Things To Do
Robert H. Treman State Park
Treman is our favorite hike in Ithaca! Walking the gorge trail and rim trail loop will take you past multiple waterfalls and up to an old mill. The hike is approximately 4 miles and takes 2-3 hours to complete. If you don't want to hike, this is also a great place to swim at the base of a waterfall at the entrance. Since it's a state park, there is a small entrance fee ($10).
Buttermilk Falls State Park
If you're looking for a shorter hike, the loop around Buttermilk Falls is only about 1.5 miles and takes an hour to complete. Swimming and a picnic area are also available here. Since it's a state park, there is a small entrance fee ($10).
Taughannock Falls State Park
Taughannock Falls' gorge trail also offers an easy 2-mile out-and-back route that will take about an hour to complete. Taughannock is the tallest single-drop waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains, 33 feet taller than Niagara Falls!
Ithaca Farmers Market
The Ithaca Farmers Market takes place in a pavilion on the waterfront, and has more than 85 vendors selling produce, prepared food, and crafts, all produced within a 30-mile radius of Ithaca.
Cornell Botanic Gardens
Cornell has over 150 acres of gardens and walking paths that are open to the public dawn to dusk, free of charge.
Cayuga Lake Wine Trail
We would be remiss not to mention the great wineries in the Finger Lakes! If being on the lake is more your vibe than a waterfall hike, there are wineries all along Cayuga Lake where you can stop in for tastings and light bites, with great views. The closest winery to Ithaca, and one of our top recommendations, would be Americana Vineyards.