At the southern end of Cayuga Lake, Ithaca is two hours southeast of Rochester. The region features dozens of waterfalls and is known for its deep shale gorges. Taughannock Falls, Buttermilk Falls, and Robert H. Treman State Parks can each fill a day trip. This itinerary instead focuses on a day in the city of Ithaca.
Plan Your Day Trip to Ithaca
Breakfast
Start the day in the heart of downtown at The State Diner or Angelhearts Donuts for a vegan option.
Morning
Stroll down State Street and along the side streets intersecting with Seneca and Green Streets, including Press Bay Alley and North Aurora Street, to discover locally owned businesses, restaurants, and public art. Wander through the pedestrian-only Ithaca Commons and the eclectic Dewitt Mall, a repurposed high school now housing independently and cooperatively owned businesses.
Follow part of the Sagan Planet Walk, a three-quarter-mile, 1:5 billion-scale model of our solar system; Sciencenter’s memorial to astronomer Carl Sagan—Ithaca resident, professor at Cornell University, and a world-renowned science educator filled with childlike wonder.
Lunch
After exploring downtown, you may already have found a place that caught your eye. If not, some of my favorites include Viva Taqueria, Ithaca Ale House, Gorgers, Ithaca Bakery, and Red’s Place. If you want to grab a bite near your afternoon waterfall destinations, try Lincoln Street Diner or Collegetown Bagels. If you’re visiting on a Saturday between April and December, take advantage of the Ithaca Farmers Market for tasty local fare.
Afternoon
Start by hiking through Cascadilla Gorge or taking a short walk to the base of Ithaca Falls. Next, explore the Cornell Botanic Gardens from the Nevin Welcome Center. Follow winding paths through the Mundy Wildflower Garden, or walk the wooded loop around Beebe Lake. As you cross Beebe Dam Bridge or Thurston Avenue Bridge, stop to view Triphammer Falls. On your way back, cross Sackett Foot Bridge. Alternatively, if you’re with young children, the Sciencenter offers hands-on sensory and educational experiences, while Ithaca Children’s Garden features themed play areas, gardens, and a giant snapping turtle land sculpture, all connected by a winding stone pathway.
Ithaca has no shortage of bookstores! Between Odyssey Bookstore, Autumn Leaves Used Books, and Buffalo Street Books, you could spend an entire day pursuing their shelves.
And don’t miss the Alley Cat Cafe if you’re looking for a cup of coffee paired with kitty cuddles!
Dinner
In downtown Ithaca, enjoy a fine meal at Maxie’s Supper Club & Oyster Bar, Hawi, Saigon Kitchen, Simeon’s American Bistro, or Moosewood. If a sit-down dinner isn’t on the menu, stop by Purity Ice Cream Co. or Cayuga Lake Creamery, then enjoy the sunset over the lake at Stewart Park.
Signature Events
The Tompkins County Book Sale in May and October spans three weekends each season at the sale’s warehouse on Esty Street. Held since 1945, the event relies on more than 2,000 volunteers who sort and stock over 250,000 donated books, music, movies, and games. New items are added between weekends, so each sale offers a different selection.
Ithaca Porchfest in September transforms front porches in the Fall Creek and Northside neighborhoods into performance stages for nearly 150 bands. Use the festival’s digital map and schedule to find performances throughout the afternoon. An information station is located at Thompson Park, at the intersection of North Cayuga and West Marshall Streets.
The Apple Harvest Festival in late September fills Cayuga Street and Ithaca Commons with apple cider, doughnuts, food trucks, craft vendors, entertainment, and seasonal activities. Local shops and restaurants also participate in the celebration.
The Rutabaga Curl in mid-December combines Olympic-style pageantry with lighthearted competition as participants toss rutabagas toward a target. Taking place in the Ithaca Market, the event features a torchbearer arriving from Mount Cruciferous and a choir singing “Roo-tah-bay-gah” to the melody of Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.”
Hint, avoid visiting Ithaca when students are moving in and out of Ithaca College and Cornell University or graduation brings in families by the thousands from around the globe.
Contact Information
Angelhearts Donuts 110 W. Green St., Suite 2, (607) 319-4205, angelheartsdonuts.com
Cascadilla Gorge 103 Linn St., (607) 255-2400, cornellbotanicgardens.org
Cayuga Lake Creamery 215 N. Cayuga St., (607) 227-3987, cayugalakecreamery.com
Collegetown Bagels 420 College Ave., (607) 273-0982, collegetownbagels.com
Cornell Botanic Gardens 124 Comstock Knoll Drive, (607) 255-2400, cornellbotanicgardens.org
Dewitt Mall 215 N. Cayuga St., (607) 273-6464, thedewittmall.com
Gorgers 116 W. State St., (607) 319-5046, gorgers.com
Hawi 113 S. Cayuga St., (607) 277-4294, hawi-ithaca.com
Ithaca Ale House 301 E. State St., (607) 256-7977, ithacaalehouse.com
Ithaca Bakery 400 N. Meadow St., (607) 273-7110, ithacabakery.com
Ithaca Children’s Garden 121 Turtle Lane, (607) 319-4203, ithacachildrensgarden.org
Ithaca Commons E. State St., (607) 273-7482, visitithaca.com
Ithaca Falls Natural Area Lake St., (607) 272-1313, visitithaca.com
Ithaca Farmers Market Steamboat Landing, 545 3rd St., (607) 273-7109, ithacamarket.com
Lincoln Street Diner 309 E. Lincoln St., (607) 216-1616
Maxie’s Supper Club & Oyster Bar 635 W. State St., (607) 272-4136, maxiesithaca.com
Moosewood 215 N. Cayuga St., (607) 273-9610, moosewoodrestaurant.com
Purity Ice Cream Co. 700 Cascadilla St., (607) 272-1545, purityicecream.com
Red’s Place 107 N. Aurora St., (607) 319-4486, redsplaceithaca.com
Saigon Kitchen 526 W. State St., (607) 257-8881, saigonkitchenithaca.com
Sciencenter 601 1st St., (607) 272-0600, sciencenter.org
Simeon’s American Bistro 224 E. State St., (607) 272-2212, simeonsithaca.com
The State Diner 428 W. State St., (607) 272-6189, thestatediner.com
Stewart Park 1 James L. Gibbs Drive, (607) 273-8364, cityofithaca.org
Viva Taqueria 215 E. State St., (607) 277-1752, vivataqueria.com
Explore More
Taughannock Falls State Park
Taughannock Falls's 0.75-mile hard-packed gravel gorge trail leads to the base of the falls and is open year-round.
Cascadilla Gorge in Ithaca
Cascadilla Creek descends 400 feet, producing eight waterfalls. Some are beautiful cascades, while others are over 80 feet in height.
Cornell Botanic Gardens
Cornell Botanic Gardens' 4,000 acres offer free admission and provide a chance to discover new plants and learn about conservation efforts.
Robert H. Treman State Park
Explore Robert H. Treman State Park near Ithaca, with route options for Lucifer Falls, the Old Mill, gorge trails, and stream-fed swimming.
Buttermilk Falls State Park
In Buttermilk Falls State Park, like most of the Finger Lakes gorge parks, stairs are the primary walkway along Buttermilk Creek; challenging but worth it!
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Where are your favorite places to see, shop, and eat in Ithaca, NY?
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See you out there!
Debi
Enjoy the Journey Together!
