Nancy's Guidebook
Hike, Bike, and Gardens Sightseeing
Hiking, walking, biking areas abound in this area, plenty of hills, gorges and water. Nearby Cornell Botanic Gardens link below.
https://cornellbotanicgardens.org/explore/experiences/
Buttermilk State Park is one mile from the apartment. Options for flat trails and more advance climbs through the gorge. Lots of water, steps, and natural scenery and nature all around you.
Gorge Trail
112 E Buttermilk Falls RdButtermilk State Park is one mile from the apartment. Options for flat trails and more advance climbs through the gorge. Lots of water, steps, and natural scenery and nature all around you.
Cascadilla Gorge Trail has two walk-in entrances, in the heart of the city or on Cornell’s campus. No designated parking areas. Beautifully maintained by Cornell Botanic Garden, while parts are challenging and amazing to see, but not open year round.
128 locals recommend
Cascadilla Gorge Trail
Cascadilla Gorge TrailCascadilla Gorge Trail has two walk-in entrances, in the heart of the city or on Cornell’s campus. No designated parking areas. Beautifully maintained by Cornell Botanic Garden, while parts are challenging and amazing to see, but not open year round.
Flat walk to the bottom, drive to the overlook, or walk the north and south rim trails for 3.25 miles. Very popular sight. Across the street is Cayuga Lake to enjoy fishing, swimming with lifeguards (in season) and rent kayaks. Concession stand in season.
507 locals recommend
Taughannock Falls State Park
1740 Taughannock BlvdFlat walk to the bottom, drive to the overlook, or walk the north and south rim trails for 3.25 miles. Very popular sight. Across the street is Cayuga Lake to enjoy fishing, swimming with lifeguards (in season) and rent kayaks. Concession stand in season.
Very popular hike, mostly challenging and worth it to navigate, but there is a drive to flat walk to an overlook area, also offers a gift shop.
437 locals recommend
Watkins Glen State Park
1009 N Franklin StVery popular hike, mostly challenging and worth it to navigate, but there is a drive to flat walk to an overlook area, also offers a gift shop.
One of our favorites is to walk or bike the CWT to view Cayuga Lake, the inlet, eagles and osprey and the boat marina. Along the way visit the Farmers Market. Very popular! 6 miles total and flat.
16 locals recommend
Caygua Waterfront Trail
One of our favorites is to walk or bike the CWT to view Cayuga Lake, the inlet, eagles and osprey and the boat marina. Along the way visit the Farmers Market. Very popular! 6 miles total and flat.
Multiuse off road trail: run, hike, bike and enjoy multiple waterfalls. Taughannock Falls and return for 17 miles total. Great peak views of the lake, in the fall of the leaves 🍁 along the way and at Taughannock the big falls and more trails.
47 locals recommend
Black Diamond Trail
Black Diamond TrailMultiuse off road trail: run, hike, bike and enjoy multiple waterfalls. Taughannock Falls and return for 17 miles total. Great peak views of the lake, in the fall of the leaves 🍁 along the way and at Taughannock the big falls and more trails.
Great swimming under the falls with a diving board and life guard (in season) at Lower Treman falls, hiking and picnic area. Hike Lucifer Falls (very challenging) or visit the Mill Museum at Upper Treman. One of our favorites!
333 locals recommend
TREMAN STATE PARK
105 Enfield Falls RdGreat swimming under the falls with a diving board and life guard (in season) at Lower Treman falls, hiking and picnic area. Hike Lucifer Falls (very challenging) or visit the Mill Museum at Upper Treman. One of our favorites!
Cornell Botanic Gardens is a wonderful place to see natural beauty and expert gardens. If you are able take a short walk around Beebe Lake or settle on a bench and enjoy the view.
131 locals recommend
Cornell Botanic Gardens
124 Comstock Knoll DrCornell Botanic Gardens is a wonderful place to see natural beauty and expert gardens. If you are able take a short walk around Beebe Lake or settle on a bench and enjoy the view.
Finger Lakes brewery and winery scene
Most wineries and breweries offer light food and some full meals and non alcoholic options
Thirsty Owl Wine Company
6799 Elm Beach RdWines and food with a view.
Two Goats Brewing
5027 NY-414Brewery with food and an EXPANSIVE view on Seneca Lake.
Great beer, other libations and soda, food is good and large lawn space. Outdoor seating too.
160 locals recommend
Ithaca Beer Co.
122 Ithaca Beer DrGreat beer, other libations and soda, food is good and large lawn space. Outdoor seating too.
Six Mile Creek Vineyard
1551 Slaterville RdOnly one mile from the apartment.
Tables, fire pits and great sunset view, sometimes music and only 2 miles from the apartment. Outdoor seating too.
35 locals recommend
South Hill Cider
550 Sandbank RdTables, fire pits and great sunset view, sometimes music and only 2 miles from the apartment. Outdoor seating too.
Great view, known for great dry reds, outdoor seating and food available.
60 locals recommend
Damiani Wine Cellars
4704 NY-414Great view, known for great dry reds, outdoor seating and food available.
This satellite location is in downtown Ithaca on Green Street in Press Bay Alley. The main location is in Hector with a view of Seneca Lake.
15 locals recommend
Lucky Hare Brewing Company
118 W Green StThis satellite location is in downtown Ithaca on Green Street in Press Bay Alley. The main location is in Hector with a view of Seneca Lake.
Food scene
Ithaca has more restaurants per capita than NYC.
Maxie's Supper Club & Oyster Bar
635 W State StFried chicken, oysters and more good stuff.
Ithaca Bakery
400 N Meadow Stalso CTB is located at the bottom of Aurora Street.
Good burgers, full bar and at the bottom of Aurora Street on The Commons. Outdoor seating too.
61 locals recommend
Ithaca Ale House
301 E State StGood burgers, full bar and at the bottom of Aurora Street on The Commons. Outdoor seating too.
Breakfast sandwiches are a big hit, only one mile from the apartment, great coffee and AMAZING homemade sweets! Cafe' is woman owned. It is a busy place each Saturday morning as it’s a favorite of IC students and note it is closed on Sunday. Outdoor seating too.
21 locals recommend
Dolce Delight
1080 Danby RdBreakfast sandwiches are a big hit, only one mile from the apartment, great coffee and AMAZING homemade sweets! Cafe' is woman owned. It is a busy place each Saturday morning as it’s a favorite of IC students and note it is closed on Sunday. Outdoor seating too.
Great view on the inlet, good food, and sometimes there's music on Friday’s on the outside deck. Sit on the Adirondack chairs and take in boats, crew teams, or a sunset. Outdoor dining too.
88 locals recommend
The Boatyard Grill
525 Old Taughannock BlvdGreat view on the inlet, good food, and sometimes there's music on Friday’s on the outside deck. Sit on the Adirondack chairs and take in boats, crew teams, or a sunset. Outdoor dining too.
Iconic Moosewood, known for its cookbooks for vegetarians since the early 1970s. This is the original restaurant.
114 locals recommend
Moosewood Restaurant
215 N Cayuga StIconic Moosewood, known for its cookbooks for vegetarians since the early 1970s. This is the original restaurant.
Only one mile from the apartment. Need quick take out? Great pizza and sandwiches.
8 locals recommend
Italian Carry Out
1070 Danby RdOnly one mile from the apartment. Need quick take out? Great pizza and sandwiches.