Visitor Center FAQ

Is the Visitor Center closing for renovation?

Yes, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology Visitor Center will be closed to undergo a major renovation. Construction is expected to begin sometime this summer with closing information coming soon. The Visitor Center will be closed for approximately one year, but the trails will remain open from dawn to dusk for all to enjoy. 

Before you come, please check to see if the Visitor Center is open. For updates, you can check this FAQ page, call (800) 843-2473, or email cornellbirds@cornell.edu. 

Why is the Visitor Center closing for renovation?

We are building a new and improved visitor experience to provide educational opportunities that allow people to connect with birds and biodiversity. Our new facility will feature interactive exhibits, state of the art media experiences, and world-class art. We look forward to welcoming you back to our newly renovated Visitor Center in the summer of 2024!  

Will restroom facilities be available during the closure? 

No, restrooms will not be available when the Visitor Center is closed.

Are the trails open during renovations? Are you still offering bird walks? 

When the building is closed during renovations, our trails will remain open from dawn until dusk. We will also be offering outdoor activities including weekend bird walks. Check our Events Calendar for a full schedule. Please be aware that restroom facilities will not be available while the Visitor Center is closed. The trails at Sapsucker Woods are carry in, carry out. Please take your trash with you.

Can I bring a group to the Cornell Lab while you’re closed for renovation? 

Yes! The trails will be open and groups are welcome. If you are bringing more than 10 people to the Cornell Lab, please let us know two weeks in advance by filling out our Group Visits reservation form. We encourage you to view our Group Visits resources. Please be aware that restroom facilities will not be available while the Visitor Center is closed. The trails at Sapsucker Woods are carry in, carry out. Please take your trash with you. 

Can I arrange for a guided visit? 

We will not be able to provide guided visits during our renovation closure. We encourage you to join one of our scheduled programs including weekend bird walks. Check out our Events Calendar for a full schedule.

Yes, the Visitor Center is open daily from 10 a.m. –4 p.m.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology Visitor Center will be closed beginning in May or June 2023 (exact dates TBD – check back for more information) to undergo a major renovation. The Visitor Center will be closed for approximately one year, but the trails will remain open from dawn to dusk for all to enjoy. 

eBird provides the most comprehensive way to view recent sightings. Check out the Sapsucker Woods hotspot for up-to-the-minute updates.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology provides interactive exhibits for children and families to explore. Please see our pages on What to Do Outdoors, What to Do Indoors, and Guides and Activities for Your Visit. You’re also encouraged to ask about additional educational activities and resources available for check-out at the front desk.

Free day parking is located in the visitor lot closest to the Visitor Center entrance. If you are driving an RV please use the third lot, closest to the airport.

Yes—you can reach the Lab either by TCAT bus service or by the Lab’s campus shuttle. Here’s full information about both options.

The Visitor Center is a fully accessible building and there is a wheelchair available by request. The trails are mulched with exposed roots and boardwalks. If you need accommodations to participate in a program or event, please contact Lisa Kopp as soon as possible.

No, but when the Visitor Center is open, public restrooms are available inside.

Sapsucker Woods offers more than 4 miles of beautiful trails through forests, fields, and wetlands. A visitor favorite is the Wilson Trail, a 0.75-mile loop around Sapsucker Woods Pond. See our map for additional information.

In order to provide a safe habitat for wildlife, most dogs are not permitted on the trails. Service animals are welcome on the trails and in the Visitor Center. Find dog-friendly trails in the Ithaca area.

Wild birds abound at Sapsucker Woods, but there are no captive birds at the Cornell Lab.  Wild birds are visible from the Visitor Center in the bird-feeding garden and across the pond. The Visitor Center also features additional information and activities highlighting their behavior and biology.

The Lab of Ornithology is just 4 miles from the Cornell University campus. The Lab provides a campus shuttle and there is a TCAT bus. Here’s full information for both options.

The following hotels offer special reduced rates for Lab visitors. Rates are based on availability and subject to change. Free shuttle service is available to and from the Cornell Lab. Please contact the hotel for more information.

• Courtyard Marriott: 607-339-1000
• Fairfield Inn and Suites: 607-277-1000
• Best Western University Inn: 607-272-6100

There are also local bed-and-breakfasts.

The Lab of Ornithology offers countless opportunities for prospective students, from leading tours at Sapsucker Woods to conducting field research internationally. Visit the Student Resources section of our site for more information.

The Imogene Powers Johnson Center for Birds and Biodiversity opened in 2003. Before that, the Lab was housed at the Lyman K. Stuart Observatory at the edge of the pond just to the south of where the Visitor Center is now. The Stuart Observatory was built in the 1950s for fewer staff and had expanded to nearby trailers before we moved into the Johnson Center. The Lab was founded in 1915 when Arthur Allen labeled his office space in Cornell’s department of Entomology and Limnology as “Laboratory of Ornithology.”

While the Lab of Ornithology does not have food services on site, Ithaca is full of delicious options. The Visit Ithaca website provides a database of restaurants.

We do not have picnic tables, but there are benches located throughout the trails and at the entrance to the Visitor Center. The Cornell Lab and Sapsucker Woods provide a sanctuary habitat for local wildlife so we ask that groups respect our carry in, carry out policy and take their trash with them.

Ithaca has plenty of activities for all. Visit the Discovery Trail website for additional information.

The Lab’s facilities are not currently available to rent.

The Lab has a private mother’s room exclusively for nursing mothers and equipped with a mini fridge, phone, and storage lockers. Stop by the front desk for a key and directions.