Dear EscapeMakers -- It's the most beautiful time of the year! Whether you've been to Ithaca before, or have yet to visit, now is the time to explore! Constantly evolving, the Finger Lakes region always has new opportunities for you to experience. Fall Foliage at peak! There's still time to catch the last leaf peeping in New York State! Due to the lakes themselves (heat retention and air flow), the Finger Lakes has a more temperate climate compared to the rest of Upstate. This climate allows for a better growing season and extended leaf peeping opportunities. Take a hot air balloon ride or cruise the Cayuga Scenic Byway to explore Ithaca's beauty. Did you miss Cider Week? Fear not, you can experience cider year-round in Ithaca! With outdoor seating and socially distanced practices, Ithaca can welcome you safely. There are 7 cidery tasting rooms open for your enjoyment. Spend an afternoon at Eve's Cidery eating a farmer's lunch and being guided through a flight of artisan cider. Get away from it all, in Ithaca! We all have a reason to getaway, spend a week upstate, to return and reset in nature. Ithaca's mesmerizing waterfalls, meandering trails, and endless fresh air are just a quick trip away. No matter how many times you visit, it always has that wow-factor. Escape to the Finger Lakes! Interested in lodging packages? Click here. For information about Ithaca and COVID-19, please visit www.visitithaca.com/covid-19-information-visitors www.VisitIthaca.com MORE INFO:
Dear EscapeMakers — It’s the most beautiful time of the year! Whether you’ve been to Ithaca before, or have yet to visit, now is the time to explore! Constantly evolving, the Finger Lakes region always has new opportunities for you to experience. Fall Foliage at peak! There’s still time to catch the last leaf peeping in New York State! Due to the lakes themselves (heat retention and air flow), the Finger Lakes has a more
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 -- The crisp feeling of Fall is in the air in Ithaca, NY. You can feel the slight hint of it, even as the sunshine still plays on the leaves and lake. You can taste the Fall in the many local offerings tempting your taste buds. Fall is the season for freshly pressed cider and cider donuts. Grab some at the Ithaca Farmers Market, one of the most renowned farmers markets in the country. The Ithaca Farmers Market offers fresh foods from within a 60-mile radius of Ithaca and this waterfront market on the shores of Cayuga lake also offers prepared delicacies and wine and craft cider tastings to boot! Plan a visit during Finger Lakes Cider Week to be fully immersed in the diverse and delicious options being created in the craft cider boom across New York State. Interested in exploring the farms themselves? Find your cider donuts at Littletree Orchards or Indian Creek Farms. Taste the harvest at Finger Lakes Cider House as they press apples from the season, serving up their ciders along with a variety of other local craft ciders. Pair it with a local cheese from Lively Run Dairy just up the road, and enjoy a view of the changing colors along the shores of Cayuga Lake. Celebrate fall with vendors at the 36th Annual Apple Harvest Festival on the Downtown Ithaca Commons Sept 28-30. Or maybe you think science, magic and fantasy go better with great local foods. If so, plan your visit later in October for Wizarding Weekend. You can take advantage of some great accommodation packages during the fall season as well! Cider and apples certainly define the fall season in Ithaca and Tompkins County, however, we would be remiss if we left out their friends also experiencing a fall harvest
Dear EscapeMakers — The crisp feeling of Fall is in the air in Ithaca, NY. You can feel the slight hint of it, even as the sunshine still plays on the leaves and lake. You can taste the Fall in the many local offerings tempting your taste buds. Fall is the season for freshly pressed cider and cider donuts. Grab some at the Ithaca Farmers Market, one of the most renowned farmers markets in the
