Transportation

For transportation to Ithaca from Manhattan, we highly recommend Cornell’s Campus-to-Campus Bus, which leaves from the Cornell Club right next to Grand Central Terminal. Leather seats you preselect, snacks on board, good Wi-Fi, and direct service to Cornell.

Ithaca airport (ITH) is located just a few minutes from campus. There are direct flights from several hub airports: Newark on United and Detroit on Delta. Syracuse airport (SYR) is about 1 hour and 10 minutes away, and has direct flights from more locations, including Chicago, Atlanta, and Washington.

• Avis (607) 257-0456
• Enterprise Rent-a-car (607) 275-9000
• Hertz (6070 257-8677
• Budget Car Rental (607) 257-044

The closest parking lot to Gates Hall is Hoy Garage.

• Short term parking: info
• ParkMobile: map

• Collegetown Cab (607) 588-8888
• Ithaca Dispatch (607) 277-8234
• First Class Limousines (607) 227-2541
• Executive Limousine (607) 753-9180
• The Ithaca Marriott has a free shuttle service to and from the airport and to and from Cornell University, must call in advance
• The Statler Hotel has a free shuttle service to and from the airport, must call in advance

TCAT (Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit) operates 26 routes serving the Cornell campus, Ithaca and the surrounding communities.

Restaurants

• Purity Ice Cream. Amazing local fare! You can get a pancake with any of their amazing ice creams on top! Hearty farm to table food that never disappoints. Can be busy, usually call ahead to see the wait time. Also great for a rainy day just to grab ice cream. Open until 10pm.
• Cafe Dewitt. Located on the Ithaca Commons. Best brunch in town. Cash only.
• NorthStar. Tasty local fare, fries with trio of dipping sauce. Mac and Cheese of the day. Nice beer garden out back, patio for dining outside in the front. They do a great brunch. Short drive from the downtown commons.

• Coal Yard Café. Bagels and breakfast sandwiches, baked goods and pastries, soups and salads, deli sandwiches made to order, plus brewed coffee from local roasters
• The Bistro at La Tourelle. Serves breakfast, lunch at brunch every day from 7:30-am – 2pm. Menu features regionally inspired, farm-to-table cuisine created with locally grown and raised meats, dairy and produce.
• Moosewood. Internationally famous restaurant which has produced 12 vegetarian cookbooks (with over 6 million copies sold) highlighting their natural vegetarian, seafood, and ethnic cuisine.
• Collegetown Bagels. Serves bagels, sandwiches, salads, baked goods, and coffee.
• Ithaca Ale House. Micro-brews and great food in a fun atmosphere. Considered to have the best burger in town.
• Saigon Kitchen. Awesome Vietnamese food. Try the grilled honey lemongrass Chicken Vermacelli. BYOB or grab drinks on the patio next door at the Westy and order Saigon to go to eat at Westy.
• Thai Basil. Great Thai food located near the commons
• Luna Inspired Street Food. Inspired by street vendors, carts and trucks from across the country and around the globe. Luna strives to offer a wide variety of cuisine while still supporting local farmers and suppliers. Located in college town and downtown

• Gola Osteria. What we think is the best restaurant in town, Italian cuisine. Wine by the bottle or bring your own for $15 corking fee. Outdoor patio seating. Reservations recommended.
• Ithaca Beer Company. Great selection of local made beer. Awesome patio with firepit, lawn games. Small but tasty local menu. Generally a wait during peak times, but there is a beer tent with tacos, etc. for faster service. This is close to Buttermilk Falls, great place to stop after a hike. 10 minute drive from the downtown commons.
• Mia’s Tapas Bar and Restaurant. Specializing in a Pan-Asian version of Spanish-style tapas, offers an eclectic variety of choices for every palate. Featuring inventive dishes with Thai, Indian, Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese accents. Located on the commons. Open Mondays.
• Hawi. Ethiopian food. BYOB. Most fun to do combos and share with friends. FYI service can be slow and there is no outdoor seating. The food is worth it though.
• Boatyard Bar & Grill. Nice views of the lake on outdoor patio. The food is good but you go there more for the view/ambiance.
• Ithaca Ale House. Signature burgers and sandwiches complement this laid-back, stone-and-wood spot's rotating craft beers. Located on the Commons. Open Mondays.
• Ciao. Italian family eatery with a beige-and-black motif serves wood-fired pizzas and gluten-free fare. A bit farther away from campus. Open Mondays.

Things to do

• Cinemapolis. Check out a cool indie flick here.
• Cornell Campus. Johnson Art Museum (one of the best views of Ithaca), McGraw Clock Tower (also great views), Sage Chapel is really beautiful on the inside.
• Atlas Bowl. Cool retro-ish bowling lane in Trumansburg with lounge. The bowl-o-drome for bowling in Ithaca but it is just a normal bowling alley.
• Social hour at Monk's on the Commons. 5-6pm everyday. $5 drink and app specials.
• Six Mile Creek Winery. Wine tastings close to Ithaca and Cornell.
• Wine tours on Cayuga Lake.
• Summer Concert Series. Thursdays June-September on the commons downtown.
• Calendar of Downtown Ithaca Events.
• See Cayuga Lake by water:
  • Ithaca boat tours day cruises, sunset cruises
  • Paddle-N-More Kayak Rentals