Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Creek, accessible by boat or more commonly by a half-mile trail from the parking lot.
Rooms are booked far in advance, but a walk to the lighthouse is highly recommended
regardless.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Finger Lakes Region
A bird's-eye view of this region of rolling hills and 11 long narrow lakes - the eponym-
ous fingers - reveals an outdoor paradise stretching all the way from Albany to far west-
ern New York. Of course there's boating, fishing, cycling, hiking and cross-country ski-
ing, but this is also the state's premier wine-growing region, with more than 65 vine-
yards, enough for the most discerning oenophile.
Ithaca & Around
An idyllic home for college students and older generations of hippies who cherish ele-
ments of the traditional collegiate lifestyle - laid-back vibe, cafe poetry readings, art-
house cinemas, green quads, good eats - Ithaca is perched above Cayuga Lake. Besides
being a destination in itself, it is also a convenient halfway point between New York City
and Niagara Falls. For tourist information, head to the Visit Ithaca Information Center (
607-272-1313; www.visitithaca.com ; 904 E Shore Dr) .
Founded in 1865, Cornell University boasts a lovely campus, mixing traditional and
contemporary architecture, and sits high on a hill overlooking the picturesque town be-
low. The modern Johnson Museum of Art ( 607-255-6464; www.museum.cornell.edu ;
University Ave; 10am-5pm Tue- Sun) , designed by IM Pei, has a major Asian col-
lection, plus pre-Columbian, American and European exhibits. Just east of the center of
the campus is Cornell Plantations ( 607-255-2400; www.cornellplantations.org ; Plantations
Rd; 10am-5pm, closed Mon) , an expertly curated herb and flower garden.
Kids can go interactive-wild at the extremely hands-on Sciencenter (
607-272-0600;
) .
www.sciencecenter.org ; 601 First St; adult/child $8/6;
10am-5pm Tue-Sat, from noon Sun;
The area around Ithaca is known for its waterfalls, gorges and gorgeous parks.
However, downtown has its very own natural feature: Cascadilla Gorge , which starts
several blocks from Ithaca Commons and ends, after a steep and stunning vertical climb,
at the Performing Arts Center of Cornell. Buttermilk Falls Park ( 607-273-5761; Rte 13)
has something for everyone: a beach, cabins, fishing, hiking, recreational fields and
camping. The big draw, however, is the waterfalls - more than 10 - some sending water
 
 
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