You’ve probably heard the slogan "Ithaca is Gorges" so many times it’s lost all meaning. It’s on every t-shirt, bumper sticker, and coffee mug in Tompkins County. And yeah, the waterfalls are spectacular—Taughannock Falls literally drops 215 feet, which is higher than Niagara—but if you only come here to stare at falling water, you’re kind of missing the point.
Ithaca is weird. In a good way. It’s a place where a Nobel Prize winner might be waiting in line behind a goat farmer for a breakfast burrito. It’s a town that claims to have invented the ice cream sundae (1892, look it up) and has more restaurants per capita than New York City.
When you’re looking for things to do in Ithaca NY, you have to look past the ivy-covered walls of Cornell. You’ve gotta get into the rhythm of the place. Whether it’s the smell of wood-fired pizza at the Farmers Market or the specific, chilling thrill of jumping into a natural swimming hole at Robert H. Treman, there’s a soul here that isn't captured in a brochure.
The Waterfall Hierarchy: Where to Actually Go
Everyone goes to the Taughannock overlook. It’s easy. You park, you walk twenty feet, you take a selfie. It’s beautiful, sure. But if you want the real experience, you head to Robert H. Treman State Park.
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Specifically, the Lower Falls.
There is a diving board built into a stone wall next to a massive waterfall. It’s cold. Like, "lose your breath" cold. But swimming in a stream-fed pool with a 70-foot cascade crashing down next to you is basically a rite of passage.
Buttermilk Falls vs. Cascadilla Gorge
If you’re staying downtown, don't bother driving yet. Just walk to the Cascadilla Gorge Trail. It connects the downtown area to the Cornell campus.
- The climb: It’s a lot of stairs. Your glutes will hurt.
- The payoff: You pass six different waterfalls in less than a mile.
- The vibe: It feels like you’ve stepped into Middle-earth, despite being 500 yards from a Starbucks.
Buttermilk Falls is the "crowd-pleaser." It’s right off Route 13. Great for a quick dip or a steep hike up the rim, but it can get packed on weekends. Honestly? If it’s a Saturday in July, maybe skip it and head to the Ithaca Falls right in the Fall Creek neighborhood. It’s massive, powerful, and usually has a few locals fly-fishing at the base.
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The Food Scene is Actually Ridiculous
People love to repeat that "more restaurants per capita than NYC" stat. Whether it's mathematically perfect or not doesn't really matter—the point is you can't walk two blocks without hitting a five-star meal.
Moosewood Restaurant is the world-famous one. They’ve been doing vegetarian farm-to-table since 1973, long before it was trendy. You don’t go there for a burger; you go for the daily changing menu and the history.
But for the best things to do in Ithaca NY that involve eating, you have to hit these spots:
- Ithaca Farmers Market: This isn't just a place to buy kale. It’s a Saturday morning ritual at Steamboat Landing. You get the Cambodian amok or a breakfast burrito from Solaz, sit on the edge of the dock, and watch the rowing teams on Cayuga Lake.
- The Rook: If you want a "real" dinner. The fried chicken is legendary. The cocktails are smart. It’s dark, loud, and feels like a secret.
- Purity Ice Cream: Since 1936. Get the "Bulldog Crunch." Just do it.
Beyond the Gorges: The "Secret" Spots
If you want to feel like a local, you need to leave the Commons (the pedestrian mall downtown). The Commons is fine for a quick shop at Angry Mom Records, but the real Ithaca is tucked away in the hills.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Sounds boring? It’s not. It’s a world-class research center set in the Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary. Even if you don't care about birds, the "Wall of Birds" mural is a massive, hand-painted masterpiece that covers an entire wing of the building. The trails are flat, boardwalk-heavy, and incredibly peaceful.
The Discovery Trail and Museum of the Earth
If it’s raining—and it often is in Upstate New York—head to the Museum of the Earth. They have "Steggy," a massive Stegosaurus, and a Right Whale skeleton. It’s part of the Discovery Trail, which is a collection of eight local museums. It’s one of those things tourists usually skip because they’re too busy hiking, but it’s genuinely cool.
Wine and Cider Culture
You’re in the Finger Lakes. You have to drink something fermented.
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- South Hill Cider: Forget the sticky-sweet stuff. This is dry, complex, and they have a tasting room with a view that makes you want to move here.
- Ithaca Beer Co.: They’re famous for Flower Power IPA. The taproom is huge, family-friendly, and has a big lawn for kids to run around while you have a flight.
- Six Mile Creek Vineyard: It’s literally five minutes from downtown. You can do a tasting and be back in your hotel before dinner.
Planning Your Trip (The Real Way)
Ithaca has seasons. Real ones.
In the winter, everything freezes. The waterfalls turn into giant ice sculptures. It’s beautiful, but half the trails are closed for safety. If you’re here in January, you’re here for the Comfort Food Trail or the Chili Cook-Off on the Commons.
In the spring, the "snow melt" makes the falls roar. It’s loud. It’s misty. It’s also very muddy. Wear boots you don't like.
Summer is peak Ithaca. The GrassRoots Festival in nearby Trumansburg (just 15 minutes away) is four days of music, dance, and dust. It’s the soul of the region.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the HABs: If you’re planning on swimming in Cayuga Lake (at Taughannock or Stewart Park), check the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) website for Harmful Algal Blooms. They happen in late summer and can shut down beaches.
- Park Early: State Park parking fills up by 11:00 AM on summer Saturdays. Get there at 8:30 AM. You’ll have the trail to yourself and won’t have to fight for a spot.
- Book Dinner: For places like Gola Osteria or Cent Dix, you need a reservation. Don’t just roll up at 7:00 PM expecting a table.
Ithaca isn't just a college town or a collection of parks. It's a weird, crunchy, brilliant pocket of the world that works best when you stop trying to see everything and just settle in for a long lunch by the water.
Visit the Ithaca Farmers Market website to check their seasonal hours before you head down to the waterfront. Then, download the Finger Lakes Wine Trail map to plot a route that includes at least one cidery on the west side of the lake.