Enjoy winter in the Ithaca-Cortland region–a true winter paradise!

The Ithaca–Cortland region makes the perfect winter destination getaway for outdoor adventure lovers, culture seekers, families, and foodies alike. An easy drive from many major cities in the northeast, this destination ticks all of the winter getaway boxes: winter recreation (check!), great food (check!), amazing museums (check!), and affordable accommodations (check!). Stay in either Ithaca or Cortland and plan your own adventure.

Create your perfect getaway by choosing from one of three curated winter itineraries in Ithaca-Cortland below.

Plan a perfect family-friendly winter weekend getaway in the Ithaca-Cortland region.

Day 1

After an easy car ride, stretch your legs and check out Ithaca’s Sciencecenter, a hands-on science museum that’s fun for all ages with interactive exhibits to explore, connect, and create through science. Check into Hope Lake Lodge at Greek Peak Mountain Resort. Families can spread out in the resort’s spacious suites that come complete with a fully equipped kitchen and cozy fireplace. Families will love splashing around in Greek Peak’s Cascades Indoor Waterpark where it’s 84 degrees inside all year round. Kids will enjoy splashing around in the indoor waterpark and playing in the game arcade while the adults can wind down at the outdoor heated pool and hot tub.

Head to Carvers Steakhouse at the resort for dinner without having to get back into the car or bundle up to go outside into the cold. This upscale yet casual restaurant is great for families looking for a nice meal with options for picky eaters.

Day 2

Head out for a day of snow fun at Greek Peak Mountain Resort, the largest ski resort in central New York, where the whole family can learn to ski or snowboard with Greek Peak’s low cost learn-to-ski package. The $59 package includes equipment rentals, a lesson and lift ticket. If everyone is up for another adventure the resort also offers snow tubing – a thrilling race downhill on groomed trails. The best part? No need to trek up the hill with your tube, just take a lift! If everyone has had enough of the snow and cold, families can warm up at Shipwreck Amusements just a 10 minute drive from the resort featuring an indoor, blacklight mini-golf course.

End the day with dinner at the resort’s Trax Pub & Grill which offers a cozy and boisterous atmosphere, kid-friendly menu options, and slope-side dining where you can watch all of the action comfortably inside or on the outdoor deck.

Day 3

Drop the kids off at Bearfoot Den Children’s Activity Center, the resort’s onsite childcare center while you sneak off to a morning at the resort’s onsite spa, Waterfalls Spa for a restorative treatment. Fully recharged, check out of the resort and head to Taughannock Falls for an easy but breathtakingly beautiful hike. The falls are the tallest single-drop waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains and during the winter, the frozen falls are so stunning, even the kids will be impressed. Wander through the Dewitt Mall and browse the books at Buffalo Street Books, Ithaca’s cooperatively-owned independent bookstore. Before heading out of town, share an ice cream sundae at Purity Ice Cream Co. as the ice cream sundae was rumored to have been invented in Ithaca in 1892. Purity is a retro ice cream stand that has been churning ice cream since 1936.

Whether returning for a nostalgic visit or visiting a current student here’s how to take a memorable trip to the Ithaca-Cortland Region:

Day 1

Start the getaway off right with a guided premium cider tasting at South Hill Cider just outside of downtown Ithaca. South Hill Cider has been crafting elegant and complex ciders crafted from apples from their onsite orchard since 2003. Pair it with housemade snacks or cheese and charcuterie board featuring locally-sourced ingredients and regional cheeses. A short drive away, check in to LaTourelle Hotel, with 70 acres of rambling grounds, a blazing fireplace and bar featuring local beverages in the lobby waiting upon arrival. Many of La Tourelle’s rooms boast their own wood burning fireplaces and luxurious beds for next level wintertime coziness. Head into town for an upscale dinner at Mia Tapas Bar on the Ithaca Commons. Mia serves elevated and inventive Pan-Asian cuisine using traditional cooking techniques with many gluten-free and vegetarian options.

Day 2

Indulge in a truly memorable and hearty breakfast at The Bistro at La Tourelle. Located on the property, the bistro is housed in a farmhouse dating back to the 1700s and focuses on fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from preferred vendors throughout the Finger Lakes. The french toast made with Ithaca Bakery oatmeal bread is not to be missed! After fueling up, take a short drive to Cortland for some skiing. Choose downhill skiing at Greek Peak Mountain Resort, central New York’s largest ski resort, or cross-country skiing at Lime Hollow Nature Center. Immerse yourself in nature on one of their 12-miles of scenic and serene trails on 592 acres of natural land. After an active morning, head to lunch at Hairy Tony’s located in downtown Cortland where you’ll find a classic gastropub serving seasonal comfort food. Take a fascinating tour of Cortland’s famed 1890 House Museum, the imposing Victorian home of Chester F. Wickwire and his family where visitors can step back in time and experience what daily life was like for both the family and the servants living and working in the home. Spend a cozy cocktail hour at Bar Argos in the beautiful Argos Inn whose building dates back to the 1830s. Choose one of their meticulously crafted inventive cocktails rated on a “scale of weirdness” from “colloquial” to “delightfully unusual” to “what?!” Head to dinner at Ithaca’s famed Moosewood Restaurant, the revolutionary vegetarian restaurant that recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Day 3

Treat yourself to brunch at Simeon’s American Bistro, an upscale destination for brunch on the Ithaca Commons where you can order fresh oysters or a seafood tower alongside classic brunch options. Bundle up and take a chilly stroll through the winter gardens at the Cornell Botanic Gardens. be sure to make your way to the Newman Overlook, one of the highest points of the Cornell campus, to appreciate the landscape of the arboretum which was carved by Fall Creek’s waters beginning more than 10,000 years ago. Head to Ithaca Bakery for lunch, a much loved institution in Ithaca loved by students, locals, and visitors alike. The bakery has been crafting artisan breads, bagels and sweets for more than 100 years. A trip to the Finger Lakes isn’t complete without a winery visit. Before departing, stop by Sheldrake Point Winery on the west side of Cayuga Lake. Sheldrake boasts a serious commitment to quality and sense of place, proving cool climate wines (hello Riesling!) do age well.

Take an ideal wintertime escape from the city to the Ithaca-Cortland region without breaking the bank:

Day 1

After a quick drive upstate, head straight to Homer Hops Brewing, a homegrown craft brewery in the quaint village of Homer serving up IPAs, Stouts, Sours and Porters, and seasonal ales. Grab a bite from their rotating lineup of food trucks, or enjoy a meal at Dasher’s Corner Pub in the Village of Homer, offering time-tested dishes and classic cocktails. Check into the Best Western Finger Lakes Plus, a hotel that combines ease of access to the region, elegant design, spacious rooms, and rates that won’t break the bank. Take a quick drive to cute and historic downtown Cortland for dinner at BRIX. With its industrial chic decor, brick-oven pizzas, wings, and large selection of beers on tap, it’s easy to see why this is a Cortland favorite. Have you ever heard of Chicken Rigs? Order this regional classic and thank us later.

Day 2

Fuel up for a full day at BRU 64 in downtown Cortland – a unique, upscale coffee lounge serving up freshly roasted coffee and killer bagel breakfast sandwiches. After breakfast, pick your mode of snow transportation: snow shoe, cross-country ski, or hike Lime Hollow Nature Center where snow recreational equipment is available for rent in the visitor center. Immerse yourself in nature on one of their 12-miles of scenic and serene trails on 592 acres of natural land. The Art Trail opens into an Art Meadow filled with immersive and interactive works of art including a variety of sculptures created by different artists. On your way back toward Ithaca, grab lunch and a pint in historic downtown Cortland at Brewer’s Kitchen and Taproom in Ithaca. Serving up inventive and hearty pub fare (think poutine, kimchi tater tots, and apple brie burger), Brewer’s has a seriously impressive selection of craft beers with many cans from breweries across the Finger Lakes.

After lunch, take some time to browse the many boutiques, eateries, vintage shops, and art galleries in downtown Ithaca at the Ithaca Commons, a four-block pedestrian shopping area downtown; the Dewitt Mall, a former school from 1914 now filled with unique shops and dining; and Press Bay Alley, the newest retail development with micro-retail spaces. Don’t miss Buffalo Street Books (one of Ithaca’s cooperatively owned independent bookstore), Angry Mom Records (for its vast selection of vinyl records), Mockingbird Paperie (offering cards, stationery, and art from around the world), and Ithacamade (for all things crafted in Ithaca).

For dinner, head to Bickering Twins Restaurant & Tequila Bar, a popular restaurant (yes, run by twins) focusing on made-from-scratch dishes with a unique blend of Latin American flavors. With a large selection of tequila, this spot is known for its tequila flights, margaritas, and craft cocktails.

Day 3

Stop by Prandium Cortland for breakfast. Prandium is a cafe serving Coffee Mania coffee (a small family-owned coffee roaster in Cortland), specialty coffee drinks (Honeycomb toffee latte, anyone?), and indulgent breakfast items like sweet or savory Belgian waffles, crepes and breakfast sandwiches. Head to the west side of Cayuga Lake to make the easy and mostly flat trek to Taughannock Falls, the tallest single-drop waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains. The falls turn into an icy, natural masterpiece during the winter months as the falls are literally frozen in time. It’s quite a beautiful and majestic sight to behold. Before departing, stop by Creekside Cafe for lunch in the quaint town of Trumansburg. Perched over the Trumansburg Creek and specializing in locally-sourced, farm-to-table fare, the cafe hits the spot with dishes like Kimcheese Panini (with homemade kimchi), the Creek Burger Bowl (with a shitake-black bean burger), and tasty treats. Before heading out of Trumansburg grab a locally-roasted coffee to go at Gimme Coffee or specialty grocery items from impeccably curated Trumansburg Main Street Market.

Build your ultimate winter getaway by choosing your home base: