If you love great food, craft beverages, and local flavor, Ithaca, New York should be at the top of your travel list. Nestled in the Finger Lakes region, this small city is bursting with farm-to-table restaurants, independent wineries, cideries, and breweries, all supported by a strong community of farmers and small business owners.

Ithaca’s natural beauty, creative spirit, and agricultural abundance make it one of the most delicious and distinctive destinations in upstate New York.

Taste the Heart of the Finger Lakes

The best way to experience Ithaca is through its food. The city’s long tradition of sustainable agriculture and community markets connects visitors directly with local growers and makers.

Ithaca Farmers Market: The Beating Heart of Local Food

No trip to Ithaca is complete without a stop at the Ithaca Farmers Market.
Website: https://ithacamarket.com/
Visit Ithaca Listing: https://www.visitithaca.com/attraction/ithaca-farmers-market

Open April–December and located on the scenic Cayuga Lake waterfront, the market hosts more than 80 local vendors under a lakeside wooden pavilion.

What to expect:

• Farm-Fresh Produce from surrounding Finger Lakes farms
• Artisan Foods including bread, cheese, honey, maple syrup, pastries, ferments, jams
• Global Eats such as Tibetan momos, Cambodian noodles, falafel, and more
• Local Artisans offering pottery, jewelry, natural skincare, and textiles
• A True Community Hub, operated as a local cooperative

The market captures everything that makes Ithaca special: food, community, creativity, and connection to the land.

Farm-to-Table Dining

Ithaca’s restaurant scene builds directly on its agricultural roots.

• Moosewood Restaurant – https://www.moosewoodrestaurant.com/
• Asempe Kitchen – https://www.asempekitchen.com/
• Lev Kitchen – https://www.levkitchen.com/
• The Rook – https://www.rookfoodanddrink.com/
• Gola Osteria – https://www.golaosteria.com/

Here, chefs build their menus seasonally and source from nearby farms, so you taste the Finger Lakes in every bite.

Sip Local: Cider, Wine & Beer

The Cider Capital of New York

The Finger Lakes is the country’s most exciting region for orchard-based cider. Top producers include:

• South Hill Cider – https://www.southhillcider.com/
• Finger Lakes Cider House – https://www.fingerlakesciderhouse.com/
• Black Diamond Farm & Cider – https://www.blackdiamondcider.com/

For deeper insight into the region’s cider culture, don’t miss Beer Sessions Radio, our show all about craft brews.

https://heritageradionetwork.org/series/beer-sessions-radio

Recommended Episodes Featuring NY Cider:

• Cider Week Roundtable – https://heritageradionetwork.org/episode/cider-week-roundtable/
• NY State of Cider – https://heritageradionetwork.org/episode/ny-state-of-cider

These episodes explore how orchards, fermentation, and agriculture shape the region’s cider identity.

Wineries and Breweries

Cayuga Lake Wine Trail – https://cayugawinetrail.com/
Known for Riesling, Cabernet Franc, and lakefront tasting rooms.

Ithaca Beer Co. – https://ithacabeer.com/

Personal Best Brewing – https://www.personalbestbrewing.com/

Both breweries highlight local ingredients and small-batch quality.

Supporting Small Businesses

Ithaca thrives because of its independent shops and makers. Explore downtown’s pedestrian-friendly Ithaca Commons, filled with cafés, bookstores, boutiques, and galleries.

Ithaca Commons Info:
https://www.cityofithaca.org/369/Ithaca-Commons

Every purchase supports a community where small businesses are the backbone of daily life.

Where Nature Meets Nourishment

Ithaca pairs farm-to-table culture with some of the most dramatic landscapes in New York State. Don’t miss:

• Taughannock Falls State Park – https://parks.ny.gov/parks/taughannockfalls
• Buttermilk Falls State Park – https://parks.ny.gov/parks/buttermilkfalls
• Cornell Botanic Gardens and Cascadilla Gorge https://cornellbotanicgardens.org/location/cascadilla-gorge

With gorges, waterfalls, and miles of trails, you can experience nature and local food in a single day.

When to Visit Ithaca

• Spring & Summer: Best for farmers market visits, outdoor dining, and lake activities
• Fall: Peak apple season, cider events, and stunning foliage
• Winter: Cozy tasting rooms, quiet trails, and relaxed downtown shopping

Plan Your Trip

Ithaca is about a 4-hour drive from NYC or 2 hours from Rochester or Syracuse. Whether you stay for a weekend or a week, you’ll leave with memorable meals, beautiful scenery, and a sense of connection to a deeply rooted agricultural community.

Need more details? Our friends at Visit Ithaca can help. https://www.visitithaca.com/