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Ithaca
Explore this section
“There was no better option for me than Cornell Law and its location in Ithaca.”
Zellnor Myrie '16
New York State Senator
Cornell University overlooks Cayuga Lake, and many gorges and waterfalls are just steps from the Law School. Schedule a Law School or campus tour here.
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 U.S. by Bon Appetit magazine. Ithaca is home to the famous Moosewood Restaurant, whose award-winning vegetarian cookbooks attract diners from around the country.
Activities
According to a local bumper sticker, “Ithaca is gorges”, and most people here would agree.
Located in the heart of the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, Ithaca is surrounded by waterfalls, gorges, lakes, and parks. With a four-season climate and close access to kite sailing, skiing, skating, mountain biking, hiking, polo, canoeing, windsurfing, and other sports, Ithaca is an ideal place for getting outside.
Outdoor Activities
State Parks and Waterfalls
- Cascadilla Creek Gorge Path and Falls
- Bebe Lake Loop and Dam
- Taughannock Falls State Park
- Buttermilk Falls State Park
- Cornell Botanic Gardens
Educational Outdoor Activities
Mountain Biking
- Shindagin Hollow State Forest
- Yellow Barn State Forest
- Hammond Hill State Forest
- Connecticut Hill State Wildlife Management Area
Golf Courses
Family Outdoor Fun
- Ithaca Farmers’ Market
The Ithaca Farmers’ Market is open from April-December. Best time to go, when it’s nice out and on a Saturday or Sunday! - Ringwood Raceway
Go-kart racing open April-October
Sledding
Sledding is one of Ithacans all-time favorite winter sports! Get a sled, find any hill in Ithaca, and go. Local favorites include Cornell Plantations and Taughannock Park. **Avoid Libe Slope, as it is dangerous and against Cornell regulations to sled down.
Downhill Skiing
Cross-country Skiing
Ithacans ski on many of the local golf courses, trails, or at Sapsucker Woods or Podunk Ski Touring in Trumansburg.
Ice Skating
Indoor Activities and Nightlife
Indoor Activities
- Sciencenter
- Museum of the Earth
- Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art
- Cornell Rock Climbing Wall
- Greater Ithaca Art Trail
- The History Center in Tompkins County
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology/Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary
For a more complete listing, please visit VisitIthaca.
Performing Arts
- Cornell Concert Commission
- Cornell University Department of Performing and Media Arts
- Hangar Theatre
- Kitchen Theatre Company
- Ithaca College Department of Theatre Arts
- Ithaca Ballet
- Cayuga Chamber Orchestra
- Cayuga Vocal Ensemble
Movie Theaters
- Cornell Cinema
Cornell Cinema screens nearly 400 films per year, including first-run, foreign, and classic films. The cinema is a program of the Department of Theater, Film, and Dance and is cosponsored by the Dean of Students. - Cinemapolis
Located downtown, Cinemapolis shows independent and new release films.
Nightlife
As a college town with a thriving local music scene, Ithaca has a wide variety of clubs and bars. Whether you feel like going for a few drinks or dancing all night, the list below will give you some ideas on what to do and where to go.
- Level B Bar and Night Club
Exquisite cocktails, precision staff, and plush decor transport you to another level.
- The Haunt
Live music and DJ’s and drink specials. Go to 80’s night on Saturdays for the most fun dancing in Ithaca!
- Mahogany Grill
The Mahogany Grill is a nice place for a casual drink and meal. Seating outside in the summer.
- Kilpatrick’s Publick House
Great pub food and great live Irish music weekly.
- Ithaca Ale House
Great food, atmosphere, and beer selection — nearly 20 on tap! Sit outside to people watch during the summer.
Ithaca is within easy driving distance to many popular cities in both the United States and Canada
Getting to Ithaca
Ithaca is located in the heart of the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. Natural beauty surrounds the campus with its many gorges, lakes, and parks. In fact, the Law School is bordered by Cascadilla Gorge. Its waterfalls and trail lead to downtown Ithaca.
Ithaca is easily accessible by plane, bus, and car. Most major Northeastern cities are a reasonable drive or a short flight.
Approximate Distances to Major Cities
- Syracuse: One hour
- Rochester: One and a half hours
- New York City: Four hours
- Philadelphia: Four hours
- Toronto: Four hours
- Boston: Five and a half hours
- Montreal: Five and a half hours
- Washington, D.C.: Six hours
Airlines, Taxi Cabs, and Rental Cars
Directions
Hotels and Restaurants
Ithaca has a wide variety of accommodations and cuisines.
Hotels
The following business-style hotels are close to campus, and many have shuttles to campus and to the airport. This is just a brief listing of local hotels. If you plan to visit campus during Cornell University’s graduation weekend, be prepared to stay outside of Ithaca. Alternative towns include: Dryden, Cortland, Elmira, Syracuse, and Binghamton.
The Statler Hotel at Cornell University
On-campus
Best Western University Inn
Only about 2 miles from the law school and near food and stores.
Courtyard by Marriott – Ithaca
Close to the airport and the Ithaca and Triphammer malls.
Homewood Suites by Hilton
Located at the Triphammer Mall.
Hampton Inn Ithaca
Downtown location, newly built.
Hilton Garden Inn
Relatively new hotel off of The Commons.
Country Inn & Suites
Near Ithaca College on South Hill.
Hotel Ithaca
Near The Commons and close to everything downtown.
For a complete list including inns and B&B’s, please visit Visitithaca.com.
Restaurants
The following scale is per person for dinner with an appetizer, entrée, dessert and beverage plus tax and gratuity. Some of the restaurants have lighter fare as well; please call ahead to get exact estimates.
$$$$ – $50+
$$$ – $30+
$$ – $20+
$ – $15+
Heights Cafe & Grill
$$$$
Cayuga Heights/Corners Community
One of Ithaca’s most upscale restaurants with an extensive wine list.
Moosewood Restaurant
$$
Downtown/Commons Area
If you don’t know of this vegetarian restaurant by its world-famous cookbook, definitely you will remember forever after you taste the terrific food.
Maxie’s Supper Club and Oyster Bar
$$/$$$
Downtown/Route 13
Cajun menu with all the frills. Don’t forget your colorful beads when you walk into Maxie’s.
Taste of Thai
$$
Commons
Best place to eat wonderfully prepared Thai food that is priced just right and in a great location on The Commons to boot.
The Boatyard Grill
$$/$$$
On the Inlet
Comfort food with a twist. The Boatyard has one of the more beautiful views in Ithaca.
Glenwood Pines
$/$$
Route 89
Overlooking the lake and very casual.
Ithaca Bakery
$
Downtown/Route 13
Gourmet deli and bakery.
Viva Taqueria
$/$$
Commons
Good healthy Mexican food in a fun atmosphere with margaritas, of course.
For a complete list, please go to VisitIthaca.com.
4
hours to New York City, Philadelphia, and Toronto
5 1/2
hours to Boston and Montreal
6
hours to Washington, DC
A Sampling of National Accolades
- “The 10 Best Small Cities for Educated Millennials” Business Insider
- “The Best College Towns for Students” The Fiscal Times
- “10 Best Wine Travel Destinations” Wine Enthusiast Magazine
- “I Heart My City: Alizés Ithaca” National Geographic
- “The 16 Greatest Places to Live in America” Outside Magazine
- “Top 5 College Towns in the Country” Travelers Today
- “How well do you really know Ithaca?” by The Ithaca Voice
At Cornell Law’s first-ever Private Sector Networking Event, 1L students met with representatives from over 30 law firms to explore careers, ask questions, and make early professional connections.
🎥 See how the event helped our students take their first steps toward future legal careers.
Nov 13
Veterans Day reminds us to thank those who served. At Cornell Law, our students do more than thank; they act. Through the Veterans Law Practicum, they provide free legal support to veterans in need year-round.
With a recent $250,000 loss in VA funding, your support is more critical than ever.
With your help, we can keep this lifeline open and ensure no veteran faces their legal battles alone.
Your gift today will:
• Fund more staff attorneys and summer fellows to extend our impact all year long
• Provide greater financial stability to pursue higher-impact litigation that protects veterans’ rights”
To join our efforts, visit the link in our bio.
#CornellLaw
#CornellLawClinics
Nov 11
“Looking back at law school, the Clinic is the most meaningful thing I did personally and professionally. The Clinic takes on so many different things, from litigation to policy work to research, that it provides a really broad view of what you can do with a law degree and all the good you can do.”
Cornell First Amendment Clinic alum, Connor Flannery ’23, describes how Cornell’s First Amendment Clinic helped to shape his law career. He is pictured here alongside Heather Murray, Managing Attorney of the Cornell Local Journalism Project, Paula Knudsen Burke, Local Legal Initiative Attorney for the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, and Diane Siegel Danoff, a partner at Dechert LLP.
You can help more students to gain transformative legal experience by supporting the 1A clinic today. Throughout the month of November, our entire law school community is joining forces to support the Clinic’s vital work through a crowdfunding project.
To join our efforts, visit the link in our bio.
#CornellLawClinics #CornellLaw
Nov 10
👻🎃 Halloween fun at Cornell Law School! Our community came together for the annual Trick-or-Treat event, with costumes, candy, and plenty of smiles. Thanks to everyone who joined in the Halloween spirit! 🕸️🍬
Oct 31
The Cornell University campus was glowing in its final shades of red and gold yesterday. 🍁 Catch the fall colors around Cornell Law before they disappear! #IthacaIsGorges #CornellLaw
📸: @oferleshed
Oct 30
Here`s to Legal Information Institute on its 33rd anniversary! 🎉 The CLS community celebrated with a sweet gathering featuring cake and cupcakes.
Oct 23
Take a pause, breathe in the crisp Ithaca air, and enjoy some well-deserved downtime. Happy fall break, Cornell Law!
Oct 10
Admissions Open House was a success today! Thinking of applying to Cornell Law School? We encourage you to check out our website and keep an eye out for future events like this one!
Oct 7
Arguably the prettiest time of the year in Central, NY and at Cornell Law!🍂☀️
Tag us in YOUR fall photos!
Oct 2
With the first official day of fall right around the corner, the Public Service Faculty Committee, and the Public Interest Law Union, treated our students to some yummy treats before a leisurely walk down to Beebe Lake! Nice opportunity for our students to take in the beautiful fall scenery of Ithaca, NY and to get a nice break from all the law school books and studying!📚🍂
Sep 17
Tonight our students were able to socialize with their fellow classmates, as well as the Dean’s Advisory Council, for the first social mixer of the year! Here at Cornell Law, we are always providing our students with opportunities to network and grow on their journey to becoming lawyers in the best sense!
Sep 12
With the first week of classes well underway now, we wanted to say welcome again to all our new and returning students. We’re so excited to have students back on campus! Let’s make this year a special one!
1st picture: J.D. Class of 2028
2nd picture: LL.M. Class of 2026
Aug 27