Are you ready to share the magic of the outdoors with your little ones, but not ready to pitch a tent with toddlers in tow? The solution: glamping. Head to our woodland oasis with just your family, your essentials and your love of nature, and we’ll take care of the rest. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite family friendly activities in the area so you can spend quality time making memories in nature with your kids.

Located on the west side of Cayuga Lake, The Cayuga Nature Center is a 20-minute drive from Firelight. You can find easy walking trails, animal exhibits with foxes, raptors, and reptiles, a garden, educational programming, and more. Oh, and a SIX STORY TREEHOUSE! The center has been educating local youth about wildlife and nature since the ‘80s.

Ithaca Children’s Garden

Ithaca Children’s Garden is a 3 acre public garden designed as a place for children to connect with nature by interacting with plants and wildlife. There is a huge turtle statue to climb on, a hands-on ‘kids anarchy zone’ (bring a change of clothes), and plenty more to explore. The garden is located in Cass Park, alongside the Cayuga Waterfront Trail where you can take a scenic lakeside walk after visiting the garden. Pro tip: pick up some sandwiches and picnic provisions at the nearby Ithaca Bakery on the way.

Ithaca Beer Co.

With a huge outdoor yard of games, picnic tables and stunning views, hanging out at Ithaca Beer Co. is as fun for kids as it is adults. They also have a stellar food list with a lot of kid-friendly options, in addition to their well-known brews.

Roy H. Park Preserve (South)

For an easy and relaxing hike with kids, check out the Baldwin Tract at the south end of the Roy H. Park Preserve. The trail forms a loop and passes through a meadow where you’ll see plenty of pine trees, neat birds and running water. There’s also a wall of shale holding a collection of heart shaped rocks which were placed there over the years, known as “the heart wall,” which is a fun attraction along the trail.

Kid-Friendly Guide to Ithaca