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beautiful waterfall and bridge at Watkins Glen in NY Finger Lakes

Explore the Ithaca campus, visit Cornell's other campuses, and discover the many attractions to enjoy in the Finger Lakes!

Ithaca Campus

Discover a wealth of culture, activities, and natural beauty right where you work.

How many workplaces can boast their own art museum or botanic gardens? Cornell's sprawling Ithaca campus is home to dramatic examples of historic gothic and bold modern architecture, breathtaking vistas of Cayuga Lake, tranquil woods and meadows, and spectacular gorges. Make a point to enjoy a lunchtime organ concert in Sage Chapel, or decompress with a stroll through the Arboretum after work.

Here are some places to get started:

Video Transcript

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[Lisa] Favorite spots on campus, this feels to me like a trick question. [Travis] It's not a specific spot I think,  

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it's that Cornell has so many different areas. [Avery] The Gorge behind the engineering quad.  

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[Lisa] The botanical gardens. The Arboretum. [Aaron] I love the Arboretum. [Ten] The Bicentennial Garden. [Multiple voices] Libe Slope.

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[Lisa] I think everybody loves that. [Ryan] I can see the beautiful hills and the topography.  

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[Aaron] There's just a a sense of awe there. [Christine] I am very fortunate to be right next to Sage Chapel.  

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I find that building to be so inspiring and so beautiful, and just a place where you can find some solitude.

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[Avery] I really enjoy just sitting and 
hearing nature. [Cortney] Anytime I have a free 15 or 30  

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minutes I can go walk around Beebe Lake just to refresh myself to recharge. [Julie] Just walking around  

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campus and finding nooks and gardens. [Travis] Quiet areas, you know, walks hikes. [Julie] And I find that  

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that really helps doing that in between meetings or if I just need to take a break from work.

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[Travis] The fact that there has so many different things I think is more important than just a specific  

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spot for me. [Cortney] The Cornell campus is beautiful. [Lisa] We are so lucky to have all of this around us.

 


Ithaca Area

Tour the Finger Lakes and beyond for adventures in art, events, nature, sport, and dining.

The Finger Lakes region features an abundance of things to do in any season: shopping and city sightseeing; outdoor sports and activities; festivals and family attractions; winetasting, museums, and galleries; and miles of picturesque back roads.

  • Liveinithaca.org: A hub of resources for new arrivals to the Ithaca area, including information about area housing, schools, community, and more.
  • Visit Ithaca.com: Things to do, events, food & drink,  and more.
  • IthacaTrails.org: Comprehensive interactive map with all the details you need to enjoy Ithaca's natural beauty.
  • VisitFingerLakes.com: Attractions for foodies, wellness seekers, outdoor adventurists, and cultural aficionados.
  • FingerLakesWineCountry.com: Maps and information to explore the many wineries, cideries, breweries, distilleries, and dining in the Finger Lakes.
  • FingerLakes.org: Interactive map of entire region and comprehensive events calendar
  • VisitRochester.com Plan a getaway to this busy city less than 2 hours drive from Ithaca, where you'll find events like the annual Lilac Festival and attractions such as the George Eastman Museum, concerts, theater, shopping, and dining. 
  • VisitBinghamton.org: Just an hour south of Ithaca, Binghamton is home to BBQ "Spiedies," "Twilight Zone's" Rod Serling, and historic carousels.
  • VisitSyracuse.com: An hour north of Ithaca, Syracuse is popular for shopping at Destiny USA - New York states largest shopping, dining, and entertainment megaplex; as well as  the New York State Fair, and loads of festivals, concerts, and sporting events.
  • CorningFingerLakes.com:  Just under an hour from Ithaca,  the Corning Museum of Glass is a must-see attraction;  this website also features fun trip planning  suggestions in the area.
  • DiscoverTheErieCanal.com:  Boat, bike, hike,  or drive your adventure to explore this scenic piece of American history.
  • Lake Ontario Parks & Recreation Areas: Plan a beach getaway!
  • Cooperstown:  Baseball fan? Make sure to take a drive out to Cooperstown,  home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.
  • Greek Peak: Year-round fun is less than an hour away -- downhill and cross country skiing, sledding, waterpark, and spa.
  • Darien Lake: Family camping and amusement park, plus concerts and other events, just 2.5 hours from Ithaca.

NYC and Beyond

About Cornell Locations:  general information about locations of Cornell programs, including Ithaca, NYC, Doha Qatar, Geneva NY, Washington DC, and Rome Italy.

NEW YORK CITY

Cornell in NYC Website: This website features ways Cornell is impacting NYC, an interactive story map, and spotlights on Cornellians in New York City.

  • Weill Cornell Medicine: One of the top-ranked clinical and medical research centers in the country, founded in 1898.
  • Cornell Tech:  Graduate education and research for the digital age; integrating technology, business, law and design in service of economic impact and societal good.

Also See: Cornell in NYC (pdf): handout detailing Cornell programs in New York City

Getting to New York City