
Cornell Botanic Gardens Ithaca New York
A 4,000-acre sanctuary of specialty gardens, arboretum, and natural areas offering beauty, education, and tranquility.

Highlights
Must-see attractions

Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Free parking and vibrant blooms

Cornell Botanic Gardens Ithaca New York
Best Time
Free parking and vibrant blooms

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A 4,000-acre sanctuary of specialty gardens, arboretum, and natural areas offering beauty, education, and tranquility.
"Absolutely loved it! What a great place to have in the city. The highlight of our trip in NY."

🚗 Park Smart
Weekday parking has a fee ($1.50/hr), but weekends are free! Use the QR code for easy payment.
👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes
With extensive trails and gardens, comfortable footwear is essential for exploring.

Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Herb and Perennial Garden
Historic Core
The heart of the gardens, featuring a vibrant collection of fragrant and edible plants. A sensory delight!

F.R. Newman Arboretum
Vast arboretum with diverse trees and walking paths, offering a cool escape even on warm days. Perfect for long strolls.

Sculpture Garden and Pond
Discover art amidst nature with sculptures dotted around a serene pond. A picturesque spot for reflection.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Free Admission, Parking Fees Apply
Explore Beyond the Gardens
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Park Smart
Weekday parking has a fee ($1.50/hr), but weekends are free! Use the QR code for easy payment.
👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes
With extensive trails and gardens, comfortable footwear is essential for exploring.
📸 Capture the Beauty
The gardens offer stunning photo opportunities, especially the herb garden and arboretum.
🐶 Pet-Friendly Exploration
Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome, making it a great spot for furry friends too.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Park Smart
Weekday parking has a fee ($1.50/hr), but weekends are free! Use the QR code for easy payment.
👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes
With extensive trails and gardens, comfortable footwear is essential for exploring.
📸 Capture the Beauty
The gardens offer stunning photo opportunities, especially the herb garden and arboretum.
🐶 Pet-Friendly Exploration
Well-behaved, leashed pets are welcome, making it a great spot for furry friends too.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise Cornell Botanic Gardens for its stunning beauty, free admission, and expansive grounds, particularly the well-maintained herb garden and arboretum. Many appreciate the peaceful atmosphere and the opportunity for long walks. Some minor drawbacks include weekday parking fees and a desire for more sensory experiences like tasting samples.
"Formerly known as the Cornell Plantations and consisting of 25 acres, Cornell Botanic Gardens is one of the most popular attractions around Ithaca and has something for everyone, which is why my partner, his family, and I came for a visit on this beautiful Saturday.
Located in the center of the Cornell University campus, but also including the adjoining F.R. Newman Arboretum and over 3,500 acres of natural areas, there were hiking trails, nature walks, gardens, ponds, woodlands, meadows, glens, waterfalls, fens, bogs, and, of course, “gorges.”
The well-kept gardens were easy to access, easy to walk around, and were extremely quiet. It’s very kid- and pet-friendly. The historic core revolves around the herb and perennial garden. Admission is FREE, but one does need to pay a parking fee to enter the park on weekdays. It runs you $1.50 per hour, so it's exceptionally reasonable, but it's free on weekends.
We enjoyed our drive through the campus to get to the botanic garden, which we can recommend."
Eloy Yip
"Absolutely loved it! What a great place to have in the city. With the arboretum, it's huge and you can walk in the nice climate of the trees even in warm weather for hours. This was the highlight of our trip in NY."
Tomáš Gregor
"Wonderful layout garden that so rich in knowledge. My personal favorites are the fragrance plants and eatables. Wish there were samples that offer smells, and Tastes"
Keqi Gan
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Cornell Botanic Gardens is located on the Cornell University campus. If you're in Ithaca without a car, you can take a local bus or a taxi/rideshare service to reach the gardens. Many visitors enjoy driving through the campus to get there.
Yes, parking is available. On weekdays, there is a parking fee of $1.50 per hour, payable via QR code. Parking is free on weekends.
Absolutely! While having a car offers flexibility, you can easily access the gardens via public transport, taxi, or rideshare from Ithaca. The campus is also walkable.
Focus on the historic core's herb and perennial gardens, then take a quick stroll through a section of the F.R. Newman Arboretum. The sculpture garden and pond are also easily accessible.
Cornell University campus itself is worth exploring, and Ithaca is known for its stunning gorges and hiking trails like Buttermilk Falls.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, admission to Cornell Botanic Gardens is free! You only need to pay for parking on weekdays.
The gardens are generally open year-round during daylight hours. Specific building hours may vary, but the outdoor spaces are accessible. It's best to check the official Cornell Botanic Gardens website for any seasonal updates.
No advance booking is required for general admission as it is free. Parking fees are handled on-site.
Cornell Botanic Gardens often hosts educational programs and guided tours. Check their website for schedules and availability.
Yes, the gardens offer unique beauty in every season. Spring brings blooms, summer is lush and green, autumn offers vibrant foliage, and winter provides a serene, snow-covered landscape.
🎫 🌿 Onsite Experience
Don't miss the historic Herb and Perennial Garden, the expansive F.R. Newman Arboretum, the picturesque Sculpture Garden and Pond, and the various themed gardens.
Many of the main paths are well-maintained and accessible. The historic core and arboretum paths are generally good for strollers. Some natural trails might be more challenging.
Yes, leashed dogs are welcome in the gardens and arboretum, making it a great place for a walk with your pet.
The gardens feature a diverse collection including herbs, perennials, trees from around the world in the arboretum, wildflowers, and various specialty gardens.
Wi-Fi is generally available on the Cornell University campus, which includes the Botanic Gardens. You may be able to connect to the university's network.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
There are no dedicated dining facilities within the gardens themselves. However, you can find numerous cafes and restaurants on the Cornell University campus or in downtown Ithaca.
Picnicking is generally allowed in designated areas. It's a lovely way to enjoy the scenery. Remember to pack out all your trash.
The Cornell University campus has several dining halls and cafes. Downtown Ithaca offers a wide array of restaurants, from casual eateries to more upscale dining.
Typically, there are no regular food trucks or vendors within the Botanic Gardens. It's best to plan your meals accordingly.
While there aren't dedicated cafes within the gardens, you might find some limited concessions or vending machines in nearby campus buildings. Bringing your own snacks and water is recommended.
📸 📸 Photography
The Herb and Perennial Garden is incredibly colorful, the F.R. Newman Arboretum offers grand tree vistas, and the Sculpture Garden provides artistic backdrops. The pond area is also very scenic.
Yes, personal photography is generally allowed and encouraged. However, commercial photography or drone usage may require special permits.
Early morning or late afternoon 'golden hours' offer the best natural light for photography, minimizing harsh shadows and creating a warm glow.
For personal use, tripods are usually fine. However, for professional shoots or large equipment, it's advisable to contact the gardens administration to inquire about any specific policies or permits.
Visitors often capture macro shots of flowers and pollinators, landscape views of the arboretum, and artistic shots of the sculptures. Family portraits are also common.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Remember that while admission is free, weekday parking has a fee. Weekends offer free parking, which can be a great perk for families. Pack snacks and drinks, as on-site food options are limited. The natural setting provides a wonderful opportunity for children to connect with nature and learn about plants.
🚶♀️ Solo Travelers & Explorers
It's a great place to decompress, read a book, or simply enjoy the tranquility. The free admission and reasonable parking (on weekdays) make it an accessible solo adventure. Don't hesitate to explore the less-trafficked natural areas for a more secluded experience.
📸 Photographers & Nature Lovers
Visit during the golden hours of early morning or late afternoon for the best light. Be mindful of any restrictions on professional equipment if you're planning a dedicated photoshoot. The changing seasons ensure there's always something new and visually stunning to capture.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
A Living Laboratory: The Gardens' Educational Mission
Visitors can engage with this educational mission through various programs, workshops, and interpretive signage throughout the grounds. The gardens offer a unique opportunity to learn about plant diversity, sustainable horticulture, and the importance of preserving natural habitats. Whether you're a budding botanist or simply curious about the natural world, there's always something new to discover.
The commitment to education and conservation is evident in every corner, from the carefully labeled specimens to the ongoing research projects. It’s a place where beauty and knowledge intertwine, offering a rich experience for all who visit.
Navigating the Expansive Grounds
For those without a car, getting around Ithaca and to the gardens is feasible via local buses or rideshares. Once on campus, the gardens are interconnected, but distances can be significant. Consider wearing comfortable shoes, as you'll likely be doing a lot of walking.
Pro Tip: If you're visiting on a weekday and plan to drive between different sections of the gardens or arboretum, factor in the parking fees. Weekends offer a more relaxed experience with free parking, making it easier to hop between areas.
Seasonal Splendor: A Year-Round Destination
Autumn brings a spectacular display of fall foliage, painting the landscape in fiery reds, oranges, and yellows. Even in winter, the gardens possess a quiet beauty, with snow-covered branches and the stark elegance of dormant trees. Each season offers a different perspective and a reason to visit.
The wildflower section might be less vibrant outside of its peak season, but the forest walks remain beautiful year-round. Visitors often remark on how the gardens offer a different charm depending on when you visit.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit