Ithaca

The natural world of Ithaca is breathtaking.

You can easily escape your desk by hiking trails along the gorges, taking dips in waterfalls and lakes, biking on woodland paths, skiing down slopes and across fields, or picnicking in the area's many state parks.

Ithaca Waterfall, with water rushing down. Trees on the side. Ithaca, Collegetown Town Bakery, with a group of women laughing. Crowd of people in walking in Downtown Ithaca. Overhead shot of farmland near Ithaca and lake in the distance. Customer looking at food at Ithaca farmers market. Shot of Downtown Ithaca building. Shot of water rushing down an Ithaca gorge. Two sail boats in Cayuga lake. Shot of Downtown Ithaca building.
Cornell University overlooks Cayuga Lake, and many gorges and waterfalls are just steps from the Law School. Ithaca weather allows for a variety of outdoor activities, ranging from boating, swimming, and hiking in the summer to cross-country skiing and ice skating in the winter.

When taking a break from your studies you can jog or bike on trails in one of Ithaca's local or state parks. Enjoy wine tasting year round and apple picking in the fall. Rent a kayak or take sailing lessons on Cayuga Lake. Visit an organic winery or farm. Or head eight miles north to Taughannock Falls, the tallest waterfall in the northeast. There's no end to the ways you can explore and get active.

It's not uncommon to run into friends, neighbors, professors, or fellow students on any downtown street. Ithaca has more restaurants per capita than New York City, and it attracts diners from all around the world. Ithaca was recognized as one of the "foodiest" towns in the US by Bon Appetit Magazine. Ithaca is home to the famous Moosewood Restaurant, whose award-winning vegetarian cookbooks attract diners from around the country.

A sampling of national accolades include: