Sustainable Travel Guide: Places To Eat, Shop, and Explore in Ithaca
Photo: The Statler Hotel
One of Ithaca’s great claims to fame is its progressive and sustainable atmosphere, an epicenter of business and green-minded nonprofits alike. Sustainable Finger Lakes has compiled an environmentalist’s (but really, anyone’s) dream vacation replete with local farms and food processors, small artisan businesses, and acres of beautiful natural places to explore on the land and water.
Because there are so many things to do (and try as you might, it just *isn’t* possible to do them all in one trip!), we’ve picked out only the most eco- and community-friendly destinations to minimize your ecological impact and maximize your getaway.
Getting Around
The TCAT: Aquamarine-accented public buses, the bane and salvation for many Ithacans. For visitors, it’s an incredibly affordable way to get around without having to worry about parking or ridiculous one-ways while still maintaining the ability to tote around newly-discovered Ithaca treasures.
Since car transportation is a large source of pollution, all activities and locations listed are accessible by TCAT buses, which have easy-to-use apps for locating stops and schedules. Firelight Camps is only a 10-minute walk from a bus stop that will bring you Downtown where you can enjoy many sites in the area as well as catch a bus to your next adventure.*
Bike Rental: Prefer the human-powered route? Rent an electric bike from Boxy Bikes located downtown or a traditional one from the Outdoor Store (tel:+16072733891). If you need to go further, all buses have bike racks for a seamless transportation experience.
Photo: Kristen Harrison, The Ithacan
Photo: Ithaca Bike Rental
Where to Eat
The Farmers Market: The Ithaca Farmers Market is a great spot to visit on Saturday or Sunday. It’s one of Ithaca’s most popular attractions, boasting a wide range of local artisan goods and produce sold by the farmers themselves. Because of its popularity, try to get there when it opens at 9:00 AM or towards the end of the day, around 1:30 PM to avoid the rush. Alternatively, their weekday markets on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday offer a unique, more intimate experience for a more casual visit.
Restaurants:
Angelhearts Diner - vegan comfort food, located a 5-minute walk from the Seneca Street station.
Coltivare - upscale “farm-to-bistro” fare that operates as part of Tompkins County Community College’s culinary and hospitality programs, sourcing its produce from TC3’s farms and composting their scraps back into the fields.
Mercato Bar & Kitchen - Italian-inspired local fare that changes with the seasons. Great options for vegetarians and omnivores alike.
Moosewood - a local (and national) legend, renowned for their ethos surrounding local, vegetarian/pescatarian fare. If you’re visiting Ithaca, I’d be surprised if you didn’t know about Moosewood.
Northstar Public House - a still partly hidden gem, Northstar offers vegetarian and meaty cuisine, the majority sourced from local farms.
GreenStar: If you’re looking to make your own meals, local consumer co-op GreenStar is accessible by bus and offers thousands of products geared toward the sustainability-minded muncher. Bulk snacks, fresh and often local produce, and unique regional offerings will give you a sampler plate of the area. They also have a downtown location that does not offer the same variety, but carries many grab-and-go basics, some produce, and prepared foods.
Photo: Paul Martin
Photo: Stacy Shintani
Hiking Trails
Cascadilla Gorge Trail: If you’re looking to stay close to the downtown area, Cascadilla Gorge Trail offers a quick 1.3 mile ascent into Cornell’s Collegetown area, where you’ll be welcomed by Collegetown Bagels, refreshing smoothies, and fresh-baked treats.
Robert H Treman Park: For those looking for a bit more strenuous of a hike, Robert H Treman Park is accessible by bus 67 (departs from Seneca Street) and has beginner and intermediate gorge trails, as well as a swimming hole for cooling off. Admission is completely free but costs $8 to park.
Stewart Park: For those interested in spending more time on the water than just near it, Stewart Park (bus 13) offers kayaking, paddleboarding, and even standup paddleboard yoga! Paddle-N-More has great options for renting and is part of our Finger Lakes Enterprises for Climate Action! The park also has tennis courts, a large playground, and plenty of open grass space, making it an easy way to spend an afternoon.
Photo: Patty Humphries
Photo: Chris Irwin
Photo: Yejin
Shopping
If the outdoors haven’t tired you out yet, there are a host of shops in and around the Commons that will give you a relaxing end to a jam-packed day.
These stores focus on environmental responsibility, community support and engagement, and fair wages:
Home Green Home - eco-friendly home goods paradise
Odyssey Bookstore - (another member of FLECA)
Handwork Gallery - artisan cooperative
Many products are either locally sourced or thoughtfully procured so that even when indulging, you’re doing good.
ReUse Center - locally owned and run thrift stores
FOUND in Ithaca - antiques and vintage goodies
Adrina Dietra - sustainable, Black-owned apothecary and lingerie
Bramble Herbalists - herbalist collective that emphasizes local sourcing
Autumn Leaves Used Books - not just used books, but games, vinyl, CDs, DVDs, etc.
SewGreen - a sustainability-first minded fiber shop that offers reclaimed materials
Trader K’s - locally-owned used clothing store right on the Commons
Photo: Jo Zimny
Nightlife & More
Nighttime lights up “Restaurant Row,” where you can visit one of the previously mentioned restaurants and more! Alternatively, heading back to the glampsite and fire waiting for you might just sound like the coziest thing right now. After a refreshing night in nature at Firelight, many more adventures await. Here are a few more suggestions of Ithaca’s most sustainable picks!
Free Activities
Lab of Ornithology bird sighting
Paid Activities
Indian Creek Farm U-pick orchard
Cinemapolis local movie theatre
Not Accessible by Bus
EcoVillage tours, free on the last Saturday of each month at 3 pm, otherwise $35/person or in-depth half and full-day tours and individual tours from $30/person
Gourdlandia (near the EcoVillage)
South Hill Cider tasting
Photo: Jennifer Cornhwite
Photo: © Sean Stalteri
Blaze Your Own Trail
If you’re a DIY-er when it comes to trip planning, take a look at Sustainable Finger Lakes’s Sustainability Map for a comprehensive list of businesses and organizations around the Finger Lakes that support healthy communities. Filter by “Tompkins” county to see the places closest to you.
This map was created by Sustainable Finger Lakes, a project by local non-profit Sustainable Tompkins, whose mission is to create community-based solutions to the intersecting issues of climate and social justice. To learn more about how we’re keeping the region moving forward, follow us on Instagram at @sustainable_tc or Facebook at @sustainablefingerlakes.
Photo: Richard Roberts
* Note: some of these locations may have altered times and practices due to COVID-19 safety precautions. If you are unsure about whether or not a location is open, please call ahead. We have done our best to only include places that we know are operating, but things can change.