Comfy zone
Glamping venue in Ithaca a great base for exploring area’s rich array of attractions.
Ithaca is well known for many reasons. Not only is it home to Cornell University (any Andrew Bernard/"the Office" fans out there?), but it is more than a college town. Ithaca Commons, a main shopping thoroughfare, is full of adorable shops and varied restaurants. With plenty to do and see, “Ithaca is Gorges” is the main catchphrase of the area for a reason: The nature surrounding the area is a huge pull for avid hikers and waterfall chasers.
CHECKING INTO FIRELIGHT CAMPS
There are regular hotels in the area, but I recommend trying glamping; we did so at Firelight Camps (1150 Danby Road). One of the main reasons to visit the Finger Lakes region is to immerse yourself in nature with a quiet lakeside vacation. Camping is a viable option, but when you can enjoy all of the activities of camping like a big bonfire, s’mores, hiking and more while being able to use a shower and sleep in a big comfy bed, why not have it all? I recommend one of the Firelight Camps' electric tents, especially if you’re not used to camping. It gets dark fast and it’s nice to have light, heat, and outlets to charge your devices. If you want a more authentic experience while still having the big bed, they do have rooms without electricity, with outlets available in a common area. You can also hang out by the firepits or in the lodge for quite a while. Bars are fully stocked with local beers, wines, and more along with some snacks available for purchase. Each guest receives a scratch-made s'mores kit, and you can really tell that everything is homemade, down to the graham crackers. Breakfast in
the morning is packed in a personalized cooler and filled with goodies like local fresh pressed juices, locally made yogurts, fresh fruit, farm-fresh brown eggs and more. Complimentary coffee and hot spiced cider is always available. I’ve never been so rested while camping.
THINGS TO DO
Hiking is a must while in Ithaca, especially while chasing waterfalls. Regardless of the time of year that you’re there, the waterfalls are stunning. Ithaca Falls, Buttermilk Falls State Park, and Taughannock Falls State Park should all be on your radar while in the city. In the warmer months, you can swim next to waterfalls Robert H. Treman State Park and Buttermilk Falls while in the cooler months, the falls freeze over, creating stunning natural icy landscapes.
Take a stroll around the Ithaca Commons (171 E. M.L.K. Jr. St.) to buy yourself a Cornell mug or sweatshirt. Pop in and out of some local shops or bookstores before grabbing a cup of coffee and a pizza bagel at College Town Bagels (Three locations at 329 Pine Tree Road, 301 E State St., and 420 College Ave.).
Try the Hawaiian pizza bagels smothered in stretchy mozzarella cheese with a coating of marinara, salty ham, and chunks of sweet pineapple.
Explore Treetops -- just a short stroll down a short path behind the Cayuga Nature Center (1420 Taughannock Blvd.) -- a six-story treehouse built to explore and provide visitors with stunning views of the Finger Lakes.
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK
I love the variety of hole-in-the-wall bars where you can have a couple pints and play darts, but the area also has some
upscale places, including Bar Argos (408 E State St.). Bartenders there are not afraid to use some unusual ingredients like activated charcoal or mushroom bitters.
Check out Just A Taste (116 N Aurora St.), a Spanish tapas bar with some delicious dishes and a fantastic wine selection. Their menu is full of tasty options like braised duck with apricots and fresh herbs, or fresh squash and zucchini doused in brown butter with salty romano cheese, pecans, and garlic.
The Ithaca Ale House (111 N Aurora St.) has a wide variety of local beers and some of the best burgers I’ve had. I can always respect a restaurant with the diversity to have a selection of options that appeal to a wide audience. If you’re looking for healthy options, they have sesame seared tuna with an Asian slaw along with a variety of delicious salads, some healthy some not, like the Maryland crab cakes salad. But back to the burgers. Juicy plump patties and crispy rolls loaded with quality ingredients... it doesn’t get much better. That is, until you find out about their brunch burgers like the Savory Waffle Burger with a breakfast sausage patty topped with melted American and cheddar cheeses, sweet maple syrup, and crisp pork belly, served between Belgian waffle halves instead of a bun.