Ithaca is a city in Tompkins County in the Finger Lakes region of New York, United States. It is situated at the southern end of Cayuga Lake and is surrounded by the steep wooded hills, gorges and waterfalls characteristic of the southern Finger Lakes. The city serves as an important cultural, educational and economic centre for the surrounding region.

Ithaca is best known for its strong connection to higher education, particularly Cornell University and Ithaca College. Cornell's extensive campus occupies the hills east of the city and contributes significantly to the area's academic, cultural and scientific communities. The city also has a long association with research, technology and the arts.

The surrounding landscape is one of Ithaca's defining features. Numerous gorges cut through the hills around the city, including Cascadilla Gorge, Fall Creek Gorge and Six Mile Creek, while nearby Ithaca Falls is one of the area's most prominent natural landmarks. Cayuga Lake provides additional opportunities for boating, recreation and scenic views.

Today, Ithaca is known for its university community, progressive cultural scene, independent businesses and access to the natural landscapes of the Finger Lakes. Its combination of academic institutions, historic neighbourhoods, gorges, waterfalls and lakeside scenery gives the city a distinctive character within upstate New York.