Things To Do

Taughannock Falls

A gentle 1 mile walk in the woods on the Gorge Trail leads you to a GORGEous waterfall (the tallest east of the Mississippi) This is Ithaca's most well-known attraction. Rain or shine, summer or winter, we usually visit whenever we're in the area. Don't want to walk? Visit the overlook. Looking for an aggressive hike? Try the Rim Trail.

Watkins Glen State Park

A magical place. A 2.4 mile loop, very gentle. Sometimes this place is busy with tourists, but it's really worth the visit. Start from the bottom of the gorge trail. The trail goes under a waterfall and then keeps going about a mile before you hit the magic.

Corning Museum of Glass

If you go to Watkins Glen or you really like glass and are willing to make the drive, this is a great place for both kids and adults. Learn about the history, uses and how they make of all kinds of glass - from Pyrex to car safety glass to Gorilla Glass to optical fibers. They have cool demonstrations, like glass-blowing.

Robert H. Treman State Park, Upper Entrance

Our favorite place in Ithaca. Park at the upper entrance by the old mill. The trail through the gorge, by the river, will take you across a bridge and down some steps next to Lucifer Falls. For those with bad knees: there are lots of steps! If you want to swim, drive to lower Truman and swim under the waterfall.

Buttermilk Falls State Park

Park at the bottom of the falls and hike up the gorge trail. It is mostly stairs. Or you can swim under the falls if it is open. Upper buttermilk is also a good hike.

Ithaca Farmers Market

The farmers market is located on the Cayuga Lake inlet where Cornell and Ithaca college hold their crew regattas. Take a walk along the busy shops on Saturday. Be sure to grab some Cambodian food at Khmer Angkor and eat it on the dock with the ducks.

Ithaca Commons - Seneca St

Take a walk along the pedestrian street known as The Commons. This will give you the best flavor of Ithaca's eccentric people. We both liked the peanut tea at Hawi Ethiopian Restaurant.

Saigon Kitchen

We both love Pho!

New Delhi Diamond's Restaurant

Delicious Indian Food!

Uris Library, Cornell University

This library is beautiful and worth a stop - it looks like something out of Harry Potter. You can continue on to the Johnson Art Museum (the building that looks like a toilet), it's free to go. Take the elevator to the 5th floor and check out the beautiful view of Cayuga Lake. When you're done, drive to the Cornell Plantations (botanical gardens) and stop at the Cornell Creamery on your way. If all this makes you hot and sweaty, stop at Flat Rocks for a little swim. If it doesn't, take a walk along the river on the Monkey Run trails.

Museum of The Earth

Who likes fossils?! This is a great place for kids and adults.

Sheldrake Point Winery

Chris worked at the bistro at Sheldrake Point Winery during college. It is a great winery on Sheldrake Point with a dock on the lake. If you're nice to us, we may even bring you here in the boat.

Thirsty Owl Wine Company

Bellwether Hard Cider and Wine Cellars

Great hard cider. This is a fun place to stop for a quick tasting.

Atlas Bowl

A restaurant with a bowling alley. What a great idea!

Gimme! Coffee

Gimme Coffee is an Ithaca tradition. Sit out on the porch overlooking the river and enjoy delicious coffee. There are also some locations in downtown Ithaca, but they're not quite as cool.