Ithaca Children’s Garden – Ithaca, NY

We have passed by this garden numerous times but never visited it until now. We were so glad we did. This magical place teaches children the wonder of nature and conservation through play and exploration. If you have children or love seeing conservation in action, then a visit to this unique garden is a must. The creativity and imagination that went into creating this special place is truly extraordinary.

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Exploring the Garden

There are so many uniquely themed activities spread throughout the garden that will keep children actively engaged for hours.

Hands-On Nature Anarchy Zone

Kids will love this play zone that connects them with nature. This promotes the love of nature through playing with it, climbing trees, building forts, and playing with dirt, water, and recycled materials.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Boardwalk

You will see the apple from The beloved children’s book “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” By Eric Carle on this storytelling boardwalk. Stories come to life as children walk along the boardwalk.

Bulb Labyrinth Memorial Garden

This beautiful garden is a memorial to the lost babies and children in the community. This is a lovely, peaceful spot with benches, artwork, and lots of beautiful flowers.

Funky Sound Garden

Explore sound in this fun garden with all sorts of “instruments” that create different types of sound.

Bunnies and Hens

There are several bunnies and hens who call the Ithaca Children’s Garden home in their movable chicken coop called Cluckingham Palace. Stop by and say hi to these friendly critters.

Kitchen Garden

This is an amazing garden that encourages children to touch, taste, and smell. All sorts of fruits, vegetables, and herbs are grown in this garden.

Wildflower Meadow

This wild-growing meadow is the perfect place to meet wildlife. The native plants are encouraged to welcome native birds as well as insects and other critters.

Bird Garden

Kids can let their imagination fly as they get to view life from a bird’s perspective. Sit in a nest, explore a birdhouse, or search for actual birds that visit the garden.

Troll House

This cozy troll house belongs to the friendly troll who lives in the garden. He spends his days wandering the surrounding hills and only returns to his home after all the boys and girls have gone home for the day. Kids can enjoy playing in his home while they visit the garden.

Gaia the Turtle

Meet Gaia, the giant snapping turtle. Kids love playing on her back. This giant sculpture pays homage to the importance of turtles to the indigenous people who once called the area homes. Snapping turtles are native to the Finger Lakes and have existed for 230 million years.

Fun Facts: Gaia is 62 feet long and 29 feet wide.

Know Before You Go

Ithaca Children’s Garden is free and open to all, from dawn to dusk, 365 days a year.
Ithaca Children’s Garden is wheelchair accessible.
Potable water is available April-November.
Wheelchair-accessible porta-potty and rustic restrooms are available.
Pack a change of clothes for your young ones, just in case.
Well-behaved dogs on leashes are allowable in some areas of the Garden. Dogs are not permitted in the Kitchen Garden, wilder areas, or as posted

Near the Garden – Black Diamond Trail

Behind the parking lot is the entrance to the Black Diamond Trail that runs from the trailhead 8.5 miles to Taughannock Falls. The trail is crushed gravel and well-maintained. Visitors can hike, bike, or cross-country ski on this trail. The name Black Diamond might make you imagine that the trail is steep, like the Black Diamond slopes at ski resorts. This is actually in honor of the Black Diamond Express that used to run from Buffalo to New York City using this trail. The trail has been reclaimed for hikers, bicyclists, and cross-country skiers.

Also located in this small park at the trailhead is Ithaca BikeShare Bike Rental. These are bikes that can be rented via your smartphone. (If there aren’t any bikes available, there is another Ithaca BikeShare rack located at the nearby Cass Park.)

Learn more: IthacaBikeShare.org