Located in the heart of downtown Ithaca, The Commons is a four-block pedestrian shopping area jam-packed with boutiques, gift shops, and restaurants.
Our wedding venue and also one of our favorite spots to shop for local treats. Saturday market runs 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and Sunday market runs 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Taughannock Falls is located just a few miles north of downtown Ithaca. With a drop of over 215 feet, this waterfall is the tallest single-drop waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains (Yes, even taller than Niagara Falls). Visitors can choose to visit this waterfall from a lookout over the gorge or by taking the 0.75-mile trail to the base of the falls.
If you want ice cream, this is the place to go. Lindsey's go-to: a chai milkshake.
Buttermilk Falls is located south of Ithaca in Buttermilk Falls State Park. Unlike many other waterfalls in the region, this waterfall is more a very long and tall slide, but that makes it no less impressive.
Ithaca Beer Co is a local favorite and a must-try while in town. Located just a half-mile south of Buttermilk Falls State Park, it's a great place to grab a beer and relax outside.
Ithaca Falls can be seen from downstream along the bridge over Fall Creek on Lake Street, or you can hike a short trail to the base of the falls. Standing over 100 feet tall, this is one of the most impressive Ithaca waterfalls and shouldn’t be missed while traveling in the area.
The on-site beer hall offers fresh ales and lagers as well as local wines and ciders. Lindsey's favorite beer there: Sonic! IPA
As a New York State Farm Distillery, they use certified organic grain from their own Myer Farm—one of the largest and oldest currently operating organic farms in the Northeast United States—to craft distill a range of spirits. Lucas' whiskey go-to: the John Myer Bourbon Whiskey.
The winding trails follow the gorge past 12 waterfalls, including the 115-foot Lucifer Falls.
The Cornell Botanic Gardens is a botanical garden located adjacent to the Cornell University campus. There you can discover a diverse network of nature preserves, including an arboretum and mature botanical garden with rare plant species from the local region and beyond.
This is Lindsey's favorite spot for cider. You can enjoy a variety of artisan ciders from farm-based orchards in the Finger Lakes.