Why You Should Visit Ithaca, New York

Ithaca was carved by nature. The numerous gorges, the flowing waterfalls, and even the Finger Lakes were created during the last ice age. With so much to see and explore, it's surprising that Ithaca, New York is one of those hidden get-aways that seems to escape most people's radar. Ithaca is also home to Cornell University, Cayuga Lake, and active wine-producing vineyards. You should visit Ithaca, New York for the recreation, the magical grapes and its natural, relaxing beauty.

Cayuga Lake in Ithaca, New York

Cayuga Lake, in Ithaca, New York is slightly less than 40 miles in length, making it the longest of the Finger Lakes. At a depth of 53 feet below sea level, Cayuga Lake is also one of the deepest lakes in North America. Take a drive around Cayuga Lake on the Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway. Cayuga Lake visitors also enjoy swimming, boating and camping

Or, explore a different side of Cayuga Lake in Ithaca, New York: its geological history. Peer out over Cayuga Lake and consider that 350 million years ago the Finger Lakes were a shallow saltwater sea. Evidence of this abounds when you can easily find fossilized plants and invertebrates, including broken pieces of ammonoids in certain Cayuga Lake hillsides along the shore, and even by sifting through the stones and pebbles along the shore.

Museum of the Earth

While you're contemplating the geological history of Cayuga Lake, visit the Museum of the Earth. Explore permanent and current exhibits of the "nation's largest and finest fossil collections." With more than two million specimens, the range of fossils is wide and includes microfossils as well as larger fossils from the Ice Age. Children will enjoy interactive exhibits as well as the outdoor Dino Dig (seasonal). The Museum of the Earth is located at 1259 Trumansburg Road, Route 96 in Ithaca, New York 14850.

Gorges and Waterfalls

In addition to the Finger Lakes, and millions of fossils, nature has left something else in her wake: deep gorges and towering waterfalls.

Head to Cornell University to take in the views of Cascadilla Upper and Lower Falls and the Fall Creek Suspension Bridge, which you can feel moving beneath your every step.

Taughannock Falls is actually in Ulysses, NY, and is part of Taughannock State Park which is located between Ithaca Ulysses. The stunning Taughannock Falls is one of the highest waterfalls east of the Rocky Mountains, with a 215 feet drop. (City of Ithaca).

Also visit Ithaca Falls, and Lucifer Falls in Robert H. Treman State Park, just southwest of Ithaca.

Cayuga Lake Wine Trail

When you've had seen enough of nature's handiwork, how about tasting some of her fine wine? With a local climate that is ideal for growing grapes, it's not wonder that Ithaca and surrounding towns are home to so many wineries.

No trip to Ithaca, New York is complete without a self-guided drive through the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail. With 16 wineries on the Cayuga Wine Trail, you may need more than a day get a taste of each winery. The wineries don't sell just wine. Some Cayuga Lake Wine Trail wineries offer a variety of specialty food items. Cayuga Wineries will also ship wines. Find wine trail maps at the official web site www.cayugawinetrail.com.

Beyond the Cayuga Wine Trail, the Finger Lakes Wine Country offers the wine trails nestled around other Finger Lakes including the Keuka Lake Wine Trail and the Seneca Lake Trail. If you love sweet wine, be sure to hit the Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards on the Seneca Take Trail and try their Red Cat wine.

You should visit Ithaca, New York to enjoy everything nature has created in the area: from swimmable lakes, waterfalls and gorges, fossils and local wines.