Three years ago when I moved here, practically everyone I met volunteered things to do in Ithaca, so as not to be bored. They felt it vitally important to share with every newbie—and potential former Ithaca resident. I kept hearing the exact same three things from the different people who live here. Someone would say “ohh if you like Mexican food, we've got the best Mexican downtown it's called Viva…Gimme Coffee has the best coffee…of course you’ve got to go to the famous Ithaca farmers market.”
These things always came up as a triad or in combination with one other. As this is a huge farming region, folks in central New York also love their ice cream. Yes, the suggestion for things to do in Ithaca included, go get some ice cream! My first thoughts ran along the lines of ‘what sort of podunk backwater had I stumbled into (I’ve forgiven myself for that thought by now). The best ice cream is found in Dewitt mall, hands down.
Anyway, coffee, ice cream, mild Mexican, and a weekly market which only runs from April to November? I mean the Waverly farmers market back in Maryland fills an entire city block and is active every weekend of the year, rain or shine (plus I found my favorite American Gin there, a couple years ago), is the standard by which I judge all small farmer’s markets. And it turns out that many of the advisors rarely, if ever, spend their weekend chillaxing at the Ithaca Farmer’s Market.
What is most galling for me however, is that three years later, when new transplants pose that question to me, “what’s there to do in Ithaca?” I find myself rattling off, “oh we've got the farmers market…” Mind you I’m being a bit facetious but folks who don’t know me don’t get it. And guess what, I too rarely go to the farmer’s market.
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My bike, the Lotus
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Well, that’s not strictly true. As I formulate these thoughts, I’m biking past the market, along the Waterfront trail at 630 am on a Saturday, several hours before the market opens. I often bike past it, but don’t pop in. So, I think what might be useful is actually a list of things to do in Ithaca that don't involve ice cream coffee or the market that everyone recommends, but don’t frequent. Below are a few things that I do often, and love doing.
But first one caveat. What people don’t tell you, if you arrive in late spring, summer, or early autumn—is that whatever you do you need to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors as much as possible because when winter sets in—and it comes early and stays late—you will not want to be outdoors at all. The gray, the cold, the rain, the suddenly unexpected snow squalls (look it up if you’re unfamiliar), and the desolation will drive you half crazy. So, get outside while you can.
The Waterfront Trail – What I'm doing today is biking around town on the waterfront trail. This is something that summertime allows us to do very easily. I love doing it especially just before it gets too hot in the day. I have recently begun an exercise regimen that means I stop daily at the Cayuga Waterfront Outdoor Gym to do a few crunches, press-ups, and leg extensions before going on my merry way. The Waterfront trail also leads very nicely to the Black Diamond trail. Don’t let the name fool you, this 8 mile gently inclining, fine gravel trail works for your road bike, your mountain bike, and your hybrids. It ends just outside of the town of Trumansburg; where you get the best pizza in upstate New York (New York Pizzaria). Riding the trails here beats walking a farmer’s market, hands down.
Hiking the Gorges and Waterfalls – As the saying goes, Ithaca is Gorges. There’re over 100 waterfalls in town, and all are attached to one gorge or another. Hiking the falls is another excellent form of exercise. Also, a way to touch grass; Zen out to the sound of running water; and spot interesting birds (herons, ducks, hawks, hummingbirds). My favorite small hike is Cascadilla gorge, which starts in the quiet community of Fall Creek and meanders its way up past 2 bridges, College Town, and some tennis courts, to deposit you in the heart of Cornell’s (eastern) campus. Going up is an excellent workout for the legs and glutes. Coming down is great for the core. Please don’t think I’m a fitness geek, I’m not. These are the silver linings I find in spending time outside in Ithaca.
Ithaca Community Gardens – Many new transplants move to town and get themselves a small growing plot at the local allotments, located just adjacent to the famous Farmer’s Market. It’s an opportunity for us renters to grow what we want without fighting for space in the gardens of our overpriced apartment houses. It gives routine to the week, and offers opportunities to meet new people in our new home. In this, my third summer in the garden, I’m so thankful to have found this place.
I write this having just pulled up three luscious beetroots, picked two handfuls or sugar snap peas, and decapitated a Napa cabbage. Now I’m sat on a plank bench, my bike next to me resting on it’s chrome kickstand, and we are both still, observing the bees and their spastic dance in and around the poppies.
The Beer Garden at the Westy – I feel bad writing that as I feel like the Westy is the best kept secret in Ithaca. But with all small towns, the best kept secrets are often well-known to many. The Westy opens every afternoon, at 3 or 4 PM, and is called a dive bar by quite a few students. I fear that they’ve not been to truly divey establishments. The wooden benches, dim lighting, pool table, and dart board are only part of the necessary elements of the genre. Anyway, the bar has no food offerings except for the ubiquitous popcorn, dispensed by a classic machine—that goes on the blink once or twice a year.
Now to the beer garden. Picnic tables, parasols, and ash trays. Need I say more.
Let’s Meditate at Cornell University – As I navigate life and work, I am always reminded to make time for mental wellness. The university offers year-round guided meditation, sound baths, and yoga in bite-sized 30-minute intervals, for the campus and larger Ithaca community. The weekday sessions take place all over campus, generally indoors, but there’s a Friday guided meditation in the herb gardens of the Botanic gardens and a Tuesday sound bath in the outdoor alcove of the Law School. I am absolutely in love with the opportunity to sit, reset, and center… outside (not directly in the blazing sun). As a facilitator of one of these sessions, I can’t stress enough how valuable this pause during the workday is for both well-being and productivity.
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