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 experiences: Cider pairing dinners, book readings, orchard tours, juice blending experiments, and so much more. Visit Ithaca’s Craft Cider page for more details. And even though Finger Lakes Cider Week is the ideal week to visit, Ithaca is always a welcoming community for outdoor lovers, adventurous souls, and foodie friends. Find your waterfall, find your trail, and find your way to Ithaca.