Guidebook to Ithaca and the Local Area
Food scene
Great local restaurant 12 minutes away in Trumansburg. The menu is constantly changing with the seasons (menu online) and the food is terrific. Call ahead for reservations.
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Hazelnut Kitchen
53 E Main StGreat local restaurant 12 minutes away in Trumansburg. The menu is constantly changing with the seasons (menu online) and the food is terrific. Call ahead for reservations.
This is a nice restaurant for brunch and dinner on the Commons. They have outdoor seating during summer months and a nice atmosphere.
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Mahogany Grill
112 N Aurora StThis is a nice restaurant for brunch and dinner on the Commons. They have outdoor seating during summer months and a nice atmosphere.
A very small and popular restaurant on the Commons so call ahead! Terrific food prepared in your view by excellent chefs. Great charcuterie board!
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Mercato
108 N Aurora StA very small and popular restaurant on the Commons so call ahead! Terrific food prepared in your view by excellent chefs. Great charcuterie board!
Located in the Dewitt Mall across from the Commons, this is a well known vegetarian/vegan restaurant which has published several popular cookbooks.
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Moosewood Restaurant
215 N Cayuga StLocated in the Dewitt Mall across from the Commons, this is a well known vegetarian/vegan restaurant which has published several popular cookbooks.
Simeon's is a restaurant that has stood the test of time. Excellent food, atmosphere, and service. Located on the corner of the Commons, call ahead for reservations. Bar can be crowded on weekends.
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Ithaca Commons
171 E M.L.K. Jr. StSimeon's is a restaurant that has stood the test of time. Excellent food, atmosphere, and service. Located on the corner of the Commons, call ahead for reservations. Bar can be crowded on weekends.
This is a wonderful little retro bowling alley and family restaurant with a great local reputation. I've yet to be able to get in for dinner! Call ahead to see if they have an opening as I hear its not to be missed. Five minutes away in Trumansburg (also referred to as T-burg locally.)
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Atlas Bowl
61 W Main StThis is a wonderful little retro bowling alley and family restaurant with a great local reputation. I've yet to be able to get in for dinner! Call ahead to see if they have an opening as I hear its not to be missed. Five minutes away in Trumansburg (also referred to as T-burg locally.)
If you love Austrian and Northern European food, you'll love Dano's. The restaurant is in a lovely setting overlooking Seneca Lake right on 414, and is usually open for lunch as well as dinner. The restaurant continues to hold its spectacular ratings through the years. Try the schnitzel and spaetzle with a glass of beer or the roast pork platter which just falls off the bone! They also offer gluten free and vegan dishes. Call ahead to make sure you can be seated!
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Dano's Heuriger On Seneca
9564 NY-414If you love Austrian and Northern European food, you'll love Dano's. The restaurant is in a lovely setting overlooking Seneca Lake right on 414, and is usually open for lunch as well as dinner. The restaurant continues to hold its spectacular ratings through the years. Try the schnitzel and spaetzle with a glass of beer or the roast pork platter which just falls off the bone! They also offer gluten free and vegan dishes. Call ahead to make sure you can be seated!
The best Thai restaurant in town! They also have an express takeout closer to Meadow Street, so check them both out! Their shrimp dishes are terrific.
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Taste of Thai
216 E State StThe best Thai restaurant in town! They also have an express takeout closer to Meadow Street, so check them both out! Their shrimp dishes are terrific.
The Tamarind offers Korean dishes as well as Thai and is a local favorite. Worth checking out.
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Tamarind Thai Restaurant
503 N Meadow StThe Tamarind offers Korean dishes as well as Thai and is a local favorite. Worth checking out.
The BEST grocery store locally. If they don't have it, you don't need it! They carry a full array of international products, deli, cheese and bakery sections and have superb customer service. They offer so many prepared food items you need to check their website - which also offers home delivery. Or go yourself so you can check out what they have to offer. Recommend going before noon.
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Wegmans
500 S Meadow StThe BEST grocery store locally. If they don't have it, you don't need it! They carry a full array of international products, deli, cheese and bakery sections and have superb customer service. They offer so many prepared food items you need to check their website - which also offers home delivery. Or go yourself so you can check out what they have to offer. Recommend going before noon.
Good local market for meats - especially their home made sausage - yum! Only 7 minutes away on Rte 96 just outside Trumansburg. Produce is not always as fresh as you'd like so you may want to stop at Brownie's veggie stand on Rte 96 on the way home for that.
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Shur-save
2085 NY-96Good local market for meats - especially their home made sausage - yum! Only 7 minutes away on Rte 96 just outside Trumansburg. Produce is not always as fresh as you'd like so you may want to stop at Brownie's veggie stand on Rte 96 on the way home for that.
This diner has been in place for ages and is the "go to" place for locals looking for a good, quick, and inexpensive breakfast. It's 8 minutes from the apt if you don't feel like cooking. Service has always been pleasant and reasonably fast if you want to get on the road.
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The State Diner
428 W State StThis diner has been in place for ages and is the "go to" place for locals looking for a good, quick, and inexpensive breakfast. It's 8 minutes from the apt if you don't feel like cooking. Service has always been pleasant and reasonably fast if you want to get on the road.
Neighborhoods
There are 3 great gift stores worth visiting onf the Commons - 15 Steps, American Crafts, and Handwork (which is just across N Cayuga St. from the west end of the Commons), a number of very nice restaurants can be found all in a row on the east end by S. Aurora St. Very good smaller restaurants are just off the Commons crossing over Cayuga St past Handworks (Gorgers makes a great Philly cheese). The center of the Commons has quirky little shops like the Mockingjay stationary store for terrific cards and paper goods; Ithaca Sheepskin for hats, mittens, etc.; 1 World Market; and the teeny Tibet Store which is always fun to poke around in as you can only crush in 3 people at a time. The Commons also has Autumn Leaves which is a used book store where you always find something interesting for vacation reading.
If you head north from the Commons along Cayuga St, you will find more interesting shops along the way to the tiny Dewitt Mall which houses Moosewood restaurant, The Cat's Pajamas - a children's toy store, and Buffalo St. Books as well as other tiny shops. Take your time and go on foot after using a nearby parking garage so you really get to see the area.
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Ithaca
There are 3 great gift stores worth visiting onf the Commons - 15 Steps, American Crafts, and Handwork (which is just across N Cayuga St. from the west end of the Commons), a number of very nice restaurants can be found all in a row on the east end by S. Aurora St. Very good smaller restaurants are just off the Commons crossing over Cayuga St past Handworks (Gorgers makes a great Philly cheese). The center of the Commons has quirky little shops like the Mockingjay stationary store for terrific cards and paper goods; Ithaca Sheepskin for hats, mittens, etc.; 1 World Market; and the teeny Tibet Store which is always fun to poke around in as you can only crush in 3 people at a time. The Commons also has Autumn Leaves which is a used book store where you always find something interesting for vacation reading.
If you head north from the Commons along Cayuga St, you will find more interesting shops along the way to the tiny Dewitt Mall which houses Moosewood restaurant, The Cat's Pajamas - a children's toy store, and Buffalo St. Books as well as other tiny shops. Take your time and go on foot after using a nearby parking garage so you really get to see the area.
City/town information
The town of Corning is about a 50 to 60 minute drive to the west and boasts the largest glass museum in the world! This is a must see while in the area. Your ticket into the museum also pays for shuttle rides to the Rockwell Western Art Museum (also free on your Corning Glass ticket) and their downtown Commons shopping area. The Commons has an historic ice cream parlor, usually outdoor music, glass galleries and wonderful shops. It's a great outing for the day. Plan to spend money in the Corning Glass sales room!
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Corning
The town of Corning is about a 50 to 60 minute drive to the west and boasts the largest glass museum in the world! This is a must see while in the area. Your ticket into the museum also pays for shuttle rides to the Rockwell Western Art Museum (also free on your Corning Glass ticket) and their downtown Commons shopping area. The Commons has an historic ice cream parlor, usually outdoor music, glass galleries and wonderful shops. It's a great outing for the day. Plan to spend money in the Corning Glass sales room!
Forty minutes to the west on Rte 79, Watkins Glen has always been well known for its gorge and local scenic beauty, and used to have a large spa called the Glen Springs Sanitarium in the early 1900's. Unfortunately, tourism has risen to such an extent that it rather spoils the gorge experience during the peak summer holiday months, but may be worth it if you enjoy hiking (832 steps to the top) and are patient with crowds, or are here during the fall. The town has grown to accommodate tourism in the last 15 years and has some interesting shops on the main street. Be sure to visit Wags to Riches which is a sweet little shop whose sole mission is to fund the local animal shelter. Watkins is also home to car racing (locals tend to avoid the area during large events as the town is blocked with traffic). If you'd like to attend the races in the future, book a year in advance!
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Watkins Glen
Forty minutes to the west on Rte 79, Watkins Glen has always been well known for its gorge and local scenic beauty, and used to have a large spa called the Glen Springs Sanitarium in the early 1900's. Unfortunately, tourism has risen to such an extent that it rather spoils the gorge experience during the peak summer holiday months, but may be worth it if you enjoy hiking (832 steps to the top) and are patient with crowds, or are here during the fall. The town has grown to accommodate tourism in the last 15 years and has some interesting shops on the main street. Be sure to visit Wags to Riches which is a sweet little shop whose sole mission is to fund the local animal shelter. Watkins is also home to car racing (locals tend to avoid the area during large events as the town is blocked with traffic). If you'd like to attend the races in the future, book a year in advance!
Montour Falls is a lovely little town 45 minutes to the west of us and just south of Watkins Glen on Rte 414. It's worth seeing, and if you watch the Hallmark channel you may recognize the main street which ends in a beautiful waterfall, as it has been used when filming the Aurora Teagarden series! The main street is growing and has an interesting stroll toward the falls. Their local library is historic and worth popping your head into for a quick look.
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Montour Falls
Montour Falls is a lovely little town 45 minutes to the west of us and just south of Watkins Glen on Rte 414. It's worth seeing, and if you watch the Hallmark channel you may recognize the main street which ends in a beautiful waterfall, as it has been used when filming the Aurora Teagarden series! The main street is growing and has an interesting stroll toward the falls. Their local library is historic and worth popping your head into for a quick look.
An hour up the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake, you will have a great day trip as the pastoral scenery along the way is lush and green. Their main street has lots of stores to poke around in and is located right on the waterfront. Take the mail boat for a tour of the old summer "cottages" on the lake shore, once built by wealthy NYC residents who traveled up in their private rail cars for the summer. The Mirbeau Inn and Spa is a big resort favorite here and the local posh Krebs Restaurant has terrific ratings for a special night (must have reservations).
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Skaneateles
An hour up the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake, you will have a great day trip as the pastoral scenery along the way is lush and green. Their main street has lots of stores to poke around in and is located right on the waterfront. Take the mail boat for a tour of the old summer "cottages" on the lake shore, once built by wealthy NYC residents who traveled up in their private rail cars for the summer. The Mirbeau Inn and Spa is a big resort favorite here and the local posh Krebs Restaurant has terrific ratings for a special night (must have reservations).
Winery/brewery
If you'd like a comprehensive tour of a long established and major winery (which also has a brewery and a great family restaurant overlooking Seneca Lake), this is the place! One of the first family wineries in the area this has great views while dining, and is easy to find on Rte 414 about 40 minutes west of the apartment. They carry a wide variety of wines and beer to sample and buy.
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Wagner Vineyards Estate Winery
9322 New York 414If you'd like a comprehensive tour of a long established and major winery (which also has a brewery and a great family restaurant overlooking Seneca Lake), this is the place! One of the first family wineries in the area this has great views while dining, and is easy to find on Rte 414 about 40 minutes west of the apartment. They carry a wide variety of wines and beer to sample and buy.
Forty minutes away, this distillery has a great reputation locally. It is located on Rte 414 which borders the eastern shore of Seneca Lake. The entire 414 route between Watkins Glen and Geneva is loaded with winery after winery and offers a few local eateries as well.
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Finger Lakes Distilling
4676 NY-414Forty minutes away, this distillery has a great reputation locally. It is located on Rte 414 which borders the eastern shore of Seneca Lake. The entire 414 route between Watkins Glen and Geneva is loaded with winery after winery and offers a few local eateries as well.
I've yet to go, but its known locally as a place worth visiting and is 15 minutes up the road on Rte 96 North.
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Finger Lakes Cider House
4017 Hickok RdI've yet to go, but its known locally as a place worth visiting and is 15 minutes up the road on Rte 96 North.
Just 5 minutes down the hill off of Floral Ave., this establishment has a good reputation for food as well as beer. Call ahead to check their seasonal hours of service.
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Ithaca Beer Co.
122 Ithaca Beer DrJust 5 minutes down the hill off of Floral Ave., this establishment has a good reputation for food as well as beer. Call ahead to check their seasonal hours of service.
A small winery with a great reputation. It's located on the Seneca Wine Trail on Route 414 which is on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake about 6 miles south of the town of Lodi.
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Shalestone Vineyards
9681 NY-414A small winery with a great reputation. It's located on the Seneca Wine Trail on Route 414 which is on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake about 6 miles south of the town of Lodi.
Standing Stone also has a great reputation for a variety of well made wines. Again, it is located right on the Seneca Wine Trail on Rte 414 on the east shore of Seneca Lake.
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Standing Stone Vineyards
9934 NY-414Standing Stone also has a great reputation for a variety of well made wines. Again, it is located right on the Seneca Wine Trail on Rte 414 on the east shore of Seneca Lake.
Hazlitt's was one of the first wineries established in this area by Jerry and Elaine Hazlitt, but the family has been farming grapes forever. A popular winery with the younger set because of their friendly attitude and the variety of wines to suit every taste.
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Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards
5712 NY-414Hazlitt's was one of the first wineries established in this area by Jerry and Elaine Hazlitt, but the family has been farming grapes forever. A popular winery with the younger set because of their friendly attitude and the variety of wines to suit every taste.
Sightseeing
Cornell University was founded as an agricultural college and its botanical gardens have plant material gathered from all over the world since the University's inception. While the gardens and arboretum are lovely, it's also a teaching laboratory for students and all trees and herbaceous plants have the Latin and common names on metal tags should you want to brush up on your plant knowledge! There is a nice gift shop at the Neville Center and across that street is a terrific vegetable garden that is also a treat to visit its so beautifully laid out. Grab a map of the campus from any campus street kiosk to help you negotiate the campus. This is about a 15 minute drive away - use GPS for shortcuts.
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Cornell Botanic Gardens
124 Comstock Knoll DrCornell University was founded as an agricultural college and its botanical gardens have plant material gathered from all over the world since the University's inception. While the gardens and arboretum are lovely, it's also a teaching laboratory for students and all trees and herbaceous plants have the Latin and common names on metal tags should you want to brush up on your plant knowledge! There is a nice gift shop at the Neville Center and across that street is a terrific vegetable garden that is also a treat to visit its so beautifully laid out. Grab a map of the campus from any campus street kiosk to help you negotiate the campus. This is about a 15 minute drive away - use GPS for shortcuts.
The Johnson Museum was designed by architect I.M. Pei and usually has a revolving collection to keep things interesting. The views from the top floor are spectacular and may even give you a little vertigo! Go early to avoid parking issues and take a minute to see the Japanese style garden around the back and under the building.
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Johnson Museum of Art
114 Central AveThe Johnson Museum was designed by architect I.M. Pei and usually has a revolving collection to keep things interesting. The views from the top floor are spectacular and may even give you a little vertigo! Go early to avoid parking issues and take a minute to see the Japanese style garden around the back and under the building.
For a small museum this has a lot of interesting bits and bobs. The lowest level holds a mastodon found in NY state. As you wind your way down the stairs, the museum exhibition travels through geologic time. There may be a volunteer working on fossils in the entrance area and they have a small shop which sells science related toys and fossils. Five minutes away on Rte 96.
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Museum of the Earth
1259 Trumansburg RdFor a small museum this has a lot of interesting bits and bobs. The lowest level holds a mastodon found in NY state. As you wind your way down the stairs, the museum exhibition travels through geologic time. There may be a volunteer working on fossils in the entrance area and they have a small shop which sells science related toys and fossils. Five minutes away on Rte 96.
Sapsucker Woods is easily accessible and is the best place in the area for bird watching at all times of the year. They provide the public with lectures, teaching materials and have art displays of ornithological illustrations that are world class. Their sales room carries lenses, binoculars, books, toys, birdhouses, etc. You can sit in their glass lobby during all months of the year and watch the birds on the pond using their telescopes, or take one of their many bird watching trails dotted with comfortable resting areas. Plenty of parking. A nice quiet way to spend time out of doors. Their photographs do not do it justice. Twenty minutes away.
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Sapsucker Woods
159 Sapsucker Woods RdSapsucker Woods is easily accessible and is the best place in the area for bird watching at all times of the year. They provide the public with lectures, teaching materials and have art displays of ornithological illustrations that are world class. Their sales room carries lenses, binoculars, books, toys, birdhouses, etc. You can sit in their glass lobby during all months of the year and watch the birds on the pond using their telescopes, or take one of their many bird watching trails dotted with comfortable resting areas. Plenty of parking. A nice quiet way to spend time out of doors. Their photographs do not do it justice. Twenty minutes away.
ITHACA FARMER'S MARKET: This has been a local draw for many years and is a place to see and be seen by other locals. It can be very crowded along the walkway as people catch up on news and block the boardwalk but it also has a lot of nifty local crafts and fresh and prepared foods for sale. Parking can also be annoying unless you arrive at 8:45 just prior to opening.
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Ithaca Farmers Market
545 3rd StITHACA FARMER'S MARKET: This has been a local draw for many years and is a place to see and be seen by other locals. It can be very crowded along the walkway as people catch up on news and block the boardwalk but it also has a lot of nifty local crafts and fresh and prepared foods for sale. Parking can also be annoying unless you arrive at 8:45 just prior to opening.
For history buffs, this is the last residence of Harriet Tubman and was reportedly used as part of the underground railroad. Call ahead for visiting times. It's on the way to Skaneateles lake about an hour north on the east shore of Cayuga lake so you can combine it with other sightseeing.
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Harriet Tubman Home
180 South StFor history buffs, this is the last residence of Harriet Tubman and was reportedly used as part of the underground railroad. Call ahead for visiting times. It's on the way to Skaneateles lake about an hour north on the east shore of Cayuga lake so you can combine it with other sightseeing.
The famous quirky housewares company originated here along the east shore of Cayuga Lake. The factory and showroom are open to the public and are located on beautiful grounds. They have a bed and breakfast decorated with their products open for viewing and their gardens are lovely. Its right along the way to Skaneateles Lake.
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MacKenzie-Childs - Aurora, NY
3260 NY-90The famous quirky housewares company originated here along the east shore of Cayuga Lake. The factory and showroom are open to the public and are located on beautiful grounds. They have a bed and breakfast decorated with their products open for viewing and their gardens are lovely. Its right along the way to Skaneateles Lake.
Waterfall hiking
Close to our location (use your GPS for back roads), this is a lovely, shady park with a public swimming area and pavillions. The historic water mill may be open during peak season, but hiking alone is a pleasant experience.
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Park stanowy Treman
105 Enfield Falls RdClose to our location (use your GPS for back roads), this is a lovely, shady park with a public swimming area and pavillions. The historic water mill may be open during peak season, but hiking alone is a pleasant experience.
You can have a pleasant 1.5 mile RT walk on a wide gravel path through the woods which follows the riverbed to the base of the falls, or choose a more aerobic hike along the harder upper trails. This is really a "must see" while you're here as the falls are higher than Niagara though they have much less water flow in full summer. The park extends across the street to the lake front which offers lake swimming with a lifeguard. Parking may have increased from $5. It takes about 15 minutes total from here.
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Park stanowy Taughannock Falls
1740 Taughannock BlvdYou can have a pleasant 1.5 mile RT walk on a wide gravel path through the woods which follows the riverbed to the base of the falls, or choose a more aerobic hike along the harder upper trails. This is really a "must see" while you're here as the falls are higher than Niagara though they have much less water flow in full summer. The park extends across the street to the lake front which offers lake swimming with a lifeguard. Parking may have increased from $5. It takes about 15 minutes total from here.
Pretty spectacular and provides a hefty workout up the trail. About 10 minutes away by car off Rte 13 at the south end of town.
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Buttermilk Falls State Park
Pretty spectacular and provides a hefty workout up the trail. About 10 minutes away by car off Rte 13 at the south end of town.
Really pretty little falls at the end of Fall Street in downtown Ithaca. Parking available a short walk away.
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Naturalny obszar Ithaca Falls
Lake StreetReally pretty little falls at the end of Fall Street in downtown Ithaca. Parking available a short walk away.
Popular with local joggers, bikers and dog walkers, it borders the upper rim trails of Taughannock State Park and provides nice views along a fairly level path. The trail is just past the upper entrance to Taughannock State Park on the left as you pass over the river. One of my favorite walks in the area.
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Black Diamond Trail
Black Diamond TrailPopular with local joggers, bikers and dog walkers, it borders the upper rim trails of Taughannock State Park and provides nice views along a fairly level path. The trail is just past the upper entrance to Taughannock State Park on the left as you pass over the river. One of my favorite walks in the area.
Porady dla podróżnych
Poruszanie się po okolicy
Traffic safety issues
During the academic year the population in Ithaca doubles and we have a lot of drivers in the area who either do not know driving laws or are on their phones. NEVER proceed through a green light without checking for oncoming traffic first which may blow through a red light at full speed; and look for people stepping in front of your vehicle even though the pedestrian light is against them. Be a very defensive driver while in Ithaca. Street parking is annoying and I recommend a parking garage near the Commons for trouble free access to local shops.
Co spakować
Packing for weather
If you'd like to contact me prior to packing I will give you an extended local forecast. I'd pop an umbrella in the car just in case and bring a variety of tops as the weather warms during the day. We can swing from 60 to 90 degrees in a day's time.
Zarezerwuj, zanim wyruszysz
restaurant reservations and crowded venues
If you intend to visit the Farmers Market be forewarned that it is extremely crowded and arrive early for parking.
While I've listed several sites and restaurants you may want to visit, please always double check to see if they are open on the day you want to visit/ have dinner and always make a reservation to be safe so you don't get stuck when you're "hangry"!
Jak zaoszczędzić
Coupon books
In order to promote shopping in small businesses, there are coupon books available at local stores (I believe for $15) that offer discounts locally. I'd check the book to see if it is worth while prior to purchase.