Mary's Guidebook
Things to see and do
Taughannock Falls State Park
1740 Taughannock BlvdA must-do. Great for a picnic. Tends to be crowded
Lovely hiking, much less crowded than Taughannock and lower Buttermilk
Upper Buttermilk Falls State Park
106 East Buttermilk Falls RoadLovely hiking, much less crowded than Taughannock and lower Buttermilk
A very special place. A bit further afield but worth it (about 25 minutes from my house)
10 locals recommend
Robert H. Treman State Park, Upper Entrance
129 Upper Park RdA very special place. A bit further afield but worth it (about 25 minutes from my house)
Walk here from the house! Trails wind all through the property. A meditative spot.
6 locals recommend
Sapsucker Woods
159 Sapsucker Woods RdWalk here from the house! Trails wind all through the property. A meditative spot.
Besides good local food there are also high quality goods made by actual locals. This scene is 100% Ithaca
266 locals recommend
Ithaca Farmers Market
545 3rd StBesides good local food there are also high quality goods made by actual locals. This scene is 100% Ithaca
Johnson Museum of Art
114 Central AveWonderful museum with views!
45 minutes away but totally worth it. You can watch glass being made and even sign up to make your own (register in advance to be sure). There's a reality show that was shot here in part, called Blown Away.
252 locals recommend
Corning Museum of Glass
1 Museum Way45 minutes away but totally worth it. You can watch glass being made and even sign up to make your own (register in advance to be sure). There's a reality show that was shot here in part, called Blown Away.
A fun way to spend a few hours, especially if the weather is bad
97 locals recommend
Museum of the Earth
1259 Trumansburg RdA fun way to spend a few hours, especially if the weather is bad
Way less crowded than Taughannock and other spots! You might even be able to hike with the dog off-leash here
7 locals recommend
Thayer Preserve Lick Brook
454 Sandbank RdWay less crowded than Taughannock and other spots! You might even be able to hike with the dog off-leash here
Cornell Botanic Gardens
124 Comstock Knoll DrAcres of gorgeous plantings and trees
Peaceful, usually not crowded, lots of trails off the beaten path to explore. Swim and intertube here near the suspension bridge (across from the Cornell botanical gardens)
8 locals recommend
Monkey Run, Cayuga Trail
Peaceful, usually not crowded, lots of trails off the beaten path to explore. Swim and intertube here near the suspension bridge (across from the Cornell botanical gardens)
Hike from campus to downtown (or from downtown to campus) along this beautiful, short trail
128 locals recommend
Cascadilla Gorge Trail
Cascadilla Gorge TrailHike from campus to downtown (or from downtown to campus) along this beautiful, short trail
Food Scene
Excellent, consistent restaurant. Good spot for celebrating (but make reservations as far in advance as possible)
29 locals recommend
The Heights Restaurant and H Bar
903 Hanshaw RdExcellent, consistent restaurant. Good spot for celebrating (but make reservations as far in advance as possible)
Nice brunch (outdoors if the weather permits). Also excellent dinners (menu is small however)
Allechant
903 Hanshaw RdNice brunch (outdoors if the weather permits). Also excellent dinners (menu is small however)
Excellent Italian food, odd location but beautiful once you get in. Make reservations (I advise calling).
51 locals recommend
Gola Osteria
115 S Quarry StExcellent Italian food, odd location but beautiful once you get in. Make reservations (I advise calling).
The best pizza in Ithaca, imho :)
Thin crust. Eat-in as of winter 2022, but we do takeout. They don't deliver unfortunately
32 locals recommend
Franco's Pizzeria
527 West State StreetThe best pizza in Ithaca, imho :)
Thin crust. Eat-in as of winter 2022, but we do takeout. They don't deliver unfortunately
This is a great little spot down the road from the house! Perfect breakfast sandwiches made to order. Daily quiches, muffins, cookies. Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, salads.
Adam's Corners Cafe
903 Hanshaw RoadThis is a great little spot down the road from the house! Perfect breakfast sandwiches made to order. Daily quiches, muffins, cookies. Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, salads.
The legend. First vegetarian restaurant in the country, where all those cookbooks originated!
The restaurant has been through quite a bit of change -- a "collective" founded it and still owns it. It recently reopened with what seems like a new resolve to continue what it did well while evolving.
114 locals recommend
Moosewood Restaurant
215 N Cayuga StThe legend. First vegetarian restaurant in the country, where all those cookbooks originated!
The restaurant has been through quite a bit of change -- a "collective" founded it and still owns it. It recently reopened with what seems like a new resolve to continue what it did well while evolving.
This is listed as an "ice cream shop" but I forgot they even had ice cream, that's how good the rest of their stuff is -- great breakfasts, salads and sandwiches, amazing baked goods (you must try their half moon cookies -- some of the best we've ever had, and we're kind of obsessed).
Close to IC
21 locals recommend
Dolce Delight
1080 Danby RdThis is listed as an "ice cream shop" but I forgot they even had ice cream, that's how good the rest of their stuff is -- great breakfasts, salads and sandwiches, amazing baked goods (you must try their half moon cookies -- some of the best we've ever had, and we're kind of obsessed).
Close to IC
Creative food, cozy atmosphere, quality service. Must make reservations (it's very tiny). About a half hour from my house (15-20 minutes from downtown)
113 locals recommend
Hazelnut Kitchen
53 E Main StCreative food, cozy atmosphere, quality service. Must make reservations (it's very tiny). About a half hour from my house (15-20 minutes from downtown)
yummy soft ice cream downtown. Check the hours to be sure it's open
26 locals recommend
Sweet Melissa's Ice Cream Shop
200 W Seneca Styummy soft ice cream downtown. Check the hours to be sure it's open
An Ithaca staple. Excellent sundaes, and tho I only go there for ice cream, the food is supposed to be pretty good too
99 locals recommend
Purity Ice Cream Co.
700 Cascadilla StAn Ithaca staple. Excellent sundaes, and tho I only go there for ice cream, the food is supposed to be pretty good too
Cayuga Lake Creamery
8421 NY-89A beautiful drive to a dreamy ice cream spot
Dano's Heuriger On Seneca
9564 NY-414Excellent food, lovely views. Austrian fare
Healthier Mexican than the usual Tex Mex. Small(ish) portions, but solid. Right at the Ithaca Commons sign.
113 locals recommend
Viva Taqueria & Cantina
215 E State StHealthier Mexican than the usual Tex Mex. Small(ish) portions, but solid. Right at the Ithaca Commons sign.
A restaurant devoted to waffles on the Commons... if you love waffles definitely drop by
18 locals recommend
Waffle Frolic
146 E State StA restaurant devoted to waffles on the Commons... if you love waffles definitely drop by
Thompson and Bleecker
220 E State Stexcellent pizza. very tight space (on the Commons)
Still only doing take out and delivery...but very good Thai.
35 locals recommend
Tamarind Thai Restaurant
503 N Meadow StStill only doing take out and delivery...but very good Thai.
OK yes I really like ice cream ;) If you don't have the time or inclination for a country drive out to the creamery, you can get it right in town. Seriously, this ice cream is soo rich and delicious
Cayuga Lake Creamery at The Dewitt Mall
215 North Cayuga StreetOK yes I really like ice cream ;) If you don't have the time or inclination for a country drive out to the creamery, you can get it right in town. Seriously, this ice cream is soo rich and delicious
Groceries
Everything you could need. Good place to grab prepared foods as well. Sushi and salad bars are on point.
143 locals recommend
Wegmans
500 S Meadow StEverything you could need. Good place to grab prepared foods as well. Sushi and salad bars are on point.
Very Ithaca. A must-go if you're vegetarian or vegan, as they prioritize these selections. It's a coop that isn't grungy! You can also find lots of Ithaca-made products here if you miss the farmer's market
130 locals recommend
GreenStar
770 Cascadilla StVery Ithaca. A must-go if you're vegetarian or vegan, as they prioritize these selections. It's a coop that isn't grungy! You can also find lots of Ithaca-made products here if you miss the farmer's market
coffee
A mainstay of the Ithaca scene. Numerous locations -- the one near my house (Hanshaw Rd) is just for your coffee fix, not for the scene... downtown locales are better for that
184 locals recommend
Gimme! Coffee
430 N Cayuga StA mainstay of the Ithaca scene. Numerous locations -- the one near my house (Hanshaw Rd) is just for your coffee fix, not for the scene... downtown locales are better for that
Excellent lattes, IPA bar in the back of the store, wide range of gourmet food products
20 locals recommend
Ithaca Coffee Company
2255 N Triphammer RdExcellent lattes, IPA bar in the back of the store, wide range of gourmet food products
Botanist Coffeehouse
1201 N Tioga Stnice coffee, cool vibe, near Ithaca Falls
Hound and Mare
118 N Aurora StLA vibe; great coffee drinks and breakfast sandwiches
Shopping
artisan products -- ceramics, jewelry, drawings, cutting boards, hand knit items
23 locals recommend
Handwork, Ithaca's Artisan Cooperative
102 W State Startisan products -- ceramics, jewelry, drawings, cutting boards, hand knit items
Found In Ithaca
227 Cherry StSort of like the old "antique malls" -- fun vintage stuff
Eclectic, occasional treasures. They used to be downtown but unfortunately the building was renovated, so now they're in a strip mall. Numerous things in my house are from this store. Like any consignment shop, it's very hit or miss. But always fun digging through things
18 locals recommend
Mimi's Attic
401 Elmira RoadEclectic, occasional treasures. They used to be downtown but unfortunately the building was renovated, so now they're in a strip mall. Numerous things in my house are from this store. Like any consignment shop, it's very hit or miss. But always fun digging through things
There are a few locations of this store, and you can find great stuff if you're lucky, or you can also be in and out in 5 minutes! The one near my house (Triphammer Mall) has clothes and shoes where I've purchased Fly of London boots (which usually retail around $200) for $10 and Eileen Fischer coats and sweaters for $8.
7 locals recommend
Ithaca ReUse Center
214 Elmira RdThere are a few locations of this store, and you can find great stuff if you're lucky, or you can also be in and out in 5 minutes! The one near my house (Triphammer Mall) has clothes and shoes where I've purchased Fly of London boots (which usually retail around $200) for $10 and Eileen Fischer coats and sweaters for $8.
Mockingbird Paperie
144 E State StGreat selection of cards, wrapping paper, small gifts
Ithacamade
215 North Cayuga Streetlocal products
Buffalo Street Books
215 N Cayuga StNicely curated collection of books. Small gifts as well
Ithaca products
Finger Lakes Soap Co
15 New York 224Locally made, luxurious soap
huge range of beer made in Ithaca -- restaurant and lawn games at their main location
160 locals recommend
Ithaca Beer Co.
122 Ithaca Beer Drhuge range of beer made in Ithaca -- restaurant and lawn games at their main location
Emmy's Organics, inc.
15 Royal Roadhealthy/gluten-free snack foods
A beautiful winery with stunning views. Their Cabernet Franc is one of my favorites
24 locals recommend
Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars
9224 NY-414A beautiful winery with stunning views. Their Cabernet Franc is one of my favorites
Excellent hard cider, as well as a great place to take in music and beautiful views
35 locals recommend
South Hill Cider
550 Sandbank RdExcellent hard cider, as well as a great place to take in music and beautiful views
Laughing Goat Fiber
1485 Mecklenburg RoadMohair and wool products (yarn, hats, gloves etc)
Music
lively music scene on Monday and Thursday evenings (jazz on Mondays, Americana on Thursdays), beautiful views, good cider, pick your own flowers
35 locals recommend
South Hill Cider
550 Sandbank Rdlively music scene on Monday and Thursday evenings (jazz on Mondays, Americana on Thursdays), beautiful views, good cider, pick your own flowers
Jazz trio performs weekly (3 Ithaca College music professors) in a sleek setting. Drinks are creative and prices reflect that.
33 locals recommend
Bar Argos
408 E State StJazz trio performs weekly (3 Ithaca College music professors) in a sleek setting. Drinks are creative and prices reflect that.
beautiful setting (takes a half hour to get there but the drive is lovely) for cider and music, on Sundays and Friday evenings.
86 locals recommend
Finger Lakes Cider House
4017 Hickok Rdbeautiful setting (takes a half hour to get there but the drive is lovely) for cider and music, on Sundays and Friday evenings.