Guidebook for Ithaca
Food Scene
Collegetown Bagels
420 College AveBest fresh bagels and a quick walk!
Asia Cuisine
126 N Aurora StExcellent Korean food and sushi, friendly atmosphere.
Delicious street food from around the world. Vegan-friendly (but plenty o' meat if you want it).
23 recommandé par les habitants
Luna Inspired Street Food Downtown
113 N Aurora StDelicious street food from around the world. Vegan-friendly (but plenty o' meat if you want it).
Great selection of local beer as well as dinners and snacks made with local ingredients. The Cauliflower Dip disappears instantly with any group. Excellent Sunday brunch.
94 recommandé par les habitants
Northstar House
202 E Falls StGreat selection of local beer as well as dinners and snacks made with local ingredients. The Cauliflower Dip disappears instantly with any group. Excellent Sunday brunch.
Classic diner in the middle of the neighborhood. Go early on Saturday or a weekday morning. Also often hosts Fish Fry-day for dinner.
20 recommandé par les habitants
Lincoln Street Diner
309 E Lincoln StClassic diner in the middle of the neighborhood. Go early on Saturday or a weekday morning. Also often hosts Fish Fry-day for dinner.
An Ithaca tradition, now serving fabulous weekend brunch and weekday lunch. Vegan-friendly.
99 recommandé par les habitants
Purity Ice Cream Co.
700 Cascadilla StAn Ithaca tradition, now serving fabulous weekend brunch and weekday lunch. Vegan-friendly.
Everything on Restaurant Row (this block of Aurora Street) is worth trying, but this take on local-style tapas stands out - flights of local wines, an eclectic and lively variety of dishes, and cozy atmosphere (especially the back garden in summer).
84 recommandé par les habitants
Just A Taste
116 N Aurora StEverything on Restaurant Row (this block of Aurora Street) is worth trying, but this take on local-style tapas stands out - flights of local wines, an eclectic and lively variety of dishes, and cozy atmosphere (especially the back garden in summer).
Southern-inspired, great seafood, and a fair amount of live music.
108 recommandé par les habitants
Maxie's Supper Club & Oyster Bar
635 W State StSouthern-inspired, great seafood, and a fair amount of live music.
Arguably the best Thai food in town (though there are a lot of contenders). More of a drive than a walk though.
49 recommandé par les habitants
Taste Of Thai Express
209 S Meadow StArguably the best Thai food in town (though there are a lot of contenders). More of a drive than a walk though.
Thai Basil
118 W State StYummy Thai food and a short walk - convenient if you're already on The Commons.
Probably the closest coffee to the Cottage, and a well-loved local roaster.
184 recommandé par les habitants
Gimme! Coffee
430 N Cayuga StProbably the closest coffee to the Cottage, and a well-loved local roaster.
Delicious Moroccan tagine dishes, great felafel and hummus, and the friendliest proprietor you'll ever meet (he will most likely offer you mint tea). Lunch and dinner.
The Commons Kitchen
124 E State StDelicious Moroccan tagine dishes, great felafel and hummus, and the friendliest proprietor you'll ever meet (he will most likely offer you mint tea). Lunch and dinner.
If you're away from your own small furry animals and craving that contact, check it out - you can snuggle some cats while you sip!
Alley Cat Cafe
112 E Seneca StIf you're away from your own small furry animals and craving that contact, check it out - you can snuggle some cats while you sip!
Our Indian friends' favorite Indian place in Ithaca. Their lunch buffet is always fresh, zingy, and delicious, and always has vegetarian and vegan dishes. For $10.50 it's a bargain. Dinner menu is also extensive and well done.
15 recommandé par les habitants
New Delhi Diamond's
106 W Green StOur Indian friends' favorite Indian place in Ithaca. Their lunch buffet is always fresh, zingy, and delicious, and always has vegetarian and vegan dishes. For $10.50 it's a bargain. Dinner menu is also extensive and well done.
The newest Indian place in town - the chef is a friendly fellow who worked at New Delhi Diamond's for years before starting his own place with his son. It's a smaller space in comparison and a similar menu; the standout is that it's the only place in town to get dosas, and they have chai and gulub jamun at the lunch buffet.
Shahi Pakwan
401 E State StThe newest Indian place in town - the chef is a friendly fellow who worked at New Delhi Diamond's for years before starting his own place with his son. It's a smaller space in comparison and a similar menu; the standout is that it's the only place in town to get dosas, and they have chai and gulub jamun at the lunch buffet.
Parks & Nature
This is literally the quickest route up to Cornell's Collegetown, and while you're in the gorge, there's little sign that you're in a city at all. "Ithaca Is Gorges," as we say, and this gorge couldn't be more conveniently located. It has steep staircases, so take it slow if you're not used to hill climbing, but the views are worth it. Closed during the winter, and occasionally for trail repair after heavy rain.
128 recommandé par les habitants
Sentier de la gorge de Cascadilla
Cascadilla Gorge TrailThis is literally the quickest route up to Cornell's Collegetown, and while you're in the gorge, there's little sign that you're in a city at all. "Ithaca Is Gorges," as we say, and this gorge couldn't be more conveniently located. It has steep staircases, so take it slow if you're not used to hill climbing, but the views are worth it. Closed during the winter, and occasionally for trail repair after heavy rain.
It's a quick walk from the Cottage, and the falls are a must-see while you're here. View them from the Lake Street bridge or walk in a few hundred feet to feel the spray. If we've had rain, you'll have to shout above the sound!
156 recommandé par les habitants
Ithaca Falls Natural Area
Lake StreetIt's a quick walk from the Cottage, and the falls are a must-see while you're here. View them from the Lake Street bridge or walk in a few hundred feet to feel the spray. If we've had rain, you'll have to shout above the sound!
The Lab is a world authority on bird research, has excellent exhibits, and the walking trails around the pond are a great place to view many species of birds.
52 recommandé par les habitants
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
159 Sapsucker Woods RdThe Lab is a world authority on bird research, has excellent exhibits, and the walking trails around the pond are a great place to view many species of birds.
Because you can walk or bike all the way to Trumansburg! This trail is connected to several other notable trails - see ithacatrails.org.
47 recommandé par les habitants
Black Diamond Trail
Black Diamond TrailBecause you can walk or bike all the way to Trumansburg! This trail is connected to several other notable trails - see ithacatrails.org.
The closest of the lakeside parks. Picnic tables, play structures for the kids including a carousel, tennis courts and a golf course - and Cayuga Lake of course.
113 recommandé par les habitants
Stewart Park
71 Stewart ParkThe closest of the lakeside parks. Picnic tables, play structures for the kids including a carousel, tennis courts and a golf course - and Cayuga Lake of course.
Our favorite part of Taughannock State Park. A lovely and relatively secluded spot for picnics - keep going to the left until you see the boat racks, then down to the shore.
North Point
Our favorite part of Taughannock State Park. A lovely and relatively secluded spot for picnics - keep going to the left until you see the boat racks, then down to the shore.
One of the most iconic scenes of Ithaca is Taughannock (ta-GAN-nock) Falls. Well worth the moderate (and flat) walk from the parking area, and there are more extensive trails if you want them.
507 recommandé par les habitants
Parc d'État de Taughannock Falls
1740 Taughannock BlvdOne of the most iconic scenes of Ithaca is Taughannock (ta-GAN-nock) Falls. Well worth the moderate (and flat) walk from the parking area, and there are more extensive trails if you want them.
The Upper Falls trail has some of my favorite gorge views in the area, particularly when you round the bend and see Lucifer Falls. It's another iconic scene, but usually not too mobbed.
333 recommandé par les habitants
PARC D'ÉTAT DE TREMAN
105 Enfield Falls RdThe Upper Falls trail has some of my favorite gorge views in the area, particularly when you round the bend and see Lucifer Falls. It's another iconic scene, but usually not too mobbed.
Not the highest or most spectacular of our gorges, and not the easiest to get to from the Cottage, but a good meandering, meditative walk if you go up the trail.
373 recommandé par les habitants
Buttermilk Falls State Park
Not the highest or most spectacular of our gorges, and not the easiest to get to from the Cottage, but a good meandering, meditative walk if you go up the trail.
Arts & Culture
First-class collection of Asian art, other wonderfully-curated exhibits, and excellent views of Cayuga Lake from the top floor.
149 recommandé par les habitants
Johnson Museum of Art
114 Central AveFirst-class collection of Asian art, other wonderfully-curated exhibits, and excellent views of Cayuga Lake from the top floor.
In the middle of downtown and bordered by "the God Quad" of various churches, DeWitt Park is the original public square of Ithaca and now houses war memorials. This area of town has many of the older and architecturally interesting buildings. The Farmer's Market is held here on Tuesdays.
Dewitt Park
102 E Court StIn the middle of downtown and bordered by "the God Quad" of various churches, DeWitt Park is the original public square of Ithaca and now houses war memorials. This area of town has many of the older and architecturally interesting buildings. The Farmer's Market is held here on Tuesdays.
If you like old gravestones and mausoleums, you'll enjoy exploring this cemetery. If not, it's still a good alternate route to Cornell from downtown - go up past the cute houses nestled into the switchbacks on Cascadilla Park Road next to the gorge rim and then cut over through the cemetery to head up through West Campus.
City of Ithaca Cemetery
City of Ithaca CemeteryIf you like old gravestones and mausoleums, you'll enjoy exploring this cemetery. If not, it's still a good alternate route to Cornell from downtown - go up past the cute houses nestled into the switchbacks on Cascadilla Park Road next to the gorge rim and then cut over through the cemetery to head up through West Campus.
Frequently changing exhibits, usually on Gallery night (the first Friday of each month). Always interesting and local.
State of the Art Gallery
120 W State StFrequently changing exhibits, usually on Gallery night (the first Friday of each month). Always interesting and local.
The public face of the Paleontological Research Institute, this is a well-curated showcase of fossils, skeletons, dinosaurs, and geology, presented in a holistic and lively way.
97 recommandé par les habitants
Museum of the Earth
1259 Trumansburg RdThe public face of the Paleontological Research Institute, this is a well-curated showcase of fossils, skeletons, dinosaurs, and geology, presented in a holistic and lively way.
Essentials
Wegmans has been the highlight of some of our visitors' trips - if you don't have them where you're from, it's worth a look. Their multi-ethnic hot bar and prepared food section is a great place to stop before a picnic, especially if you have a group and want to cater to everyone's tastes.
143 recommandé par les habitants
Wegmans
500 S Meadow StWegmans has been the highlight of some of our visitors' trips - if you don't have them where you're from, it's worth a look. Their multi-ethnic hot bar and prepared food section is a great place to stop before a picnic, especially if you have a group and want to cater to everyone's tastes.
A small healthy-food co-op in downtown, offers basics and convenience items, including prepared foods and a small hot bar. A quick walk from the Cottage. GreenStar's bigger store is in the west end of town.
48 recommandé par les habitants
GreenStar DeWitt
215 N Cayuga StA small healthy-food co-op in downtown, offers basics and convenience items, including prepared foods and a small hot bar. A quick walk from the Cottage. GreenStar's bigger store is in the west end of town.
Northside Laundry
517 N Cayuga StYour closest coin-op laundromat - four blocks away.
Only slightly farther than the Northside Laundry from the cottage (four longer blocks). Just down from the Lincoln Street Diner.
8 recommandé par les habitants
Fall Creek Laundromat
1012 N Aurora StOnly slightly farther than the Northside Laundry from the cottage (four longer blocks). Just down from the Lincoln Street Diner.
Your closest option for quick necessities, including some packaged snacks, fruit, cooking basics, and the usual drugstore stuff.
12 recommandé par les habitants
Kinney Drugs Store
513 N Cayuga StYour closest option for quick necessities, including some packaged snacks, fruit, cooking basics, and the usual drugstore stuff.
Entertainment & Activities
First-run art-house films, well curated. An active non-profit. And where else can you get nutritional yeast on your popcorn, and Red Zinger iced tea?
93 recommandé par les habitants
Cinemapolis
120 E Green StFirst-run art-house films, well curated. An active non-profit. And where else can you get nutritional yeast on your popcorn, and Red Zinger iced tea?
We haven't tried this yet, but have enjoyed the "escape room" genre elsewhere and it's had good reviews.
Escape Ithaca
124 W State StWe haven't tried this yet, but have enjoyed the "escape room" genre elsewhere and it's had good reviews.
Shopping
It's the center of town; you should go there. Highlights for us include Mockingbird Paperie, Autumn Leaves Used Books, Trader K's (used clothing), and Home Green Home, as well as the new fountain, the playground (sadly closed for adjacent construction for the rest of 2017), and the start of the Sagan Planet Walk.
156 recommandé par les habitants
Ithaca Commons
171 E M.L.K. Jr. StIt's the center of town; you should go there. Highlights for us include Mockingbird Paperie, Autumn Leaves Used Books, Trader K's (used clothing), and Home Green Home, as well as the new fountain, the playground (sadly closed for adjacent construction for the rest of 2017), and the start of the Sagan Planet Walk.
So much good food, local products, and always live music! Very popular on the weekends, so go early. Check their web site for seasonal hours. If you're here on a Tuesday the market is downtown, a much shorter walk.
266 recommandé par les habitants
Marché des fermiers d'Ithaca
545 3rd StSo much good food, local products, and always live music! Very popular on the weekends, so go early. Check their web site for seasonal hours. If you're here on a Tuesday the market is downtown, a much shorter walk.
Sunny Days is owned by our friend and Aurora Street neighbor Deirdre. It's a fun place to look for locally-sourced gifts, crafts, and souvenirs of Ithaca and upstate New York.
9 recommandé par les habitants
Sunny Days Of Ithaca
171 E State StSunny Days is owned by our friend and Aurora Street neighbor Deirdre. It's a fun place to look for locally-sourced gifts, crafts, and souvenirs of Ithaca and upstate New York.
Sightseeing
The tower is one of the iconic views and symbols of Cornell, and it's also the home of the Cornell Chimes, which you may hear throughout the day depending on where you are in Ithaca and how the wind is blowing. Full concerts are generally played on the chimes three times a day, and if you time it right you can climb the stairs to the top, view the Lake and beyond, and experience the loudest non-electrically-amplified music you may ever hear.
Cornell University - McGraw Tower
Tower RoadThe tower is one of the iconic views and symbols of Cornell, and it's also the home of the Cornell Chimes, which you may hear throughout the day depending on where you are in Ithaca and how the wind is blowing. Full concerts are generally played on the chimes three times a day, and if you time it right you can climb the stairs to the top, view the Lake and beyond, and experience the loudest non-electrically-amplified music you may ever hear.