornell campus has numerous striking paths with views of the clock tower. #UStravel #Ithaca #NewYork #architecture

Washington Park

While there might not be top attractions in Washington Park, you can explore the larger area and discover places like State Theatre of Ithaca and Ithaca Commons.

Washington Park
View of the Cayuga Lake from the East Shore Park at the town of Ithaca, New York

South Side

While South Side might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like State Theatre of Ithaca and Ithaca Commons.

South Side

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Ithaca

The view above Libe Slope from the west campus of Cornell University is of these spectacular dorms (that remind me of Harry Potter's Hogwarts), Ithaca College, and Lake Cayuga. #Cornell #Ithaca #UStravel #NewYork #architecture #fingerlakes

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Frequently asked questions

Is Ithaca worth visiting?
Ithaca offers an interesting mix of attractions, local charm and culture. Whether you're into history, outdoor activities or local culinary flavours, there are many things you'll find here.
How do I spend a day in Ithaca?
Sciencenter and Museum of the Earth are two good places to start your sightseeing adventures. Be sure to explore the retail and dining options in Ithaca while you're here too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Ithaca?
The top tourist attraction in Ithaca is Buttermilk Falls State Park, so don't forget to put it on your itinerary.
Is three days enough to stay in Ithaca?
Three days in Ithaca is more than enough to visit the city's main attractions. Many guests book for two days on average. Buttermilk Falls State Park, Robert H. Treman State Park and Hangar Theatre are among the most popular sights. Want to discover more? Hang around a while longer to explore nearby hotspots like Horseheads.
Is Ithaca a walkable city?
Some top attractions in Ithaca, such as Hangar Theatre and Six Mile Creek Vineyard, are within walking distance. You can also explore several of the city's popular neighbourhoods on foot. Just 3 kilometres from central Ithaca is South Hill and Northeast Ithaca is 5 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Ithaca with kids?
Deciding what to do in Ithaca with kids has never been simpler. Whether you're taking a trip with teenagers or toddlers, there's a range of family-friendly sights and activities to keep everyone entertained here.
What to do in Ithaca for adults?
Six Mile Creek Vineyard and Cornell Lab of Ornithology are just a few of the things to do in Ithaca. With loads of activities available, there's something here for everyone to experience.
Are there free things to do in Ithaca?
In Ithaca, Ithaca Farmers Market is a popular spot for anyone wanting to experience the city without taking their wallet out. Also, wander around the parks and other neighbourhoods, and ask for tips from a local tour guide. It's an easy way to discover the best free things to do in Ithaca.

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