THINGS TO DO

From its location at the southern tip of Lake Cayuga, Ithaca serves as a cultural hub for the Finger Lakes region of New York. Shoppers and art enthusiasts alike can spend a day strolling between stores in the downtown Commons area or the hilltop Collegetown section near Cornell University (left).

A drive north along Route 89 will pass countless wineries, antique centers, and state parks. Greyhound buses arrive in Ithaca just a few blocks away from the downtown Commons area of Ithaca. Most of the major throughways pass near the Ithaca downtown and road signs clearly indicate where to go if you are arriving by car. There are also public parking lots just off the Ithaca Commons, all of which provide two hours of free parking.

Ithaca's downtown area is concentrated primarily along the square formed by Buffalo Street to the North, Green Street to the South, and Cayuga Street and Aurora Street to the West and East respectively. The largest concentration of shops, galleries and restaurants can be found at the Ithaca Commons, on State Street. Restricted from car traffic and lined with galleries and shops, the Commons is a great place to stroll or simply sit. At each entrance to the Commons is a metal structure with a map, complete directories of stores and galleries, as well as a bulletin board with postings of local events.

Just off the commons, the Dewitt Mall, housed in a large brick building, has a wide range of unique shops and restaurants. The entire downtown area is navigable on foot, and there are a few varied walking tours that can provide a different twist. Try taking the Carl Sagan Planet Walk. Named after Ithaca's own Carl Sagan, the walk begins at the sun statue in the Commons, and traces a to-scale path of the solar system as it stretches out into historic Ithaca and ends almost a mile away at the Sciencenter.

For maps and more info, head to the Clinton House Visitor's Center off Cayuga and Seneca St. Two weekends a year The Greater Ithaca Art Trail provides visitors the opportunity to drop by local artist's studios. The remainder of the year visits can be scheduled by appointment, or you can stop in one of the local galleries to view regularly updated exhibits. In the Commons, be sure to visit The State of the Art Gallery for its displays of two and three-dimensional works by local artists.

For shopping, downtown Ithaca has everything from kayaks to African carvings. For antiques, stop by the Titus Gallery in the Commons for its internationally flavored collection. Be sure to browse the stacks at Ithaca Books/Used Book Finds in the Commons, as well as The Bookery in Dewitt Mall. On weekends, the Ithaca Farmer's Market (left) is a mandatory stop for its wide range of fresh produce, baked goods and artistic works. Located ten to fifteen minutes walking distance from Ithaca Commons on the Lake Cayuga waterfront, the Farmer's Market also has a smaller Tuesday market in DeWitt Park, one block from the Commons.

If you are planning on fishing or hitting the trails in one of the nearby parks or lakes, and have arrived by bus, stop by the Outdoor Store to inquire about bike rentals. Just down the street from the Outdoor Store, Wildware Outfitters carries everything from climbing harnesses to sleeping bags. At the Bait Box on W. State St., you can pick up your fishing license and supplies.

If you are exploring the Ithaca area by car, stop in for more info at the Visitor's Center on Shore Drive. Traveling north along Route 89 will take you to the Cayuga winery region, as well as past a number of state parks, museums and antique centers. The drive itself is incredibly picturesque as you follow the western bank of Lake Cayuga through rolling farmland and forest. Be sure to stop at Taughannock Falls State Park, a ten to fifteen minute drive north from Ithaca. Higher than Niagara Falls, Taughannock Falls drop over 215 feet into one of the many gorges that cut through the region. A short hike from Route 89 will bring you to the base of the falls, or you can take a quick detour and drive to a scenic overlook area. Back on Route 89 and headed north you will begin seeing a number of wineries.

In all, the Cayuga Wine region's vineyards number in the double digits. Thirteen of the vineyards have banded together to form the Cayuga Wine Trail. In addition to tastings and tours, the Wine Trail has a schedule of year-round events. On your return to Ithaca, take Route 96 south, which parallels 89, and stop by Bellwether Hard Cider for a tasting and learn about the cider-making process. For those travelers arriving by bus, New World Tour Company offers full and half-day driving tours of the wine region.

In addition to its scenic beauty and the concentration of fine vineyards, Routes 89 and 96 north of Ithaca have a few excellent educational centers. At the Cayuga Nature Center, six miles from Ithaca on Route 89, walk their five miles of maintained trails, or take part in one of the educational programs. On Route 96, the Paleontological Research Institution is home to one of the largest collections of prehistoric fossils in the United States. Adjacent to its current building, the Institution is constructing the Museum of the Earth, an 18,000 square foot edition with a planned opening in 2003.

The eight museums and educational centers included in Ithaca's Discovery Trail are not limited to the Route 89 and 96 areas. The Sapsucker Woods located a short drive northeast of Ithaca off Route 13, has over four miles of trails overlooking waterfowl ponds and bird feeding areas. Home of Cornell's Lab of Ornithology, the bird sanctuary also has a museum.

Within walking distance of the Commons, the Sciencenter is a hands-on science museum. With over one hundred exhibits, the Sciencenter is a fully interactive learning experience. Atop a hill overlooking the town, Cornell University's Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Fine Art houses an array of international works. From its upper floors, the Johnson Museum has sweeping views of Ithaca and Cayuga Lake.

Water lovers will enjoy the many swimming, boating and charter opportunities Ithaca affords. Jump into Buttermilk Creek on Rt. 13 or sit under the falls. In town, rent canoes and kayaks off Buffalo Street at Puddle Dockers.

There are a number of golf courses like the Hillendale Golf Course in which to improve your swing. In addition there are tennis courts and ski areas in the surrounding Tompkins county like Greek Peak in nearby Virgil. Ever wanted to take a hot air balloon ride or go skydiving? Now is your chance at Wind Rider Balloon Co. in Newfield and Finger Lakes Skydivers in Trumansburg.

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LODGING

If you arrive by bus, the Holiday Inn Executive Tower is about a ten-minute walk from the station and one block from the Commons. The nine-room bed & breakfast William Henry Miller Inn is also conveniently located right off the Commons in an 1880 Victorian Mansion.

In Collegetown, try the Peregrine House Bed & Breakfast. The 19th Century brick Victorian is close to Collegetown shopping and dining and a five block downhill walk to the Commons.

Less than ten minutes drive south of downtown Ithaca on Route 96B, is
La Tourelle Country Inn (left). The inn has large, extremely spacious rooms and panoramic views of the valley. The grounds also contain clay tennis courts and 70 acres of hiking trails.

Two miles from Taughannock State Park and convenient to the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, Trumansburg's Gothic Eves Bed & Breakfast also comes highly recommended.

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DINING

Ithaca is packed full of dining options with menus as diverse and varied as Sri Lankan and Cajun. The vast majority of restaurants are located in the downtown Commons area or near Cornell in Collegetown.

For Mexican, try the Commons' Viva Taqueria, where the only mistake you can make is not asking for a margarita. Just around the corner from Viva Taqueria is Taste of Thai and its tasty Thai dishes. For seafood, walk west along State Street. Maxi's Supper Club and Oyster Bar is located on State just a few short blocks from the Commons. Located in DeWitt Mall, Moosewood Restaurant, of the Moosewood cookbook fame, offers a wide range of vegetarian and international dishes. For Japanese and Korean food, Collegetown's College Café is a must.

Cayuga Lake Cruises (left) departs for nightly dinner cruises on Lake Cayuga from the Bistro Q Restaurant Pier at the western end of Buffalo Street. Reservations are required in advance and cocktail cruises are also scheduled.

Cafes are probably the only things more plentiful than gorges in Ithaca. For your internet fix stop by Wownet Café, just down the street from the Commons. In DeWitt Mall, the aquarium-themed Café Dewitt also serves tasty weekend brunches. Near Cornell, Collegetown Bagels has outdoor seating, bakes their bagels on the premises and has live music on weekends. Louie's Lunch is a local hangout for Cornell students.

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NIGHTLIFE

If theater is your thing, Ithaca has a number of quality performing art centers. Located just off the Commons in a white-pillared Greek Revival building, The Ticket Center at Clinton House is the best place to begin (left). Open Monday through Saturday, tickets to local events can be purchased at the Ticket Center. Also located in the Clinton House is the Kitchen Theater, which houses contemporary plays and new acts. Ithaca also hosts performances by the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra and the Ithaca Opera Association. During the summer months, the Hangar Theater, on Route 89 about five to ten minutes drive from downtown Ithaca, presents a varied series of different productions.

Being home to a major university and a number of small colleges means there's no shortage of nighttime activities. A walk along College Avenue will provide a sampling of what Collegetown has to offer.

Try Stella's Martini Bar, which has live music two nights a week. Just off College Ave on Stewart Avenue, stop by the Chapter House Brewpub for its fifty-one taps of microbrews and imports. Or, put a little distance between yourself and the college scene by sticking to the Commons.

State Street has a number of options, especially along its intersections with Aurora and Cayuga Streets. Chanticleer, on the corner of State and Cayuga, is hard to miss. Just up the road, Simeon's on the Commons offers a "sophisticated bar menu." You can also avoid the bar scene altogether and bowl a few racks at Ide's Bowling Lanes or catch a flick at the Cinemapolis on East State St.

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TRANSPORTATION

BUS:

Take a Greyhound Bus from Port Authority (800 231-2222). Greyhound buses arrive in Ithaca just a few blocks away from the downtown Commons area.

Travel time from NYC: 4.5 -5 hours

CAR: GW Bridge to I-80 WEST to I-380 West, then I-81 North to Exit 8, then Rt. 79 West into Ithaca, turn right onto Route 13 North.

Travel time from NYC: 4.5 hours

OTHER: Tompkins Airport is serviced by US Airways. There are a number of car rental agencies at the airport and in the area.

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TRAVEL TIPS

Ithaca is so diverse you'll need to bring your opera glasses AND your trail mix!

LINKS

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MAP

For a detailed map of Ithaca, please click here.