As someone who likes birds but doesn't know much about them, I learned a lot and had fun. Interactive exhibits and great bird watching from the center, well marked trails. Free parking.

The exhibits are top notch: interactive and beautiful! I don't know why it is free, but it is a great value for your time. Elementary aged kids through adults will enjoy the varied offerings which center on listening, observing, and drawing. The gift shop has reasonably priced merchandise including children's puzzles and origami. An immersive world map with bird families graces the second floor. Outside, the walking paths are clearly marked with frequent benches and overlooks.

My wife is a bird person. She counts birds for them. This was on her list. It was a nice place. I loved watching the pond and the feeders. I saw lots of interesting things while sitting inside. My wife went out for a hike, but noted the trails are not well marked.

This was the highlight of our time in Ithaca! Fantastic facility - with the famous YouTube streaming bird feeder right by the front door - opportunity to practice birdwatching with fancy scopes, educational content like listening to myriad bird calls and gorgeous displays of eggs, feathers and explanation of the amazing different things that different birds do. The movie theater was cool on a hot summer day and we stayed for more short movies than we originally intended. The gift shop was small but packed with neat birding gear! The highlight however was walking the fabulous trails around the center and seeing dozens of birds. A perfect place and a beautiful day. Loved it so much!

I had heard so much about the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Given its connection to the Merlin app that has helped so many of us identify the birds around us, I was expecting amazing. I got OK.As others have noted, the Visitors Center is a gift shop with a few small exhibits. The trails are mostly flat with some forest and wetlands. But I don't think the birds here are any different than what you might find on other trails in the area.The Lab is several miles away from downtown Ithaca. I would have rather walked a trail closer to the city with the Merlin app.