Guidebook for Ithaca
Essentials
P&C Fresh - Ithaca
315 Pine Tree RdSuper friendly, family-owned grocery
Food Scene
Agava Restaurant
381 Pine Tree RdExcellent pizzas, farm to table, bar, fills up by 5:30
Coal Yard Cafe
143 Maple AveGreat place to have breakfast and easy to walk to.
Secondary location of good sandwich shop in mall next to P&C Fresh groceries and East Hill Antiques.
110 locals recommend
Collegetown Bagels
420 College AveSecondary location of good sandwich shop in mall next to P&C Fresh groceries and East Hill Antiques.
The Taproom restaurant at the Ithaca Beer Co. has fantastic burgers and pizza and you can order flights of interesting beers. It gets crowded and if off the beaten path, but on a nice day if you show up early, it's fun.
160 locals recommend
Ithaca Beer Co.
122 Ithaca Beer DrThe Taproom restaurant at the Ithaca Beer Co. has fantastic burgers and pizza and you can order flights of interesting beers. It gets crowded and if off the beaten path, but on a nice day if you show up early, it's fun.
Great Cornell Ice Cream and coffee! Good place to stop if you've been walking around Cornell and it's hot. There is a parking lot across the street with Parkmobile. Somewhat odd hours so check online.
16 locals recommend
Cornell Dairy Bar
411 Tower RdGreat Cornell Ice Cream and coffee! Good place to stop if you've been walking around Cornell and it's hot. There is a parking lot across the street with Parkmobile. Somewhat odd hours so check online.
Nice people with fantastic ribs. Small place so I like to get them to go. Just off the commons.
Gateway BBQ Kitchen
401 E State StNice people with fantastic ribs. Small place so I like to get them to go. Just off the commons.
Aladdins Natural Eatery
100 Dryden RdGreat souvlaki and greek salad. Easily walkable from the house.
Good burgers and salads in a good location in a place with a good pub feel. The place turns into a rowdy bar at night, so better to go early if you just want to eat.
6 locals recommend
Rulloff's Restaurant
411 College AveGood burgers and salads in a good location in a place with a good pub feel. The place turns into a rowdy bar at night, so better to go early if you just want to eat.
Delicious food and drinks with a thoughtful, food-to-table vibe. The bacon wrapped dates are amazing. Burgers always good, but a bit rarer than most places, so order medium-well if you just want a little pink.
58 locals recommend
The Rook
404 W State StDelicious food and drinks with a thoughtful, food-to-table vibe. The bacon wrapped dates are amazing. Burgers always good, but a bit rarer than most places, so order medium-well if you just want a little pink.
May be the best restaurant in town. Price is higher than most but you get what you pay for. It's on a street with many other restaurants and a nice "sit-outside" vibe in warmer weather just off the commons.
40 locals recommend
Mercato
108 N Aurora StMay be the best restaurant in town. Price is higher than most but you get what you pay for. It's on a street with many other restaurants and a nice "sit-outside" vibe in warmer weather just off the commons.
Sandwiches and beer -- can sit outside. This location in Collegetown is easily walkable from the house.
110 locals recommend
Collegetown Bagels
420 College AveSandwiches and beer -- can sit outside. This location in Collegetown is easily walkable from the house.
Sightseeing
Rite Aid
2309 N Triphammer RdWednesdays after work -- local produce, baked goods, music
Parks & Nature
It's great and has a fun playground! Here is the Zillow data on it: http://www.zillow.com/ithaca-ny/schools/belle-sherman-school-51612/
Belle Sherman Elementary School
501 Mitchell StreetIt's great and has a fun playground! Here is the Zillow data on it: http://www.zillow.com/ithaca-ny/schools/belle-sherman-school-51612/
Recently renovated trail which follows stone steps down into the gorge. Fun way to walk to downtown restaurants if you want to get steps in, hitting the trail behind Schwartz Theatre, across from Collegetown Bagels. Also, the other direction, a great way to walk to Cornell when it is not winter -- follow Elmwood Ave north into the gorge and you come up on Hoy Road near Engineering, Hotel, and Gates hall.
128 locals recommend
Cascadilla Gorge Trail
Cascadilla Gorge TrailRecently renovated trail which follows stone steps down into the gorge. Fun way to walk to downtown restaurants if you want to get steps in, hitting the trail behind Schwartz Theatre, across from Collegetown Bagels. Also, the other direction, a great way to walk to Cornell when it is not winter -- follow Elmwood Ave north into the gorge and you come up on Hoy Road near Engineering, Hotel, and Gates hall.
Shopping
East Hill Antiques
335A Pine Tree RdEver changing mix of cool things
Arts & Culture
Johnson Museum of Art
114 Central AveGreat art and views far above Cayuga's waters
Getting Around
Great shows and bus stop to get downtown on TCAT system. And behind the theatre is the entrance to the gorge to walk downtown (~30 minute walk).
Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts
430 College AveGreat shows and bus stop to get downtown on TCAT system. And behind the theatre is the entrance to the gorge to walk downtown (~30 minute walk).
Behind this house is the entrance to the gorge trail that goes across the gorge and into the Cornell campus. It has a nice bridge and is a well-maintained mini-hike.
409 Elmwood Ave
409 Elmwood AvenueBehind this house is the entrance to the gorge trail that goes across the gorge and into the Cornell campus. It has a nice bridge and is a well-maintained mini-hike.