Naturalists' Retreat Guidebook
Local Arts and Shops
More than a souvenir shop! There is something for everyone in this locally-owned shop.
9 locals recommend
Sunny Days Of Ithaca
171 E State StMore than a souvenir shop! There is something for everyone in this locally-owned shop.
American Crafts By Robbie Dein
158 E State StImpressive and unique art shop
Local art, crystals, trinkets, friendly staff, locally owned
IthacaN Flea Market by Sunny Days of Ithaca
215 East State StreetLocal art, crystals, trinkets, friendly staff, locally owned
One World Market
171 E State StArts and crafts from around the world, locally owned
Things to do
Littletree Orchards
345 Shaffer RdYou pick farm and orchard, friendly staff, great views
Sciencenter
601 1st StHands-on science museum geared toward children
Museum of the Earth
1259 Trumansburg RdNatural history museum
Cornell Botanic Gardens
124 Comstock Knoll DrBotanic Gardens on Cornell University Campus
Natural area with a mission to interpret and conserve the earth’s biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on birds
52 locals recommend
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
159 Sapsucker Woods RdNatural area with a mission to interpret and conserve the earth’s biological diversity through research, education, and citizen science focused on birds
Observatory located on Cornell Campus that frequently hosts public viewing nights. Check website for availability
Fuertes Observatory
209 Cradit Farm DriveObservatory located on Cornell Campus that frequently hosts public viewing nights. Check website for availability
3-acre public children’s garden designed for kids, enjoyed by all, and driven by a mission to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. (We always leave the children's garden feeling inspired!)
41 locals recommend
Ithaca Children's Garden
121 Turtle Ln3-acre public children’s garden designed for kids, enjoyed by all, and driven by a mission to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. (We always leave the children's garden feeling inspired!)
Along with being a great place to kick back and dive into a book, the TCPL has hands-on spaces for children and teens to learn, discover and create
18 locals recommend
Tompkins County Public Library
101 E Green StAlong with being a great place to kick back and dive into a book, the TCPL has hands-on spaces for children and teens to learn, discover and create
An Ithaca Youth Bureau program with the mission is to provide a safe, fun, and healthy way for the community and visitors to experience the splendor of the Ithaca area. (Proceeds from this city-funded program go to the IYB to benefit over a dozen youth-focused programs such as job training, and recreation centers!)
Ithaca Bike Rental
1 James L Gibbs DrAn Ithaca Youth Bureau program with the mission is to provide a safe, fun, and healthy way for the community and visitors to experience the splendor of the Ithaca area. (Proceeds from this city-funded program go to the IYB to benefit over a dozen youth-focused programs such as job training, and recreation centers!)
Experience Cayuga Lake through kayak, canoe, and standup paddleboard rentals, lessons, and guided trips! (They provide everything you could need including flotation vests and paddles)
Paddle-N-More
71 Stewart ParkExperience Cayuga Lake through kayak, canoe, and standup paddleboard rentals, lessons, and guided trips! (They provide everything you could need including flotation vests and paddles)
Watkins Glen-based kayak and equipment rentals (They provide everything you could need including flotation vests and paddles)
26 locals recommend
Lakeside Park
686 NY-414Watkins Glen-based kayak and equipment rentals (They provide everything you could need including flotation vests and paddles)
Ithaca food scene
There is a Dandy gas station and Dollar General less than a mile from the cottage who have pizza, subs, and frozen meals, if you are looking for quick and convenient if you are in a hurry to grab food at any point.
Dandy Mini Mart
2102 Mecklenburg RdThere is a Dandy gas station and Dollar General less than a mile from the cottage who have pizza, subs, and frozen meals, if you are looking for quick and convenient if you are in a hurry to grab food at any point.
Vegetarian, farm to table, one of our favorite places to eat!
114 locals recommend
Moosewood Restaurant
215 N Cayuga StVegetarian, farm to table, one of our favorite places to eat!
Gimme! Coffee
430 N Cayuga StFavorite coffee shop! Has locations in Ithaca and Trumansburg
Glenwood Pines
1213 Taughannock BlvdAmerican cuisine
Simeon's American Bistro
224 E State StFine dining
Saigon Kitchen
526 W State StVietnamese cuisine
Capital Corner
140 W State StChinese cuisine
Old Mexico Restaurant and Cantina
357 Elmira RdMexican cuisine
Viva Taqueria & Cantina
215 E State StMexican cuisine on Ithaca Commons
Sal's Pizzeria
220 S Fulton StStone oven pizza
Luna Inspired Street Food Downtown
113 N Aurora StUnique variety of street foods
Ithaca Bakery
400 N Meadow StSandwiches, baked goods, treats, local favorite!
Food truck, excellent pitas, salads, rice bowls. Open pending weather - call ahead
On The Street Pitas
Food truck, excellent pitas, salads, rice bowls. Open pending weather - call ahead
Angelhearts Diner
401 E State StLocal, family-owned vegan diner.
]whether you get the eggs benedict or the brie French brioche you can guarantee you will have a delicious trip to the milk stand
Milkstand Restaurant
]whether you get the eggs benedict or the brie French brioche you can guarantee you will have a delicious trip to the milk stand
Trumansburg food scene
One of our favorite ice cream shops! Love their banana milkshakes
12 locals recommend
Not My Dads Soft Serve
203 E Main StOne of our favorite ice cream shops! Love their banana milkshakes
Italian cuisine and pizza. Incredible salad bar! (We haven't gone since pre-covid.) We love dining in here.
37 locals recommend
Little Venice
49 E Main StItalian cuisine and pizza. Incredible salad bar! (We haven't gone since pre-covid.) We love dining in here.
Falls Restaurant & Catering
214 E Main StTraditional diner
Watkins Glen food scene
Ben & Jerry’s
418 N Franklin StMust visit ice cream shop!
Holy Cow Deli
410 South Franklin StreetMeat market and deli
Nickel's Pit BBQ Watkins Glen
207 N Franklin StLocally sourced farm to table BBQ
Wine and Beer (See locations)
Cayuga Ridge Estate Winery
6800 NY-89Cayuga Lake Winery
Damiani Wine Cellars
4704 NY-414Seneca Lake Winery
Rasta Ranch Vineyards
5882 NY-414Seneca Lake Winery
Two Goats Brewing
5027 NY-414Seneca Lake Brewery
Leidenfrost Vineyards
5677 NY-414Seneca Lake Winery
Seneca Lake Brewery AND FOOD! We love their pizza. One of the few places to eat on the Seneca Lake wine trail. We get our food to go, then sit at the picnic tables to watch the sunset over Seneca Lake. Highly recommend!
64 locals recommend
Scale House Brewery
5930 NY-414Seneca Lake Brewery AND FOOD! We love their pizza. One of the few places to eat on the Seneca Lake wine trail. We get our food to go, then sit at the picnic tables to watch the sunset over Seneca Lake. Highly recommend!
Ithaca Beer Co.
122 Ithaca Beer DrIthaca Brewery and restaurant
Garrett's Brewing Company
1 W Main StTrumansburg Brewery
Seneca Lake
Learn more about the Seneca Lake Wine Trail at senecalakewine.com
Cayuga Lake
Learn more about the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail at cayugawinetrail.com
Places to swim
Swim at the base of a cascading waterfall in the same waterway that runs behind the cottage!
333 locals recommend
TREMAN STATE PARK
105 Enfield Falls RdSwim at the base of a cascading waterfall in the same waterway that runs behind the cottage!
Taughannock Falls State Park
1740 Taughannock BlvdSwim in Cayuga Lake
Myers Point
Swim in Cayuga Lake
Swim at the base of a cascading waterfall! Shallow points for wading
373 locals recommend
Buttermilk Falls State Park
Swim at the base of a cascading waterfall! Shallow points for wading
Watkins Glen Beach on Lake Seneca
517 East 4th StreetSwim in Seneca Lake