Ithaca Hours!!
by kooka3
This is the most amazing local activist thing I've seen in a long time. About 8 years ago, a group of people started a program called "Ithaca Hours" - it's a way to help the local economy. One Ithaca Hour is worth $10. The idea is that everyone's time is worth the same amount. It's kind of like a formal barter system - they publish a newsletter every month that lists all the people involved in Ithaca Hours and what services they offer - which could be dentistry, any kind of lessons (music, language, dancing, whatever), dog walking, knitting, gardening, babysitting, lawn mowing, tutoring -- you name it, it's probably offered. You can either barter services, or you can purchase the services with Ithaca Hours. Just as impressive is that many stores now accept Ithaca Hours as payment (sometimes they'll accept 100% of the total in Ithaca hours, sometimes they put a cap on it). There are several stores on the Commons that accept them (Autumn Leaves and Ten Thousand Villages I know for sure accept them), as well as other places like the local Organic Coop takes them.
You get 2-4 hours free for registering your services in the newsletter. You can also buy Ithaca Hours.
Drive around Lake Cayuga and...
by JBER
Drive around Lake Cayuga and go on a wine tour. Upstate NY is one of the most beautiful places around and Ithaca NY is known for, among other things, the dramatic gorges and waterfalls that flow through the area. As a Cornell University Alumni, I have many fond memories of Ithaca, NY and my alma mater. Besides sunsets overlooking the lake from Sunset Park or walks in Buttermilk Falls, Traying down Libe slope in 10 feet of snow, studying hard and having fun stick out in my mind. If you are ever traveling through down I90 and want to explore, Ithaca NY is a gem tucked into the hillsides that you won't want to miss.
Check out the Ithaca sunsets. ...
by JBER
Check out the Ithaca sunsets. This can be done from the aptly named Sunset Park in Cayuga Heights. If you are lucky you will know someone who lives down by the lake so you can witness one of these: As I returned here from California (many thought I was crazy) back to the snow and the seasons, I had some great memories that brought me back. I think I was hoping to generate some more ;)
Packing List
by SaveAPitBull
Dress Warmly!! Ithaca winters will chill you to the bone... be sure to stop by Collegetown Bagels (in Collegetown), the Harvest Deli (at the Ithaca Commons) or CTB Appetizers (if you're up near the mall) for hot chocolate!
Buttermilk Falls
by kooka3
If you like to hike, picnic, swim, or be awed by large waterfalls, go take a look at Buttermilk.
You start at a huge waterfall with a swimming hole at the bottom. The lower park area also has a campground and playing fields. If you go past the playing fields, you'll get to Larch Meadows, a glen and wetland area with a nature trail. From the bottom of the waterfall/swimming area, you can hike up on well maintained paths that connect the lower falls with the upper falls. If you make it to the top, you get a spectacular view of the feeder lake at the top. It's worth the trip. The upper area has hiking trails through woodlands and along the gorge and rim, picnic areas and more playing fields.
At the botton, there is plenty of parking spots and picnic places - both at tables and on the grass. There is a charge to park during the summer.
This is located on Route 13 on your left if you are heading south out of town. There are big signs for it. You can't really miss it.
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Madeline's
Some of the formal gardens
Buttermilk Falls
The dining room
