Ithaca has incredible waterfalls, beautiful wineries, and supposedly more restaurants per capita than NYC.
(Plus, the Finger Lakes was named one of thebest places to travel in 2022byTravel + Leisureeditors.)
Ithaca is a great starting point for travelers looking to explore the popular Finger Lakes wine trails.
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Its a vibrant, diverse destination, and a college town home to both Cornell University and Ithaca College.
This historic inn feels elegant yet cozy: a tucked away retreat thats very walkable to downtown Ithaca.
This luxury hotel was voted theNo.
Courtesy of Inns of Aurora
Firelight Camps CEO Robert Frisch told T+L what visitors can expect when they stay.
Firelight Camps is celebrating their 10th anniversary in 2023.
Things to Do
The main attraction in Ithaca is undoubtedly the local scenery.
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Near Cornell University, amateur and pro bird watchers alike will enjoy the easy trail throughSapsuker Woods.
Coleman recommended the centrally locatedCascadilla Gorge trail, right off the Commons, as well asMulholland Nature Preserve.
I like that I can be surrounded by nature just a few minutes from downtown, she said.
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TheIthaca Farmers Marketoperates every weekend from April to December.
Vendors include local craftspeople, farms with fresh produce, and local wineries.
This open-air marketplace, along the Cayuga inlet, has been a staple of this town since 1973.
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The revampedStewart Park playgroundis also a stunning place to let your kids run around.
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Hes also a fan of Ithaca’s local music scene.
He hopes visitors check out shows at some of the great smaller venues likeDeep Diveandthe Downstairs.
TheState Theatre of Ithacais a popular stop for many musicians, as is theHangar Theatrefor musicals.
The couscous salad is as light and refreshing as the crisp, bubbly Baldwin cider.
Or, pair the smoky, barrel aged Farmhouse cider with the pulled pork sandwich.
Theres also live music and yoga classes on weekends during the summer.
The craft cider scene is finally being recognized for the high quality being produced here, she said.
As winemakers engage the terroir, so do our cider makers.
Operating in Ithaca since 1936, they have a mix of classic and unique flavors.
Best Time to Visit
Ithaca is home to year-round adventure.
In the fall, colorful foliage, milder temperatures, and less visitors make for a relaxing respite.
Summer is certainly the most popular time to visit, with warm weather and plenty of outdoor activities.
The college students clear out in the summer, which makes the area surprisingly crowd-free.
Check out thecalendar of Downtown Ithaca eventsfor more.
From New York City, the drive up to Ithaca can take about four hours.
Because of the large college population, there are also frequent bus routes into Ithaca from NYC.
Theres a Greyhound station, andCornells campus-to-campus busservice, which is available to the public.
Collegetown:Situated just outside of Cornell University is Collegetown, with a number of bars and eateries.
Visitors who hike up the Cascadilla Gorge trail can reward themselves with a delicious beer or bagel from CTB.
verify to check each winerys group policy before arrival.
