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Ithaca College
- Local Atmosphere

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Ithaca College - Local Atmosphere - College ProwlerCollege Prowler4.24

Local Atmosphere

A-
Where does this grade come from?View all Local Atmosphere rankingsReview this school to add your opinion

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Quick Stats

Fun Local Trivia
  1. The 2000 film "Road Trip" directed by Todd Phillips was shot partially in Ithaca. The film makes several references to the school, but ultimately they call it a fictitious "Ithaca University."
  2. Bike Magazine has called Ithaca "one of America's top 10 biking towns."
  3. Ithaca has its own currency called "Ithaca Hours," which is intended to keep and stimulate business downtown.
  4. Ithaca is named for its location in the town of "Ulysses." The ancient Greek Ulysses lived in the town of "Ithaki."
Notable Natives
  • Hans Bethe – Nobel Prize winner, physicist
  • Alex Haley – author of "Roots: The Saga of an American Family" and the "Autobiography of Malcolm X"
  • Disashi Lumumba-Kasongo – guitarist for Gym Class Heroes
  • Mary McDonnell – actress ("Dances with Wolves")
  • Carl Sagan – astronomer, author
  • Rod Serling – creator and host of "The Twilight Zone"
  • David Foster Wallace – novelist
  • E. B. White – author ("Charlotte's Web")
Local Slang
  • Collegetown: Area near Cornell lined with food and shops
  • The Commons: A pedestrian marketplace
  • Cornellian: A person who attends Cornell
  • East Hill: The hill on which Cornell is located
  • Ithaca is Gorges: Refers to Ithaca's many natural gorges, commonly seen on clothing and bumper stickers
  • Ithacan: An IC student or the name of college newspaper
  • South Hill: The hill on which IC is located
  • Ten Square Miles Surrounded By Reality: Another common bumper sticker referring to Ithaca's unique atmosphere
Points of Interest
  • Buttermilk Falls State Park
  • Cayuga Lake
  • Collegetown
  • The Commons
  • Finger Lakes Wine Trail
  • Hangar Theatre
  • Ithaca Art Trail
  • Kitchen Theatre Company
  • Robert H. Treman State Park
  • Sagan Planet Walk
  • Taughannock Falls

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

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.

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Ithaca Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Local Atmosphere at Ithaca College

Justine72

'15

Psychology

3.8
B+

A Chill(Y) Place

Though the stores may get old, the vibe around town is great. Everyone is very chill and the towm often has cute things going on such as an ice sculpture contest or a chowder taste. There may not always be a ton of things to do but the town is quaint and adorable and seems very safe.

Jan 18, 2012

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Local Atmosphere at Ithaca College

kdeitzy

'15

Athletic Training

5.0
A+

Ithaca Is Gorges

There is always something to do around the town of Ithaca. If it's a warm day, taking a trip to the multiple gorges around town is always fun. They are beautiful and even though it's discouraged, gorge jumping is a ton of fun. The Ithaca Commons is so cute and ALWAYS has something fun going on whether it's applefest or chowder fest. I stumbled upon a really cool speed ice-carving competition going on in the commons one day. There are many unique and delicious restaurants to eat at in the commons. With Cornell and Collegetown right across town, you can mingle with college students from Cornell and get a delicious meal at Collegetown Bagels. You get a BEAUTIFUL view of Cayuga Lake from campus and it's even more beautiful to drive down by the lake and picnic or just enjoy the view. Ithaca truly is a college town with both IC and Cornell and everyone is very accepting of students and students are very involved in the community. You can't get bored at all with everything Ithaca has to offer.

Jan 18, 2012

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Local Atmosphere at Ithaca College

glamoroussade

'15

Business Administration and Management

3.8
B+

Ithaca College

The town is a beautiful hippy town. The people are nice and friendly. It has a small town feel with a lot of choices of food and outdoor activities.

Dec 27, 2011

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Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate the local atmosphere on the following topics

What is the local atmosphere like at your school?

What is the proximity to other universities? Is there much interaction?

Can you see yourself living here after graduation?

Facts

Shopping Centers
  • Cayuga Mall
  • Ithaca Mall
  • Triphammer Mall
City Web Sites
Distances to Nearest Major Cities
  • New York City: : 4 hours
  • Syracuse, N.Y.: : 1 hour

Movie TheatersWhat's This?

Cinemapolis
120 E. Green St.
Ithaca
(607) 277-6115

Cornell Cinema
104 Willard Straight Hall
Ithaca
(607) 255-3522

Fall Creek Pictures
1201 N. Tioga St.
Ithaca
(607) 272-1256

Regal Ithaca Mall Stadium 14
40 Catherwood Rd.
Ithaca
(607) 266-7960

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Most Recent Student Author

College Prowler guides are in the hands of students throughout the entire process. Because you can't make student-written guides without the students, we have students at each campus who write, edit, and survey their peers for every guide that we publish. Thanks to our most recent student author at Ithaca

Name: Jennifer Segal

Hometown: Newton ,MA

Major: Communication Management

Grad Year: 2014

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