Why Ithaca Deserves Its Spot as the Best Town in America 🌳

A Local's Lens on Life in Ithaca

From a local’s perspective, Ithaca is the heart of one of the most naturally stunning areas in the Northeast. Tucked at the southern tip of Cayuga Lake, it’s known for its dramatic waterfalls, forested gorges, and peaceful trails. Summer in the Finger Lakes feels like a gift—warm, green, and full of life after the often brutally cold winters. The phrase “Ithaca is Gorges” really does capture the spirit of the place.

Whether you're hiking at Robert H. Treman or swimming in the pools at Buttermilk Falls, there’s a quiet kind of magic to it all. And while Ithaca itself has so much to offer, the surrounding region is also full of gems worth discovering. Here are a few of my favorite spots, both in town and beyond.

Waterfalls in Every Direction

You don’t have to go far to find jaw-dropping scenery in Ithaca. Ithaca Falls is right near downtown and offers a thunderous, 150-foot cascade that feels wild and untamed even in the heart of the city.

Cascadilla Gorge, which winds through the Cornell campus, is another favorite. The hike isn't too long and is on a short, shaded trail that follows a string of smaller falls and stone staircases.

Then there’s Taughannock Falls, just a short drive out of town, with one of the tallest waterfalls east of the Rockies at 215 feet. The overlook view is stunning, but if you have time, take the easy trail to the base for the full effect.

On warm summer days, head to Buttermilk Falls State Park, where you can swim in natural pools and hike up to quieter upper falls. The trail at Buttermilk Falls is basically a greatest hits of waterfalls. There are ten in all, with the main 165-foot cascade stealing the show.

Robert H. Treman State Park is just as beautiful, with the dramatic cliffs and deep gorge views of Lucifer Falls. My personal favorite hike in all of Ithaca is the Upper Falls trail at Robert Treman. It winds beside steep gorges and offers some of the most dramatic scenery in the park.

During the summer, the lower part of Robert Treman is a favorite destination for locals to go swimming. My kids loved jumping off the diving board there, right in front of a waterfall.

Cornell’s Quiet Green Corners

Cornell University isn’t just an Ivy League campus—it’s also home to some of Ithaca’s best nature walks. Beebe Lake is perfect for a peaceful stroll, especially in the early morning. The Cornell Botanic Gardens and Arboretum are filled with native plants, flowering trees, and quiet meadows. During the spring, the Arboretum truly feels like a real-life secret garden.

And just a few minutes away, Sapsucker Woods offers shaded trails and amazing birdwatching, thanks to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. If you’re lucky, you might spot a heron or even a beaver.

Day Trips That Feel Like Postcards

One of the best things about Ithaca is how easy it is to explore the rest of the Finger Lakes. Seneca Lake is just a 30-minute drive away, and while it’s known for wine country, it also has beautiful public lakefronts and small towns worth wandering.

Don’t miss Watkins Glen State Park, with its gorge trail and 19 waterfalls in under two miles. Stone bridges, misty caverns, and narrow passageways make it feel like something out of a fairy tale. Honestly, it feels like it was scene straight from Middle Earth. It’s one of the most photographed spots in the state for good reason.

Where Community Comes to Life

But what really makes Ithaca special isn’t just the scenery—it’s the community. The Sciencenter is a hands-on favorite for kids, packed with interactive exhibits and a giant outdoor playground. Just down the road, the community-run Ithaca Children’s Garden invites little ones to dig in the dirt, explore butterfly habitats, and play freely in nature. And every weekend, the Ithaca Farmers Market draws locals and visitors alike with fresh produce, handmade goods, and what might honestly be the best honey on Earth. On warm days, families head to Stewart Park, where kids can run wild on the amazing playground and cool off in the splash pad. It's the perfect place to soak in the lake views on a warm summer evening.

Why It Stays With You

Ithaca is the kind of place where nature and community blend in a way that feels rare. I still miss the fireflies lighting up summer nights, the cardinals and blue jays outside my window, and knowing I could reach a waterfall trail in ten minutes flat. It’s also home to some of the greatest people I know.

If you’re lucky enough to be walking on a trail there, say hello to whoever you pass. Chances are, they’ll say hello right back. That's just the kind of place Ithaca is.

Maybe that’s why, whenever I see a sign that says I ❤️ NY, I always think—I ❤️ Ithaca, NY.