NYC To Ithaca: The Perfect Road Trip (& What To See On The Way)

A road trip from New York to Ithaca is similar to heading from the land of the concrete jungle towards the hilly town shrouded by forests and waterfalls. The journey from NYC to Ithaca via road takes around 4 hours. Undoubtedly, “Ithaca is gorges” is boasted across New York state, but there are a couple of great stops on this road trip as well. Indeed, the destination is incredibly rejuvenating, but so is this journey throughout.

Towns Along The Way

Allentown

The most popular city on this route is Allentown, located in eastern Pennsylvania.

The city has museums galore, like Liberty Bell Museum, Allentown’s Art Museum, and America On Wheels Museum depicting the Renaissance and Modern American works, as well as vintage vehicles.

Newark

If concerts, dance performances, or any branch of art feels intriguing, Newark, a New Jersey City, should be enticing. With New Jersey, Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Newark Museum, the Cathedral Basilica of Sacred Heart, or relaxing by the cheery trees across Branch Brook Park, this stop has plenty of things to explore around.

Scranton

Scranton is another stop on this road trip which is a city in northeast Pennsylvania. Popular for Steam town National Historic Site, the Electric City Trolley Station and Museum, The Electric City Aquarium and Reptile Den, Scranton Lake Walking Path, and Scranton Cultural Centre, this place is full of historical sites.

Remarkable Stops Along The Way

Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park is not just a city park but also the center of a historic area. Located in Paterson, New Jersey, which is 12 miles west of New York City, it is home to one of the largest waterfalls. The “Great Falls Of The Passaic River” and the historic mill tours, as well as ancient buildings, lend this experience to behold in person.

Timing: 9.00 AM to 4.00 PM
Location: 72 McBride Avenue Extension, Paterson

New Jersey Botanical Garden

Part of Ring wood State Park, New Jersey, this is a beautiful place with wildflowers, seasonal blooms, birdwatching trails, and haiku readings as well. There are an array of gardens such as Perennial Garden, Lilac Garden, Italianate Gardens, Hosta & Rhododendron, Wildflower & Annual Garden. Almost 4 hours can be easily covered around this vast stretch of blooming gardens. There are family hikes and walks which include 96 acres of garden and also the tour of the manor house.

Timings: 8.00 AM to 8.00 PM
Location: Morris Road, Ring wood, N.J. 07456

The NewYork Renaissance Faire

An outdoor theme park based on Elizabethan England, which entices visitors more with acrobats, jousting & crafts market. This 65-acre faire has permanent structures along with twenty stages and more than 100 shops. Started in 1977, this place also has 100 artisans offering their finest works in handmade wares.

Location : 600 Route 17A, Tuxedo, NY
Tickets: Adults ($35) Children ($18)

Alstede Farms

A perfect place for the family is located in Tuxedo, New York off New York State Route 17A.

With activities such as apple and peach picking, this place has only sustainable and certified organic fruits, vegetables, and flowers. There are farm tours and many events as well as the place is available for wedding receptions, birthday parties, and photography locations. A few Restaurants near Alstede Farms are Old Mill Tavern, Lamplighter Restaurant, Thai Kitchen, and Marilyn's Café.

Ticket: Fee of $8
Duration: 9.00 AM to 6.00 PM

Food Outlets Between NYC To Ithaca

Roscoe is a popular halting stop for people traveling between New York City and Western New York. Sandwiches, Burgers, Wraps, Panini, and Salads are a few items on the menu to grab from. Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen, a 1917 American landmark restaurant with a lounge. Raimondo, another outlet for Italian food, and Floyd & Bobo, a decent bakery with a modest lunch menu, are a few other options too.

Best Time For This Road Trip

October is the perfect season for this road trip, as the fall foliage adds to the beauty of the journey. As Ithaca is a place brimming with natural beauty, this leaf-peeping season makes the experience more incredible.

Things To Do In Ithaca

Buttermilk Falls State Park

Ithaca is popular for its State Parks, and Buttermilk Creek is famous for its waterfalls, especially Buttermilk Falls. A cascading fall of 500 feet below is surrounded by hiking trails and meadows beyond the park. There is a natural pool at the base of the falls, which is absolutely safe for swimming and also, and the park has five trails with gorgeous landscapes. To view the Buttermilk Falls, one can witness it through the park entrance or lower Gorge Trail.

Hours of Operation: Park Is Open Year Round (From Dawn To Dusk)
Camping Season: May 20th to Oct 9th
Fees: Entry Fee for Cars ($9)
Camping fees: $15 to $19 per night

Cayuga Waterfront Trail

A relaxing trail dispersed with scenic views all along, connecting Cass Park to Farmer’s Market to Stewart Park and a beautiful waterfront. It is a multi-use trail of almost 8 miles and is non-motorized throughout for a perfect recreational activity. Thus, the trails are flat and are perfect for jogging, running, biking, rollerblading, etc. It is the perfect route to be more remote, with the southern end of Cayuga Lake and the area’s popular waterfront destinations.

Ithaca’s Farmer Market

The real element of Ithaca can be witnessed at the Ithaca’s Farmer Market, which has almost 85 vendor stalls. Be it fresh vegetables from the farm, pastured meat, cheese, fruits, eggs, bakeries, honey or maple syrups, artisanal gifts, or handmade local crafts, this place gives the real slice of Ithaca. Moreover, it also has authentic Laotian, Cuban, Indian, Cambodian, Ethiopian, and Thai food items lending it a cross-cultural vibe. Just not food, the market has stalls featuring carvings, weaving, and paintings as well. Do not miss the Coffee Roasters, receiving national acclaim, or Macros Mamas and Solaz Breakfast Burritos. On Saturdays, the place is bustling with more life owing to musicians and market goers compared to mellow Sundays.

Location: Ithaca Farmers' Market, 3rd Street, Ithaca
Days Of Operation: Saturdays & Sundays

Things To Do At Downtown Ithaca

Downtown is replete with restaurants, bars, art galleries, a farmers market, and a hub for celebrating many local festivals. Ithaca Commons has been the hanging spot for most college-going students, but it's popular among locals and travelers owing to the musical and street performances, the Apple Harvest Festival in the fall, and the Downtown Ithaca Chili Cook-Off festival in winter. If visitors are looking for a quick bite or even fine cuisine, they can head to Restaurant Row or Moosewood Restaurant. Cascadilla Gorge Trail, a short and gorgeous trail to hike, or Sciencenter Sagan Planet Walk explaining the solar system in Commons are a few other activities to engage in downtown.

Discovery Trail

This trail offers a myriad of unique activities as well as family attractions comprising history, science, and art. "Ithaca’s Museum of Earth” exhibits America’s largest fossil collections, Cayuga Nature Center with a forest canopy and tree house, Cornell Botanic Gardens with 14 specialty gardens, Sciencenter of Ithaca, a museum for all ages; this trail also has multiple fascinating sites across downtown Ithaca.

Farm To Fork Experiences

The right epithet for Ithaca is “Eclectic,” as it is a place with gorgeous beauty and serenity but also adventurous and fun to explore the other way around. Indeed, having Farm To Fork Experiences with ample wineries, artisan cheese makers, breweries, and a farmer’s market, this place treats one’s taste buds in every sense. Head towards Eve’s Cidery, which has a private, in-depth tasting which is of an hour duration and discusses ciders. Gourdlandia has grown and dried gourds with fun patterns into the gourds. Also, the region of Finger lakes has many sightseeing tours.

Where To Eat In Ithaca

Mix Kitchen and Bar typically American food, Saigon Kitchen serves Asian and Vietnamese cuisine; the Boatyard Grill serves local cuisine, seafood as well as vegetarian options; Mahogany Grill serves local cuisine; specifically, its steaks, Ithaca Beer Co are moderately priced food outlets. For cheap eats, travelers can grab a bite at Wegmans, The State Diner, and Coal Yard Café, and for breakfast options, College town Bagels, Ithaca Bakery, and Dolce Delight are some really cool options.