Set on the shores of New York’s longest Finger Lake, Ithaca is a colorful and lively small city that makes the perfect weekend getaway. Surrounded by rolling hills, a sparkling glacial lake, and more than 150 waterfalls, the natural beauty is unparalleled. Whether you’re exploring award-winning wineries, hiking scenic gorge trails, or immersing yourself in the city’s eclectic arts and dining scene, Ithaca has it all and more!

FRIDAY

3pm: Settle In

Settle in and make yourself at home in the heart of downtown Ithaca. Whether you’re enjoying the contemporary comfort and convenience of the Canopy by Hilton, where complimentary bikes are included to help you explore, indulging in the charm of the Argos Inn, a restored 19th-century mansion with 13 elegant guest rooms, or retreating to the serene La Tourelle Hotel, just minutes from downtown on 70 acres of scenic beauty, complete with a spa and bistro, your accommodations will set the scene for an idyllic getaway. Make your stay at La Tourelle even more memorable when you book a glamping experience. Luxe safari tents pitched on the wooded grounds of the hotel are outfitted with hardwood floors, king or queen beds, and include a private balcony.

4pm: Explore Ithaca Commons

Take a leisurely stroll through the vibrant, four-block open-air Ithaca Commons, where you’ll discover over 100 independently owned shops, boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants. Buy a new outfit at fashionable clothing boutiques like Benjamin Peters and Petrune, or find the perfect souvenir at spots like Sunny Days, The Brain Shoppe, and Mockingbird Paperie. For book lovers, Autumn Leaves Used Books offers a treasure trove of reading material, while skateboarders can ollie over to Homegrown Skateshop. Pick up a bottle of locally crafted wine, cider, or spirit from The Cellar d’Or Wine, Cider & Spirits. 

530pm: Have Dinner at Moosewood

Credit: @moosewood_restaurant on Instagram

A visit to Ithaca isn’t complete without a meal at Moosewood. Recognized by Bon Appétit as one of the “thirteen most influential restaurants of the 20th century,” since 1973, this iconic restaurant has been at the forefront of plant-forward cuisine. Also famous for its world-renowned cookbooks, Moosewood offers innovative, plant-based dishes like beet hummus, mushroom lentil pate, Mediterranean gigante bean stew, and eggplant lasagna, all crafted from seasonal, farm-to-table ingredients.

630pm: Indulge in Dessert at Purity Ice Cream

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If you’re looking for the scoop on where to get the best ice cream, you’re in the right place. Legend has it that the ice cream sundae was invented in Ithaca! Taste history at Purity Ice Cream, a retro, 89-year-old ice cream parlor serving homemade ice creams including inventive flavors like “Boomberry” (black raspberry ice cream with black cherries, blueberries, and strawberries), “Cookie Dough After Dark” (chocolate ice cream with caramel swirl, cookie dough, and chocolate chunks), sea salt caramel, and green tea. If you haven’t had your fix, continue your dessert crawl at any of seven additional spots on the Finger Lakes Ice Cream Trail.

7pm: Enjoy Live Performances

Photo courtesy of Rachel Philipson photography

After a day filled with fun and food, end your evening with live entertainment. Head to Deep Dive, a vibrant venue offering a dynamic lineup nearly every night of the week, including everything from Queer Pride Disco and Jazz Nights to 80s Dance Parties and Fleetwood Mac tribute bands. At The Downstairs, enjoy an intimate setting with a full calendar of events, featuring live music, comedy, spoken word, and storytelling. Meanwhile, the Hangar Theatre delivers top-tier performances, with award-winning musicals and comedies in the summer season, and a mix of music, comedy, and more year-round.

SATURDAY

8am: Fuel Up at Gimme! Coffee

Kickstart your day at one of Ithaca’s favorite coffee spots. With four convenient locations throughout the city, this employee-owned company is dedicated to ethical coffee sourcing, so every sip is as good for the planet as it is for your taste buds! Fuel up with a farm-to-cup espresso, latte, mocha, cold brew, or matcha honey latte.

9am: Peruse the Ithaca Farmers Market

Credit: @hueybethany on Instagram

Open year-round (outdoors April-November), the Ithaca Farmers Market boasts over 150 local vendors offering everything from fresh produce, ready-to-eat treats and meals, handcrafted goods, wine, and so much more, all sourced within 30 miles of Ithaca. Set against the backdrop of Ithaca’s waterfront, this beloved market has been drawing in residents and visitors since 1973.

10am: Chase Waterfalls

Credit: @wandercuse on Instagram

“Ithaca is GORGES!” is the city’s slogan and it’s easy to see why. Carved by glaciers millions of years ago, Ithaca is a waterfall haven, with over 150 falls within just 10 miles! While exploring all 150+ in one weekend is quite the challenge, some of the must-see spots include Ithaca Falls, Buttermilk Falls, Taughannock Falls, Lucifer Falls, and Cascadilla Gorge.

12pm: Check Out Cornell

Cornell University is not only a prestigious Ivy League institution but also a beautiful 745-acre campus open to the public for exploration. The campus is a breathtaking blend of woodlands, gorges, waterfalls, and more. You’ll see and hear a campus focal point, the McGraw Tower, where the Cornell Chimesmasters perform multiple times a day as you enjoy an easy stroll along Fall Creek Gorge and Triphammer Falls, offering natural wonder and incredible views.

For nature lovers and birding enthusiasts, Sapsucker Woods is the campus’ 220-acre sanctuary perfect for birdwatching and peaceful hikes, and also home to the renowned Cornell Lab of Ornithology, a global leader in bird conservation. For even more flora, check out Cornell’s Botanic Garden. Open year-round, you can explore 25 acres of diverse gardens and 150 acres of the F.R. Newman Arboretum. These lush landscapes and nature preserves contribute to Cornell’s reputation as one of the most beautiful campuses in the world.

For something truly brainy and unique, venture to Uris Hall to see the Wilder Brain Collection. Once home to up to 1,200 specimens, the collection now displays eight preserved brains, including those of Cornell professors, a suffragist, and Wilder himself, a former Civil War surgeon and one of the university’s founding faculty.

2pm: Savor Lunch at Viva Taqueria & Cantina

A midday margarita is calling your name at Viva Taqueria, a cherished Ithaca institution since 1995. Located in Ithaca Commons and just a half-mile from Cornell, indulge in a variety of flavorful dishes, from tacos and burritos to quesadillas, fajitas, enchiladas, and fresh guacamole or refreshing salads. Spice things up by trying their homemade hot sauces!

4pm: Sip Through Wine Country

Credit: @lakesideprovidence on Instagram

Discover America’s first-organized and longest-running wine trail while soaking in the spectacular views of Cayuga Lake. The Cayuga Lake Wine Trail features 10 member wineries, each offering exclusive lakeside vineyards. Be sure to visit standout spots like Buttonwood Grove Winery, the 2017 NYS Governor’s Cup winner for Best Wine, Thirsty Owl, honored with the Governor’s Cup and John Rose Riesling awards, and Hosmer Winery, the New York International Wine Competition 2017 Dry Riesling Winery of the Year.

630pm: Have Dinner at The Heights or Maxie’s Supper Club

For an upscale dining experience, venture to The Heights. Established in 1995 by a Culinary Institute of America graduate, the venue is just one mile from Cornell University and specializes in Mediterranean-inspired American cuisine. Standout dishes like jumbo shrimp and mascarpone ravioli, Iberico Pork “Abanico”, and pan seared duck breast, pair perfectly with their award-winning wine list that boasts over 400 bottles from across the world. When the weather’s nice, enjoy their Tuscan-inspired outdoor patio.

For a lively, laid-back atmosphere, head to Maxie’s Supper Club & Oyster Bar. Since 1999, this energetic eatery has fused the unique cultures and spirited vibes of Ithaca and New Orleans into a soulful experience. Indulge in scratch-made dishes like jambalaya, blackened catfish, and pulled pork, along with a fresh raw bar, craft cocktails, live music, and great company.

SUNDAY

9am: Have Brunch at MIX

Kickstart your day with a delectable brunch at MIX, a chef-driven restaurant where each dish is thoughtfully crafted to bring together community, culture, and cuisine. Enjoy your meal in the sleek, modern dining room or on the patio for a relaxing al fresco experience. Choose from globally inspired omelettes to house-made pancakes, loaded French toast and waffles, to savory benedicts and much more. With a dedicated vegan section of the menu and gluten-free fare, there’s something for every dietary preference.

1030am: Paddle Cayuga Lake

Credit: @thisisithaca on Instagram

Soak in the stunning beauty of Cayuga Lake from a fresh perspective by renting a kayak or paddleboard and gliding across its cool, blue waters. Paddle-N-More offers three convenient launch points at Myers Park, Stewart Park, and Taughannock Falls, each offering its own idyllic lakeside views and shoreline landscapes.

12:30pm Drive the Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway

Take the scenic route home by cruising along the 87-mile Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway. This picturesque loop wraps around the entire lake, offering endless opportunities for exploration and sightseeing, whether you choose to explore the entire route or just a portion of it. You’ll find plenty of spots to pull over and soak in breathtaking lakeside views, woodland and farm landscapes, and historic lakeside villages.

GETTING THERE

By plane: Fly into Ithaca Tompkins International Airport

By train: Take Amtrak to the Syracuse station, and it’s about a 1.15-hour drive from there to Ithaca

By bus: Take Greyhound or Trailways bus services to the Ithaca bus terminal

By car:

From Buffalo: 2 hours, 40 minutes

From Albany: 3 hours

From NYC: 4 hours

From Philadelphia: 4 hours

From Baltimore: 5 hours

From Montreal: 5 hours

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