10 Things to Do in Ithaca, NY for Weekend Visitors

Weeping willows line the peaceful Stewart Park and Cayuga Lake in Ithaca. © Scott S. Bateman

The beautiful lakeside city of Ithaca, NY has plenty of tourist attractions for any weekend visitor.

Like other college towns, Ithaca has many short-term visitors thanks to friends, parents and relatives of the 22,000 students enrolled at Cornell University and another 6,800 at Ithaca College.

They come to Ithaca to drop off or pick up students, attend their graduation or just spend a little time together. Sometimes Mom and Dad can’t stay away for too long.

For whatever reason they come, Ithaca visitors will find at least 10 worthwhile things to do to fill the entire trip. Most if not all are doable in a single weekend, which we have discovered on our visits there. Ten of the top attractions in Ithaca are:

1. Cayuga Lake/ Stewart Park
2. Ithaca Farmers Market
3. Ithaca Commons
4. Robert H. Treman State Park
5. Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art
6. Taughannock Falls State Park
7. Sciencenter
8. Buttermilk Falls State Park
9. Cornell Botanic Gardens
10. Ithaca Falls

1. Cayuga Lake / Stewart Park