Boutique Hotels in Ithaca, NY

Largely known as a college town, Ithaca doesn’t fall short when it comes to things to see. Tucked away in the hills of upstate New York, the town has a distinct academic feel, as it’s home to Cornell University and Ithaca College. Cornell University was founded in 1865 and has a long history of being a leader in the field of agriculture. You can walk these historic campuses when you stay at the top Ithaca boutique hotels.

Cornell has a strong engineering and science program, with over 6,000 undergraduates enrolled in engineering majors alone; its College of Engineering is also New York's largest producer of bachelor's degrees in the field.

The university also boasts strong programs in the humanities. Cornell's School of Industrial and Labor Relations is considered one of the best labor schools in America by many publications, while its Department of History has been ranked among the top-10 best undergraduate programs nationwide by Princeton Review.

Perhaps Ithaca’s best-kept attractions are its many gorges. Book a room at the best Ithaca boutique hotels and explore the beauty of Upstate New York. Years of erosion, shale rock, and siltstone have given way to some amazing feats of nature, carving out waterfalls, ravines, and gorges. Located within Taughannock State Park, be sure to visit Buttermilk Falls, Pinnacle Rock, and Taughannock Falls. The park boasts over 20 miles of hiking trails, including some that are good for beginners. Resembling a stack of pancakes, Buttermilk Falls is an ambient waterfall that cascades softly down shale rock and has a great swimming hole at its base. More suited for adventure seekers, Taughannock Falls is a double-drop waterfall located on Taughannock Creek near its mouth at Ithaca Lake. Both are located on the same gorge trail, although they are separated by about a mile.

The best time to visit is in the fall with the weather ideal for hiking through gorges and valleys or enjoying panoramic views from a scenic overlook. Attend an outdoor concert at one of Ithaca's many festivals or events, like the Enfield Shaker Fall Festival or the Ivy League Concert Series.

Ithaca sits on Cayuga Lake, which is one of the eleven Finger Lakes, which also means New York’s wine country is within reach of the best Ithaca boutique hotels. Explore the many wineries and be sure to stop and sample some varietals while reveling in the beautiful New York countryside.

With Ithaca’s history steeped in academia, there are several museums and theaters that are worth checking out. The kid-friendly Tompkins County History Center has a model train exhibit, vintage toys and games, local memorabilia, and more. Nearby, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology offers —you can even participate in citizen science research projects! The Johnson Museum of Art has a wonderful permanent collection on display as well as rotating exhibits; if you're into art, then this is definitely worth making time for. Discover all this and more when you book your boutique hotel in Ithaca.

Don’t forget to check out our boutique hotels nearby in Syracuse and Buffalo