Welcome to the Discovery Trail

Atoms to artifacts, foxes to fossils, robins to rhododendrons, sculpture to storytellers – Ithaca's Discovery Trail has something for everyone!

From peaceful walks to famous talks, from hands-on fun to genealogical research, there's so much to see and do along the Discovery Trail. These eight fascinating sites are an easy drive from downtown Ithaca, Cornell University, Ithaca College, Cayuga Lake and other Finger Lakes attractions.

The Discovery Trail Partnership is a group of educational organizations based in Ithaca, NY. The only organization of its kind, the Discovery Trail promotes awareness and understanding of the connections among art, history, literature, science, and the natural world.

Discovery Trail News

Yoga and Art Summer Session

Take a midday break to learn about artworks from the Museum's collection and then practice yoga with instructor Rachel VerValin on the Museum's sixth floor overlooking beautiful Cayuga Lake. All skill levels welcome! Sessions offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 4 to August 1 except on June 18, June 20, and July 4. Drop-ins: $12 per session for the general public / $10 per session for Johnson Museum Members, students, and Cornell staff. Call 607 255-6464 to preregister for multiple sessions and save! More

Exhibits at the Johnson Museum

Summer Breeze: Paintings & Drawings by Alice Dalton Brown from May 18 to August 18; JAMuse: The Johnson Museum Turns 40 from May 18 to September 1; Materiality of Motion: The Vibrant Lives of Southeast Asian Textiles on exhibit May 11 to August 11; Post More Bills! Sixty Years of Exhibition Posters from April 20 to July 14; Hair: Untangling Roots of Identity from April 20 to July 14; Beauties and Beasties in Children's Book Illustrations from February 2 to June 30 and ongoing Leo Villareal's Cosmos. More

Glaciers at Museum of the Earth

The Museum of the Earth celebrates its 10th Anniversary this year and is starting off the party this May with a new, permanent exhibit on glaciers! Visitors will feel as if they are immersed in an ice cave as they learn all about glaciers: their characteristics, locations around the world, connections with climate, and impacts on animals and humans. Kids crawl through small spaces and explore the science of glaciers by touching glacial ice, investigating ice cores, and learning about the inside and outside of glaciers! More

Sciencenter exhibit: Roll, Drop, Bounce

Explore the science of motion at the Sciencenter's summer exhibition, which features twelve colorful, interactive exhibits designed to engage young scientists and their families in the fun side of physics. This active learning laboratory offers rolling wheels, dropping objects, bouncing balls, and things on-the-move. In a hands-on way, guests will explore kinetic energy, momentum, Newton's Law of Motion and other physics principles. More

Plant Medicine and Myths of the Ancient Western World

Plant Medicine and Myths of the Ancient Western World on display at Cornell Plantations' Nevin Welcome Center during May and June is prepared by Pam Shade, curator of the Robison Herb Garden. This exhibition displays a series of prints of ancient deities from Egyptian and Greek mythology who were thought to have healing powers. More

Tompkins County Public Library presents Top 2 Bottom: A Journey Through the Elements of Hip-Hop Culture

Curated by Jason Otero of Art and Anthropology, this exhibit features the acclaimed work of Hip-Hop photographers Joe Conzo and Ernie Paniccioli - made possible by Cornell University Library's Rare and Manuscript Collections; a new body of work by Ithacan Jay Stooks; a showcase of early Hip-Hop memorabilia, including house party flyers, boom-boxes, mix-tapes, fashion and graffiti; materials from the collection of Cap Matches Color; and artwork created by Ithaca's youth at a special graffiti workshop. This unique exhibit will be on display throughout the Library from March 29 through June 14. More

Decay to DJ: Exploring the Roots of Hip Hop

March 1 to June, The History Center presents an exhibition featuring several large-format photographs from South Bronx native, Joe Conzo, Jr. Depicted in the images will be scenes of the South Bronx in the 1970s, a place of urban decline that would ultimately give birth to hip hop music. Through Conzo's images, the exhibition will explore the social and economic conditions of 1970s South Bronx and serve as a backdrop for the foundation of what would become a uniquely American art form. More

More News

Upcoming Trail Events

Myths of Mental Illness

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Tompkins County Public Library will host author and advocate Karen Winters Schwartz for an introduction of her latest book, Reis's Pieces: Love, Loss and Schizophrenia, and a discussion on the misconceptions of mental illness. Her Library presentation is free and open to the public. More

Date: Wednesday, May 22

Time: 6:00 pm

Place: Tompkins County Public Library, BorgWarner Community Room

Birds and Blossoms: Bird Walk

Take a guided walk through the lovely grounds at Cornell Plantations to look for birds. Meet at the entrance to the Mundy Wildflower Garden off Caldwell Road. The walk takes place rain or shine. No registration required. Free. More