Kevin & Hilary's Guide to the Gorgeous Ithaca Area
Scenic Hiking Trails and Waterfalls
The finger lakes is full of some truly spectacular gorges, waterfalls and hiking trails. These are some of our favorites!
The closest (and yet one of the most beautiful) of the major waterfalls near our house. Also has a fantastic, publicly accessible beach with a popular swimming area and kayak / boat rentals. Recommend taking the easy hike up the river to see the waterfalls from below -- and then (if you want more of a challenge) take the loop trail that goes up either side of the gorge and back around to see the waterfall from above.
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Taughannock Falls State Park
1740 Taughannock BlvdThe closest (and yet one of the most beautiful) of the major waterfalls near our house. Also has a fantastic, publicly accessible beach with a popular swimming area and kayak / boat rentals. Recommend taking the easy hike up the river to see the waterfalls from below -- and then (if you want more of a challenge) take the loop trail that goes up either side of the gorge and back around to see the waterfall from above.
Our second favorite state park, with trails that meander through dramatic gorges and reveal enormous waterfalls around every few corners. Note there is both an upper and lower entrance; both are good options.
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TREMAN STATE PARK
105 Enfield Falls RdOur second favorite state park, with trails that meander through dramatic gorges and reveal enormous waterfalls around every few corners. Note there is both an upper and lower entrance; both are good options.
To say this is our least favorite state park of the "big 3" is like saying someone is the worst player on the starting 5 for the NBA All Star team. This is yet another AWESOME park with beautiful waterfalls. And if you want to actually swim at the base of a waterfall, this is the BEST place to go.
Upper Buttermilk Falls State Park
106 East Buttermilk Falls RoadTo say this is our least favorite state park of the "big 3" is like saying someone is the worst player on the starting 5 for the NBA All Star team. This is yet another AWESOME park with beautiful waterfalls. And if you want to actually swim at the base of a waterfall, this is the BEST place to go.
Yet another great place to swim at a waterfall. This is a free access area with no lifeguards or facilities though, so swim at your own risk.
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Ithaca Falls Natural Area
Lake StreetYet another great place to swim at a waterfall. This is a free access area with no lifeguards or facilities though, so swim at your own risk.
This is a fantastic local resource for exercise buffs, and you can access it by literally crossing the street from our lake house (PLEASE watch out for traffic!). It’s just a quick scramble up the slope on the other side of Taughannock Blvd, and you then have access to a well maintained running / biking / x-country ski trail that runs for over 8 miles. If you turn right (north), you can go almost 8 miles straight out, ending at the top of Taughannock Falls State Park. To the left (south), it connects you into the canal walkways of downtown Ithaca.
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Black Diamond Trail
Black Diamond TrailThis is a fantastic local resource for exercise buffs, and you can access it by literally crossing the street from our lake house (PLEASE watch out for traffic!). It’s just a quick scramble up the slope on the other side of Taughannock Blvd, and you then have access to a well maintained running / biking / x-country ski trail that runs for over 8 miles. If you turn right (north), you can go almost 8 miles straight out, ending at the top of Taughannock Falls State Park. To the left (south), it connects you into the canal walkways of downtown Ithaca.
Food scene
An iconic Ithaca restaurant with lots of tradition where Cornellians have taken prom dates for decades. Very classic, log cabin feel with a giant fireplace and amazing steak dinners.
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The Antlers Restaurant
1159 Dryden RdAn iconic Ithaca restaurant with lots of tradition where Cornellians have taken prom dates for decades. Very classic, log cabin feel with a giant fireplace and amazing steak dinners.
Hip, active restaurant walking distance (~15-20 minutes) from our house. Or a 4 minute drive. Nice outdoor seating area to dine by the water and perhaps watch a rowing team go by.
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The Boatyard Grill
525 Old Taughannock BlvdHip, active restaurant walking distance (~15-20 minutes) from our house. Or a 4 minute drive. Nice outdoor seating area to dine by the water and perhaps watch a rowing team go by.
The "original" vegetarian restaurant, made famous by the Moosewood Cookbook series, and still as good as ever.
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Moosewood Restaurant
215 N Cayuga StThe "original" vegetarian restaurant, made famous by the Moosewood Cookbook series, and still as good as ever.
Elegant restaurant in a historic boutique hotel at edge of Taughannock Falls State Park. Easy 10 minutes from our house.
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Inn at Taughannock Falls
2030 Gorge RdElegant restaurant in a historic boutique hotel at edge of Taughannock Falls State Park. Easy 10 minutes from our house.
Solid American fare restaurant right in the heart of the action at the end of the Ithaca Commons. Great place for outdoor dining and people watching on weekend evening.
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Simeon's American Bistro
224 E State StSolid American fare restaurant right in the heart of the action at the end of the Ithaca Commons. Great place for outdoor dining and people watching on weekend evening.
Another great option right by the Ithaca Commons action. Chef-owned eatery serving seasonal Italian food in a cozy space with a full bar & craft cocktails.
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Mercato
108 N Aurora StAnother great option right by the Ithaca Commons action. Chef-owned eatery serving seasonal Italian food in a cozy space with a full bar & craft cocktails.
THE place to go for ice cream in Ithaca. Iconic ice cream parlor with a retro vibe. Enjoy, then go for a hike to walk it off!
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Purity Ice Cream Co.
700 Cascadilla StTHE place to go for ice cream in Ithaca. Iconic ice cream parlor with a retro vibe. Enjoy, then go for a hike to walk it off!
Amazing selection of sandwiches, pastries, and all sorts of baked goods. Best place to go for bakery items (except bagels -- go to Collegetown Bagels for that!).
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Ithaca Bakery
400 N Meadow StAmazing selection of sandwiches, pastries, and all sorts of baked goods. Best place to go for bakery items (except bagels -- go to Collegetown Bagels for that!).
Everyone has their favorites, but we think CB gives New York City bagel shops a run for their money. The original location is on the hill next to Cornell, but this one is closer to our house.
Collegetown Bagels
Everyone has their favorites, but we think CB gives New York City bagel shops a run for their money. The original location is on the hill next to Cornell, but this one is closer to our house.
Shopping / Sightseeing
The definitive downtown area of Ithaca. Wonderful 3+ block long, pedestrian only shopping strip. Great combination of art galleries, craft stores, movie theater, restaurants, pubs, music, and ice cream shops! Particularly fun on warm summer evenings.
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Ithaca Commons
171 E M.L.K. Jr. StThe definitive downtown area of Ithaca. Wonderful 3+ block long, pedestrian only shopping strip. Great combination of art galleries, craft stores, movie theater, restaurants, pubs, music, and ice cream shops! Particularly fun on warm summer evenings.
This is one of the absolute coolest farmers markets you will ever see (at least in our opinion). It's packed every Saturday and Sunday morning but definitely worth the wait to get into the parking lot. If you're a strong paddler, you can kayak there from our dock in about 20 - 25 minutes. Or just drive over for great food and local arts and crafts. All vendors are based within 30 miles.
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Ithaca Farmers Market
545 3rd StThis is one of the absolute coolest farmers markets you will ever see (at least in our opinion). It's packed every Saturday and Sunday morning but definitely worth the wait to get into the parking lot. If you're a strong paddler, you can kayak there from our dock in about 20 - 25 minutes. Or just drive over for great food and local arts and crafts. All vendors are based within 30 miles.
Sightseeing
It's only open periodically, but if you can go when the bells are ringing and climb the stairs to the top of the tower, this is a great way to get a bird's eye view of both Cornell's campus and the whole Ithaca area.
Cornell University - McGraw Tower
Tower RoadIt's only open periodically, but if you can go when the bells are ringing and climb the stairs to the top of the tower, this is a great way to get a bird's eye view of both Cornell's campus and the whole Ithaca area.
Good museum of modern art on Cornell University's campus. The architecture of the building itself is interesting and the contents are a nice attraction for art lovers -- or if you need a break from the beautiful outdoor scenery. :-)
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Johnson Museum of Art
114 Central AveGood museum of modern art on Cornell University's campus. The architecture of the building itself is interesting and the contents are a nice attraction for art lovers -- or if you need a break from the beautiful outdoor scenery. :-)
Beautiful botanical gardens on Cornell University's campus. Incredible scenery in a serene environment. Nice place for some quiet reflection.
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Cornell Botanic Gardens
124 Comstock Knoll DrBeautiful botanical gardens on Cornell University's campus. Incredible scenery in a serene environment. Nice place for some quiet reflection.