Ithaca Beautiful, Thinking What makes Ithaca unique...? Is it the towering waterfalls, lush ice-age gorges, endless panoramic views? Is it the hiking, the biking, the boating? Is it the beauty of Cayuga Lake, the largest of the Finger Lakes? Perhaps. But perhaps it's something more. Maybe it's the buzz from Cornell University and Ithaca College. You feel it everywhere-in our museums, our galleries, our many restaurants. You hear it in our theaters, our nightclubs, our festivals. You see it downtown on our pedestrian mall, the Ithaca Commons, where PhDs cross paths with street musicians, and families stroll the solar system on an interactive "planet walk." You can't put your finger on it, but there's something special going on here. The bumper stickers say "Ithaca is Gorges," but it's more than that. Ithaca is beautiful and smart and always unexpected. It's intense and laid-back and disdainful of convention. Ithaca is Ithaca. There's a vibe here unlike anywhere in America. And experiencing it is the only way to discover it. The Finger Lakes Region welcomes you to explore its wineries, gorges and outstanding recreational opportunities. Travel on a 135-mile driving tour and discover how a Native American trail became the Gateway to the Finger Lakes or enjoy a find blend of wines and culinary delights on the Canandaigua Winery Trail. From museums to world-class entertainment, the Finger Lakes Region has everything that you are looking for. The New New England Move over Maine, the next hidden New England isn’t even in New England. As New England grows more popular (and populous), little of it remains off the beaten path. For travelers seeking authentic country charms, it might be time to turn west rather than Downeast. With New England overheated, New York’s Finger Lakes are looking downright refreshing. Look at the big picture. The Finger Lakes region is charming, beautiful and expansive. Roughly the size of New Hampshire or Vermont, the region offers big views, big water and a 75-mile Great Lakes coastline. It’s steeped in history, rich in culture and stuffed with outdoor recreation. It is hotbed of organic agriculture and creative cuisine. It has more cows than Vermont. Better still, it offers wine country on a Napa scale—with prettier fall foliage. And land is a bargain. Over the past 20 years, industrial decline and outmigration have changed the face of upstate New York, leaving the Finger Lakes more New England-like than New England itself. And these same forces have masked public appreciation of the area as a travel destination. It’s an interesting twist on destination travel in the Northeast. Could New York’s Finger Lakes be New England’s next frontier? Mountain Biking: Ithaca’s Secret Stash Riders rate the mountain biking in Shindagin Hollow State Forest among the best in the East. But while you can read endless praises of this area online, you’ll never find it on maps. For some reason, this Adirondack-esque tract isn’t shown on Google Earth, Mapquest, Delorme, Rand McNally or any state maps. Talk about secret gems.

Eat, drink, and wrap your body with the fruit of the (grape) vine. The beautiful Finger Lakes region of New York is the second largest wine- producing region in the country. There are more than 100 wineries located in the Finger Lakes producing some of the world’s finest Rieslings. Now, you can not only drink award winning wines from the fruit of the vine, you can enjoy many other benefits from the fruit of the vine. Indulge in Grape-seed signature sessions at a Finger Lakes Wellness Center and Health Spa – an oasis of comfort and care. Choose from grape seed oil aromatherapy massage, grape seed body polish, grape seed herbal body wrap, grape seed hand and foot reflexology, or enjoy a complete body vineyard experience.

Finger Lakes region claims to be the inspiration for Capra’s mythical Bedford Falls. Seneca Falls’s  closely resemble that of the town in the movie than anyplace else.  Seneca Falls hosts the “It’s A Wonderful Life Celebration.” The two-day event features actress Karolyn Grimes who played Zuzu Bailey in the movie. She discusses her personal experiences on the production of the film and sign autographs. The event is designed to give people the opportunity to be in Bedford Falls and experience the joy of the movie. “When one sees how closely Seneca Falls resembles Bedford Falls, it is easy to feel the spirit of It’s A Wonderful Life.” Seneca Falls’s main street is decorated with Christmas lights similar to those in the movie. A local bar, Antonina’s, is decorated to look like Martini’s, the neighborhood bar in It’s A Wonderful Life.

Near Ithaca, New York (one of top ten best communities to live in for Gay / Lesbian couples). Minutes from Cornell University, Ithaca College, Seneca & Cayuga Lake Wine Trails. Fantastic fall foliage. Great outdoor activity area with our location in the vicinity of 6 Fingerlakes Parks and multiple waterfalls for walking / hiking.