Things to do with kids in Ithaca, NY

Watkins Glen State Park

Iconic state park featuring a dramatic gorge trail with 19 waterfalls and scenic rim views.

4.8 (23292)FreeWatkins Glen, NY

Taughannock Falls State Park

Large state park with a massive waterfall, hiking trails, swimming beach, and picnic areas.

4.8 (10551)FreeTrumansburg, NY

💬 11 local tips

Buttermilk Falls State Park

State park with scenic hiking trails, waterfalls, and natural swimming areas.

4.7 (6077)$Ithaca, NY

💬 5 local tips

Robert H. Treman State Park

State park featuring a gorge, waterfalls, and a popular stream-fed swimming hole.

4.8 (4314)$Ithaca, NY

💬 6 local tips

Ithaca Falls Natural Area

Impressive 150-foot waterfall with accessible viewing areas.

4.8 (2986)FreeIthaca, NY

💬 1 local tip

Shequaga Falls Park

Small park with a scenic waterfall and easy viewing area, perfect for a quick family photo stop.

4.7 (2385)FreeMontour Falls, NY

Cornell Botanic Gardens

Expansive botanical gardens and arboretum with diverse plant collections, walking paths, and educational displays.

4.8 (1943)FreeIthaca, NY

💬 4 local tips

Taughannock Falls State Park

Iconic state park featuring a massive waterfall, gorge trails, and a swimming beach on Cayuga Lake.

4.9 (1662)FreeTrumansburg, NY

Cascadilla Gorge Trail

Scenic urban gorge trail connecting downtown Ithaca to Cornell University with multiple waterfalls.

4.8 (1289)FreeIthaca, NY

Fillmore Glen State Park

Scenic state park featuring a gorge, hiking trails, a stream-fed swimming pool, and camping areas.

4.6 (1223)FreeMoravia, NY

💬 1 local tip

Ithaca Falls Trail

Short, accessible path leading to the base of a massive, impressive waterfall in the heart of the city.

4.8 (1124)FreeIthaca, NY

Taughannock Falls

Iconic state park featuring a massive waterfall and accessible gorge trails.

4.8 (909)FreeTrumansburg, NY

Havana Glen Park

Scenic park featuring a short trail to a beautiful waterfall.

4.7 (555)FreeMontour Falls, NY

Cayuga Nature Center

Nature center with gorge trails, live animal exhibits, and a famous six-story treehouse.

4.3 (499)$$Ithaca, NY

💬 8 local tips

Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Nature center with bird-watching trails, interactive exhibits, and a visitor center.

4.9 (495)FreeIthaca, NY

💬 7 local tips

Triphammer Falls

Dramatic waterfall located on the Cornell campus, easily viewed from the bridge.

4.5 (492)FreeIthaca, NY

Finger Lakes National Forest

Expansive forest offering miles of trails for hiking, bird watching, and exploring nature.

4.7 (417)FreeBurdett, NY

💬 2 local tips

Gorge Trail

Scenic hiking trail through a gorge with waterfalls and swimming holes.

4.8 (415)FreeIthaca, NY

Aunt Sarah’s Falls

Roadside waterfall that is easily accessible for a quick photo stop with children.

4.5 (406)FreeMontour Falls, NY

Robert H. Treman State Park

State park featuring a rugged gorge, swimming hole, and extensive hiking trails.

4.9 (352)FreeNewfield, NY

Eagle Cliff Falls

Short, scenic trail leading to a beautiful waterfall, great for a family nature walk.

4.8 (307)FreeMontour Falls, NY

Mulholland Wildflower Preserve

Nature preserve with walking trails, waterfalls, and scenic rock formations.

4.7 (277)FreeIthaca, NY

Wells Falls

Scenic waterfall area with a short trail for viewing.

4.5 (277)FreeIthaca, NY

Buttermilk Falls State Park

State park featuring dramatic waterfalls, hiking trails, and a natural swimming area.

4.8 (241)$Ithaca, NY

💬 1 local tip

Taughannock Falls State Park

Iconic state park featuring a massive waterfall, gorge trails, and lakeside recreation.

4.8 (159)$Trumansburg, NY

Horseshoe Falls

Scenic waterfall located on Cornell University grounds, accessible via campus walking paths.

4.6 (141)FreeIthaca, NY

Shindagin Hollow State Forest

Large state forest with multi-use trails for hiking, mountain biking, and nature observation.

4.8 (141)FreeBrooktondale, NY

💬 1 local tip

Salt Point Natural Area

Scenic natural area on Cayuga Lake with walking trails and lake access.

4.7 (123)FreeLansing, NY

💬 2 local tips

Danby State Forest

Expansive state forest offering miles of hiking trails, bird watching, and wilderness exploration.

4.6 (114)FreeIthaca, NY

Sweedler and Thayer Preserves

Nature preserve with scenic hiking trails through woods and meadows.

4.7 (92)FreeIthaca, NY

Newman Overlook

Scenic overlook offering beautiful views of the lake and surrounding landscape.

4.9 (55)FreeIthaca, NY

Ellis Hollow Nature Preserve

Quiet nature preserve with wooded trails for hiking.

4.7 (54)FreeIthaca, NY

💬 3 local tips

Campbell Meadows Natural Area

Natural area with walking trails and open fields for outdoor exploration.

4.8 (44)FreeIthaca, NY

Six Mile Creek Natural Area

Expansive natural area with hiking trails, creek access, and scenic views.

4.6 (34)FreeIthaca, NY

Sapsucker Woods

Nature preserve with bird-watching trails and an educational center.

4.9 (33)FreeIthaca, NY

💬 1 local tip

Lick Brook Falls

A series of scenic waterfalls accessible via a hiking trail in the Finger Lakes region.

4.5 (30)FreeIthaca, NY

Varna Cliffs

A nature preserve featuring unique geological rock formations and wooded hiking trails.

4.8 (29)FreeIthaca, NY

Eldridge Wilderness Preserve

Nature preserve offering quiet walking trails through wooded areas.

4.2 (28)FreeIthaca, NY

East Ithaca Nature Preserve

Wooded area with trails suitable for casual family hikes.

4.8 (24)FreeIthaca, NY

Potter's Falls

A popular local waterfall destination reached by a short hike through the woods.

4.1 (23)FreeIthaca, NY

Hammond Hill State Forest

Large forest area with multi-use trails for hiking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing.

4.6 (21)FreeFreeville, NY

Black Diamond Trail

Multi-use rail-trail perfect for family biking, walking, and jogging.

4.8 (18)FreeIthaca, NY

Three Falls State Park

A small park area known for its waterfall views and natural scenery.

3.2 (17)FreeTrumansburg, NY

Mundy Wildflower Garden

Peaceful botanical garden featuring native plants and woodland trails, perfect for a quiet family nature walk.

4.8 (16)FreeIthaca, NY

Black Diamond Trail

Multi-use rail trail perfect for family bike rides, stroller walks, and nature observation.

4.9 (12)FreeIthaca, NY

F. R. Newman Arboretum

Expansive arboretum with diverse tree collections, open spaces for picnics, and scenic walking paths.

4.9 (11)FreeIthaca, NY

Arboretum Center

Center for botanical gardens and nature education.

5.0 (3)FreeIthaca, NY

Cayuga Nature Center

Nature center with trails, exhibits, and educational programs about local wildlife and ecology.

4.7 (3)$$Ithaca, NY

Park Park Natural Area

Quiet natural area with walking trails, perfect for a peaceful family nature walk.

5.0 (3)FreeIthaca, NY

Primitive Pursuits

Nature-based education programs and camps focusing on wilderness skills and outdoor exploration.

$$Ithaca, NY

💬 3 local tips