"Ithaca is Gorges" is the very clever slogan of one of America's most clever towns. Home to two world class institutions of higher learning, Ithaca is a town located in a gorgeous setting. The valley in which Cayuga Lake is located is long and narrow. Ithaca was founded on flat land just south of the lake. The city spread to the adjacent hillsides, which rise several hundred feet above the central flats: East Hill, West Hill, and South Hill. Its sides are fairly steep, and a number of the streams that flow into the valley from east or west have cut deep gorges, usually with several waterfalls.
The city is home to Cornell University, which overlooks the town from East Hill, and Ithaca College, similarly situated on South Hill. The student population is very high, as almost 20,000 students are enrolled at Cornell, with an additional 6,300 students at Ithaca College. Collegetown, is located next to the Cornell campus. It features a number of restaurants, shops, and bars, and an increasing number of high rise apartments
Cornell University was founded by Ezra Cornell in 1865. It was coeducational from its inception, which was extremely unusual at the time. Ezra Cornell also established a public library for the city. Ithaca College was founded as the Ithaca Conservatory of Music in 1892. As a college town of high regard, it is no surprise that Cornell has been home to many famous and interesting people. Among these are: Alex Haley, author of Roots:The Saga of an American Family; Hans Bethe, Nobel Prize winner and Cornell Professor; Vladimir Nabokov, Cornell Professor who authored Lolita; Carl Sagan, astronomer and Rod Serling, creator and host of The Twilight Zone.
Tourists come largely for the natural scenery, including three gorges within the city limits and three in nearby state parks. Visitors also enjoy Cayuga Lake, hiking trails, and visits to wineries in lakeside vineyards found north and west of the city.
Ithaca is in the rural Finger Lakes region about 250 miles to the northwest of New York City; the nearest larger cities, Binghamton and Syracuse, are an hour's drive away by car. Ithaca lies at over a half hour's drive from any interstate highway, and all car trips to Ithaca involve at least some driving on two-lane state rural highways.
With all that Ithaca offers its residents and visitors it is no wonder that finding a hotel room at certain times of the year can be a challenge. When planning a trip to Ithaca, take the time to plan ahead. Consider that the beginning and ending of semesters wil find many parents staying in the area to help their college age children move in or out of the dorms. Whatever brings you to Ithaca, your trip will be smoother when you book your hotels rooms through the services of Golden Hare Travel.