Ithaca is Gorges

The bumper stickers proclaim "Ithaca is Gorges"...but it is so much more. Located in central New York State at the southern tip of Cayuga Lake, the largest of the Finger Lakes, Ithaca is known for its eclectic cultural traditions and natural beauty, and has garnered a long list of accolades from leading magazines such as "American Values-Where to Buy a Retirement Home," Smart Money Magazine, February 2002; "Best Places to Vacation," Money Magazine, April 2002; and "25 Terrific Places to Bring up a Family," Mothering Magazine, July/August 2001 to name a few. Ithaca was also ranked in the top "12 Great Places to Retire" by Kiplinger's in 2005. Click here to view the complete list.

With average winter temperatures in the low 20's and average summer temperatures around 80 degrees, the area offers the splendor of a superb four-season climate and no shortage of things to do. In addition to a 40 mile long lake, the area boasts of over 150 waterfalls within a 10 mile radius of Ithaca and the area provides hours and hours of enjoyment from fishing, hiking, hunting, golfing, spectator sports and cultural events, and more than 100 area wineries and fine dining.

To quote Andrew Zepp, executive director of The Finger Lakes Trust on his recent Good Morning America appearance: "What I appreciate is that on a given day, I can start out with a hike through these wonderful gorges, spend time sailing on a beautiful lake, visit a winery in the afternoon, and through one of the institutions of higher learning, hear a world leader speak at night." (Read complete article from ABC's Good Morning America.)

Ithaca has many of the amenities and flair of big city living without the noise and confusion of a big city. Ithaca is the hub of Tompkins County where you will find unique boutiques and malls with larger anchor stores. Eateries abound from small specialty delicatessens to larger restaurants with many specializing in ethnic cuisine such as Thai, Chinese, Greek, Italian, Indian, and Vietnamese to name a few. Visitors can find lodging by the day, week or month at lake cottages, small inns to larger motel chains, and a choice of many bed and breakfasts. One can find higher education opportunities at Ithaca College, Tompkins Cortland Community College, or one of the top Ivy League schools in Cornell University. Visitors will see many bumper stickers proclaiming Ithaca is Gorges...and they soon come to understand why…from Taughannock Falls with a greater vertical water drop than Niagara Falls to over 150 other waterfalls in and around Ithaca.

Travel just a short distance and you will find yourself in the country... where the air is clean, the people are friendly, and the views can be spectacular! The centerpiece of the area, Cayuga Lake, is one of the largest Finger Lakes. At 40 miles long and containing an amazing 2.5 trillion gallons of water for your recreational pleasures, the lake offers a wide variety of water sports and activities.

Ithaca is located about midway between New York City and Toronto (less than 5 hours) and by car within an hour of Syracuse and Binghamton and less than two hours from Rochester.

Contact Dennis via email or call (607) 227-6422 for more information on becoming a homeowner or to assist with your real estate needs.

www.ithaca-homes.com