in Ithaca and the
Finger Lakes
see also
Location is everything
"Ithaca? Where's that? What's there to do in Ithaca?"
Before they arrive at Summer College, some students tell us that they're worried about missing life in the big city. When they get here, however, they overwhelmingly find that there's too much to do to be bored.
In fact, they say they appreciate Cornell's setting not only because it's gorgeous, but also because it allows them to focus on their courses, their friends, and their college experience, without the distractions of city life.
So, where is Ithaca? It's located in the heart of the Finger Lakes region, one of the northeast's most attractive summer vacation areas, and we're counting on you to make the most of it.
Swim under a refreshing waterfall in one of the area's stunning state parks, watch the sun set over Cayuga Lake, or walk downtown to the Commons, a popular pedestrian mall. Dewitt Mall, just a block from the Commons, is an old public school converted into shops, art galleries, and cafés, including the famed Moosewood Restaurant.
Close to campus, you'll find the student neighborhood of Collegetown, and Ithaca Mall is a short bus ride away.
Ithaca also has an abundance of local stages, movie theatres, bookstores, and museums.
The city of Syracuse, the beautiful Finger Lakes, the Watkins Glen auto racing circuit, and several centers for the performing arts are all within an hour's drive. The Catskill Mountains and Adirondack Park are approximately three hours away, and New York City and Toronto are less than five hours away.
For more information about the area, visit our "Local links" page or Cornell's "Visiting the Ithaca Campus" pages.