Somewhat in contrast to the other towns which surround it in Upstate New York, Ithaca is home to several cultural institutions and museums that one would be accustomed to finding in much larger cities.  This is mainly due to the presence of Cornell University and Ithaca College and the influence that they have on the surrounding community.  Among the town's two major museums is the Ithaca New York Science Center.  This science museum features several seasonal exhibitions as well as permanent exhibits for children and adults alike ranging in topic from the Solar System to the Oceans.  The museum is available to host children's parties and other events.  It is open seven days a week.  See their website for more details.

Ithaca's other museum, The Museum of the Earth, is a natural history museum featuring thousands of fossils from a variety of dinosaurs and plants and other prehistoric animals.  In addition to its fossils the museum also holds a number of interactive, educational exhibits for people of all ages.  It is an important educational resource for local teachers and students and a favorite with visitors to the area.  The museum is closed on Tuesdays during the winter months.