Back of the Envelope Travel: Ithaca's Gorges... and Booze

August 23, 2007 at 10:34 AM | 0 Comments

As the Northeast summer hits that part where the weather can hardly decide whether to be sultry and smooth or cool and crisp, a sure bet for enjoying either version is Ithaca, NY. Ithaca at this time of year is truly "gorges," at least if you take the advice the town's ubiquitous punning t-shirts. Luckily, the town backs it up with lovely gorges everywhere. Even the deepest aversion to wordplay can't diminish the beauty of a town where a wrong turn down any given street will leave you dwarfed by nature's majesty.

But you'll have to act fast as students are already filtering back in to crush the tranquil small town vibe with a tidal wave of emptied 30 packs and crushed red cups.

The places to stay and play, post click.

Where to stay:
Bed and breakfasts are an Upstate NY specialty. For those looking to be pampered in homey comfort but not stranded out in the boonies, Dane Emerson House offers a pleasant mix of class and convenience: Four poster beds, a jacuzzi, 50 acres to explore, 24 hour snacks and drinks and its just up the road from Ithaca proper.

Where to eat:
While Ithaca is rumored to have a "Thai Restaurant On Every Block" zoning law, the surest bet is the tapas and wine at Just a Taste. While food is served tapas style, the chefs bend the definition to include whatever their expertise conjures up using fresh local produce. The foccacia is baked on premises, the seafood always impresses and there's always more than a dozen wines available by the glass or specially selected flight.

Where to drink:
As a two college town, Ithaca bars tend towards the Animal House-dive end of the spectrum. A better bet for slightly more genteel binging is a tour through the surrounding Finger Lakes wine country. Both sides of Cayuga Lake--that extends north from downtown Ithaca--are dotted with wineries, all within easy driving distance of each other. (You could bike it if you're feeling particularly burly.) Be sure to swing by the Thirsty Owl for the dry riesling and the bartender's endless rhyming pitch that's twice as funny if it's the third or fourth winery you've hit.

Related Stories:
· Upstate NY Travel Map [Jaunted]
· Ithaca Hotels [HotelChatter]

[Photo: Librarian Avenger]

Where: Ithaca, NY, United States, 14850

Tags: Wine Travel / Wine Tours / Bed and Breakfast / College Towns / Upstate-NY-Travel-Map

by Judson

Jaunted

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