Dear EscapeMakers -- Who doesn’t love fall - the crisp air, warm cider donuts, cozy sweaters, and leaves crunching beneath your boots? Fall is best enjoyed in Ithaca, the heart of the Finger Lakes: hundreds of gorges, scenic views, winding trails, hidden spots and moments to take your breath away. An enjoyable scenic 4-hour ride from NYC, Ithaca is most well-known for Cornell University, being named America’s Best Wine Region (for the second year in a row), and its fall foliage. Whether you are alumni returning after a few years, families looking for an engaging experience, couples exploring a new city, or someone looking for a joyful getaway, Ithaca has a community for you. Ithaca’s waterfalls and gorges are the must-see attraction in the region. Taughannock Falls is the tallest, single-drop waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains and in the entire state of New York. Yes, it’s even taller than Niagara Falls! However, Taughannock isn’t the only impressive waterfall, visit Ithaca Falls, Buttermilk Falls, or one of the 150 in the region. Between the lake, gorges and streams, there's plenty of outdoor recreation on the water. Witness the history of glacial migration and appreciate the presence of trickling water by hiking the trails along the gorges. Ranging from a flat casual stroll to an exercise-forward hike, there are varying levels of hikes available. In between outdoor excursions visit one of the many farm-based culinary or craft beverage producers. Meet goats and taste their cheese, eat a hyper-local lunch while sipping a flight of cider, pick your own produce and play amongst the nature. Camp outdoors by a cozy fire or stay at one of their nature-based accommodations. Ithaca’s farm-to-fork scene is always available and constantly growing. Just one month away, Finger Lakes Cider Week is 12 days of agriculinary filled
Dear EscapeMakers — Who doesn’t love fall – the crisp air, warm cider donuts, cozy sweaters, and leaves crunching beneath your boots? Fall is best enjoyed in Ithaca, the heart of the Finger Lakes: hundreds of gorges, scenic views, winding trails, hidden spots and moments to take your breath away. An enjoyable scenic 4-hour ride from NYC, Ithaca is most well-known for Cornell University, being named America’s Best Wine Region (for the second year in
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
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
