Location: Ithaca
Top Things to do in Ithaca
Countries
Top 10 Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in Ithaca, New York (NY)
"Ithaca is gorges" can be read on proud t-shirts across New York State, and there is definitely truth in advertising. Sitting on the shores of Cayuga Lake, the largest of the Finger Lakes, the hilly town of Ithaca is surrounded by dense forests, towering waterfalls, and many gorges. The natural beauty has a distinctly academic feel, as local universities have filled the woods with museums and education centers like The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, which features a 220 acre wildlife sanctuary.
Restaurants in Ithaca
1. Experience! The Finger Lakes
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 624 reviews
USA Today 10Best Wine Tour Company in the US. Tripadvisor Traveler's Choice Winner for over 10 years. Experience! The Finger Lakes is the premier tour company in the Finger Lakes. We specialize in premium guided tours unlike anything else available in the region. Our experiences include wine tours, gorge and waterfall tours, and cultural tours of the area. We also offer Boat Tours and Food Tours out of Ithaca NY. Owned by a certified sommelier, our wine tours are fully-immersive, exclusive experiences where guests meet owners and winemakers at some of the best producers in the region. Private vineyard and cellar tours, reserve wines, and sommelier-curated food and wine pairings are designed into each tour. On-line booking available 24/7 on our website.
2. Ports of New York Winery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 92 reviews
TASTING $6 or WINERY TOURS AND TASTING $9 • Closed: Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving (W,Th, F), Christmas Day and New Year's Day
Reviewed By debrabV8926PH
Off the beaten path, but well worth the visit. Friendly hosts to tell about their family history and great wine!
3. Kitchen Theatre Company
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
Bold, Intimate, Engaging... Kitchen Theatre Company is Central New York's Off-Broadway Theater, a critically acclaimed and nationally recognized year-round professional company specializing in regional and world premiere plays and musicals. Kitchen Theatre Company's intimate 99-seat theater is in a beautiful LEED-certified building in the West End neighborhood of downtown Ithaca.
Reviewed By Kaymtravel7 - Los Angeles, United States
This is an up close and personal theater with only about 100 seats, and the show we saw, Proof, was very professional and well done. For the students among us, I appreciate that they have a pay what you can night during some parts of the run, which makes this outstanding theater affordable for all. All of the staff was very courteous and welcoming.
4. Gourdlandia
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 9 reviews
Visit, Learn, Make, Shop! Gourdlandia is more than a gallery, not quite a farm. Learn about growing gourds and turning them into art, explore the gourd garden (summer and fall), shop, be inspired, maybe even make something. There are projects that are available for visitors at any time… just drop in and make something beautiful! Hours vary, please check website calendar or call.
Reviewed By travelingwinetaster - Freeville, United States
So I found Gourdlandia on a google search and I decided to check it out. Let me just saw that this was a super cool place. When I got there I wasn’t quite sure what to expect and of course what I thought I would see was totally incorrect. As I walked to the front door from my car. I looked out at land and a farm. It was peaceful and I just didn’t know what to expect. As I opened the door, the owner, a woman named Graham greeted me. She was kind with a bit is a sparkle in her eyes. I could tell from the moment I met her that she truly LOVED creating her artwork using all different types of gourds. Let me say just how beautiful her work is! There were boxes and lamps and wall art and faces and nightlights and necklaces and more items than I can name. Each one was unique and beautiful. Some were rather whimsical and others were more serious. All of them made me want to look at each one and see the intricate details. It was a wonderment. I enjoyed talking with Graham and learning more about gourds in general and her gourd art in particular. She definitely has a beautiful heart and that is so apparent in her beautiful work. I see it as a skill that few people have. I believe Graham sees it as her calling. You can just tell how much she enjoys creating beautiful, unique pieces of art. I highly recommend visiting this interesting place and buying a piece of her work that makes you smile. Next time I’m in the area, I will definitely stop there to see what new items await!
5. Sciencenter
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 152 reviews
The Sciencenter inspires excitement for science through interactive exhibits and programs that engage, educate and empower. The hands-on museum offers visitors of all ages more than 250 exhibits, educational programs, a gift shop, an outdoor science park and a seasonal miniature golf course. Look, touch, listen & discover at the Sciencenter. The Sciencenter is open Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 5 pm and Sunday 12 pm - 5 pm. Open Mondays in July and August and holiday Mondays. The Sciencenter is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Years Day.
Reviewed By CayugaCarolyn - Ithaca, United States
My grandchildren love this place. There are so many things to do and learn. The area for toddlers and preschoolers keeps the little ones busy, and the older ones (up to age 9 or 10) can explore hands-on exhibits that are really fun.
6. Six Mile Creek Vineyard
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 125 reviews
Reviewed By youngblood87 - Toms River, United States
Wines were great and staff was excellent. Very friendly and knowledgeable, genuinely enthusiastic about the wine making and tasting. Beautiful view and set up, dog friendly as well like most wineries in the Finger Lakes. This was an unplanned stop but we ended up buying three bottles, highly recommended if anybody is staying in area or just passing through like we did.
7. Museum of the Earth
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 167 reviews
The Museum of the Earth was established in 2003 to provide visitors with a unique opportunity to explore our world through a mix of natural history displays, interactive science features, and art exhibitions. The museum's 8,000-square-foot permanent exhibition takes visitors on a journey through 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.
Reviewed By BillK455 - Spencerport, United States
Been wanting to go here for a few years and finally made it happen. We arrived early and I liked the design of the building as well as some of the outside art. We walked in to see a skeleton of a North Atlantic Right Whale which was amazing. We checked out the gift shop which had some nice items ad then walked downstairs and started with the current exhibit on bees. I thought it was a nice exhibit but I was here for dinosaurs. The lay out of the fossils and dinosaurs displays was really done well and I really enjoyed the diversity of fossils on display. If you love paleontology, this is a must do museum that everyone should enjoy. Lot of nice photo ops with the Stegosaurus model and Mastodon skeleton among others. Make the trip
8. Rasa Spa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 94 reviews
Rasa Spa is a holistic Day Spa that values creating a space for relaxation and wellness. Rasa Spa is committed to the health and mind/body/spirit benefits achieved from regular massage, skin care, organic products, and alternative healing like reiki, reflexology, and acupuncture. Rasa Spa’s main location is on the second floor of the Cayuga Wellness Center and is a dedication to green building principles. The space is full of special corners where your body, mind, and spirit are engaged and taken out of their everyday routines. When Rasa first opened its doors in partnership with Island Health & Fitness and the Cayuga Medical Center in 2006, this original location was meant to inspire an approach to living that is beautiful, whole, and healthy. At Rasa Spa we are committed to the preservation of our planet earth and are proactively involved in conserving our precious natural resources. Rasa is truly holistic in its approach to wellness.
Reviewed By erickM8243BS - New York City, United States
The spa was very well appointed and very relaxing. The staff were extremely professional and courteous -- they were truly genuine and not rehearsed and that really made us feel very comfortable and enjoy the experience even more.
9. The History Center in Tompkins County
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 21 reviews
Established in 1863. The History Center is a generation-to-generation education and research center focused on engaging with the public. The Center helps people use the tools of history to understand the past, gain perspective on the present, and play an informed role in shaping the future. In order to accomplish this mission we preserve and encourage access to The History Center's unique collections; seek out the diverse needs and interests of our community; design learning experiences and provide services that respond to those needs; create opportunities for people to learn about themselves and their place in the world; and provide a neutral environment for public discussions that bring historical perspective to current issues. Your Ticket to Discovery. Uncover Your Local History. Connect to the Past.
10. Cinemapolis movie theater
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