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New York, United States

Ithaca

Two days for gorge hikes, the farmers market and the Cayuga wineries north of town. This guide pulls together 1 sight, 4 outdoor spots and 2 places to eat from our curated routes.

Plan Ithaca with friendsBrowse 10 places
Ithaca, New York, United States
Places
10

1 See · 4 Outdoors · 2 Eat · 2 Drink · 1 Shop

Curated routes
1

Finger Lakes Wine Trail

Best season
May – Oct

from our route notes

Warmest month
July

29°C / 83°F avg high

Coolest month
January

0°C / 31°F avg high

Wettest month
June

about 112 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Ithaca

10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

The landmarks we would not skip in Ithaca in Cornell.

  • Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art in IthacaPhoto: Dmadeo · CC BY-SA 3.0
    See

    Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art

    Free I.M. Pei-designed art museum with a 5th-floor view over Cayuga Lake.

    • Cornell
    • Free
    • 75 min
    • Afternoon

Outdoors

Trails, views and open space in and around Ithaca. 2 of them are free.

  • Ithaca Falls in IthacaPhoto: Stilfehler · CC BY-SA 3.0
    Outdoors

    Ithaca Falls

    150-foot falls a short walk from downtown, the tallest of the city's gorges.

    • Fall Creek
    • Free
    • 30 min
    • Morning
  • Cornell Botanic Gardens in IthacaPhoto: Kenneth C. Zirkel · CC BY-SA 4.0
    Outdoors

    Cornell Botanic Gardens

    Herb gardens, arboretum and gorge trails on the Cornell campus.

    • Cornell
    • Free
    • 1.5 hr
    • May–Oct
  • Buttermilk Falls State Park in IthacaPhoto: NP824 · CC BY-SA 4.0
    Outdoors

    Buttermilk Falls State Park

    Gorge Trail beside a chain of cascades ending in a swimming hole.

    Tip Gorge Trail closes in winter.

    • South Ithaca
    • $
    • 2 hr
    • Summer
  • Taughannock Falls State Park in IthacaPhoto: RockyRaccoon at English Wikipedia · Public domain
    Outdoors

    Taughannock Falls State Park

    215-foot plunge falls at the end of an easy gorge trail, plus a rim overlook.

    • Trumansburg
    • $
    • 1.5 hr
    • Spring or after rain

Eat

2 places to eat in Downtown, picked for groups who care about the food.

  • Moosewood Restaurant in IthacaPhoto: Kenneth C. Zirkel · CC BY-SA 4.0
    Eat

    Moosewood Restaurant

    Vegetarian restaurant since 1973 whose cookbooks shaped American meatless cooking.

    • Downtown
    • $$
    • 75 min
    • Dinner
  • Purity Ice Cream in IthacaPhoto: Purity Ice Cream Co. · Google
    Eat

    Purity Ice Cream

    Ithaca scoop shop since 1936, known for big portions and local flavors.

    • Downtown
    • $
    • 30 min
    • Afternoon

Drink

2 bars & cafés across West Cayuga and South Ithaca for coffee, a round or a nightcap.

  • Sheldrake Point Winery in IthacaPhoto: Sheldrake Point Winery · Google
    Drink

    Sheldrake Point Winery

    Lakeside Cayuga winery known for Riesling and ice wine.

    • West Cayuga
    • $$
    • 60 min
    • Afternoon
  • Ithaca Beer Co. in IthacaPhoto: Kevin Markman · Google
    Drink

    Ithaca Beer Co.

    Local brewery taproom with wood-fired food and the Flower Power IPA.

    • South Ithaca
    • $$
    • 75 min
    • Evening

Shop

1 shop in Steamboat Landing for browsing and souvenirs.

  • Ithaca Farmers Market in IthacaPhoto: Charlie Chung · Google
    Shop

    Ithaca Farmers Market

    Lakeside pavilion market with farm stands and prepared food from local vendors.

    Tip Saturday is the big day; arrive early.

    • Steamboat Landing
    • $
    • 1.5 hr
    • Saturday morning, Apr–Dec

How to fit Ithaca into a trip

Ithaca is stop 1 of 3 on our Finger Lakes Wine Trail route. Follow it as-is or lift Ithaca into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Ithaca month by month

Average daily highs run from 0°C / 31°F in January to 29°C / 83°F in July. June is the wettest month, with about 112 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Ithaca weather and the best time to visit →

Near Ithaca

8 other destinations from our guides within about 300 km (186 mi), measured in a straight line.

Ithaca questions, answered

How many days do you need in Ithaca?

Our route notes suggest 2 days in Ithaca. On our Finger Lakes Wine Trail route it is stop 1 of 3 in a 4-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 12 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Ithaca best known for?

Two days for gorge hikes, the farmers market and the Cayuga wineries north of town. Standouts on our list: Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art (Free I.M. Pei-designed art museum with a 5th-floor view over Cayuga Lake); Ithaca Falls (150-foot falls a short walk from downtown, the tallest of the city's gorges); Cornell Botanic Gardens (Herb gardens, arboretum and gorge trails on the Cornell campus).

When is the best time to visit Ithaca?

Our Finger Lakes Wine Trail route is best May – Oct. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (29°C / 83°F), the coolest in January (0°C / 31°F) and the most rain in June (about 112 mm).

What are the best things to do in Ithaca?

Start with Ithaca Falls, Cornell Botanic Gardens, Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, Buttermilk Falls State Park and Taughannock Falls State Park. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 1 sight, 4 outdoor spots, 2 places to eat, 2 bars & cafés and 1 shop.

Where should a group eat in Ithaca?

Our picks: Moosewood Restaurant (Downtown); Purity Ice Cream (Downtown).

What is near Ithaca?

The closest destinations in our guides are Keuka Lake (about 54 km / 34 mi), Seneca Lake (about 61 km / 38 mi) and Prince Edward County (about 183 km / 114 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Ithaca with your crew

Open the Finger Lakes Wine Trail route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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