Cornell Lab of Ornithology
159 Sapsucker Woods Rd
Ithaca, NY 14850
1-800-843-BIRD (1-800-843-2473)
clo_events@cornell.edu
Request a reservation (for groups of 10 or more).
The Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary is open every day, dawn to dusk.
Visitor Center Hours
Monday–Thursday: 8:00 A.M.–5:00 P.M.
Friday: 8:00 A.M.–4:00 P.M.
Saturday: 9:30 A.M.–4:00 P.M.
Sunday: 11:00 A.M.–4:00 P.M.
Hours may change due to special events. We are closed on some holidays.
Holiday Hours
Closed Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, and December 24-January 1. Open 10:00 A.M.–4:00 P.M. on Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, and the day after Thanksgiving. Open until 4:00 P.M. November 23.
Adelson Library Hours
Monday-Friday: 10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. and 1:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.
Where to Stay
Located just minutes away from the Cornell Lab, the Courtyard by Marriott offers Lab visitors special reduced rates. This rate is based on availability and subject to change. Free shuttle service is available to and from the Cornell Lab by appointment on the hour from 7:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Please call 866-541-3600 and ask for the Lab of Ornithology visitors' rate, or visit the Courtyard by Marriott website.
Admission is free. We appreciate donations and member support to help with trail maintenance and local outreach programs.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a great destination for groups of all ages. You'll enjoy four miles of outdoor trails in the Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary, plus a large wildlife observation area and a variety of interactive exhibits in the Johnson Visitors' Center.
Leaders of visiting groups: Please understand that the Lab is primarily a research, conservation, and global outreach unit. Although our visitor center and sanctuary are enjoyed by thousands of visitors each month, we currently do not have any staff dedicated to providing specialized tours or tailored visitor experiences, so only self-guided tours through the visitor center and the sanctuary can be guaranteed. Specialized tours can sometimes be arranged for university classes and other groups with targeted interests, but please be aware that these activities require diverting staff from their regular work or research activities. They therefore require advance planning and coordination, and can not always be accommodated (though we will always try our best). We do require advance reservations for groups of 10 or more. NOTE: If your group would like to visit the Lab in May or June (our busiest months for groups), we recommend you make your reservation in February. Make a reservation
We are pleased to announce that we now have Activity Backpacks you can borrow from the front desk in our Visitor's Center. These include the following activities and materials:
- • Birds of Sapsucker Woods field guides
- • Bird ID Focus cards
- • Outdoor Scavenger Hunt
- • Bird Bingo
- • "Tag Your Habitat" (outdoor game)
- • "Birds in Art" Scavenger Hunt (inside the Visitors' Center)
Binoculars are also available to check out from the front desk (maximum 8 binoculars/group, dependent on availability).
For activity ideas and resources to use with your group before or after your visit to the Cornell Lab, go to our Getting Kids Involved pages.
More Cornell Lab of Ornithology links to check out:
Suggested Themes by Season
Note: Check out book reading titles and activities for each of these themes here.
- • Fall: Use the All About Birds range maps to study Migration patterns of birds you see
- • Winter: Learn about Adaptations for feeding and flight by watching birds at the Bird Feeding Garden
- • Spring: Listen for birds singing on the trails, then visit our Sound Studio and watch the 10-minute film "The Language of Birds" in the Bartels Theater; Look and listen for signs that birds are preparing to raise young (Reproduction)
- • Summer: The trails take you through several distinct Habitats—how many can you find, and how do you know which habitat you are in?