Dear EscapeMakers -- As Ithaca's annual fall foliage display ends, it's now time to begin planning that peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the holiday rush. Plan to spend your holiday in a cozy home-away-from-home retreat, or wind-down before or after your typical celebrations by getting away. Either way, between the snow-blanketed hills, frozen waterfalls, and agriculinary-focused festivities, Ithaca is interesting all winter. Ithaca is quirky, and will happily admit to that. How quirky you ask? Well, have you heard of Ithaca's favorite past-time-Rutabaga curling? Yes, the root vegetable; and yes, the Olympic sport everyone becomes obsessed with every 4 years. Annually, on the last outdoor farmers market of the season, December 21st this year, the masses gather to compete in the International Rutabaga Curling Championship competition. Filled with festive refreshments, wintry ceremonies, skilled curling and immeasurable fun, this event is a can't miss. Have you heard of the tradition of wassailing? It's an ancient English ceremony performed in the winter to bring good health to a cider orchard. These festivities can include dancing, singing, costumes, craft cider and celebrating the oldest tree in the orchard. Redbyrd Orchard Cider is keeping the tradition alive with local music, good food, excellent cider and a vibrant community of people to join with in celebration! Each year, as many prepare to celebrate the holidays or take stock of the year to come, a unique and special pop-up farmers market is held to provide local, fresh food options of all kinds. In the newly renovated Press Bay Alley and Court, local farmers and artisans sell their locally made crafts to market attendees. You can find items to feed your loved ones such as organic produce, free range meats, deluxe cheese, craft beverages, fresh-made breads, honey, maple syrup, and so much more. You
Dear EscapeMakers — As Ithaca’s annual fall foliage display ends, it’s now time to begin planning that peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the holiday rush. Plan to spend your holiday in a cozy home-away-from-home retreat, or wind-down before or after your typical celebrations by getting away. Either way, between the snow-blanketed hills, frozen waterfalls, and agriculinary-focused festivities, Ithaca is interesting all winter. Ithaca is quirky, and will happily admit to that. How
Dear EscapeMakers -- So, you want to escape the city, try something new, swim in a creek, and remind yourself what stars look like? Well, you're in luck! Ithaca has what you didn't know you needed: baby goats to cuddle and bottle feed, Zagat's #4 Must-Visit Farmer's Market, CBD farms, and all the farm-to-glass breweries, cideries and wineries you could desire. Let's get back to basics: how do you plan a trip to Ithaca? Step 1: Pick your dates • Open Farm Days - 8/10- 8/11 • Finger Lakes Cider Week - 9/27 - 10/6 • Int'l Rutabaga Curling Championship - 12/21 With year-round festivals and activities, anytime is a good time to visit Ithaca. Visit for a special event, like the ones listed above or be a savvy traveler and stay during the weekdays for lower costs on accommodations and travel. Step 2: Pick your accommodations • Cabin on a farm • Cozy bed and breakfast • Hotel downtown • Find a package There is such a wide range of accommodations, one is sure to fit your fancy. Want to settle into a rustic cabin surrounded by rolling hills? They have that. Desire an all-inclusive hotel, bistro and spa package? They have that - and everything in between. Step 3: Choose your travel method • Drive yourself • Take a bus • Yes, you can fly! Take OurBus for direct NYC to Ithaca transportation and use promocode VISITITHACA10 for a discount. Or try out Cornell's Campus-to-Campus bus that has Wi-Fi, snacks, and a Keurig for a luxurious ride from NYC! Step 4: Browse the experiences and offerings • Eat well • Walk the downtown • Hike the gorges • Explore the outdoors • Taste the terroir Once you have everything booked, it's time for the fun part. Reading every
Dear EscapeMakers — So, you want to escape the city, try something new, swim in a creek, and remind yourself what stars look like? Well, you’re in luck! Ithaca has what you didn’t know you needed: baby goats to cuddle and bottle feed, Zagat’s #4 Must-Visit Farmer’s Market, CBD farms, and all the farm-to-glass breweries, cideries and wineries you could desire. Let’s get back to basics: how do you plan a trip to Ithaca? Step
Ithaca, New York is in Full Bloom. Indeed, Spring has sprung, and in Ithaca that means the greenery isn't the only thing that comes to life. April marks the reopening of their nationally acclaimed Ithaca Farmers Market at Steamboat Landing, where you can literally kayak, paddleboard or boat up to shore. If you’re not the nautical type, bike or run to this community hub of art, food, wine and cider tasting, with live music and dancing on the Cayuga Lake Waterfront. Explore the Cornell Botanic Gardens, an area of great natural beauty and serenity - an extended living museum with a mature botanical garden and arboretum that spans for miles and miles along the edges of many of the gorges and waterfalls that make Ithaca so breathtaking this time of year. See what else is cropping up in Ithaca this Spring, including local culinary delights, seasonal farm openings and activities, and special travel packages that invite you to enjoy in the perfection that comes along with this time of year. Spring Love Yourself Package at Rasa Spa - $225 Details Cayuga Lake Wine & Herb Festival April 28-30 & May 5-7 Details Good Life Farm Asparaganza May 27 Details Want to see more of Ithaca? Download their travel guide! A small, portable guide full of must-see waterfalls, can't miss activities, and stories about Ithaca and Tompkins County. And check out more Ithaca Events here!
Ithaca, New York is in Full Bloom. Indeed, Spring has sprung, and in Ithaca that means the greenery isn’t the only thing that comes to life. April marks the reopening of their nationally acclaimed Ithaca Farmers Market at Steamboat Landing, where you can literally kayak, paddleboard or boat up to shore. If you’re not the nautical type, bike or run to this community hub of art, food, wine and cider tasting, with live music and
