Ithaca is rich in history--local, regional, and geological! Start with breakfast at the Ithaca Bakery, with its retro neon glow dating back to the 1950s.

Then head north on Route 96 to the Museum of the Earth at PRI, where the Earth comes to life and history begins. Be prepared to step back in time to see the Hyde Park Mastodon and the skeleton of Right Whale #2030. This extraordinary, world-class museum offers award-winning architecture, hands-on experiences like working with fossils at the Discovery Stations, and a unique gift shop.

Back downtown in Ithaca, be sure to visit The History Center in Tompkins County to explore history through a local lens with thousands of historic photographs, documents, diaries, scrapbooks, genealogies, maps, and more in their Research Library or purchase historic photographs and books featuring Ithaca history. Visit the Tompkins County Public Library a few blocks walk down Green Street to browse their extensive circulating collection of items including books, paperbacks, magazines, videos, DVDs, music CDs, and recorded books. You can walk a block to The Commons, an historic place, too, with used book stores, and architecture representative of several eras and many delicious eateries for lunch, dinner or a snack.

In the evening, catch a show at the historic State Theatre or enjoy an intimate theatrical experience at The Kitchen Theatre.