Ithaca Travel Forum

We're planning to stay ~2 days in Ithaca and then continue to Niagara Falls for another day and maybe go around Lake Ontario (another 2-3 days).
(1) What's a "must do/see" in Ithaca / Finger Lakes area?
(2) What's a "must do/see" around Lake Ontario / 1000 Islands?
(3) If you could either stay on for ~3 more days in Ithaca / Finger Lakes area or go around Lake Ontario, which would you do?

The Finger Lakes area is famous for its wineries and it's always fun to visit a few. If you like scenery, visit Watkins Glen State Park. Letchworth State Park (a bit further west) is the "Grand Canyon" of the east. It's not the Grand Canyon, but it is beautiful and well worth a visit.

Skaneateles is a really cute little town. There are also cobblestone houses in the area that are fun to find. Perhaps the local tourist office can give you a map.

Incidentally, there are marvelous hiking trails at Cornell University in Ithaca that you may enjoy.

At Niagara Falls, take the Maid of the Mist tour. It is great fun and you get spectacular (though wet) views of the falls. We liked the views on the Canadian side better, but you will want to visit both sides.

In the 1000 Islands area, Upper Canada Village is in Morrisburg (Ontario, Canada) and is great fun. It is a history park with lots of activities. You could compare it to Colonial Williamsburg in the USA or to Ballenberg in Switzerland. Here's the web site: http://www.uppercanadavillage.com/

The entire area is full of history, scenery and just plain fun. The section of Lake Ontario between Buffalo, NY and the 1000 Islands is beautiful and you could spend an entire vacation there easily. (We used to live in the Finger Lakes area and loved it.)

Enjoy your trip.