Guidebook for Ithaca
Food Scene
Press Cafe, Mama Said Handpies, great $5 tacos.
Press Bay Alley
116-118 West Green StreetPress Cafe coffee, great $5 tacos and hand pies.
Mia
130 East State StreetAsian fusion tapas and wines.
Dine in or take out for lunches or dinners; you can take your own beer or wine.
49 habitants recommandent
Taste Of Thai Express
209 S Meadow StDine in or take out for lunches or dinners; you can take your own beer or wine.
Taste of Thai
216 E State StOn 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 habitants recommandent
Gorgers
116 W State StClose 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 habitants recommandent
Moosewood Restaurant
215 N Cayuga StOf 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 habitants recommandent
Saigon Kitchen
526 W State StVietnamese. 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 habitants recommandent
Northstar House
202 E Falls StYou can sit outside. Pretty decent and some local fare, mix of omnivore, but you can find vegan fare.
Asia Cuisine
126 N Aurora StGood Korean, Korean-Chinese and Japanese, including sushi.
Great local bagels; many locations, affiliated with Ithaca Bakery. Bagel and other really good sandwiches.
110 habitants recommandent
Collegetown Bagels
420 College AveGreat 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 habitants recommandent
Collegetown Bagels
420 College AveThe location in Ithaca's Collegetown has beer and wine and late-night service.
Yum. Try the sourdough bread. And the bagels are good. Sandwiches and bowls - try the brain bowl or CTBLT.
169 habitants recommandent
Ithaca Bakery
400 N Meadow StYum. Try the sourdough bread. And the bagels are good. Sandwiches and bowls - try the brain bowl or CTBLT.
Known for breakfast and lunch, in the hallway of an old school downtown.
44 habitants recommandent
Cafe Dewitt
215 N Cayuga StKnown 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 habitants recommandent
Viva Taqueria & Cantina
215 E State StIt'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 habitants recommandent
Sangam Indian Cuisine
424 Eddy StIndian, and they will accommodate no dairy requests. Lunch buffet is good.
Mehak
410 Eddy StreetIndian, 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 StLooks like an old-school diner. Has a really great vegetarian Greek pizza; ask for the house vegetarian.
The Boatyard Grill
525 Old Taughannock BlvdYou can sit outside on the Cayuga Lake Inlet.
Coltivare
235 S Cayuga StLocal 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 habitants recommandent
Gola Osteria
115 S Quarry StItalian; 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.
Sushi Osaka
Open till 10 PM, usually quiet. I recommend the noodle dishes. Has lunch specials.
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 habitants recommandent
The Dewitt Mall
East Seneca StreetCafé Dewitt for brunches or lunches,  the famous Moosewood restaurant, antique store, bookshop & hair salon.
Shopping
Bramble
112 W Green StLocal herbalist collective in Press Bay Alley near coffee shop.
Handwork, Ithaca's Artisan Cooperative
102 W State StLocal 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 habitants recommandent
Ithaca ReUse Center
214 Elmira RdIf 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 StDepartment store has closeouts and good prices on things like curtains and tons of other goods for your student room in Ithaca.
Mimi's Attic
401 Elmira RoadLooking to equip your new apartment? Cool used stuff.
Jillian's Drawers
609 W Clinton StStuff 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 habitants recommandent
Uncle Joe's Grill & Sports Bar
302 W Green StYou can see this from the porch. Friendly, local; go to see a game or play pool, or have a meal.
Liquid State Brewing Company
620 W Green StThere’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 habitants recommandent
Sacred Root Kava Lounge & Tea Bar
103 S Geneva StNo alcohol, just kava kava and other teas and plant-based desserts. Very close to my house.
Ithaca Beer Co.
122 Ithaca Beer DrPleasant to sit outside and watch the sun set.
6 Mile Creek Vineyard
6 Mile Creek VineyardExcept 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 habitants recommandent
Ports of New York Winery
815 Taber StOne 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 habitants recommandent
Argos Inn - Ithaca's Boutique Hotel
408 E State StLovely 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 habitants recommandent
Zone naturelle d'Ithaca Falls
Lake StreetMust 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 habitants recommandent
Cascadilla Gorge Trail
Cascadilla Gorge TrailIn 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 habitants recommandent
Buttermilk Falls State Park
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 habitants recommandent
Parc d'État de Treman
105 Enfield Falls RdHike 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 habitants recommandent
Waterfront Trail
Waterfront TrailFor 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 habitants recommandent
Cornell Botanic Gardens
124 Comstock Knoll DrLots 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 habitants recommandent
South Hill Recreation Trail
South Hill Recreation WayLots of wooded walking, streams and gorges, a small lake and in winter, distant views of Cayuga Lake.
Six Mile Creek Walk
Six Mile Creek WalkAgain, 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 habitants recommandent
East Shore Park
1000 E Shore DrPicnic 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.
Black Diamond Trail
Black Diamond TrailOld 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 habitants recommandent
Parc d'État de Taughannock Falls
1740 Taughannock BlvdMust 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 habitants recommandent
Johnson Museum of Art
114 Central AveThis 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.
State of the Art Gallery
120 W State StAcross 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 habitants recommandent
GreenStar
770 Cascadilla StA 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 habitants recommandent
GreenStar DeWitt
215 N Cayuga StShort 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.
Wegmans station
Large grocery store; has food bar with salads, Asian etc.
Green Street Pharmacy
Pharmacy.
Fall Creek Laundromat
1012 N Aurora St