Whether returning for a nostalgic visit or visiting a current student here’s how to take a memorable trip to the Ithaca-Cortland Region:

Day 1

Start the getaway off right with a guided premium cider tasting at South Hill Cider just outside of downtown Ithaca. South Hill Cider has been crafting elegant and complex ciders crafted from apples from their onsite orchard since 2003. Pair it with housemade snacks or 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 with many gluten-free and vegetarian options.

Day 2

Indulge in a truly memorable and hearty breakfast at The Bistro at La Tourelle. Located on the property, the bistro 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 located 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. 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.

Day 3

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 landscape of the arboretum which was carved by Fall Creek’s waters beginning more than 10,000 years ago. Head to Ithaca Bakery for lunch, a much loved institution in Ithaca loved by students, locals, and visitors alike. The bakery has been crafting artisan breads, bagels and sweets for more than 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 sense of place, proving cool climate wines (hello Riesling!) do age well.