Ithaca: A Gorges Getaway

The city's motto, "Ithaca is Gorges" is both a fact and an understatement." -- San Antonio Express News

Ithaca and Tompkins County are more than just great places to live and work, they’re exciting travel destinations to visitors nationwide. Nearly 500,000 people visit the area annually and their choices for entertainment and recreation have never been greater. Here, small-town charm meets Ivy League sophistication amid a backdrop of breathtaking gorges, towering waterfalls, outstanding recreation and world-class thinking. Home to Cornell University and Ithaca College, the area’s rich culture, fine lodging and abundance of top-quality restaurants make it an ideal base for any Finger Lakes getaway.

Downtown shopping and restaurants provide a unique and exciting variety for all tastes and ages. The State parks and many lakes offer the best in fishing, hunting, swimming and boating. Local wineries, art galleries and museums provide something for everyone – which is why so many people return to Tompkins County year after year.

More information and resources for planning a visit to Tompkins County can be found at www.VisitIthaca.com .  You may also call the Visitors' Center at (607)272-1313 or (800)28-ITHACA.


Directions to The Ithaca Visitor's Center

From Buffalo (Approx. 3 Hours)
Take NYS Thruway (I-90) to Exit 41, Then take Route 318 East to Route 89 South into Ithaca. Follow signs to Visitor's Center.

From Boston Massachusetts: (Approx. 6 Hours)
Take the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90 West ) into New York State, continue on I-90 (NYS Thruway), to Exit 34A, follow I-481 South to to I-81 South. Take exit 12 at Homer, then follow Rt. 281 South to Route 13 South into Ithaca. Or, take the Mass. Pike (I-90 West) to I-88W. At Bainbridge take Route 206 West to Whitney Point. Then take Route 79 West into Ithaca. Follow signs to Visitor's Center.

From Philadelphia: (Approx. 4 Hours)
Take I-276 West to the Northeast Extension or Route 9 North to I-81 North to Exit 8. Then follow Route 79 West into Ithaca. Turn right onto Route 13 North. Follow signs to Visitor's Center.

From New York City: (Approx. 4 Hours)
Take I-80 West to I-380 West, then I-81 North to Exit 8, then Rt. 79 West into Ithaca, turn right onto Route 13 North. Or take the Palisades Parkway North to Route 6 West to Rt. 17 West. Then I-81 North to Exit 8, continue as above. Follow signs to Visitor's Center.

From Montreal:  (Approx. 5 1/2 Hours)
Take 401 West to I-81 South. Continue on I-81 South to Exit 12. Then follow Route 13 South into Ithaca. Follow signs to Visitor's Center. From Toronto: Approx. 4 Hours Take the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) West to Rt. 190 (now in the US) to Rt. 290 then I-90 East. Then, follow directions from Buffalo.

From Binghamton: (Approx. 45 minutes)
Take 81N to exit 8 into Whitney Point. In Whitney Point take Rt 79W which will bring you into Ithaca. Turn right onto Rt 13N, take the Stewart Park/Auburn exit and follow signs to the Visitors Center.

From Rochester/Geneva: (Approx. 2 Hours)
Take NYS Thruway (I-90E) to Geneva Exit ( Rt 96-Ithaca). Follow Rt 96S into Ithaca. Turn left onto Rt 13S, take the Stewart Park/Auburn exit and follow signs to the Visitors Center.

From Elmira: (Approx. 35 minutes)
Take Rt 13N into Ithaca. Stay on Rt.13N take the Stewart Park/Auburn exit and follow signs to the Visitors Center.

From Cortland: (Approx. 30 minutes)
Take Rt.13 to Ithaca. As you come down along the lake on 13S at the bottom of the hill take the Stewart Park/Auburn exit and follow signs to the Visitors Center.

For New York State Thruway road conditions, call 1-800-THRUWAY.

For detailed directions from your location go to MapQuest.com