Whether returning for a nostalgic visit or visiting a current student, here’s how to take a memorable trip to the Ithaca-Cortland Region:
Get Cozy in the Ithaca Winter
Start the getaway with a guided premium cider tasting at South Hill Cider, just outside Downtown Ithaca. Since 2003, South Hill Cider has been crafting elegant and complex ciders from apples from its on-site orchard. Pair it with housemade snacks or a cheese and charcuterie board featuring locally sourced ingredients and regional cheeses.
A short drive away, check in to LaTourelle Hotel, with 70 acres of rambling grounds, a blazing fireplace, and bar featuring local beverages in the lobby waiting upon arrival. Many of La Tourelle’s rooms boast their own wood-burning fireplaces and luxurious beds for next-level wintertime coziness.
Head into town for an upscale dinner at Mia Tapas Bar on the Ithaca Commons. Mia serves elevated and inventive Pan-Asian cuisine using traditional cooking techniques and offers many gluten-free and vegetarian options.
Make the Drive From Ithaca to Cortland
Indulge in a memorable and hearty breakfast at The Bistro at La Tourelle. The restaurant is housed in a farmhouse dating back to the 1700s and focuses on fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from preferred vendors throughout the Finger Lakes. The French toast made with Ithaca Bakery oatmeal bread is not to be missed!
After fueling up, take a short drive to Cortland for some skiing. Choose downhill skiing at Greek Peak Mountain Resort, central New York’s largest ski resort, or cross-country skiing at Lime Hollow Nature Center. Immerse yourself in nature on one of their 12 miles of scenic and serene trails on 592 acres of natural land.
After an active morning, head to lunch at Hairy Tony’s in Downtown Cortland, where you’ll find a classic gastropub serving seasonal comfort food. Take a fascinating tour of Cortland’s famed 1890s House Museum, the imposing Victorian home of Chester F. Wickwire and his family, where visitors can step back in time and experience what daily life was like for both the family and the servants living and working in the home.
Head Back From Cortland to Ithaca
Spend a cozy cocktail hour at Bar Argos in the beautiful Argos Inn, whose building dates back to the 1830s. Choose one of their meticulously crafted inventive cocktails rated on a “scale of weirdness” from “colloquial” to “delightfully unusual” to “what?!” Head to dinner at Ithaca’s famed Moosewood Restaurant, the revolutionary vegetarian restaurant that recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Visit Cornell and Discover the Newman Overlook
The next day, treat yourself to brunch at Simeon’s American Bistro, an upscale destination for brunch on the Ithaca Commons, where you can order fresh oysters or a seafood tower alongside classic brunch options.
Bundle up and take a chilly stroll through the winter gardens at the Cornell Botanic Gardens. Be sure to make your way to the Newman Overlook, one of the highest points of the Cornell campus, to appreciate the arboretum's landscape, which was carved by Fall Creek’s waters more than 10,000 years ago!
Head to Ithaca Bakery for lunch, a much-loved institution that students, locals, and visitors love. The bakery has crafted artisan breads, bagels, and sweets for over 100 years. A trip to the Finger Lakes isn’t complete without a winery visit. Before departing, stop by Sheldrake Point Winery on the west side of Cayuga Lake. Sheldrake boasts a serious commitment to quality and a sense of place, proving cool climate wines (hello, Riesling!) do age well!