What to do in The Finger Lakes

Eat

July is blueberry season! Check out the U-picks in the area. Our dear friends, Pat and Karen own Hillberry Farm, with the most delicious berries in the land.

If you need somewhere to go Saturday morning, GO TO THE ITHACA FARMERS MARKET to have your mind blown by the bounty that our local farmers and artists have to offer. The Khmer Angkor Cambodian food stall and Solaz for breakfast burritos are two of our favorites.

If you are looking to take a nice drive, The Finger Lakes Cider House, located at the Good Life Farm (a working organic farm and orchard) is a truly unique and delicious experience, with an entirely local menu. We love to go there and get a cheese plate and a cider tasting flight. 

Some of our other favorite local eateries:

- Gimme Coffee $

- The Westy  $

- Waffle Frolic $

- Lincoln Street Diner $ (classic greasy spoon diner. Sara's favorite spot in town. Not for vegetarians)

- Northstar House $$ (brunch and dinner)

- The Piggery $$ (amazing butcher shop that also has house-made hand pies and charcuterie. Their beef jerky is the best you will ever taste)

- Mia $$$

- Hazelnut Kitchen $$$ (a 20 minute drive from Ithaca, but worth it. Seasonal menu changes regularly and uses mostly local ingredients)

eat and hike

Ithaca and the Finger Lakes is the land of many trails. Check out the:

- Wine Trail

- Beer Trail

- Cider Trail

- Cheese Trail

be outside!

Our wedding site is in the heart of the Finger Lakes Emerald Necklace-- a series of natural areas with beautiful hiking trails. 

Ithaca is also famous for its gorges. Two of these-- Cascadilla Gorge and Fall Creek Gorge-- are walkable from downtown Ithaca.

Some of the most well-known and stunning walks are:

- Buttermilk Falls

- Taughannock Falls

- Shindagin Hollow (a 5 minute walk from our place)

You can also rent kayaks and paddle boards for use on Cayuga Lake from Puddledockers Kayak Shop on Buffalo Street.

shop around

Ithaca is full of cool shops and is very walkable. Check out:

- Press Bay Alley--> Bramble herbalist shop is here. All locally-made herbal products

- Autumn Leaves Bookstore and Angry Mom Records (in the basement)

- Dewitt Mall--> historic mall with great shops, including IthacaMade, with local crafts.

- Cornell Botanic Gardens