If you’re looking for the perfect winter getaway in the Finger Lakes, look no further than Cortland and Ithaca. These two destinations in New York State’s Finger Lakes region have everything you could want from a winter getaway. While these destinations can be explored separately, together, they make an iconic Finger Lakes winter trip filled with waterfalls, wineries, and so much more.
I spent five days in the Finger Lakes, exploring Cortland and Ithaca. These destinations complemented each other so well! Cortland offers a quiet retreat to unwind amid thrilling winter adventures, and Ithaca is the perfect place to embrace the wineries and waterfalls the Finger Lakes region is known for.
This Finger Lakes winter getaway is full of outdoor activities to embrace winter and cozy cafes, cute towns, and tasting rooms to warm up. A trip to Ithaca and Cortland offers a well-rounded winter getaway in New York State.
This blog post is sponsored by Experience Cortland and Visit Ithaca. However, my opinions are, as always, my own.
Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission when you purchase a product or book a stay through these links at no extra cost to you.
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Where to Stay in the Finger Lakes
For this particular Finger Lakes itinerary, base yourself in Cortland for the first two nights and Ithaca for the last two nights. Staying in both destinations will allow you to make the most of each destination. Here are my recommendations for where to stay:
Airbnb at Trinity Valley Dairy
This quaint and charming Airbnb is set in an 1800s farmhouse in Cortland, New York, on a working dairy farm, Trinity Valley Dairy. This Airbnb was such a great place to stay! The Farmhouse is conveniently located, so I was easily able to stop by during a day of exploring to warm up and enjoy the cozy space.
Argos Inn Ithaca
Argos Inn is a beautiful historic mansion turned boutique inn in Downtown Ithaca, NY. Every detail of this property is so meticulously thought out. It is a beautiful, luxurious, well-decorated space. The design elements and the walkability to Ithaca Commons make this a truly special place to stay.
Finger Lakes Winter Itinerary: Cortland + Ithaca
Let’s delve into this Finger Lakes winter trip! After seeing how beautiful this region is under a blanket of snow, with frozen waterfalls and cozy towns, trust me; you will want to book a winter getaway.
Day 1: Cortland
The first stop on this winter itinerary is Cortland! Base yourself in Cortland, New York, for two nights to explore what Cortland County offers in winter. Today, you’ll enjoy the beautiful winter scenery of Cortland. Depending on where you’re driving from, you should plan to arrive in Cortland in the afternoon. Cortland is located centrally in New York, so you should be able to arrive early to go on a winter hike before checking into your accommodations.
Lime Hollow Nature Center
Lime Hollow Nature Center has several trails open in winter for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. This is the perfect place in Cortland to immerse yourself in the winter landscape. Lime Hollow Nature Center offers Nordic Rentals, including snowshoes and cross-country skis. The ski trail is 2.5 miles long, making it perfect for beginners.
Step inside the visitors center in a rustic-looking wooden chalet to pick up rentals and grab a trail map. I opted for a short winter hike through the snow-covered woods. It was a perfect way to officially start my winter getaway.
Grab a Pint at BRU64
After checking into your accommodations, head to BRU64 in Downtown Cortland for a pint. BRU64 is the perfect gathering spot in Cortland, serving craft coffee, beer, and wine. I loved the mix of the cafe/bar setting. Their beer list is extensive, so this is a great place to visit if you are a craft beer connoisseur. The relaxed atmosphere and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking snowy Cortland will have you lingering at BRU64 for good drinks and conversations.
Dinner at Dasher’s Corner Pub
Dasher’s Corner Pub is an institution in the region. Originally Doyle’s Pub, this pub was built in 1894 and has survived the prohibition and the Great Depression. This is the perfect spot to grab a bite on a cold winter’s day. With heaty dishes and a cozy atmosphere, Dasher’s Corner Pub needs to be on your list.
Day 2: Cortland
Day two in Cortland is all about hitting the slopes and experiencing some alpine-like atmosphere in the Finger Lakes.
Grab a Coffee at Coffee Mania
Grab a coffee at Coffee Mania in Cortland. This drive-through cafe is an ideal stop to start a jam-packed day in the mountains. Coffee Mania offers a wide selection of fun lattes to choose from. They also have bakery items available, including muffins and scones.
Hit the Slopes at Song Mountain Resort
Spend the afternoon skiing or snowboarding at Song Mountain Resort. Song Mountain offers pristine slopes and a large lodge overlooking the ski area. There are 24 trails and five lifts over 250 acres at this resort.
I opted for ski lessons at Song Mountain and was so impressed by the instructors. This was my second time skiing, and I learned so much from the lesson. After my lesson, I felt confident skiing down the mountain. Lessons are an hour and a half long and include a lift ticket, equipment rental, and group lessons. So, you can spend the whole day skiing after your lesson.
Lunch at Heuga’s Alpine Restaurant
Lunch at Heuga’s Alpine Restaurant is a must during your ski day. This restaurant is located at Song Mountain and has incredible views of the snow-covered slopes. This lodge restaurant feels like it is plucked from a luxury ski town in Europe. The restaurant is so beautiful, and the food is divine. My meal at Huega’s Alpine Restaurant is one of the best meals I’ve had in years. We loved the charcuterie board, the cast iron mac and cheese with teriyaki beef, and the Nashville Hot chicken sandwich.
Stroll through the Village of Homer
Spend some time meandering through the Village of Homer. Homer looks like it could be the setting of a Hallmark movie; there is even a gazebo in the village green. This village is fairly small but worth a walk before heading to dinner in the town.
Dine at The Exchange Restaurant
Dinner at The Exchange Restaurant was the perfect way to end our last full day in Cortland. The Exchange has a curated menu of various types of cuisines. We loved the variety of options, yet extremely well-done dishes. You must get dessert at the Exchange. A French bakery is attached to the restaurant and serves the most delicious 40-layer crepe cake.
Day 3: Cortland + Ithaca
One last morning around Cortland before heading to Ithaca! Today includes visiting two incredible frozen waterfalls and other unique spots and activities.
Explore Tinker Falls
What better way to start your day than with a walk to a frozen waterfall? Tinker Falls in Tully, New York, is an incredible 50-foot waterfall off NY Route 91. This waterfall is truly a hidden gem amongst the many waterfalls in the Finger Lakes region. Tinker Falls is just a short walk along a flat trail from the parking lot. It is considered an accessible trail; however, in the winter, the trail is covered in snow and uneven. It is still an incredibly easy trail, just not accessible in winter.
Tinker Falls is worth visiting year-round, yet it is spectacular in the winter. This brilliant blue frozen waterfall is a highlight of visiting Cortland in winter!
Grab Breakfast at Truxton Outpost
Truxton Outpost is a general store and deli just a short drive from Tinker Falls. After exploring the frozen waterfall, we were ready for a warm coffee and breakfast, and Truxton Outpost was the perfect spot. While waiting for your breakfast, browse the shop. There are some great products, many of which are sourced locally.
See Frozen Enfield Falls
Upon arrival in Ithaca, head straight to Robert H. Treman State Park to check out Lower Falls, also known as Enfield Falls. While there are various waterfalls at Robert H. Treman State Park, Enfield Falls is the most visible in winter.
Just a short walk from the parking lot is this beautiful waterfall that is often partially frozen in the winter. Enfield Falls is a popular natural swimming pool in the summer, so it is interesting to see this park covered in snow and ice.
Lunch at Maru Ramen
Nothing beats a hot bowl of ramen in winter. Need I say more? For lunch, head to Maru Ramen, the best place to get ramen in Ithaca. The broth is flavorful, and various dishes are available, depending on your preferences. In addition to the delicious food, the interior of Maru Ramen is so Instagrammable, with vibrant illustrations and furnishings.
Candle Making at Poured Candle Bar
The most unique activity we did during our winter trip to the Finger Lakes was candle-making at Poured Candle Bar. You can create a unique candle fragrance with this bespoke experience. Picking and mixing scents to make a candle is a fun and relaxing experience.
With its downtown location and atmospheric studio space, Poured Candle Bar is not your typical craft studio. While making your candle, you can order a glass of New York wine, cider, or beer. Indeed, it feels more like a lounge where you get to make candles.
Explore Downtown Ithaca Commons
After candle-making and checking into your hotel, spend some time exploring Downtown Ithaca and Ithaca Commons. Ithaca Commons is a pedestrian-only street with various shops and eateries. Spend some time shopping in the boutique shops; one of my favorites was Home Green Home, a plant and gift shop.
Stop into nearby Dewitt Mall, an indoor shopping mall in a historic building that was once a school building. You’ll find specialty stores and restaurants here. The Pastimes Antique Shop and Buffalo Street Books are especially popular.
Dinner at Northstar Public House
For dinner, head to Northstar Public House. Northstar Public House is a true neighborhood establishment with the goal of sourcing locally. Even all the drinks served are from local vendors, including their soda. The space is bright, and the food is delicious! We found the meal and ambiance to be a refreshing way to end our day.
Day 4: Ithaca
On day four of our Finger Lakes winter itinerary, spend most of the day exploring around Trumansburg. The agenda includes a waterfall, a winery, and a cute town!
Start the Day at Hound & Mare
Start your day at Hound & Mare in Downtown Ithaca. If you’re staying at Argos Inn, this is just a 5-minute walk from your hotel. They serve craft coffees, breakfast sandwiches, and bakery items. You can grab your coffee to drink en route to your next destination. But I suggest enjoying your coffee at Hound & Mare. This cafe is so effortlessly cool; this is the type of spot you’ll want to spend a slow morning sipping coffee.
Hike to Taughannock Falls
Taughannock Falls is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the Finger Lakes. This 215-foot single-drop waterfall will blow you away. Taughannock Falls is the tallest single-drop waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains! And the best part about Taughannock Falls State Park is that it can be visited year-round.
Hike the gorge trail, a 1.8-mile out-and-back trail along Taughannock Creek. This is an easy, flat trail that is well-maintained in the winter. The trail will lead you to the base of Tauaghannock Falls for one of the most impressive waterfall views. From this vantage point, you can truly appreciate the scale of Taughannock Falls.
Afternoon in Trumansburg
Spend the afternoon in Trumansburg, starting with lunch at Creekside Cafe. Creekside Cafe has fantastic sandwiches made with farm-to-table ingredients. I opted for a window seat to look out at snowy Trumansburg.
After lunch, wander through downtown Trumansburg. Main Street has plenty of cute shops, breweries, and cafes. Be sure to stop into Sundress, a boutique selling clothing, jewelry, and home goods. If you need a coffee pick-me-up, stop at Gimme Coffee, a location institution for coffee lovers in the Ithaca region.
Honey Tasting at the Honeybee Embassy
The next stop is the Honeybee Embassy, where you can sample local honey. In the summer months, there is a guided honey-tasting experience. You can stop by in the winter for a more relaxed, abbreviated tasting.
It is worth stopping at the Honeybee Embassy to see the farm store. The farm store is one of the most beautiful design spaces I have ever stepped foot in. Stepping into Honeybee Embassy feels like walking into a honeycomb. The shop sells a wide variety of raw varietal honey and other honey-infused items, including soaps and lip balms.
Wine Tasting at Bet the Farm Winery
No trip to the Finger Lakes is complete without at least one wine tasting. We opted for Bet the Farm Winery. This boutique, women-owned winery has some incredible wines and a beautiful view from the tasting room.
I enjoyed the laid-back atmosphere of this tasting room while sipping on excellent wine. Opt for the wine tasting to try sampling the different varietals at Bet the Farm. Sipping a glass of Bet the Farm’s Twelve Rows while looking out at the snowy vineyards was a highlight of my Finger Lakes winter getaway.
Dinner at Simeon’s American Bistro
After a long day of exploring, treat yourself to an exquisite meal at Simeon’s American Bistro in Ithaca. Simeon’s offers an extensive menu from fresh oysters and seafood to classic Italian dishes. The chicken parmesan is an absolute must-order! Simeon’s is the type of restaurant where you’ll want to truly indulge. Enjoy specialty cocktails, apps for the table, and petite desserts.
Cocktails at Bar Argos
End your day at Bar Argos, the cocktail bar at the Argos Inn. Even if you are not staying at the Argos Inn, you must stop by for a drink at this incredible cocktail bar. The lounge in the evening has a dark, moody atmosphere that feels like somewhere Hemmingway would have frequented. Bar Argos is a space where cocktails and conversations flow. And the curated list of signature cocktails is just as unique as the bar itself.
Day 5: Ithaca
On the last day of this winter getaway to the Finger Lakes, there’s time to squeeze in a few activities before driving home. Enjoy one more tasting and some time outdoors.
Breakfast at Ithaca Bakery
Ithaca Bakery is a great place to grab breakfast as it offers a wide selection. There is a coffee bar, breakfast sandwiches, artisan breads, bagels, and other baked goods. There is something for everyone! Ithaca Bakery is set up like a food market, with different counters in the bakery. It has a youthful, fun energy, which is a perfect place to start the day.
Keep in mind that if you order a flavored latte, it will be on the sweet side. So, if you don’t have a strong sweet tooth, you may want to ask for fewer flavor pumps.
Hike through Sapsucker Woods
Your Finger Lakes winter itinerary wouldn’t be complete without one last winter stroll. Head to Sapsucker Woods at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology for a relaxing hike. There are over 220 acres at Sapsucker Woods, with various trails to choose from. The wooden platforms can be quite icy in winter, so wear boots with good traction.
After a walk through the wooded trails, stop inside the Cornell Lab or Ornithology, where you can learn more about the study of birds. Even if you don’t consider yourself a bird enthusiast, learning more about the birds studied here is quite intriguing.
Lunch and Tasting at South Hill Cider
South Hill Cider is one of the best cideries in the Finger Lakes region, serving world-class cider. You can grab a glass of cider and enjoy the ambiance and beautiful views from South Hill Cider. South Hill Cider offers flights and even a guided tasting. The guided tasting included snacks and samples of the various ciders offered at South Hill Cider.
While the snacks were delightful, I highly recommend lunch at South Hill Cider. Ordering lunch along with the guided tasting was a true culinary experience.
Visit Ithaca Falls
If time permits, squeeze in one last frozen waterfall before leaving Ithaca. Ithaca Falls is a striking waterfall located in the city of Ithaca. This waterfall can be viewed from the Lake Street bridge. So, if you’re in a time crunch, you can quickly view the waterfall from afar. Or follow the short footpath to the waterfall. Be mindful when visiting in winter, as it is difficult to distinguish where the footpath ends and the creek begins.
More Things to Do in the Finger Lakes in Winter
Do you have extra time in the Finger Lakes, or does one of these activities not align with your interest? If you’re looking for more activities for your Finger Lakes winter getaway, here are some suggestions.
- Pottery Works Cortland is great for those with prior pottery experience who want to take a private class to hone their skill.
- Experience the thrill of riding a mountain coaster at Greek Peak Mountain Resort.
- Spa day at August Moon Spa in Ithaca – I’ve been here, and the spa is lovely.
- Check out the winter gardens at the Cornell Botanical Garden.
For more travel inspiration, check out these posts:
💧 Swimming in Enfield Falls in Ithaca Needs to be on Your Bucket List
🌊 Taughannock Falls State Park Guide: Gorge Trail + Scenic Overlook
🏕️ Firelight Camps: Glamping in Ithaca Review
❤️ The 15 Best Waterfalls in the Finger Lakes
For more PA travel, check out my New York section!
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