The Finger Lakes

Location:  1740 Taughannock Blvd, Trumansburg

Website:  NYS Parks • GoFingerLakes

Map:  Trail Map (pdf) • Ithaca Trails

One of our favorite parks, right here in Trumansburg! This New York State Park is located on the western shore of Cayuga Lake. The flat and short (0.9 miles) gorge trail leads to the base of a spectacular 215 foot single-drop waterfall (the tallest east of the Rocky Mountains). The North and South rim trails make a loop from the lakeside to the 100-foot tall Upper Falls and are connected by an old railroad bridge that crosses the creek. Both North and South Rim trails have steep portions by the Lake. The loop is 3 miles long and takes about 1.5 hours to hike. If hiking isn't your thing, there are parking lots a short walk from the Upper Falls and at an overlook on the North Rim for Taughannock Falls.

Location:  112 E Buttermilk Falls Rd, Ithaca

Website:  NYS Parks • GoFingerLakes

Map:  Trail Map (pdf) • Ithaca Trails

A NY State Park just outside of the City of Ithaca, with its namesake waterfall viewable from the parking lot. The scenic gorge trail (0.65 miles) works its way through a narrow gorge with smaller cascades to the Upper Park, where additional trails work their way through woodlands and around Lake Treman. Here you can connect with the long-distance Finger Lakes Trail (a 580-mile long trail connecting Allegheny State Park with the Catskills).

Location:  105 Enfield Falls Rd, Ithaca

Website:  NYS Parks • GoFingerLakes

Map:  Trail Map (pdf) • Ithaca Trails

Robert Treman State Park is home to Enfield Glen, which features two large waterfalls and many smaller cascades. The gorge trail (2.1 miles and steep in parts) makes its way through the narrow gorge and climbs the side of the 115-foot Lucifer Falls (also viewable from the rim trail). In the summer, the plunge pool at the base of the 70-foot Lower Falls is open for swimming.

Location:  1009 N Franklin St, Watkins Glen

Website:  NYS Parks • GoFingerLakes

Map:  Trail Map (pdf) • Park Map (pdf)

Located right in downtown Watkins Glen is one of most unique and top-rated state parks in the country. Glen Creek has carved a narrow gorge on its descent of 400 feet down to Seneca Lake. The gorge trail (1.5 miles with a long staircase at the upper end) winds its way next to, over, and even under 19 waterfalls as it makes its way through the deep gorge. The stone bridges and walkways carved into the 200 foot limestone cliffs, combined with the many cascades, has created a truly unique landscape.

Location:  Hector

Website:  USDA Forest Service • GoFingerLakes

Map:  Trail Map (pdf) • AllTrails

The Finger Lakes are home to New York's only National Forest, which is located along the "backbone" ridge between Cayuga and Seneca Lakes. The Forest has protected woodlands and open pastures, which are used for grazing cattle. The 11-mile Interloken Trail runs the entire N/S length of the Forest and connects with the Finger Lakes Trail. There is a developed campground as well as dispersed camp sites scattered throughout the Forest.

Location:  1 Townline Rd, Ithaca

Website:  Finger Lakes Land Trust • GoFingerLakes

Map:  Trail Map (pdf) • Ithaca Trails

The Sweedler and Thayer Preserves are two small parcels with about 2 miles of trails through a small gorge. The Thayer Preserve has a short loop trail (about 1 mile) that goes around a creek. The Sweedler Preserve has a trail that follows the creek through a gorge (about 0.3 miles), passing a few small waterfalls. It then switch backs down the side of the hill to the base of Lick Brook Falls (another 0.4 miles). There is also a parking lot at the bottom (along Route 13) closer to the base of the falls.

Location:  124 Comstock Knoll Dr, Ithaca

Website:  Cornell Botanic Gardens

Map:  Garden Map (pdf)

Located between Cornell campus and Fall Creek, the Botanic Garden consists of a small formal garden and a large arboretum, both of which are great for some easy walks and are free to visit. Situated near the Nevin Welcome Center are herb and flower gardens and a large rhododendron collection. The nearby Arboretum is home to many different species of trees and shrubs and also boasts a sculpture garden.

Location:  1 James L Gibbs Dr, Ithaca

Website:  City of Ithaca • Friends of Stewart Park

Map:  Google Maps (Stewart Park)

Located along the southern shore of Cayuga Lake, Stewart Park offers some nice walking paths, wooded nature trails, a newly-built playground, and sweeping views of Cayuga Lake and its surrounding hillsides. Stewart Park is the start of the Cayuga Waterfront Trail, a walking and biking trail that goes around the base of the Lake, passing through Steamboat Landing (the location of the weekend Ithaca Farmers' Market) and ending at Cass Park on the west side of Cayuga Lake.

Location:  4017 Hickok Rd, Interlaken

Website:  Finger Lakes Cider House

Great views of Cayuga Lake and ciders for everyone to enjoy. FLCH has a variety of ciders from sweet to done dry and delicious farm to table food to go with it (the cheese board is delicious!). They also serve fun non-alcoholic drinks and sell locally produced products in their store. There is plenty of outdoor space to enjoy when the weather is nice. They even have live music and fresh pizza on Fridays!

Location:  4675 E Seneca Rd, Trumansburg

Website:  Black Diamond Farm and Cider

A great apple orchard and cidery located right here in Trumansburg! Black Diamond has a wide selection of ciders, both still and sparkling, ranging from dry to semi-dry. They even have a few varietals, which are made from a single apple variety and highlight that variety's unique characteristics and flavor. The Cider Shack is open most weekends throughout the summer / fall season (check their website for details) and is situated in the middle of their orchard, which boasts over 100 varieties of apples and pears, many of which are rare, heirloom varieties. If you're interested in apple varieties, Ian is the man to talk to! If you can't make it to their farm, many of their bottles are available for sale at the T'burg Shur-Save.

Location:  550 Sandbank Rd, Ithaca

Website:  South Hill Cider

South Hill Cider can be found on Ithaca's South Hill. These ciders emphasize the unique characteristics of the land around us in the Finger Lakes. Many of the apples used to make their ciders are hand-foraged heirloom varieties from nearby abandoned apple orchards, including those found scattered throughout the Finger Lakes National Forest. Their tasting room offers guided tastings, a small food menu, and bucolic views from the top of South Hill. There is even a trail from the tasting room that connects to the Sweedler & Thayer preserves if you want to check out some waterfalls after sipping some cider.

Location:  5055 NY-414, Burdett

Website:  Atwater Vineyards

Atwater is an estate vineyard, so the vines you see are what you drink. We don't know much about wine, but the view of Seneca Lake is spectacular and they have a range of wines, none of which are the very sweet varieties for which the region is known. Stop by for a guided tasting or just enjoy a glass and the views from their patio.

Location:  9501 NY-89, Trumansburg

Website:  Frontenac Point

An estate winery still operated by the original owners since 1978. They have a shady deck overlooking Cayuga Lake and a "European-inspired" tasting room. They have stayed small but still offer many types of wines from traditional options to some more eccentric varieties.

Location:  7448 County Rd 153, Ovid

Website:  Sheldrake Point

Sheldrake Point is on the banks of Cayuga Lake with a spacious indoor area and large patio section to take in the view. Their tasting room includes a map to see where each grape is grown. Sheldrake Point has dry wines, ice wines, and everything in between.

Location:  30 Old Main St, Trumansburg

Website:  Boland Thomas Vineyard

A relative new-comer to the Finger Lakes wine region, BTV considers themselves a "micro-farm" winery that offers Rieslings and dry reds. Their tasting room is located right off of Main Street in Trumansburg, making it a great place to stop in before dinner in town.

Location:  1 W Main St, Trumansburg

Website:  Garrett's Brewing

A favorite local watering hole for local T'burgers, Garrett's is a brewery located on Main Street, right in the middle of "bustling" downtown Trumansburg. In addition to their own brews, Garrett's also has local wine and cider available. Their kitchen has the best tacos in town!

Location:  122 Ithaca Beer Dr, Ithaca

Website:  Ithaca Beer

Best known for their Flower Power IPA, Ithaca Beer Co has a variety of beers ranging from wheat ales, to IPAs, and a vanilla porter. Their farm-to-table restaurant features pizza and sandwiches and is available in their taproom or outdoor garden space.

Location:  4880 NY-414, Burdett

Website:  Grist Iron Brewing

This larger micro-brew is situated on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake, along the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. They have a spacious bar, plenty of outdoor seating, and a kitchen featuring sandwiches and pizza.

Location:  6330 Sirrine Rd, Trumansburg

Website:  Bolter Creek Orchard

CLOSED THIS SEASON - Due to the late spring frost, Bolter Creek Orchard will be closed for the season. This small, family-run apple orchard is right around the corner from our wedding venue! They're open for U-Pick apples on Sundays in the fall and make their own fresh apple cider.

Location:  1408 Trumansburg Rd, Ithaca

Website:  Indian Creek Farm

NO U-PICK APPLES THIS YEAR - Due to the late spring frost, there won't be any u-pick apples this season (check their website for other crops that are available). Indian Creek Farm has it all, from flowers to fruits and vegetables. They have a farm store where you can pick up fresh produce or venture out into the vast fields and orchards to gather your own. Check out their website to see what is currently available to harvest.

Location:  8978 County Rd 142, Interlaken

Website:  Lively Run Goat Dairy

Want some of the best cheese around? Visit Lively Run for a cheese tasting (they have more than just goat cheese, if that isn't your thing). You can even sign up for a yoga class with the goats!

Location:  200 E State St, Ithaca

Website:  Visit Ithaca • Downtown Ithaca

Opened in 1975, the Ithaca Commons was New York's first pedestrian mall. The Commons is now home to shops, restaurants, and frequent outdoor festivals and concerts.

Location:  Steamboat Landing, 3rd St, Ithaca

Website:  Ithaca Farmers Market

Located in a park-like setting along the Cayuga Inlet, the Ithaca Farmers Market is open Saturdays and Sundays during the outdoor market season. Vendors from within 30 miles of Ithaca sell local produce, meat, prepared foods, and crafts. It's a great spot to grab a bite to eat (the crepes and tibetan momos are our favorites!) and enjoy some live music while sitting along the water. PARKING: the parking lot for the market can get very crowded on busy weekends, so we recommend parking on Franklin St (just outside of the market) and taking a short walk to the pavilion.

Location:  114 Central Ave, Ithaca

Website:  Johnson Museum of Art

Located right on Cornell's main campus, the Johnson Museum of Art's building was designed by I.M. Pei. Its permanent collection houses over 35,000 works from around the globe. The top floor also has an excellent view of Cayuga Lake.

Location:  601 1st St, Ithaca

Website:  Sciencenter

The Sciencenter is a hands-on science museum. Among its many exhibits, the museum features an astronomy section and is the end point for the Sagan Planet Walk (a to-scale walk of the planets starting with the Sun in the Commons and ending with Pluto at the Sciencenter).

Location:  113 S Cayuga St, Ithaca

Website:  Hawi

A laid-back Ethiopian Restaurant located in Downtown Ithaca, near the Commons. Their Veggie combo is a great vegetarian and vegan option.

Location:  235 S Cayuga St, Ithaca

Website:  Coltivare

STILL TEMPORARILY CLOSED -- One of the nicest restaurants in Ithaca, Coltivare offers seasonal, farm-to-table dishes and serves as a teaching kitchen for the local community college.

Location:  401 E State St, Suite G-2, Ithaca

Website:  Angelhearts Diner

Casual vegan diner serving all-day breakfast, burgers & sandwiches amid retro surrounds.

Location:  113 N Aurora St, Ithaca

Website:  Luna

With a couple of locations and a food truck, Luna offers up unique dishes inspired by street vendors from around the world.

Location:  215 N Cayuga St, Ithaca

Website:  Moosewood

Perhaps best known for their vegetarian cookbooks, Moosewood offers cozy vegetarian fare featuring locally sourced ingredients.

Location:  400 N Meadow St, Ithaca

Website:  Ithaca Bakery • Collegetown Bagels

With 5 locations around Ithaca, Ithaca Bakery and Collegetown Bagels are a great spot to stop in for a coffee, sandwich, or baked good. Check out their website for their extensive menu, including vegetarian and vegan options.

Location:  53 E Main St, Trumansburg

Website:  Hazelnut Kitchen

Hazelnut Kitchen brings fine dining to downtown T'burg, offering an ever-changing menu using ingredients from local farms. Reservations are strongly recommended as the small dining area can fill up on weekends.

Location:  61 W Main St, Trumansburg

Website:  Atlas Bowl

Not just a bowling alley, Atlas has a full kitchen with snacks (the tots con queso are a favorite), sandwiches, and tacos. The bar is made out of reclaimed flooring from a bowling alley and has very friendly bartenders. Atlas hosts a weekly trivia night, which has been won by Cat Parole Hearing (pictured here) on more than one occasion.

Location:  49 E Main St, Trumansburg

Website:  Little Venice

A standard sit-down Italian restaurant with weekly specials and a full bar. Their full menu is also available for take-out.

Location:  21 E Main St, Trumansburg

Website:  Main Street Market

A small deli-like market, Main Street Market sells packaged food (focusing on local and organic products) and house-made salads and sandwiches from the counter. They have a fixed menu with rotating specials.

Location:  4 W Main St, Trumansburg

Website:  Creekside Cafe

Creekside is open Fridays - Sundays for breakfast and lunch. If you're looking for a delicious breakfast sandwich, this is the spot to go! Make sure to check out their weekly specials (posted on their website or the sign out on the sidewalk).

Location:  2 W Main St, Trumansburg

Website:  NY Pizzeria

A typical pizza place serving a great slice! Their phone number for placing orders: (607) 387-3700.

Location:  21 E Main St, Trumansburg

Website:  Wok This Way • Photos of Menu

Your usual Chinese-American take-out restaurant. Their phone number for placing orders: (607) 387-7800.