Things to do with kids in Ithaca, NY
103 family-friendly places · NY
Browse Ithaca places by category
Free things to do in Ithaca
Clear filterWatkins 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
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
Stewart Park
Lakefront park with a playground, carousel, athletic fields, and a seasonal spray pool.
4.7 (2232)FreeIthaca, NY
💬 12 local tips
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
Clute Memorial Park
Lakeside park with a playground, beach, and walking paths.
4.5 (805)FreeWatkins Glen, NY
Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art
Art museum on the Cornell campus with diverse collections and great views.
4.7 (745)FreeIthaca, NY
💬 5 local tips
Havana Glen Park
Scenic park featuring a short trail to a beautiful waterfall.
4.7 (555)FreeMontour Falls, NY
Ithaca Children's Garden
A three-acre public garden designed for children to explore nature, play, and learn through hands-on activities.
4.7 (495)FreeIthaca, NY
💬 12 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
Long Point State Park
Scenic park on Cayuga Lake with swimming, hiking, and picnic areas.
4.7 (472)FreeAurora, 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
Allan H. Treman State Marine Park
Lakeside park with boat launches, picnic areas, and marina access.
4.7 (292)FreeIthaca, NY
Barton Hall
Large indoor athletic facility on Cornell campus used for recreation.
4.4 (285)FreeIthaca, NY
💬 1 local tip
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
East Shore Park
A quiet waterfront park along Cayuga Lake.
4.6 (251)FreeIthaca, NY
Ludlowville Park
Local park featuring a waterfall and space for outdoor recreation.
4.5 (213)FreeLansing, NY
Skaneateles Lake
Scenic Finger Lake offering opportunities for boating, fishing, and lakeside relaxation.
4.8 (196)FreeNY
💬 1 local tip
Dewitt Park
Small downtown park with a playground, benches, and open green space for a quick break.
4.3 (176)FreeIthaca, NY
Tompkins County Public Library
Public library with a dedicated children's section, story times, and family events.
4.6 (173)FreeIthaca, NY
💬 5 local tips
McGraw Tower
Iconic university clock tower with daily chimes, great for a campus walk.
4.9 (162)FreeIthaca, NY
💬 1 local tip
Sunset Park
Neighborhood park featuring a playground and open space for kids to run around.
4.7 (155)FreeIthaca, NY
Myers Park
Large lakeside park with a beach, playground, picnic areas, and boat launch.
4.7 (154)FreeLansing, NY
💬 5 local tips
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
Second Dam
A popular local swimming hole and natural area.
4.6 (120)FreeIthaca, NY
Danby State Forest
Expansive state forest offering miles of hiking trails, bird watching, and wilderness exploration.
4.6 (114)FreeIthaca, NY
Flat Rock
A natural rock formation along the creek used for swimming and wading.
4.7 (94)FreeIthaca, NY
Sweedler and Thayer Preserves
Nature preserve with scenic hiking trails through woods and meadows.
4.7 (92)FreeIthaca, NY
Triangle Park
Small neighborhood park with basic playground equipment.
4.4 (77)FreeIthaca, NY
Watkins Glen Beach
Public beach area on the shores of Seneca Lake, suitable for swimming and relaxing by the water.
4.5 (74)FreeWatkins Glen, NY
💬 2 local tips
North Point
A scenic point on Cayuga Lake offering access to the water and beautiful views.
4.6 (74)FreeTrumansburg, 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
Donald and Marian Hartill Park
Quiet neighborhood park with a playground and green space.
4.8 (51)FreeIthaca, NY
Campbell Meadows Natural Area
Natural area with walking trails and open fields for outdoor exploration.
4.8 (44)FreeIthaca, NY
Tutelo Park
Community park with athletic fields and a playground.
4.6 (40)FreeIthaca, NY