Written by Jennifer Segal
Although Ithaca is home to both IC and Cornell University, it is a small college town in comparison to big cities. With quaint coffeehouses, excellent theaters, large used bookstores, happening bars, boutiques, and shops—there’s usually something to do or see in Ithaca. In the midst of it all is the Commons, the marketplace down the hill that features restaurants, outside entertainment, and specialty stores. Collegetown, located next to the Cornell campus, also has a variety of different places at which to eat and shop. Around Lake Cayuga, tourists and wine enthusiasts follow the Finger Lakes Wine Trail, a series of local wineries that offer samples of their specialties.
It’s hard to walk around campus or go downtown and not see someone with an “Ithaca is Gorges” shirt. No—Ithacans can spell; it’s just that it really is “gorges.” Ithaca and the surrounding areas have deep ravines and gorges in the hillsides, all of which lead to the lake. When students first arrive on campus in the fall, the days are hot, and students can be found outside enjoying picnics, swimming in the gorges, and hiking on picturesque trails. Generally, the Ithaca area features free-spirited and friendly people centered around a backdrop of various options in restaurants, stores, and entertainment. Ithaca allows for individuals to have many choices with the diverse atmosphere it offers.