Experience Ithaca:

Outdoor Enthusiasts -- 3 Day Itinerary

If it's a relaxing day you are aiming for, let us help! Day 1 The State Parks around Ithaca offer spectacular views of our gorgeous waterfalls. Enjoy a hike at Buttermilk Falls State Park . Dropping from 1000 ft. to 400 ft. above sea level, Buttermilk Creek plunges through a gorge down the eastern slope of Cayuga Valley at the southern edge of the City.   Continue on Route 13 to Robert Treman State Park where you can visit Enfield Glen and the devilishly named Lucifer Falls. Continue south on Rt. 13 to Newfield where you will find the Newfield Covered Bridge , built in 1853 and restored in 1972. This charming bridge is the only covered bridge in the Finger Lakes area located on a public road. Whether you are looking for hot dogs or Caribbean food, the Downtown Ithaca Commons is the place to fuel up before beginning the Sagan Planet Walk leading to the Sciencecenter. After a day a walking, relax at the Ithaca Bakery with a refreshing beverage and homemade snack! Stay overnight in any one of our more than 70 bed & breakfasts. Check out our website at www.visitithaca.com for a complete listing. Day 2 North of the city on Route 89, stop off at the Cayuga Nature Center where you can walk miles of trails, visit the animals, or climb to the top of the 3 story Treetops Structure . In the late spring, experience the season mysteries at the Butterfly House where many varieties of local butterflies are hatched. Continuing north on Rt. 89, you will see Taughannock Falls State Park which offers a ¾ mile Gorge Trail that is both wheelchair & stroller accessible. This trail takes you out to the base of a 215ft. waterfall larger than Niagara Falls. The North & South Rim Trails combine to form a scenic 3 mile loop around the upper portion of the gorge. Catch a different perspective of the Waterfall at the overlook off Taughannock Park Road. Take a little side trip on to the Village of Trumansburg for a mid-day break by continuing on Taughannock Park Road, then turning right onto Rt. 96 N. Here, you will find a variety of restaurants to please the palate. Afterwards, stop at Not My Dad's, a seasonal Ice Cream Shoppe, offering a wide array of hard & soft serve ice cream and other snacks. Take Rt. 96S back to Taughannock Park Rd., then turn left onto Rt. 89 North where you will find a plethora of wineries making up the Cayuga Wine Trail waiting to offer you tastings of their best wines. Along this route you will find many local farm stands during harvest months. In the heart of Finger Lakes Wine Country , you will find The Amish Market at 89 Traders Village. This Amish Market features unique handcrafted Amish furniture, baked goods, sheds, & crafts. Day 3 Enjoy a trip to the Ithaca Farmers' Market . Offering more than 125 vendors selling fresh local produce, international cuisine, and juried arts & crafts April through December. The Market is open 4 days a week. Tuesday (9am-1pm), Thursdays (3-7pm), Saturday (9-2), Sunday (10-2). Tuesday Market is at Dewitt Park. All other days are at Steamboat Landing off Third St. After visiting the Farmers' Market , head east to Cornell Plantations , an area of great natural beauty and serenity adjacent to one of America's most renowned college campuses. At the botanical garden, arboretum, and natural areas of Cornell, the Plantations welcomes visitors free of charge, year-round, from sunrise to sunset. Guided tours for your group can be arranged in advance for a small fee. Next, visit Cornell University's new Lab of Ornithology at Sapsucker Woods , offering 4.2 miles of trails winding through wooded areas with the chance of sighting a different bird around every bend. The Stuart Observatory overlooks a waterfowl pond and a bird-feeding garden. Wind through campus down to Route 79 East, and visit Six Mile Creek Vineyards , Ithaca's own winery!