Why should I go to Ithaca?

You should go to Ithaca for its stunning natural beauty, featuring numerous waterfalls and gorges (like Buttermilk Falls and Ithaca Falls), Cayuga Lake, and Cornell Botanic Gardens; its vibrant, eclectic culture with renowned local food, breweries, wineries, live music, and unique shops; and its academic energy from Cornell University and Ithaca College, making it a top destination for nature lovers, foodies, and culture seekers alike.

Is Ithaca, NY worth visiting?

Yes, Ithaca (both NY and Greece) is worth visiting, depending on what you're looking for: Ithaca, NY, is a vibrant college town famous for stunning waterfalls, gorges, Cornell University, and a lively food/arts scene. Ithaca, Greece, offers a tranquil, scenic island escape with beautiful beaches, ancient ruins, and a relaxed pace perfect for history buffs and beach lovers.
 

What is special about Ithaca?

The Town of Ithaca is a mosaic of rural, suburban, and urban landscapes that surrounds the City of Ithaca. It is a college town, a farm town, a Finger Lakes community, and a tourist destination renowned for its scenic vistas, forested hillsides, gorges, waterfalls and Cayuga Lake.

What makes Ithaca College special?

Theory, Practice, and Performance

Since its founding, Ithaca College has recognized the profound impact of combining academic theory with hands-on practice and a distinctive integration of performance. Ithaca College offers 70 majors and nearly 70 minors in five industry-leading schools.

Why are people leaving Ithaca?

The cost of living is driving people out of the city. They can't wait to leave the threat of poverty. Evictions are driving people out of their homes, they sadly literally can't wait to leave. This year alone there have been two well-known unethical evictions.

Top 10 Best Things to do in Ithaca, New York - Travel Guide 2024

Is Ithaca in financial trouble?

With an Unexpected Budget Shortfall, Increase in Expenses, Financial Audit Backlog, the City of Ithaca Reevaluates 2026 Budget. Ithaca city manager Deb Mohlenhoff announced the discovery of an unexpected $2.1 million deficit in the proposed 2026 city budget during an Oct.

Is Ithaca Republican?

No, Ithaca, New York is overwhelmingly Democratic and progressive, with the Republican party facing challenges due to a low number of registered Republicans in the city and a strong liberal leaning from its university populations at Cornell University and Ithaca College. Local elections consistently show Democrats winning by large margins, with the local GOP chair noting few registered Republicans reside in the city. 

What is the vibe at Ithaca College?

Ithaca College strikes a balance between being a medium-sized school and offering a vibrant college town atmosphere, which many students appreciate for its accessibility and opportunities.

What is the #1 college town in the US?

There's no single "#1 college town" as rankings vary by criteria, but Austin, TX (WalletHub 2026), Bozeman, MT (RentCafe 2025), and Ann Arbor, MI (BestColleges 2023) consistently rank high, often praised for vibrant economies, strong university presence, quality of life, and affordability. Other top contenders include Boulder, CO, Ames, IA, and New Orleans, LA, depending on whether the focus is on economic opportunity, student share of population, or overall lifestyle.
 

Is Ithaca queer friendly?

Ithaca is Inclusive. Known for being one of the most progressive and open-minded areas in Upstate New York, Ithaca offers an enlightened demographic of folks who pride themselves on being one of 'The Advocate' Magazine's first “10 Best Cities for Gays and Lesbians to Live”.

Is downtown Ithaca walkable?

The Ithaca Commons is a 4-block pedestrian only zone located in the heart of downtown Ithaca. It is filled with many seating areas, unique retail shops and a wide variety of eating and drinking establishments.

What movies were filmed in Ithaca, NY?

Ithaca, NY, has a rich film history, famously home to early silent film production by Wharton Inc. Studios, creating serials like The Mysteries of Myra, The Perils of Pauline, and The Romance of Elaine, featuring explosions and stunts in local gorges and parks like Stewart Park. More recently, the area serves as a backdrop for various projects, though major recent hits like A Quiet Place or Eternal Sunshine filmed in other locations, Ithaca's natural beauty and Cornell University campus continue to attract productions. 

How prestigious is Ithaca?

Princeton Review has once again named Ithaca College among the top higher education institutions in the country, with IC included in its 2026 edition of “The Best 391 Colleges.”

How to spend a day in Ithaca?

How to Spend 24 Hours in Ithaca, New York

1. Hike in Taughannock Falls State Park. Taughannock Falls in all its wintry glory. ...
2. Peek into Cornell University's Uris library. ...
3. Grab dinner in Ithaca Commons. ...
4. Enjoy a bagel breakfast at Collegetown Bagels. ...
5. Look in awe at Ithaca Falls.

Is it worth going to Ithaca?

Yes, Ithaca (both NY and Greece) is worth visiting, depending on what you're looking for: Ithaca, NY, is a vibrant college town famous for stunning waterfalls, gorges, Cornell University, and a lively food/arts scene. Ithaca, Greece, offers a tranquil, scenic island escape with beautiful beaches, ancient ruins, and a relaxed pace perfect for history buffs and beach lovers.
 

Is Ithaca a fun city?

In the heart of the Finger Lakes region, Ithaca offers visitors the chance to explore stunning natural attractions and vibrant local culture.

Where do top 1% send kids to college?

The "top 1%" of students, referring to those from the highest income brackets, tend to attend elite universities like MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, and Yale that consistently rank high in national and global lists, with some even having more students from the top 1% income bracket than the bottom 60% combined, according to The New York Times data. Top-ranked institutions like MIT, Princeton, Harvard, and Stanford are frequent top contenders in various 2026 rankings from U.S. News & World Report and Times Higher Education. 

What is the prettiest college campus in the USA?

• Berry College, Georgia. ...
• University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado. ...
• Bryn Mawr College, Pennsylvania. ...
• Stanford University, California. ...
• University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Hawai'i. ...
• University of Notre Dame, Indiana. ...
• Princeton University, New Jersey. ...
• Furman University, South Carolina.

What is the #1 most educated city in America?

Ann Arbor, Michigan held steady at No. 1 for the second year in a row. With nearly 96% of adults holding a high school diploma, 58% with a bachelor's, and 31% with an advanced degree, this city continues to dominate both the “Educational Attainment” and “Quality of Education & Attainment Gap” categories.

Is Ithaca College a little ivy?

No, Ithaca College is not considered a "Little Ivy," as that term refers to prestigious small liberal arts colleges like Amherst, Bowdoin, and Williams; Ithaca College is a well-regarded private college known for programs in media, music, and health sciences, but it's distinct from the traditional Ivy League or the Little Ivies. Ithaca College does receive high rankings in publications like U.S. News & World Report, especially for teaching and innovation, but it doesn't fall under the specific "Little Ivy" designation. 

Why is Ithaca so famous?

Ithaca, NY, is famous for its stunning natural beauty, especially its numerous waterfalls and gorges, earning the tagline "Ithaca is Gorges," alongside its vibrant, liberal culture driven by Cornell University and Ithaca College, leading to a thriving arts scene, unique shops, farm-to-table food, craft beverages, and a focus on sustainability and healthy living. Its unique blend of intellectualism, Bohemian spirit, and outdoor recreation makes it a distinct college town in the Finger Lakes region. 

Is Ithaca College a big party school?

What is the party and nightlife scene like at Ithaca College? Ithaca College offers a vibrant party scene, with numerous locations for socializing both on campus and in nearby Ithaca, including events at Cornell University.

Is Ithaca, NY LGBT friendly?

Ithaca is proud to be an LGBTQ-friendly community, and several Downtown Ithaca establishments promote safe and inclusive evening environments. Restaurants such as Silky Jones, Bar Argos, and The Watershed, pride themselves on fostering warm, conversational environments that feel like home.

Is upstate NY conservative or liberal?

Often attributed to the region's rural to semi-rural character, it is more conservative in culture and politics than the more urban downstate area, and it is the power base of the state's Republican Party. Upstate New York, however, has several pockets of Democratic influence.

Does it snow a lot in Ithaca NY?

Yes, Ithaca gets a significant amount of snow, averaging around 60-70 inches annually, with January being the snowiest month, but recent years have seen variability and potentially less snow due to climate change. While traditionally known for long, snowy winters, the amount can vary year-to-year, sometimes featuring major dumps, but also periods of less snow than in past decades, creating a mix of rain, sleet, and snow.