Ithaca – A Beautiful Secret in NY State

Maybe I’m the only one who didn’t get the memo, but I definitely never thought of spending time in Ithaca, NY, and yet I found it to be one of my first stops on my trip to the Pacific Northwest.

I spent a week stationed at the Body Mind Retreat Center just outside Ithaca, where I spent time in meditation, yoga, and healthy eats. But during the day I would take my car and do long drives and scenic hikes, exploring state parks, the finger lakes, and downtown. I must say, I wish I had more time to just hang out, as I missed their famous farmers market due to bad weather.

But if you do get to pass through this most beautiful town, here are some things you should do:

EAT & DRINK – So, Ithaca has some really good food choices downtown. But, it’s also near a plethora of wineries, cider houses, distilleries, and brewing companies. You owe it to yourself to go explore Ithaca with your tastebuds.

HIKE –  There are some beautiful state parks nearby, with easy hikes or easy access to vista points.  Depending on what time of year you go, some of these destinations are great for swimming. I was able to enjoy Buttermilk Falls State Park, Robert H. Treman State Park, and Taughannock Falls State Park. All beautiful. Check out the photos below.

DRIVE – The road around the lake has been named an official scenic byway. You can do the whole thing non stop in under 2 hours, but trust me, you’re going to have several reasons to want to stop. Some of that includes the wineries, and the other is because of the gorgeous view as you make your way around the water.

STROLL – Walk through downtown, and also walk through the scenic campus of Cornell University. Bonus, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology has the largest collection of bird songs and calls in the world. Check it out.

Don’t sleep on Ithaca like I did. It’s a happening place to be.