Dear EscapeMakers -- As the temperature goes down, Ithaca heats up. The city and region intentionally create events to keep the community engaged in the colder months: food, music and wine festivals, educational walks through botanic gardens, and winter celebrations at the children's garden! Check out the Ithaca Events page to find your activity! Chili Cook-Off - 2/8 This annual foodie festival featuring over 40 chilis prepared by 30+ restaurants from across the region as the restaurants compete for the titles of Best Meat/Overall Chili, Best Vegetarian/Vegan Chili, and People's Choice Chili. Festival of Fire & Ice at the Ithaca Children's Garden - 2/8 An annual celebration of winter outdoor play, the festival provides time and space for us to remember the winter games we love and to discover new ways to play through the coldest season. Enjoy ice sculptures, sledding, hot chocolate, snow fort and den building, bonfires, and so much more! Ithaca Loves Teachers Winter Recess Festival - 2/14 The Ithaca Loves Teachers Festival, now in its 15th year, is a celebration of Pre-K through 12 public educators and school district employees. Ithaca will come together for a week to celebrate educators with entertainment, activities, family fun and discounts throughout the Tompkins County community. Science of Taste Food Tour - Recurring Rediscover your five basic tastes while exploring Ithaca's restaurants on this special tour designed with winter weather in mind. Savor 5 generous tastings and 3 delicious drink pairings. Explore one of your five basic tastes (sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami) with each course. Redefine how you experience food as we discuss the hidden elements behind each taste. The tour route keeps the group warm with short walks fromone establishment to the next! Finger Lakes Thaw - 3/19 A two-day, multi-venue music festival in downtown Ithaca that
Dear EscapeMakers — As the temperature goes down, Ithaca heats up. The city and region intentionally create events to keep the community engaged in the colder months: food, music and wine festivals, educational walks through botanic gardens, and winter celebrations at the children’s garden! Check out the Ithaca Events page to find your activity! Chili Cook-Off – 2/8 This annual foodie festival featuring over 40 chilis prepared by 30+ restaurants from across the region as
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
