Guidebook for Ithaca

Linda
Guidebook for Ithaca

Food Scene

The closest coffee shop to the house, and coffee is good.
6 locals recommend
Press Bay Alley
116-118 West Green Street
6 locals recommend
The closest coffee shop to the house, and coffee is good.
Asian fusion tapas and wines.
28 locals recommend
Mia
130 East State Street
28 locals recommend
Asian fusion tapas and wines.
Dine in or take out for lunches or dinners; you can take your own beer or wine.
49 locals recommend
Taste Of Thai Express
209 S Meadow St
49 locals recommend
Dine in or take out for lunches or dinners; you can take your own beer or wine.
On the Ithaca Commons.
31 locals recommend
Taste of Thai
216 E State St
31 locals recommend
On the Ithaca Commons.
Close to the house across from the State Theatre. Salads, subs, and if you don't want a lot of bread, ask for "the man salad," with toppings over lettuce and hand-cut fries. The fries are good. Plant-based options.
14 locals recommend
Gorgers
116 W State St
14 locals recommend
Close to the house across from the State Theatre. Salads, subs, and if you don't want a lot of bread, ask for "the man salad," with toppings over lettuce and hand-cut fries. The fries are good. Plant-based options.
Of the famous cookbooks, an Ithaca establishment in an old school that was converted for housing and businesses. I suggest the lemon-tahini dressing. Brunches, lunches and dinners and drinks, and you can sit outside, too.
114 locals recommend
Moosewood Restaurant
215 N Cayuga St
114 locals recommend
Of the famous cookbooks, an Ithaca establishment in an old school that was converted for housing and businesses. I suggest the lemon-tahini dressing. Brunches, lunches and dinners and drinks, and you can sit outside, too.
Vietnamese. Short walk from house away from the Commons. No liquor served, but you can take your own beer or wine.
111 locals recommend
Saigon Kitchen
526 W State St
111 locals recommend
Vietnamese. Short walk from house away from the Commons. No liquor served, but you can take your own beer or wine.
You can sit outside. Pretty decent and some local fare, mix of omnivore, but you can find vegan fare.
94 locals recommend
Northstar House
202 E Falls St
94 locals recommend
You can sit outside. Pretty decent and some local fare, mix of omnivore, but you can find vegan fare.
Good Korean, Korean-Chinese and Japanese, including sushi.
44 locals recommend
Asia Cuisine
126 N Aurora St
44 locals recommend
Good Korean, Korean-Chinese and Japanese, including sushi.
Great local bagels; many locations, affiliated with Ithaca Bakery. Bagel and other really good sandwiches.
110 locals recommend
Collegetown Bagels
420 College Ave
110 locals recommend
Great local bagels; many locations, affiliated with Ithaca Bakery. Bagel and other really good sandwiches.
The location in Ithaca's Collegetown has beer and wine and late-night service.
110 locals recommend
Collegetown Bagels
420 College Ave
110 locals recommend
The location in Ithaca's Collegetown has beer and wine and late-night service.
Yum. Has brunch and salad bar and soups. Try the sourdough bread. And the bagels are good.
169 locals recommend
Ithaca Bakery
400 N Meadow St
169 locals recommend
Yum. Has brunch and salad bar and soups. Try the sourdough bread. And the bagels are good.
Known for breakfast and lunch, in the hallway of an old school downtown.
44 locals recommend
Cafe Dewitt
215 N Cayuga St
44 locals recommend
Known for breakfast and lunch, in the hallway of an old school downtown.
It's Ithaca Mex-inspired, but not very good and not authentic Mexican fare or margaritas, but the sangria is really good, and you can get plant-based fare.
113 locals recommend
Viva Taqueria & Cantina
215 E State St
113 locals recommend
It's Ithaca Mex-inspired, but not very good and not authentic Mexican fare or margaritas, but the sangria is really good, and you can get plant-based fare.
Indian, and they will accommodate no dairy requests. Lunch buffet is good.
12 locals recommend
Sangam Indian Cuisine
424 Eddy St
12 locals recommend
Indian, and they will accommodate no dairy requests. Lunch buffet is good.
Indian, and has a lunch buffet.
9 locals recommend
Mehak
410 Eddy Street
9 locals recommend
Indian, and has a lunch buffet.
Looks like an old-school diner. Has a really great vegetarian Greek pizza; ask for the house vegetarian.
Souvlaki House
315 Eddy St
Looks like an old-school diner. Has a really great vegetarian Greek pizza; ask for the house vegetarian.
You can sit outside on the Cayuga Lake Inlet.
88 locals recommend
The Boatyard Grill
525 Old Taughannock Blvd
88 locals recommend
You can sit outside on the Cayuga Lake Inlet.
Local fare, very short walk from house.
24 locals recommend
Coltivare
235 S Cayuga St
24 locals recommend
Local fare, very short walk from house.
Italian; expensive. Hidden away in an apartment building. In walking distance on the other side of the Commons.
51 locals recommend
Gola Osteria
115 S Quarry St
51 locals recommend
Italian; expensive. Hidden away in an apartment building. In walking distance on the other side of the Commons.
About $10 for big plate of Middle Eastern chicken and rice or fish and rice or falafel, lunchtime only, in Center Ithaca, the middle of the Commons. They named the place after their sweet little son, and it feels like comfort food.
Adam Grill
About $10 for big plate of Middle Eastern chicken and rice or fish and rice or falafel, lunchtime only, in Center Ithaca, the middle of the Commons. They named the place after their sweet little son, and it feels like comfort food.
Open till 10 PM, usually quiet. I recommend the noodle dishes.
Sushi Osaka
Open till 10 PM, usually quiet. I recommend the noodle dishes.
Great taco place, excellent coffee, closest coffee, shop to the house, and some other shops.
Press Bay Alley
Great taco place, excellent coffee, closest coffee, shop to the house, and some other shops.
Café Dewitt for brunches or lunches,  the famous Moosewood restaurant, antique store, bookshop & hair salon.
12 locals recommend
The Dewitt Mall
East Seneca Street
12 locals recommend
Café Dewitt for brunches or lunches,  the famous Moosewood restaurant, antique store, bookshop & hair salon.

Shopping

Local herbalist collective in Press Bay Alley near coffee shop.
Bramble
112 W Green St
Local herbalist collective in Press Bay Alley near coffee shop.
Local crafts and art.
23 locals recommend
Handwork, Ithaca's Artisan Cooperative
102 W State St
23 locals recommend
Local crafts and art.
If you are shopping to equip your student dorm room or apartment, find dishes, electronics, furniture. There is another Ithaca ReUse store on Triphammer, and that one has cute clothing and some textiles. These stores employ people and keep stuff out of the landfill.
7 locals recommend
Ithaca ReUse Center
214 Elmira Rd
7 locals recommend
If you are shopping to equip your student dorm room or apartment, find dishes, electronics, furniture. There is another Ithaca ReUse store on Triphammer, and that one has cute clothing and some textiles. These stores employ people and keep stuff out of the landfill.
Department store has closeouts and good prices on things like curtains and tons of other goods for your student room in Ithaca.
Ollie's Bargain Outlet
723 S Meadow St
Department store has closeouts and good prices on things like curtains and tons of other goods for your student room in Ithaca.
Looking to equip your new apartment? Cool used stuff.
18 locals recommend
Mimi's Attic
401 Elmira Road
18 locals recommend
Looking to equip your new apartment? Cool used stuff.
Stuff for babies and parents.
8 locals recommend
Jillian's Drawers
609 W Clinton St
8 locals recommend
Stuff for babies and parents.

Drinks & Nightlife

You can see this from the porch. Friendly, local; go to see a game or play pool, or have a meal.
6 locals recommend
Uncle Joe's Grill & Sports Bar
302 W Green St
6 locals recommend
You can see this from the porch. Friendly, local; go to see a game or play pool, or have a meal.
There’s a Silo chicken food truck there too.
50 locals recommend
Liquid State Brewing Company
620 W Green St
50 locals recommend
There’s a Silo chicken food truck there too.
No alcohol, just kava kava and other teas and plant-based desserts. Very close to my house.
10 locals recommend
Sacred Root Kava Lounge & Tea Bar
103 S Geneva St
10 locals recommend
No alcohol, just kava kava and other teas and plant-based desserts. Very close to my house.
Pleasant to sit outside and watch the sun set.
160 locals recommend
Ithaca Beer Co.
122 Ithaca Beer Dr
160 locals recommend
Pleasant to sit outside and watch the sun set.
Except for Ports of NY, the only winery in the town or city of Ithaca.
6 Mile Creek Vineyard
6 Mile Creek Vineyard
Except for Ports of NY, the only winery in the town or city of Ithaca.
One of if not the only port maker in the region and getting lots of awards. The winemaker grew up on a winemaking family in France.
11 locals recommend
Ports of New York Winery
815 Taber St
11 locals recommend
One of if not the only port maker in the region and getting lots of awards. The winemaker grew up on a winemaking family in France.
Lovely inn, beautifully restored, sweet spot for a drink or to catch a good Irish music session on Tuesday nights. Has outdoor seating. And pizza truck on weekends.
70 locals recommend
Argos Inn - Ithaca's Boutique Hotel
408 E State St
70 locals recommend
Lovely inn, beautifully restored, sweet spot for a drink or to catch a good Irish music session on Tuesday nights. Has outdoor seating. And pizza truck on weekends.
This is very close to the house and a big open space, and they even have good non-alcoholic beer.  good non-alcoholic beer is not an oxymoron anymore. 
Personal Best Brewing
This is very close to the house and a big open space, and they even have good non-alcoholic beer.  good non-alcoholic beer is not an oxymoron anymore. 

Sightseeing

Must see. Only a mile from house, in the Fall Creek neighborhood. Not the tallest waterfall in the area, but after it rains, the volume of water is amazing.
156 locals recommend
Ithaca Falls Natural Area
Lake Street
156 locals recommend
Must see. Only a mile from house, in the Fall Creek neighborhood. Not the tallest waterfall in the area, but after it rains, the volume of water is amazing.

Parks & Nature

In the city, connecting a neighborhood near the Ithaca Commons, to Cornell. You would not know you are in a small city when in the gorge, and even on hot days, it's cool near the water and in the shade.
128 locals recommend
Cascadilla Gorge Trail
Cascadilla Gorge Trail
128 locals recommend
In the city, connecting a neighborhood near the Ithaca Commons, to Cornell. You would not know you are in a small city when in the gorge, and even on hot days, it's cool near the water and in the shade.
Lower trail and swimming hole at the base of a waterfall off Rt. 13 on the south edge of Ithaca. Upper trails off south hill.
373 locals recommend
Buttermilk Falls State Park
373 locals recommend
Lower trail and swimming hole at the base of a waterfall off Rt. 13 on the south edge of Ithaca. Upper trails off south hill.
Hike from the Upper or lower area. In the lower part of the park, there's a waterfall fed swimming area.
333 locals recommend
TREMAN STATE PARK
105 Enfield Falls Rd
333 locals recommend
Hike from the Upper or lower area. In the lower part of the park, there's a waterfall fed swimming area.
For biking or strolls. On west side of Cayuga Lake inlet, from West End and Cass Park to Treman Marina and Hangar Theater area. The trail also follows the east side of the Cayuga Lake Inlet from the West End near GreenStar Coop to the Farmer's Market and Stewart Park, which is on Cayuga Lake.
8 locals recommend
Waterfront Trail
Waterfront Trail
8 locals recommend
For biking or strolls. On west side of Cayuga Lake inlet, from West End and Cass Park to Treman Marina and Hangar Theater area. The trail also follows the east side of the Cayuga Lake Inlet from the West End near GreenStar Coop to the Farmer's Market and Stewart Park, which is on Cayuga Lake.
Lots of trails through woods, fields and around streams. See the educational gardens for herbs etc.
131 locals recommend
Cornell Botanic Gardens
124 Comstock Knoll Dr
131 locals recommend
Lots of trails through woods, fields and around streams. See the educational gardens for herbs etc.
Lots of wooded walking, streams and gorges, a small lake and in winter, distant views of Cayuga Lake.
6 locals recommend
South Hill Recreation Trail
South Hill Recreation Way
6 locals recommend
Lots of wooded walking, streams and gorges, a small lake and in winter, distant views of Cayuga Lake.
Again, another park in the city along Six Mile Creek.
7 locals recommend
Six Mile Creek Walk
Six Mile Creek Walk
7 locals recommend
Again, another park in the city along Six Mile Creek.
Picnic and wading area near Cornell Sailing Club about a mile up Rt. 34, just north of Ithaca High School and the Fall Creek neighborhood. Go at sunset.
14 locals recommend
East Shore Park
1000 E Shore Dr
14 locals recommend
Picnic and wading area near Cornell Sailing Club about a mile up Rt. 34, just north of Ithaca High School and the Fall Creek neighborhood. Go at sunset.
Old railroad bed between Ithaca and Trumansburg.
47 locals recommend
Black Diamond Trail
Black Diamond Trail
47 locals recommend
Old railroad bed between Ithaca and Trumansburg.
Must see. Highest waterfall in the region, and you can go to the falls overlook without paying to get into the park. The lower trail walk of about a mile is flat and shady. Beach swimming on the lake, too.
507 locals recommend
Taughannock Falls State Park
1740 Taughannock Blvd
507 locals recommend
Must see. Highest waterfall in the region, and you can go to the falls overlook without paying to get into the park. The lower trail walk of about a mile is flat and shady. Beach swimming on the lake, too.

Arts & Culture

This art museum has a variety of great exhibits, and just the views from the museum of the lake and town make it worth the visit.
149 locals recommend
Johnson Museum of Art
114 Central Ave
149 locals recommend
This art museum has a variety of great exhibits, and just the views from the museum of the lake and town make it worth the visit.
Across from the State Theatre, very near my house.
State of the Art Gallery
120 W State St
Across from the State Theatre, very near my house.

Essentials

A mama of all coops, open to anyone, has food bar and essentials beyond groceries, and 3 locations.
130 locals recommend
GreenStar
770 Cascadilla St
130 locals recommend
A mama of all coops, open to anyone, has food bar and essentials beyond groceries, and 3 locations.
Short walk from the house, on the north side of the Commons in Dewitt Mall, a former school. In addition to groceries, a food bar and some essentials such as shampoo etc.
48 locals recommend
GreenStar DeWitt
215 N Cayuga St
48 locals recommend
Short walk from the house, on the north side of the Commons in Dewitt Mall, a former school. In addition to groceries, a food bar and some essentials such as shampoo etc.
Large grocery store; has food bar with salads, Asian etc.
35 locals recommend
Wegmans station
35 locals recommend
Large grocery store; has food bar with salads, Asian etc.
Pharmacy.
7 locals recommend
Green Street Pharmacy
7 locals recommend
Pharmacy.
8 locals recommend
Fall Creek Laundromat
1012 N Aurora St
8 locals recommend