Ithaca：The Lakeside City of Art and Good Eats

Ithaca, New York is a lakeside city on the Cayuga Lake’s southern tip. While it isn’t a main attraction, Ithaca is a hidden sightseeing gem, with its chill hiking attractions and good cafés and restaurants. Surrounded by the waterfalls and canyons, Ithaca is a halfway point in between New York City and the Niagara Falls. With this, staying and sightseeing in Ithaca is the perfect place to reach both attractions.

1. Finger Lakes

A 47-min. ride from Ithaca, the Finger Lakes is a group of 11 long and narrow north-to-south lakes in Central New York. They are given the name as the lakes resemble human fingers. Having many attractions to go sightseeing, the Finger Lakes is a popular tourist destination. From the Seneca Falls, to Hammondsport, and to the historic buildings of the Granger Homestead. Aside from this, the Finger Lakes is famous for being New York’s largest wine producing region, making it a worthwhile summer trip for both nature lovers and wine connoisseurs visiting Ithaca.

2. Taughannock Falls State Park (Trumansburg)

The Taughannock Falls State Park is a 750-acre park in Tompkins County in New York, which is a 20-minute ride away from Ithaca. The park's main feature is its waterfalls, the Taughannock Falls - which drops clear water at 215ft. With this, it's famous for being the tallest single-drop waterfall at the east of the Rocky Mountains. The state park is a perfect sightseeing destination for both nature lovers and hikers visiting Ithaca, as the area is riddled with long hiking trails and brimming with unique plants and wildlife.

3. Cayuga Lake (Ithaca)

Among all the finger lakes, the Cayuga Lake is the longest glacial lake in New York. The very city of Ithaca, lies at the southern end of the lake. Roaming and sightseeing around Ithaca, the Cayuga Lake offers a lot of features. For water activities, bass and trout fishing activities are offered. Aside from this, the Cayuga Lake is famous for recreational boaters in Ithaca. Boaters may either go to the Ithaca Yacht Club or the Red Jacket Yacht Club. Lastly, the Cayuga Lake is famously part of Cornell University's folklore, where it is said that if and when the lake freezes over, classes will be canceled. So far this has happened in 1979 and 2015. Truly, the Cayuga Lake is a perfect sightseeing destination for those who want to fully experience the lakeside city life of Ithaca.

4. Buttermilk Falls State Park (Ithaca)

Located in the heart of Ithaca, the Buttermilk Falls State Park is a perfect sightseeing destination for nature and waterfall lovers. Its unique features make it a picture-worthy place. Buttermilk Falls takes its name from the foaming cascade formed by Buttermilk Creek as it flows down the steep valley side toward Cayuga Lake. The upper park has a small lake, hiking trails through woodlands and along the gorge and rim, picnic areas and playing fields. The lower park has a campground, natural pool and playing fields, beyond which is Larch Meadows. Larch Meadows is a wetland area through which a nature trail winds.With this, the park is the perfect place for sightseeing nature-loving families and friends in Ithaca.

5. Cornell University (Ithaca)

Perhaps, Ithaca is best known for being home to one of the prestigious ivy league universities - the Cornell University. What makes the university a perfect sightseeing destination while in Ithaca is its unique and eclectic architecture. The campus is famous for sitting atop the hill, overlooking the city of Ithaca and Cayuga Lake. Several of its buildings are listed under the National Register of Historic Places, having successfully fusing ornate Gothic, Victorian, and Neoclassical architectural influences. Aside from this, tourists may enjoy sightseeing and learning from the World War I Memorial and the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art.

6. Six Mile Creek (Ithaca)

The Six Mile Creek is a 20-mile long creek in the Tompkins County, Ithaca, New York. The area is brimming with streams, waterfalls, gorges, marshlands, flower meadows, and young forests. The natural area offers level, creekside walks in the Mulholland Wildflower Preserve on the north side of Six Mile Creek. Steep cliffside trails can be found on either side of the creek. Also, the Six Mile Creek contains Ithaca's reservoirs. With this, the whole area was designated as a valuable natural area, and is a great off-the-beaten track destination.

7. Moosewood Restaurant (Ithaca)

Owned by Moosewood, Inc., the Moosewood Restaurant is the most famous restaurant in Ithaca, New York. Moosewood, Inc. is composed of 19 owner who are also called The Moosewood Collective. What made the particular restaurant stand out is the fact that it serves a unique vegetarian menu. No worries for non-vegetarian tourists though, since Moosewood Restaurant also serves fish entrees daily. The restaurant has a cozy and small-town ambiance, a vibe that most tourists find endearing and welcoming. It's a perfect place to have brunch or dinner after a day of sightseeing around Ithaca.

8. Stewart Park (Ithaca)

The Stewart Park is located in the southern part of the Cayuga Lake, and is operated by the city of Ithaca, New York. The park is an ultimate quick day of outdoor recreation for the many locals, as well as for tourists. For sightseeing tourists, the park may serve as a welcoming break after roaming around Ithaca. Activities that may be done in the park include, but are not limited to, frisbee, tennis, baseball, softball, and fishing. Aside from this, it's a magnet for kids as the park features a carousel and playgrounds that run during the summer. Lastly, the park is also equipped with grills for barbecuing and sheltered areas for picnicking.

9. Lucifer Falls (Ithaca)

The Lucifer Falls is one of the sightseeing attractions in the Treman State Park of Ithaca. The 1,100-acre park features numerous waterfalls and hiking trails. Natural swimming pools and narrow gorges riddle the whole area. With this, the whole park is a 7.2km round-trip hike. Among the famous waterfalls in this area of Ithaca is the Lucifer Falls. It is a multi-tiered 115ft. tall cascading waterfall, which is accessible via a short hike from the western part of the park. Aside from this, the scenic view of the waterfalls can also be enjoyed from the gorge trail and the city of Ithaca.

10. Ithaca Falls

The Ithaca Falls is the last part of the waterfall series along the hanging valley - where Fall Creek meets the Cayuga Lake. Aside from being a famous sightseeing destination, the Ithaca Falls is also a famous spot for fly fishing. This area in Ithaca is brimming with lush forests and wildlife. There are also swimming holes for the nature lovers and hikers to enjoy and go sightseeing. The most enjoyable part about Ithaca trails and parks is that canoe rentals are accessible and camping in the park are all affordable and comfortable per night.

◎ Closing

Ithaca, New York is a hidden sightseeing gem. From all the attractions listed above, it is clear that Ithaca is a haven for nature lovers, foodies, backpackers, and hikers. Ithaca is riddled with wonderful waterfalls and gorges, as well as a quaint city lifestyle coupled with delicious cuisine. With this, Ithaca is a must-go to sightseeing destination.