If you’re looking for a little adventure, why not climb up a six-story treehouse overlooking 100-acres of woodland? The Cayuga Nature Center is home to an aerial oasis, known as TreeTops Treehouse, that offers visitors a peaceful escape up in the forest canopy.
The nostalgic tower was constructed by Ithaca High School students in 2000. Thousands of sticks make up the exterior, bringing a camouflage affect among the thriving landscape. It even overlooks Denison Falls, a 20-foot waterfall.
Explorers of the treehouse can learn more about the biodiversity in which TreeTops Treehouse sits with educational signage inside the hideaway.
For those afraid of heights, rest assured that the treehouse has tons of safety precautions and is fully enclosed for fall prevention. But if that doesn’t convince you, you’re more than welcome to take in the nature at nearby benches.
Visitors are welcome to roam every story of the structure to discover various rooms, ropes and ladders. Those who reach the top will see a panoramic view of the forest below.
After making your sky-high journey, nature enthusiasts can walk the trails on the grounds, winding through the woods. Keep an eye out for streams and gorges along the way!
The Cayuga Nature Center has been around since 1981, connecting New Yorkers with the history and ecology of their surroundings at the Cayuga Lake basin.
One of the best parts? Grounds admission to Cayuga Nature Center is pay-what-you-wish. Therefore, it’s a great family-friendly activity that’s easy on the wallet.
Unfortunately, the center is currently dealing with a staffing shortage and has canceled its 2025 summer camp. However, the center is actively working to uncover potential options to continue carrying out its educational mission.
Although the lodge is closed for the season, the trails & TreeTops Treehouse are open everyday from dawn until dusk. While you’re in the area you might as well pop over to Taughannock Falls State Park to see Taughannock Falls, the tallest single-drop waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains.
📍 1420 Taughannock Blvd, Ithaca, NY (follow the gravel path from the center’s parking lot)