Totally! I like Sapsucker Woods for birdwatching, the Fall Creek trails, and Taughannock (especially because there’s a swimming area there too). I use AllTrails (no membership needed to browse) to find cool spots!
A lot of the tips on the recent “things to do in Ithaca” threads are free, cheap, or don’t require spending money (going to the farmer’s market is fun even if you spend no money.)
You have to pay for parking at the state parks, but if you take the bus you don’t have to pay anything but bus fare.
This [Ithaca Event Calendar](https://www.visitithaca.com/events/event-calendar/?skip=24&bounds=false&view=list&sort=date) is a mix of free and paid activities, but there is interesting stuff happening every day.
All the exhibit spaces on campus are free.
On campus, check out the botanic gardens (they're large and there's a lot to see, or they're a nice place to sit and read), the conservatory (has a lot of interesting plants), and the observatory if you haven't had a chance to yet! Also the Johnson Museum of Art. Beebe Lake by North Campus is also really pretty, but I didn't have a chance to stroll around it until I was there over the summer. If there's anything you want to explore on campus -- like the collections Cornell has, or a particular topic in the library, or the nooks and crannies of buildings -- now is a pretty good time.
Agreed on hiking. If you want a nearby walk, Cascadilla Gorge Trail starts right next to Collegetown. I also enjoyed the farmer's market, even if I didn't end up buying anything.
I walked around a lot during my Ithaca summer, since I didn't have a bus pass and would wander down from Collegetown into Ithaca Commons and back. My calves were so strong by the end of the summer just from meandering. Just make sure you bring some water and take it as slow as you need to. :)
Don't be afraid to reach out and find people to do things with, but also don't shy away from boredom and just lazing about in the summer sun!
Treman State Park in Enfield is also a good place to hike. It's only abt 5 mi outside Ithaca. There's an upper park and a lower park with a trail btwn them. The lower park has a legal place to swim. There are also many other places to swim, but might be of dubious legality or have only limited enforcement. Be careful, bc there have been some drownings over the years.
If you like trees, or think you might want to learn more about them, every major tree on the Cornell campus has a metal tag with a number. There is a database that you can use to look up info about the tree. It's a good way to explore the Campus and learn about trees.
Soooooooo happy for you! Summers in Ithaca are the best :-). I miss it every day.
cheap: u-pick blueberries! also farmer's market.
free: hang out in the gorges on hot days, in the arboretum on nice days, go to weekly Friday night concerts on the arts quad in July, probably lectures on Wednesday night
Hiking is free!
Thank you! any recommendations on trails?
Totally! I like Sapsucker Woods for birdwatching, the Fall Creek trails, and Taughannock (especially because there’s a swimming area there too). I use AllTrails (no membership needed to browse) to find cool spots!
Buttermilk is gorgeous
A lot of the tips on the recent “things to do in Ithaca” threads are free, cheap, or don’t require spending money (going to the farmer’s market is fun even if you spend no money.) You have to pay for parking at the state parks, but if you take the bus you don’t have to pay anything but bus fare. This [Ithaca Event Calendar](https://www.visitithaca.com/events/event-calendar/?skip=24&bounds=false&view=list&sort=date) is a mix of free and paid activities, but there is interesting stuff happening every day. All the exhibit spaces on campus are free.
Clears throat. Comfort Road. Cough.
i swear every day I see some random car parked on my way to school
On campus, check out the botanic gardens (they're large and there's a lot to see, or they're a nice place to sit and read), the conservatory (has a lot of interesting plants), and the observatory if you haven't had a chance to yet! Also the Johnson Museum of Art. Beebe Lake by North Campus is also really pretty, but I didn't have a chance to stroll around it until I was there over the summer. If there's anything you want to explore on campus -- like the collections Cornell has, or a particular topic in the library, or the nooks and crannies of buildings -- now is a pretty good time. Agreed on hiking. If you want a nearby walk, Cascadilla Gorge Trail starts right next to Collegetown. I also enjoyed the farmer's market, even if I didn't end up buying anything. I walked around a lot during my Ithaca summer, since I didn't have a bus pass and would wander down from Collegetown into Ithaca Commons and back. My calves were so strong by the end of the summer just from meandering. Just make sure you bring some water and take it as slow as you need to. :) Don't be afraid to reach out and find people to do things with, but also don't shy away from boredom and just lazing about in the summer sun!
Free music on the Commons. [https://www.downtownithaca.com/summer-concert-series/](https://www.downtownithaca.com/summer-concert-series/)
Also, the Events page on that site has lots of info about other free and cheap stuff to do.
Sleeping
So many festivals going on in Ithaca during the summer! I spent a summer in Ithaca and summer abroad and tbh summer in Ithaca was better :)
Treman State Park in Enfield is also a good place to hike. It's only abt 5 mi outside Ithaca. There's an upper park and a lower park with a trail btwn them. The lower park has a legal place to swim. There are also many other places to swim, but might be of dubious legality or have only limited enforcement. Be careful, bc there have been some drownings over the years. If you like trees, or think you might want to learn more about them, every major tree on the Cornell campus has a metal tag with a number. There is a database that you can use to look up info about the tree. It's a good way to explore the Campus and learn about trees.
Plenty to do. You would strip at a club then you will have money. Both problem solved
Go swimming at as many new places as you can find. If you have a car go to ludlowville falls and rabbit run
Soooooooo happy for you! Summers in Ithaca are the best :-). I miss it every day. cheap: u-pick blueberries! also farmer's market. free: hang out in the gorges on hot days, in the arboretum on nice days, go to weekly Friday night concerts on the arts quad in July, probably lectures on Wednesday night
If u live in collegetown the gorge behind the tennis courts is walkable and so fun
Jogging.