Favorite hidden gem: Cascadilla Creek Gorge Trail. This beautiful natural area is tucked right into the heart of downtown Ithaca, and it surprises you with its waterfalls along the ¾-mile walk. It’s closed during the winter, but once the snow melts, it offers a nice way to go from downtown to Cornell University.
Favorite hidden gem: The relatively new waterfront trail near Allen H. Treman State Marine Park. There is an opening with a bench where I can escape the hustle and bustle of daily life, find some solitude, and listen to the waves softly lap the shoreline. It’s different every time I visit because of the color of the sky, the wind speed and the seasonality that affects the flora and fauna, but gives me serenity every time I’m there.
Favorite hidden gem: The Dewitt Mall especially feels like a hidden gem in the winter, there’s something cozy and charming about stepping into the former school building to shop small. Just a block from the Commons, it continues to hold some of Ithaca’s iconic shops and co-ops.
