"Sciencenter, Downtown Ithaca. Ithaca is a town of scientists, so it's no surprise that this nationally renown hands-on museum began as a volunteer-run science program in the local schools in 1983. Since then, tens of thousands of volunteer hours have built and maintained the museum as it stands today, housed in a funky two story building in Ithaca's active North Side. Highlights (meaning our favorites) include the the live animals and Tidepool Touch tank, the gravity dam (pretty much anything with running water), the Mars and Stars exhibit, and the Science Playground - check out the sound waves explorations. The Scream Chamber where you can measure the decibel meters of your friend's scream is pretty cool too. While it's a great place to take your kids, unaccompanied curious adults will not feel out of place."