Circle Greenway is a 10-mile walk that leads to many of Ithaca [1]’s foremost natural and urban attractions, including gorges, the waterfront, Cornell, and the Commons. A free map can be picked up at the Ithaca/Tompkins County Convention and Visitors Bureau (904 E. Shore Dr., near Stewart Park, 607/272-1313 or 800/284-8422, www.visitithaca.com [2]).
Cayuga Lake Cruises (702 W. Buffalo St., 607/256-0898) offers dinner, lunch, brunch, and cocktail cruises aboard the M/V Manhattan. Tiohero Tours (607/697-0166 or 866/846-4376, www.tioherotours.com [3], 12 adults, $11 seniors, $8 children 5–12) offers narrated one-hour tours of the lake that depart from the Farmers Market pier at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, from May to October.
Just south of downtown is Buttermilk Falls (Rte. 13, 607/273-5761, dawn–dusk daily May–Nov., parking $6–8), plummeting more than 500 feet past 10 waterfalls, churning rapids, sculptured pools, and raggedy cliffs. Alongside the falls runs a trail leading up to spirelike Pinnacle Rock and Treman Lake. At the base of the falls are a natural swimming hole, ball fields, and a campground. For campground reservations, call 800/456-CAMP.
Five miles south of Ithaca [1] lies Treman Park (off Rte. 13, 607/273-3440, dawn–dusk daily Apr.–Nov., parking $6–8)—1,025 acres of wild and rugged beauty. Near the entrance is Enfield Glen, a forested gorge traversed by a stone pathway and steps. The steps lead to 115-foot-high Lucifer Falls and a vista stretching 1.5 miles down into a deep glen threaded by the Gorge Trail. A three-story 1839 gristmill, a natural swimming pool, and a campground are also on the grounds. For campground reservations, call 800/456-CAMP.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-york-state/the-finger-lakes/ithaca
[2] http://www.visitithaca.com
[3] http://www.tioherotours.com