Visit Cornell

Seeing Is Believing

Explore campus from anywhere.

Visit Cornell’s Ithaca Campus Visit Virtually

Visit Cornell:

Welcome
Campus Tours
Getting to Campus
Visitor Information
Campus Highlights
Contact

Students walking into the Martin Y. Tang Welcome Center

Welcome to Cornell!

Established in 1865, Cornell University is a privately endowed research university and a partner of the State University of New York. Unique within the Ivy League, we make contributions in all fields of knowledge in a manner that prioritizes public engagement to help improve the quality of life in our state, the nation and the world.

Visiting the Campus

Visitor Relations is the front door to exploring Cornell’s Ithaca campus, providing information and tours to prospective students and families, alumni and Ithaca area visitors. Situated in a central location with stunning views of Beebe Lake, the Tang Welcome Center is the perfect place to start your campus experience.

Martin Y. Tang Welcome Center
616 Thurston Avenue, Ithaca, N.Y. 14850
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Saturdays from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
(closed on Saturdays in December and January)

Visitor Relations staff are available to assist and answer general questions: (607) 254-4636 (INFO) or info@cornell.edu

Campus Tours

In-Person Campus Tours

Registration is required for all campus tours. Capacity is limited, so please register in advance of your trip to Ithaca. In-person campus tours are geared toward the undergraduate student experience and last roughly 75 minutes. Tours are held rain or shine so please dress appropriately.

Special and Group Tours

We are currently unable to accommodate special requests for groups and specialized tours.

Information Sessions

Undergraduate Admissions offers regular information sessions that provide an overview of the colleges and schools, life on campus and the application process. Prospective applicants and their families will benefit from this general introduction to Cornell University. Sessions last approximately one hour.

For more details on information sessions and campus tours, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions team by email at admissions@cornell.edu, or call (607) 255-5241.

A glimpse into the campus experience

Select a Chapter

Ithaca, New York with Cayuga Lake in the background

Getting to Campus

Nestled in New York’s Finger Lakes region, Ithaca is only a few hours away from New York City, Philadelphia, Toronto, Boston and other major metropolitan areas.

Follow the travel guides below, or use your preferred online navigation tool to find directions to the Martin Y. Tang Welcome Center (616 Thurston Ave., Ithaca, N.Y.)

Visitors Arriving by Car

From Syracuse and other points northeast:

Take Interstate 81 south toward Cortland, then Route 13 south to Route 366 toward campus.

From Auburn and other points north:

Take Route 34 south, then follow Triphammer Road south to campus.

From Albany, New England and other points east:

Follow the New York State Thruway through Albany to Interstate 88 west, then take exit 8 in Bainbridge. Follow Route 206 west to Whitney Point, then Route 79 west toward Ithaca.

From Philadelphia and other points south:

Follow Interstate 476 north to Scranton, Pa., then continue on Interstate 81 north through Binghamton, N.Y. Continue northward on I-81 to exit 8 at Whitney Point, then follow Route 79 west to Ithaca.

From New York City:

Follow Interstate 80 west to Stroudsburg, Pa., then continue on Interstate 81 north toward Binghamton, N.Y. Continue northward on I-81 to exit 8 at Whitney Point, then follow Route 79 west to Ithaca.

From Rochester, Buffalo and points west:

Follow the New York State Thruway (Interstate 90) east toward exit 42 in Geneva, then take Route 96 south toward Ithaca.

Visitors Arriving by Plane

Ithaca Tompkins International Airport, serviced by Delta and United Airlines, is about a 10-minute drive from campus.

In addition, Syracuse Hancock International Airport is 60 miles northeast of Cornell’s campus and offers service by most major airlines. Other nearby airports in the region include Elmira Corning Regional Airport (45 minutes) and the Greater Binghamton Airport (55 minutes from campus).

Visitors Arriving by Bus

Public Transit

TCAT (Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit) provides fast and affordable bus transit throughout campus, downtown Ithaca and Tompkins County. Daily cash fares start at $1.50 per trip; children 13 and younger ride for free. Visit tcatbus.com for schedules, maps and more details.

Visitor Information

Parking

Parking is available for a nominal fee on weekdays and for free on the weekends. You may choose to pay for parking in advance while scheduling your tour or pay to use any number of conveniently located Parkmobile lots once on campus.

Recommended parking near the Martin Y. Tang Welcome Center is available at Toboggan Lodge (GPS address can be entered as 38 Forest Home Dr, Ithaca, N.Y.) and the Forest Home Drive parking garage.

Campus Accessibility

Cornell University is committed to maintaining an accessible, usable and welcoming environment for all faculty, staff, students and visitors. Cornell offers a detailed map of accessibility points and gender-neutral restrooms; more information and resources may be found at the Disability Access page.

Campus Dining

There are several options for dining on campus.

Campus Highlights

Campus Venues

Every week, Cornell University plays host to dozens of lectures, performances, exhibits and much more. Below are just a few of the many locations often visited by the public.

Check out events.cornell.edu for a full list of upcoming events and activities, or the "Life at Cornell" page to explore more opportunities for enrichment.

Around Ithaca and the Finger Lakes Region

Beyond campus, take advantage of a wide variety of entertainment, dining, lodging and recreation options. The Visit Ithaca website has up-to-date listings, details on upcoming events, and even a list of local waterfalls.

Select a location:

Martin Y. Tang Welcome Center

616 Thurston Avenue Ithaca, N.Y. 14850

Bailey Hall

230 Garden Ave, Ithaca, NY 14850
More information

McGraw Tower

160 Ho Plaza, Ithaca, NY 14850
More information

Cornell Botanic Gardens

124 Comstock Knoll Dr, Ithaca, NY 14850
More information

Cornell Dairy Bar

411 Tower Rd, Ithaca, NY 14853
More information

The Cornell Store

135 Ho Plaza, Ithaca, NY 14851
More information

Herbert F. Johnson Museum

114 Central Ave, Ithaca, NY 14853
More information

Libe Slope

351 West Ave, Ithaca, NY 14853

North Campus Housing

More information

Questions?

Contact the Visitor Relations team:

Visitor Relations staff are available to assist and answer general questions.
(607) 254-4636 (INFO)
info@cornell.edu