Ithaca, New York

Ithaca is a small American university town that has received many prestigious titles throughout history, the most recent ones include:

In 2004, Cities Ranked and Rated named Ithaca the best "emerging city" to live in the United States,

In 2006, “Relocate America” a popular internet realty website named Ithaca as the fourth best city in the US to move to,

In July of 2006 Ithaca was given the title by VegNews Magazine as on the “12 Hippest Hometowns for Vegetarians" and

By Mother Earth News as one of the "12 Great Places You've Never Heard Of."

The first inhabitants of the area known as Ithaca today were the Sapony and Tutelo Indians that were driven from North Carolina by the Europeans that were settling the area. However, even this did not last long for the Indians, in 1790 the land around Ithaca was used as reward for American soldiers that served in the Revolutionary War.

During this time in history, Robert Harpur named the Military Tract township Ulysses, the Latin form of the Greek Odysseus from Homer’s Odyssey. Harpur was the clerk for the surveyor, Simeon DeWitt. DeWitt moved to the area a few years later and renamed the area Ithaca the name of the Greek island that was the home of Ulysses.

Ithaca is nestled in the Cayuga Valley along side the Cayuga Lake that gives it a majestic countryside unlike anywhere else in the US. Ithaca was first founded on flat land south of the lake, but soon the city spread to the adjacent hillsides. The hillsides rise several hundred feet above the flat valley below, which include East Hill, West Hill, and South Hill. The sides of the hills are quite steep with beautiful streams flowing into the valley. These streams have created unique gorges flowing from east to west with several breathtaking waterfalls to enhance the beauty of the valley and the surrounding hills.

As one visits Ithaca during any season, the beauty is unsurpassed to anything that you have ever seen. In Spring, the hillsides are dotted with fragrant spring flowers, in Autumn the magnificent view of the multi-colored leaves surround the valley, and of course in winter the beauty of a new fallen snow welcome you.

Along with the magnificent countryside of the valley, you will also love the many wineries that are seen throughout the area. Visiting the many wineries and partaking of samples of the exquisite wines in the area will give your vacation even more to remember. Some of the most popular wines in the Finger Lakes area include Riesling and Cabernet Franc.

Ithaca is also known for its superb educational facilities. Cornell University was founded by Erza Cornell in 1865. The Cornell University is located on East Hill and has a population of around 20,000 students. Ithaca College was founded as the Ithaca Conservatory of Music in 1892. Ithaca College is located on South Hill and has a population of around 6,300 students.

Visitors enjoy Ithaca for not only its natural beauty but for the many outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, and bicycling, along with the various tours of the vineyards.

Ithaca has several museums, art galleries, and festivals that will give the entire family many things to do that will keep every one busy every day you are there.

Many of the great places that you must visit include the Buttermilk Falls State Park where you will enjoy camping, fishing, hiking, picnic area, playing fields, a playground, and swimming. F.R. Newman Arboretum offers the chance to see many unique flora and fauna that call the area home. The Cayuga Nature Center has over 40 live animals in indoor and outdoor habitants such as chinchillas, red fox, Chinese box turtle, Eastern painted turtle, blue peacock, red-tailed hawk, Mexican red rump tarantula, bearded dragons, Boa constrictor, and platys to name a few. The butterfly house is open from June to August and is home to Monarch and Black Swallowtail butterflies. In addition, if you really wish to get a bird’s eye view you can climb 50 feet into the tree canopy in Treetops, a six story observational treehouse.

One of the most popular attractions in Ithaca is the Museum of the Earth. The Museum of the Earth is one of the largest and finest fossil collections in the United States. A visit to this unique museum will give a glimpse into the past that will amaze and thrill you will the many artifacts that you can view.

Many people visit Ithaca during the winter season to enjoy skiing and other winter sports. There are many unique skiing lessons available for beginners and wonderful skiing adventures for the most experienced skier.

As you can tell, Ithaca has so much to offer for an individual or an entire family to enjoy a relaxing weekend or a long two-week vacation.