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Coffee

Press cafe
118 w green st

7 min walk

607-280-3288

gourmet coffee shop with a modern, minimalist aesthetic

tuesday-saturday 8am-6pm

closed sunday & monday

Gimme coffee

506 w state st

15 min walk, 5 min drive

607-272-8564

trendy, world class coffee, baked goods 

*vegan & gluten-free friendly

daily  7:30am-3pm

Ithaca bakery

400 n meadow st

25 min walk, 7 min drive

607-273-7110

specialty coffee, frozen espresso & smoothies, international menu that changes daily

*local/free range options, vegan & gluten-free friendly

mon-sat  6:30am-8pm 

sun  6:30am-7pm

Breakfast

Café dewitt

215 n cayuga st

(dewitt mall)

10 min walk

607-273-3473

contemporary bistro

*local/free range options, vegan & gluten-free friendly

(breakfast served  all day)

thurs 11am - 3pm

fri & sat 8:30am - 2:30pm

sun 9am-2pm

Collegetown bagels

301 e state st

3 min walk

607-273-2848

baked goods, breakfast sandwiches, & coffee

*vegan friendly

sun-thurs  7:30-6pm

fri-sat  7:30am-8pm

Lincoln street diner

309 e lincoln st

20 min walk, 5 min drive

607-216-1616

american diner fare with daily specials in  a humble, old-school space

*vegetarian friendly

mon-fri  7am-1:30pm

Angelhearts diner

401 e state st

across the street

607-319-4205

retro diner featuring vegan comfort food made from scratch 

*all vegan, gluten-free friendly

curbside pickup only

wed-fri  12-6pm

sat-sun  9-3pm

Café dewitt

215 n cayuga st

(dewitt mall)

10 min walk

607-273-3473

contemporary bistro

*local/free range options, vegan & gluten-free friendly

(breakfast served  all day)

thurs 11am - 3pm

fri & sat 8:30am - 2:30pm

sun 9am-2pm

Purity ice cream

700 cascadilla st

25 min walk, 7 min drive

607-272-1545

classic goodness made right in a retro vibe ice cream parlor  

*local/free range options, vegan & gluten-free friendly

daily 10am - 10pm

Hound & mare

118 n  aurora st

5 min walk

607-319-4463

fresh, healthy, convenient cafe & bakery

​*vegetarian friendly

weds-sun  8am-2pm

Lunch

Maru ramen

512 w state st

20 min walk, 5 min drive

607-339-0329

slow-cooked ramen, buns &

savory dishes

*local options, vegan & gluten-free friendly

sun - thurs  11:30am-9pm

fri-sat  11:30am-10pm

Asia cuisine

126 n aurora st

5 min walk

607-256-8818

mellow corner eatery serving diverse range of pan-asian fare, from korean bbq to sushi

*vegan & gluten-free friendly

daily 11;30am - 8pm

*closed weds*

Ithaca  ale house

301 e state st

2 min walk

607-256-7977

american fare with modern flare

20 tap craft beers

*vegetarian friendly

mon - thurs  11am-11pm

fri - sat 11am - 1 am

sun  11am-10pm

*closed tues*

Viva taqueria & cantina

101 n aurora st

5 min walk

607-277-1752

fresh, healthy itha-mexican food, margarita  and tequila bar

*vegan & gluten-free friendly

wed - sat 12pm - 9pm

Casual dining

Saigon kitchen

526 w state st

15 min walk, 4 min drive

607-257-8881

fresh and delicious traditional 

vietnamese food, byob

*vegan & gluten-free friendly

tues-sun  11:30am-8:30pm

(takeout only)

Northstar house

202 e falls st

20 min walk, 5 min drive

607-216-8580

cozy neighborhood vibe, seasonal menu

12 rotating drafts, extensive beer list

*local/free range options, vegan & gluten-free friendly

tues & thurs 4pm-8pm

fri & sat 4pm-9pm

reservations available

Agava

381 pine tree rd

5 min drive

607-319-4366

southwestern inspired fare with

a wood-fired oven

*local/free range options, vegan & gluten-free friendly

tues - thurs 3pm-9pm

fri-sat 3pm-10pm

reservations  available

The rook

404 w state st

20 min walk, 5 min drive

607-319-0180

elevated classic cuisine in a

casual atmosphere

*local/free range options, vegan & gluten-free friendly

tues-sat   5pm-10pm

Silo food truck 

620 w green st

15 min walk, 5 min drive

southern cooking with  an ethnic twist, fried chicken & mac n cheese

*local/free range options, vegan & gluten-free friendly

wed & thurs  4-9pm, fri  4-10pm

sat  12-10pm,  sun  2-8pm

Fine dining

Hazelnut kitchen

53 e main st

trumansburg, ny

20 min drive

607-387-4433

seasonal dishes  and desserts crafted from local ingredients 

*local/free range options, vegan & gluten-free friendly

tues-sat  5pm-8:30pm

reservations available

Mercato bar & kitchen

108 n aurora st

5 min walk

607-319-5171

italian fusion cuisine, craft cocktails, excellent wine selection

*vegan & gluten-free friendly

tues-sat  5:30pm-9pm

no reservations 

Gola osteria

115 quarry st

(quarry arms bldg)

8 min walk (uphill), 3 min drive

607-273-0333

elevated italian fare  and wines

*vegan & gluten-free friendly

wed-sat  5pm-9pm

reservations available

Le café cent dix

110 n aurora st

5 min walk

607-319-0750

classic french bistro, craft cocktails,

french wine list

*vegan & gluten-free friendly

tues-sat  5:30pm-9pm

no reservations

Late night dining

Luna inspired street food

113 n  aurora st

5 min walk

(607) 269-6139

globally influenced hybrid bar food

*local/free-range options, vegan & gluten-free friendly

sun-weds 11am-11pm

thurs-sat 11am-1am

Shortstop deli

200 w seneca st

10 min walk, 5 min drive

607-273-1030

award winning deli style

build-your-own sandwiches  and more

*vegan & gluten-free friendly 

mon-sat  7am-7pm

Beer, wine & spirits shops

Red feet wine market & spirit provisions

435 franklin st

7 min drive

607-330-1056

hand picked  artisanal wines

mon-thurs  11am-8pm

fri-sat  10am-8pm

sun  12pm-6pm

The cellar d'or wine, cider & spirits

136 e state st

(on the commons)

5 min walk

607-319-0500

specializing in small production/estate-bottled

mon-wed  11am-8pm

thurs-sat  11am-9pm

sun  12pm-6pm​​

Finger lakes beverage center

605 w state st

20 min walk, 5 min drive

607-277-beer

largest selection of micro-brews, craft brews & soda, rotating selection of 10 growler beers to-go

mon-sat  9am-8pm

sun  12pm-5pm

Northside wine & spirits

222 elmira rd

(in the ithaca shopping plaza)

7 min drive

607-273-7500

large finger lakes wine selection

mon-sat  9am-9pm

sun  12pm-6pm

Wine bars

Mercato bar & kitchen

108 n aurora st

5 min walk

607-319-5171

great wine selection

tues-sat  5:30pm-9pm

Le café cent-dix 

101 n aurora st

5 min walk

607-319-0750

french wine list

tues-sun  5:30pm-9pm

Beer bars

Northstar house

202 e falls st

20 min walk, 5 min drive

607-216-8580

12 rotating drafts,

extensive bottled beer list

*local/free range options, vegan & gluten-free friendly

tues & thurs 4pm-8pm

fri & sat 4pm-9pm

Ithaca beer co.

122 ithaca beer dr

10 min drive

607-273-0766

award winning craft ales, farm to table taproom, brew pub & beer garden

*local/free range options, vegan & gluten-free friendly

wed-thurs  4pm-9pm

fri-sun  12pm-9pm

Liquid state brewing company

620 w green st

15 min walk, 5 min drive

607-555-5555

on-site beer hall with high-quality, small batch beer+ 

(silo food truck lives in their parking lot- see casual dining!)

mon-tues  3pm-9pm, wed-thurs  3-10pm

fri  3pm-11pm, sat  12-11pm,  sun  2-8pm

Gorges & waterfalls

Cascadilla gorge trail

downtown trailhead  at cascadilla park, near the intersection of

court st & university  ave

7 min walk to trailhead

hiking trail is 1.32 mi -

many stairs, moderate to strenuous

no fee

open may-november

a breathtaking example of the  ancient bedrock gorges ithaca is known for. 

the trail connects the heart of downtown to the cornell campus. the creek drops 400' following six waterfalls. the stone trails  and staircases were originally constructed in the 1920s.

Ithaca falls

lake st, near intersection of

lake & falls st

20 min walk, 7 min drive

trail is 0.14 mi 

easy

no fee

open year round

our most powerful waterfall with  a vertical fall of 100' and a width of 150'. watch for nesting red tailed hawks  and turkey vultures riding the  air currents. a popular fishing hole  and local sun-lounging spot.  

Taughannock falls state park

1740 taughannock blvd (route 89)

trumansburg, ny

20 min drive

607-387-6739

multiple hiking trails: 0.75 - 1.5 mi 

easy to difficult

$8 car parking fee  apr-oct

gorge trail  and falls overlook open year round  8am-8pm

other trails open  apr-oct

swimming in cayuga lake, picnic  area, playground, marina

easy drive-up to falls overlook  and  a summer concert series in the park

taughannock falls is the tallest waterfall east of the rocky mountains,  at 215'. the gorge trail offers  an  amazing, easy meander along the 400' gorge to the base of the falls. taughannock falls state park offers something for everyone.  

Cayuga lake

Ithaca boat tours

607-697-0166

*departing from steamboat landing  at the ithaca farmers market dock -

545 3rd st

10 min drive

one hour tours

thurs  5:30pm or 7pm

sat & sun  11am, 12:30pm or 2pm

may-oct

walk-on only

varying fee

*departing from 416 taughannock blvd

10 min drive

sunset cruise, eco-tours,

fat friday happy hour cruise & more

1 1/2 - 2 hr cruises

varying departure times

may-oct

reservations required

varying fee

Puddledockers

321 taughannock blvd

10 min drive

607-273-0096

kayak, canoe  and paddle board rentals

sat & sun 10am-6pm

Myers park

29  auburn rd

lansing, ny

15 min drive 

31  acres with extensive cayuga lake frontage, swimming, picnic  areas, marina, birding, volleyball nets, horseshoe pits  and  a summer concert series

daily, dawn to dusk, open year round

$5 fee for vehicle

Stewart park

1 james l gibbs dr

10 min drive

seated  at the tip of cayuga lake, formerly the site of the wharton brothers silent movie studios, now featuring  a carousel, athletic fields,  a duck pond, spray pool, municipal golf course  and  a bird sanctuary

daily, 8am-10pm, open year round

no fee

carousel open wed-sun  11am-7pm

small fee to ride

Running & walking trails

Cornell botanic gardens

cornell university

nevin welcome center

124 comstock knoll dr

40 min walk, 9 min drive

607-255-2400

stewards more than 3,400  acres of preserve throughout the county.  walking trails, preserves, botanic garden  and  arboretum on campus

dawn-dusk, open year round

* nevin welcome center

tues-sat 10am-5pm

South hill recreation way

hudson st,  across from south hill elementary school

15 min walk (uphill) to trailhead,

5 min drive

607-273-8035

mutli-use trail: 4.6 mi - easy

hard-packed gravel trail build on  an old railroad bed

open year round

Cayuga waterfront trail

trailhead  and parking options:  

* cass park ice rink & pool

701 taughannock blvd

35 min walk, 10 min drive

* stewart park

1 james l gibbs dr

35 min walk, 10 min drive

607-592-4647

multi-use trail: 5.5 mi - easy

picnicking, boating, birding, gardens, ithaca children's garden, outdoor fitness equipment

open year round

Fitness centers

Island health & fitness center

310 taughannock blvd

25 min walk, 8 min drive

607-277-3861

cardio, strength training,  aquatics center, group fitness classes.

sauna, steam rooms, hot tub.

mon-fri  5:30am-9:30pm

sat-sun  8am-6pm

Planet fitness

(the shops  at ithaca mall)

2309 n triphammer rd

12 min drive

607-319-0763

cardio, strength training

mon-thurs  24 hours

fri  12am-9pm

sat-sun  7am-7pm

Spas

Rasa spa

310 taughannock blvd

25 min walk, 8 min drive

607-273-1740

massage, bodywork, energy work, facials, waxing.

sauna, showers, tranquility room.

*argos inn has 10% discount coupons- please inquire at the front desk

mon-sat  9am-9pm

sun  10am-8pm

Satori spa & salon

(village green plaza)

840 hanshaw rd

10 min drive

607-266-0103

hair, nails, facials, makeup, waxing, spa packages, featuring

amika products

tues-fri  9:30am-6pm 

sat-sun  9am-4pm

Norabloom botanicals & beauty lounge

(on the ithaca commons)

132 e state st

suite 201 

5 min walk

607-592-8222

organic skin care, holistic facials, waxing, natural makeup, massage therapy,

spa parties

daily 9am-5pm

*closed sun*

Taxi

Ithaca  airline limousine

ithaca to syracuse  airport

855-349-0084

Yellow taxi

607-277-2227

University taxi

607-277-7777

Gas stations

Mirabito

(east hill plaza)

301 pine tree rd

5 min drive

mon-sat  5:30am-11pm

sun  6am-11pm

Sunoco

210 s cayuga st

5 min drive

daily  24 hours

Bike rental

Boxy bikes

(in press bay court)

116 w green st

607-216-8274

electric bike rentals

thurs-sat  1pm-5pm

Ithaca bike rental

1 james l gibbs dr

607-273-8364 ext 157

fri-sun 11am-7pm

*other days by reservation*

Atms

M&t bank

118 n tioga st

(on the ithaca commons)

607-274-8948

5 min walk

drive-up & lobby 

mon-wed  9am-4pm 

thurs- fri  9am-5pm

walk-up  open 24hrs

Tompkins trust company

118 e seneca st

(on the ithaca commons)

607-273-3210

5 min walk

drive-up  mon-fri  8:30am-5pm

lobby  mon-fri  9am-5pm

walk-up  open 24hrs

local interests recommended by staff:

click the category to jump directly to our recommendations!

visitor information website by ithaca/tompkins county convention & visitors bureau

for finger lakes guided tours, try 

Breakfast
Coffee
Brunch
Lunch
Casual Dining
Fine Dining
Late Night Dining
Beer, Wine, Spirits
Wine Bars
Beer Bars
Gorges & Waterfalls
Cayuga Lake
Running/Walking
Fitness Center
Spas
Taxi
Gas Station
Bike Rental
ATMS
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Groceries

Greenstar natural grocery - smaller downtown offering

215 n cayuga st

(dewitt mall)

8 min walk

607-273-8213

natural foods market, grocery, bakery, beer, vitamins.

prepared food  and hot-bar  available

*organic, local & farm-raised, gluten-free options

mon-fri  8am-9pm

sat-sun  9am-8pm

Greenstar  

- large mother store

770 cascadilla st

25 min walk, 7 min drive

natural foods market, produce, vitamins & wellness.

house-made prepared foods & baked goods, made to order coffee, smoothies, sandwiches, fresh-cut meat & specialty cheese

local beer & cider

*organic, local & farm-raised, gluten-free options

daily  8am-9pm

Wegmans

500 s meadow st

25 min walk, 7 min drive

607-277-5800

large gourmet grocery, bakery, beer, international foods, wellness & natural foods.

prepared food  and hot-bar  available - eat-in or takeout

*organic, local & farm-raised, gluten-free options

pharmacy  mon-sat  8:30am-9pm

daily 6am-12am

Groceries

News stand/smoke shop

Commons market

122 n  aurora st

5 min walk

607-273-3236

bodega with  atm, cigarettes, newspapers, beer,, snacks

mon-sat  8am-10pm

sun  9am-10pm

News Stand

Ithaca farmers market

An owner-operated cooperative market (since 1973) with over 160 members, who grow or produce their wares within 30 miles of the pavilion.  main market located on  a beautiful park on the cayuga lake waterfront.

fresh vegetables, fruit, pastured meats, wine, cheese, bakeries  and hot prepared foods...

live music &  artisanal gifts

also:  summer boat tours  at steam boat landing 

Steam boat landing- main market

30 min walk, 8 min drive

607-273-7109

thursdays   end of june-sept  5-8pm

saturdays   apr-oct  9am-3pm

           nov-dec  10am-2pm

sundays  may-oct  10am-3pm

         nov  10am-2pm

Dewitt park - smaller downtown offering

corner of n cayuga st & e buffalo st

10 min walk

607-273-7109

tuesdays  may-oct  9am-2pm

Farmers Market

Music

Angry mom records

115 e state st

(on the ithaca commons- basement of autumn leaves book store)

5 min walk

607-319-4953

buy, sell & trade lps, 45s, 78s, cds & cassettes.

specialize in rock, punk, indie, soul/r&b, country, international, reggae, psych, folk, electronic, metal and oddities

daily  12pm-6pm

Ithaca guitar works

215 n cayuga st 

(in the dewitt mall)

6 min walk

607-592-4135

new, used  and vintage musical instruments

mon-sat  10am-4pm

Music

Museums

The history center in tompkins county

110 n tioga st