Things To Do
Hazelnut Kitchen
The single most exquisite farm to table restaurant in the region. Cozy and unpretentious, honest and simply delicious.
Myer Farm Distillers
The Finger Lakes are famous for wine, but this is a hidden gem for anyone interested in fine spirits from bourbon and rye to gin and vodka. There is a lovely tasting room and shop. Grains for the distillery are grown on-site!
Finger Lakes Cider House
With a gorgeous tasting room and small farm kitchen, plus amazing views of Cayuga Lake, it almost wouldn't matter if the cider was good - but it is great! Fall is the perfect time to visit this orchard/cidery/working farm.
Robert H. Treman State Park
This gorge hike is straight out of a fairy tale and has to be seen to be believed. Even a short walk in along a paved trail gets you to breathtaking views of towering cliffs and delicate stone bridges. For those so inclined, the full hike is a 4-mile out-and-back trip with significant elevation change.
Taughannock Falls State Park
No trip to Ithaca would be complete without seeing these falls, which are taller than Niagara, in their incredible natural canyon. You can take an easy one-mile hike on a flat gravel path along a river to the base of the falls, or view them from the upper visitor center and parking area on Taughannock Falls Road. Across the street from the lower falls trailhead is North Point, one of the most beautiful parks on Cayuga Lake. There are picnic tables, facilities and a stony beach. This is a great place for kids, dates or anyone wanting to spend more time at the shore!
Ithaca's Discovery Trail
The Discovery Trail is a collective of 8 awesome museums and attractions for rainy or sunny days, including the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the Museum of the Earth, the Johnson Art Museum and the Sciencenter (great for kids and a staple of Avalon's childhood). Check out the website for a complete list and more info.