Ithaca-Cortland Winter Getaway

A Winter Wonderland is calling in the Ithaca-Cortland Region!

Visit the Ithaca–Cortland region and discover a true winter wonderland, where outdoor adventure, cultural discoveries, and inspiring bites await around every snowy turn. Located in New York’s Finger Lakes region, this stunning destination is surrounded by picturesque vistas, dramatic landscapes, frozen waterfalls, and charming downtowns. Whether it’s your first visit or a return trip to experience the magic of winter, there’s something here for everyone during the cozy months ahead.

Ithaca is known for its rolling hills, dramatic gorges, and powerful waterfalls, offering a rare blend of natural beauty and vibrant culture. This small city thrives as a hub of education, diverse cuisine, and inspiring art. With its eclectic energy and ever-changing seasonal attractions, Ithaca is a must-visit destination during the winter months.

Cortland, known as the “Eastern Gateway to the Finger Lakes,” offers an abundance of outdoor adventure paired with small-town charm. Home to three downhill ski resorts and welcoming downtowns, Cortland brings cozy winter vibes to a whole new level. Whether you’re seeking heart-pumping thrills or a peaceful escape, you’ll find scenic trails, award-winning breweries, and plenty of natural beauty to explore.

Planning a winter escape to the Ithaca–Cortland region is easy, with convenient driving distance from many major East Coast cities. Winter activities pair seamlessly with inspiring cultural experiences, rich culinary discoveries, and opportunities to learn something new. From hands-on classes and artistic workshops to culinary courses and educational experiences, you’ll find countless ways to enrich a winter getaway.

Here are some must-see spots to add to your itinerary:

• Taughannock Falls (Trumansburg): Take an easy hike to the tallest waterfall east of the Rockies! a frozen Waterfall! At 215 feet, Taughannock Falls is three stories taller than Niagara Falls, and it transforms into a spectacular frozen sculpture in the winter. The nearly one-mile-long Gorge Trail to the base of the falls and the overlook area is open year-round and is one of the few gorge trails in the Finger Lakes region that is accessible in the winter. 
• State Theatre of Ithaca: Enjoy a live performance or historic tour, the State Theatre offers a variety of concerts and performers, providing a warm and engaging indoor experience. Tour the 1600-seat theatre to learn about its architecture and history. Designed by local architect Henry N. Hinckley, the building dates back to 1915 and was originally an auto garage and dealership, specializing in Studebakers. 
• Buttermilk Falls State Park: Take in Buttermilk Falls Cascade, dropping over 500 feet, and during winter, it freezes into intricate, massive ice formations. The area offers a tranquil escape and a unique opportunity for wintry photography of the ice formations.
• Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Take a walk through the Lab and 220-acre Sapsucker Woods Sanctuary, a world leader in bird science. This isn’t just a nature center; it is the home of a leading institution for bird conservation. In the winter, its trails become a serene landscape, perfect for quiet hiking or cross-country skiing.
• Cornell Botanic Gardens: Explore this mature botanical garden encompassing 25 acres and 150 acres of the F. R. Newman Arboretum. In the winter, the Gardens features seasonal programming like Winter Wonders: Mindful Botany Walks. 
• Center for the Arts of Homer (Cortland): Take in a show at one of Central New York’s preeminent presenters of the arts, focused on community enrichment through world-class entertainment and arts education. While on-site, check out the art gallery featuring work of the region’s visual artists. 
• Lime Hollow Nature Center (Cortland): Cross-country ski, snow shoe, or take a snowy winter hike at this 430-acre natural wonder. Packed with over 12 miles of hiking trails, glacial valleys, forests, streams, and ponds, The Lime Hollow Nordic Center is a prime spot for outdoor adventure. 
• Song Mountain (Homer, Cortland): Winter adventure awaits with 24 snow-filled, downhill skiing trails, five lifts, night skiing, and access to an Inter-Mountain Passport to Labrador Mountain (for no additional cost) for double the action. For apres-ski, grab a bite at Heuga’s Alpine Restaurant. 
• Greek Peak Mountain Resort: Adventure doesn’t stop with skiing and snowboarding at Greek Peak. Check out an abundance of family-friendly activities that will get your heart racing like the Mountain Coaster, Zip Line Tour, Outdoor Aerial Course, Eurobungy, and Snow Tubing!
• 1890 House Museum (Cortland): Take a tour of the Wickwire home located within the Historic Tompkins Street District, step back into the Gilded Age and marvel at the remarkably preserved Victorian opulence of this mansion built for inventor and industrialist Chester F. Wickwire.
• Tinker Falls (Cortland): A can’t-miss waterfall hike in the Labrador Hollow Unique Area is a local favorite for good reason. The short, scenic hike leads to a dramatic 50-foot cascade you can walk behind — and an overlook trail rewards you with sweeping valley views if you’re up for a climb.
• Labrador Mountain: With 22 groomed trails and 6 lifts, skiers and boarders of all levels can enjoy the slopes. There are also 15+ lit trails, making Labrador a destination for Central New York night skiing. After working up an appetite, stop by The Puffin Bird for classic American pub fare.
• Cortland Corset Building: Nestled within a historic 150-year-old factory, Cinch Art Space at the Cortland Corset Building is the place to find exclusively handcrafted, entirely local fine art, unique gifts, and functional creations.

Looking for more ideas?

Where can you pair endless winter outdoor adventures with charming downtowns, stunning frozen waterfalls, an exciting culinary scene, and inspiring cultural discoveries? In New York’s Finger Lakes Ithaca-Cortland Region. It’s a region that gives wintertime travelers more than just a standard winter getaway with an uncompromising combination of cozy culture and snowy thrills.

Here are some additional ideas to add to your winter itinerary in the Ithaca-Cortland region.

Cultural & Educational Experiences in Ithaca-Cortland Region:

• Marvel at the Hyde Park Mastodon—one of the most complete mastodon skeletons ever found. like the Museum of the Earth
• Visit the Dalai Lama Library and Learning Center at Namgyal Monastery, His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s official North American seat
• Explore CNY Living History Center, home to The Brockway Museum, The Homeville Museum, and The T.O.Y.S. Museum in Cortland
• Take in an exhibit at the Johnson Museum of Art at Cornell University
• Shop Ithaca Commons, Press Bay Alley, the Dewitt Mall, and the Cortland Corset Building
• Browse books in Buffalo Street Books, Odyssey Bookstore, and Autumn Leaves Used Books
• Indulge in some self-care at the spa at Hope Lake Lodge or August Moon Spa at La Tourelle

Hands-On Learning in Ithaca-Cortland Region:

• A Hands-On woodworking class at Hammerstone School for women and gender minorities
• Bespoke candle making at Poured Candle Bar in Ithaca to create one-of-a-kind candles, diffusers, and perfumes
• Make delicious West African dishes at Asempe Kitchen Cooking Classes
• Throw some pottery at Pottery Works, Cortland’s first community pottery studio, located in the historic Cortland Corset Building
• Take an artistic workshop at Feel Goods, offering classes in stained glass, ice dyeing, block printing, macrame, clay, crochet, and knitting

Savor the Flavors of the Ithaca-Cortland Region:

• Ithaca is the epicenter of the craft cider scene. Visit one of the region’s award-winning cideries, like South Hill Cider
• Warm up with a locally crafted beer (consider taking a tour of a brewery like Homer Hops Brewing, Cortland Beer Company & Farm Distillery, or Ithaca Beer) or sip a handcrafted spirit at a distillery
• Taste world-famous wine from the Finger Lakes with a visit to a winery (without the crowds of the high season)
• Explore Ithaca’s Restaurant Row to discover new culinary cuisines or dig into a cozy meal and customize your steak at Dasher’s Corner Pub, an old-school eatery dating back to 1905
• Get your caffeine fix at one of the region’s coffee shops, boasting house-roasted coffee like Coffee Mania or Gimmee Coffee!

Your adventures in the Ithaca-Cortland region can easily be based in either Ithaca or Cortland, depending on where you’d like to prioritize your time. To start planning your itinerary based in Cortland, head to Experience Cortland. To start planning your itinerary based in Ithaca, head to Visit Ithaca.