Ithaca restaurant, bars, and venue spaces attract visitors and locals alike. The cluster of restaurants at the East end of the commons on North Aurora Street, dubbed restaurant row, offers a taste of classic American, Mexican, Italian, Thai, Southern Comfort, French, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean cuisine. All of those quality options on one block help set the tone for the seriousness of Ithaca’s culinary scene.
Food trucks can be found sprinkled around town including Louie’s Lunch, Franny’s, Dos Amigos, That’s How I Roll sushi truck, and Bici Cocina, among others.
Ithaca’s legendary Ithaca Farmer’s Market is a must see when visiting Ithaca on the weekend. During the growing season you can pick up fresh goods five days awake at locations throughout town. The main hub with a large variety of food choices and vendors is at the Steamboat Landing pavilion on Cayuga Lake, open Saturdays and Sunday from the morning through afternoon.
Nearby the Ithaca Farmer’s Market is a landing for boat tours, where you can go out on Cayuga Lake for a variety of tours in the day or evening. Drink, learn, and relax while cruising along Cayuga Lake. More information is available on the Ithaca Boat Tours website. You can also rent boats in town, and enjoy lunch at Yacht clubs on Cayuga Lake.
No stay in Ithaca involving food would be truly complete without a visit to Wegmans Supermarket downtown. Renown for its appeal and quality of workforce, you can find fresh baked bread, fruit, pre-made meals of all kinds, a pharmacy, dry cleaner, caterer, florist, and more, all under one roof. Wegmans supports local farmers and entrepreneurs, and shoppers can expect to find some signature regional options at the Wegmans store in Ithaca you may not be able to find elsewhere.
A lot of bands perform and celebrations get catered by places like Wegmans and other restaurants around town. Weddings are popular every weekend the weather is warm. Favorite places are Sage Chapel at Cornell, the John Joseph Inn, Lansing Event Center, Inn at Taughannock, Celebrations, Cayuga Nature Center, Great Peak Mountain Resort, Gratitude & Grace and more. With advanced notice, Collegetown Cab can assemble a fleet of vans and shuttle guests to and from venues for any wedding or event.
After parties and live music can be found at The Haunt, State Theater, The Range, and Lot 10 throughout the year, among other places. Check their website calendars for dates and information on musicians. Ithaca has a vibrant music scene denoted by events like ‘Porchfest’ where bands and musicians assemble on porches throughout Ithaca’s Fall Creek area, and the Summer Concert Series ,where live bands perform for free at the Bernie Milton Pavillion on the Ithaca Commons most Thursdays during the summer.
Through all the eating and merrymaking Collegetown Cab is a phone call or click away to transport you where you want to go.