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Ithaca
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Ithaca Falls Natural Area
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Ithaca Falls Natural Area

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See all things to do
Ithaca Falls Natural Area
4.5
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Top ways to experience Ithaca Falls Natural Area and nearby attractions

The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
196 within 3 miles
Lincoln Street Diner
58
0.1 mi$ • American • Diner
North Star House
112
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Pub
Botanist Coffeehouse
1
0.2 mi$ • Cafe
Fall Creek House Restaurant
2
191 ft
Jon's Asian Cuisine
1
0.5 mi
Gimme Coffee
29
0.6 mi$ • Quick Bites • Cafe
Taverna Banfi
183
0.8 mi$$$$ • Italian • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
Collegetown Bagels
287
0.9 mi$ • Quick Bites • American • Cafe
Mahogany Grill
610
0.9 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Steakhouse • Bar
Purity Ice Cream Co
678
0.9 mi$ • Bakeries • American • Vegetarian Friendly
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Attractions
51 within 6 miles
Ithaca Waterfalls
314
518 ftWaterfalls
Triphammer Falls
20
0.2 miWaterfalls
Johnson Museum of Art
221
0.5 miArt Museums
Cascadilla Gorge Trail
241
0.7 miHiking Trails
Sciencenter
158
0.5 miScience Museums
Ithaca Farmers Market
324
0.8 miFarmers Markets
Cornell University
732
1.1 miEducational sites
Cornell Botanic Gardens
367
1.2 miGardens
Stewart Park
54
0.9 miNational Parks
Ports of New York Winery
102
1.4 miSpeciality Museums • Wineries & Vineyards
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
268 reviews
Excellent
194
Very good
66
Average
8
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Gregory M
Westchester, IL274 contributions
Nature’s beauty even in drier times
Jun 2022 • Couples
There are a number of water falls located in the Ithaca, NY area. It is an easy drive to various falls and most are a short walk from the parking areas. It was a pleasant afternoon enjoying the beauty of nature. Most are located on state parks and there is a $4 entrance fee if you go before 6 pm.
Written July 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TR26
Dayton, OH843 contributions
Don't miss this impressive beauty.
Jul 2021
We are two senior citizens with ankle and knee problems that make us a little hesitant to go hiking over rough terrain. Here, the reviews said, was something not too hard to get to, and they were right. I'd recommend starting in the middle of the bridge over Falll River where an overlook gives a nice long view of the waterfall, then hike the modest distant down the gravel path into the gorge for a close-up of the falls, the roar of rhe waterm and the cool kiss of the mist.

The local botanical society should be proud to have worked with good partners to create a well-kept, informative attraction.
Written July 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
nygf1
Hyde Park, NY65 contributions
Favorite Falls on our Visit
Aug 2020
On the day that we visited the Falls it was our favorite of the five falls that we visited . It was very conveninet to the downtown area and the hotel that we stayed at. It was during a dry period that we visited. Ithaca Falls had the most water flowing over it and looked the most impressive. Others we visited were a dry disappointment. There was a DJ nearby with a generator playing music. It was a lively area. It was a fairly easy walk to get to compare to others that we visited and we found a parking lot nearby that we did not have to pay for.
Written August 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lispony
Parkton, MD1,082 contributions
Beautiful falls in the middle of town. About 1/4 mi from road. A MUST DO!
Oct 2019
My daughter and I visited the fingerlakes in early October to hike and see all the waterfalls. We parked on the road and walked down a short flat path and these falls appeared. The place is beautiful and the 150-ft. cascade has a natural pool at the bottom.
Written May 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
nzggator
New York126 contributions
Relax at Ithaca Falls
Oct 2020
I visited a handful of Ithaca waterfalls last week and Ithaca waterfall was my favorite. I loved how big the Ithaca falls were. Make sure to bring a lunch or a snack as you would want to just sit and relax while watching these incredible falls. I had no problem finding free parking around the area. Afterwards I left my car and walked around Ithaca as finding a parking spot can be hard to find. Just be warned Ithaca can be very hilly. Everyone seemed to be keeping there 6 feet distance. In Ithaca the foliage was amazing. Come to Ithaca falls you will have a fantastic time!
Written October 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
theoljohnnyboy
New Florence, PA1,414 contributions
IFNA
Aug 2020
We found out about this location at the Taughannock Falls VC and decided to check it out as it was close by. It is easy to find, an easy walk, and a nice view at the end. No admission costs, however no swimming and lead in the soil take away some of the fun from this location.
Written August 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
hrobinson1114
Nashville, TN2,690 contributions
Definitely worth a visit, but there are better waterfalls in NYS
Jul 2021 • Solo
Ithaca Falls (I’m referring to the town and large waterfall proper) is very quirky and pretty, but I enjoyed Robert H. Treman Park (also further out in Ithaca) better. This place, full of nature, Cornell University, little shops and restaurants, is definitely worth a visit, but I think the main falls is overrated. The main trail going to the base of the falls wasn’t even open when I went. There is supposed to be a mural project, which I plan to visit later. Definitely a college town as well!
Written July 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
kwo911turbo
Jamestown, NY478 contributions
Great Place
Jul 2021
I've been there several times at different times of the year. It was always great to see and heard the the falls. Beautiful in the winter and fall. Everyone if in Ithaca should take an hour to walk to the base of the falls.
Written August 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
jinxminx
Takoma Park, MD381 contributions
Do Not Miss
Aug 2019
This waterfall blew my mind. It is gorgeous, and it is basically right in town. Completely free.

There is a parking lot sort of up a hill, it's not really marked too well, but it's free and right there, just before you get to the falls. There's another little lot as well. Once you park, it's just a short little walk to the falls.

The notable thing about the walk are the warnings. First of all, DO NOT SWIM. Do not even think about it. You will get sucked under into some little whirlpool and divers will have to risk their lives recovering your body, is the gist of that. Also, the area up the hill used to be an ammunition factory and the soil is lead contaminated, so don't go touching that hillside. There are plenty of warning signs, just keep an eye on little ones.

Once you have braved those dangers, bam, there is the magnificent waterfall! In the DC area where I live waterfalls this big are vanishingly rare, and you would be hiking for miles to get to one. But here's this one, just sitting there right in town.

We saw a lot of waterfalls on this trip to Ithaca and upstate New York, definitely more than I'd seen in the rest of my life put together, and this one was one of my favorites, and no hiking required.
Written January 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
001BillyV
Toms River, NJ107 contributions
Best Falls we visited in the area.
Sep 2021 • Couples
Would have rated a 5 but the parking & marking is not very good. We were not sure where to park but found gravel area next to the falls. If you follow the trail you can get up close to the bottom of the falls & feel the power of the water. It was BEAUTIFUL! Traffic around the area was a mess…thank God for GPS.
Written September 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Ithaca Falls Natural Area - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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