Getaway to the Finger Lakes, There’s so many Things to Do in Ithaca NY!
There’s no shortage of things to do in Ithaca NY, and our vacation homes are just 10 minutes from downtown. Ithaca has wonderful restaurants and dining options, as well as shopping, theaters, art galleries and museums. It is also home to Cornell University and Ithaca College. Higher learning centers make for a diverse, culturally rich environment in Ithaca. You can feel the pulse of energy brought by these establishments and the opportunities that radiate from them. Enjoy sporting events, performances and lectures, visit museums, wildlife sanctuaries and botanical gardens.
Outdoor beauty and activities also abound in the Finger Lakes, with over 150 waterfalls to view, hiking and biking trails everywhere and pristine lakes to spend time on and in. Bike along the scenic byway of Cayuga Lake. Cross-country ski in a national forest, through state parks and across farm fields while enjoying magnificent views. Then return to your home away from home at either of our vacation homes: Shangri-Lodge or Indulgence.
Local Cuisine:
This upstate region is home to acres of farmland which produce excellent local organic foods that have inspired chefs from around the world to open amazing restaurants specializing in seasonal, local ingredients and pastured-raised livestock. You can also purchase these ingredients yourself at our local Trumansburg and Ithaca Farmer’s Markets including meats raised on humane, free-range farms for you to prepare at your Classic Country Vacation Rental. These markets even have stands which prepare food to enjoy onsite while you shop.
Higher learning centers like Cornell University make for a diverse, culturally rich environment for dining in and around Ithaca. From casual dining including Food Truck Round-ups, to fine dining with farm-to-table cuisine, you’ll be pleased with all the options available. With more restaurants per capita than New York City, we thought we would narrow down the list to a few of our favorites.
MIX Kitchen and Bar – MIX is modern with a relaxed fun atmosphere. An impressive steakhouse with a multi ethnic small plate menu allowing guests a chance to experience multiple dishes.
Boatyard Grill – Ithaca’s Premiere Waterfront Restaurant. A Bar and Grill featuring Steak and Seafood.
Danos on Seneca – Dano’s is America’s first Heuriger, serving traditional Austrian cuisine in a casual atmosphere.
Hazelnut Kitchen – Farm-to-table creative dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients. Located minutes away in Trumansburg.
Heights Cafe – American cuisine with global influences.
Maxie’s Supper Club and Oyster Bar – Cajun influenced dishes with the fun and style of New Orleans and Mardi Gras. Music, food and atmosphere!
Cayuga Wine Trail:
Our properties are close to the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail! Within one hour or less you can be at over 100 Finger Lakes wineries, including those on the Seneca Wine (just 20 minutes away) and Keuka Wine Trails. The micro-climate created by the Finger Lakes enables the numerous wineries of the region to not only flourish, but develop award winning wines that are competing on National and International levels. Cars and drivers are available for hire to take you on a wine tour, or you can join an organized tour by van, trolley or boat for an amazing and unique wine tasting experience.
The Cayuga Lake Wine Trail is the first organized and longest running wine trail in the nation, and the wineries that make up the trail are nationally and internationally known award winners.
Enjoy the serenity of a drive around Cayuga Lake with its lovely rolling hills, waterfalls, and wineries! If you don’t wish to drive, there are many organized tours to help you plan your stay. For more information on the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, visit their website at: cayugawinetrail.com.
Waterfalls of the Finger Lakes:
From small trickling waterfalls to those that drop hundreds of feet, the Finger Lakes area and Ithaca New York are well known for their waterfalls.
The falls are a must-see attraction every season, perfect for day hikes, picnics or swimming in the summer. At Robert Treman State park, you can swim right up to the lower falls, and at Buttermilk Falls State Park there is a picturesque swimming hole that will take you back to simpler times. Taughannock Falls State Park, the highest single drop waterfall northeast of the Rocky Mountains is within a few minutes’ drive or bike ride from the properties. Bring a book, picnic, and camera!
Most of the Finger Lakes area waterfalls are accessible via public lands and are short drives from our Classic Country Vacation Rentals, making our Finger Lakes Region Vacation Rentals the perfect destinations for your next getaway. For more specific information, you can view and download the official Waterfall Visitors Guide online.
Nearby Towns:
The nearby village of Trumansburg is home to Taughannock Falls State Park as well the as Grass Roots Festival of Music and Dance, held every year in July. It’s also home to popular pubs and restaurants. There are hiking trails and waterfalls throughout the Finger Lakes region, don’t miss Robert H. Treman State Park (it’s like being in a Tolkien novel) and the Watkins Glen State Park hikes. Buttermilk Falls is another of our local favorites, with an easy walk into the bottom of the falls, complete with swimming hole, as well as a challenging hike up the sides of the waterfalls. Cayuga Lake’s public beach and marina are also minutes away.
The city of Watkins Glen is also just 15 – 20 minutes away, where you can enjoy Watkins Glen State Park, Watkins Glen Race Track and the Finger Lakes Wine Festival. In less than 45 minutes you can also enjoy the town of Canandaigua, the Corning Glass Museum, Geneva and Keuka Lake.
Wonderful Stay, Lovely Home & Setting
5/5 stars | Stayed May, 2023
We stayed in this home for Ithaca College graduation weekend. We had a lovely time at this vacation rental. The home and setting was lovely. Beds were comfortable, the kitchen well-stocked and the game room was so much fun! The hosts are communicative and so helpful. One of the nicest, more thoughtfully decorated and supplied homes we have stayed in. Thank you so much for a wonderful stay! Everything was perfect.