Every year, thousands of prospective students and their families visit Ithaca to tour the Cornell University campus. While your official campus tour will introduce you to academic buildings and student life, there's much more to discover beyond the campus. From browsing the shops and restaurants of Ithaca Commons to chasing waterfalls along the scenic Cascadilla Gorge Trail, spending time around the city is one of the best ways for students to imagine what life in Ithaca is really like.
Make the most of your visit by staying at La Tourelle, located just four miles from Cornell and two miles from Ithaca College. As a locally owned resort operated by Cornell alumni, La Tourelle is a proud supporter of the campus community. Be sure to take advantage of our special College Visitors Package and experience the warm hospitality of a resort that has been welcoming future students and their families for generations.
Explore Shopping and Dining Hubs for College Students
Ithaca is well known for being a college town, so there are many amenities and areas outside of the campus that are geared towards college students. After your tour, walk over to Collegetown, a popular off-campus area where students regularly dine, shop, and hang out. Stop and grab lunch at Collegetown Bagels for the true college experience.
Another great area to explore is the Downtown Ithaca Commons, easily accessible from both Ithaca College and Cornell. Its four pedestrian-only blocks make it an easy area to navigate on foot, no car needed. Spend some time browsing the shops, restaurants, and theaters here to get a feel for downtown life.
Discover the Great Outdoors
Ithaca is often considered one of the most scenic college towns in the Northeast, and it only takes a few minutes here to see why. Right in town, you can experience dozens of waterfalls, breathtaking hiking and biking trails, and water sports on Cayuga Lake. Just outside town, even more nature awaits at over 150 waterfalls and four state parks. Here are just a few ways to immerse yourself in nature during your Ithaca college visit:
- Explore Cornell’s beautiful on-campus natural areas like Cascadilla Gorge, Beebe Lake, and Fall Creek Valley. And don’t miss the #1 most beautiful college arboretum, the F.R. Newman Arboretum.
- Stroll along the shores of Cayuga Lake at Stewart Park.
- Walk to Ithaca Falls, a 150-foot waterfall close to downtown and Stewart Park.
- Hike to Buttermilk Falls from La Tourelle using the trailhead accessible at the resort.
Check Out Local Arts and Culture
A college visit is also a chance to see what daily life feels like outside the classroom, and Ithaca's arts scene gives families a good sense of that. Before leaving campus, stop by the free Johnson Museum of Art, home to a permanent collection of over 40,000 pieces along with rotating exhibits from artists around the world. Beyond campus, the city offers even more:
- If you're visiting on a weekend, check out the Ithaca Farmers Market, a community tradition for over 50 years.
- Catch a live performance or movie in the evening at popular venues like The State Theatre of Ithaca or Cinemapolis.
Stay at Our Hotel near Cornell University
After a full day of exploring campus and town, families need a place to relax and regroup, and that's exactly what La Tourelle offers. Guests enjoy 15 acres of nature, spa treatments at August Moon Spa, and meals at La Tourelle Lounge, all just minutes from the campus. Prefer something different? Try our glamping tents for a luxury camping experience.
Ready to plan your visit? Use promo code COLLEGEVIP for 10% off your stay (blackout dates apply) and book your home base for your Cornell campus tour!