Ithaca and Cortland, New York, turned out to be the perfect mix of outdoor adventure, small-town charm, and incredible food. Whether you're squeezing in the last bit of winter fun or planning a spring break road trip, this area has plenty for families who love the outdoors. It’s also an easy drive from major cities—4 hours from New York City, 3.5 hours from Philadelphia, and 4.5 hours from Washington, D.C.—making it a great weekend getaway.
We spent our time hiking to frozen waterfalls, skiing at Greek Peak, riding a mountain coaster, and eating some of the best food I’ve ever had while traveling. If you’re looking for a spot with epic hikes, hands-on experiences, and places your kids won’t call boring, this is it. Here’s where to stay, what to do, and where to eat, plus our 4-day itinerary.
Where to stay:
Hope Lake Lodge at Greek Peak Mountain Resort. The lodge has studio rooms to three-bedroom suites that sleep up to 10 people, all with fireplaces and full kitchens, which is perfect for families. On-site, there’s an indoor waterpark, a full-service spa, and an easy Greek Peak shuttle service, so you don’t have to drive anywhere to start your day. We loved staying right next to Greek Peak Mountain Resort, where you can ski, snowboard, ride a mountain coaster, or just sit by the fire with a drink after a long day outside.
Where to play:
Greek Peak Mountain Resort – skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, terrain-based learning
Nor’Easter Mountain Coaster – longest mountain coaster in Central New York, open year-round
Taughannock Falls State Park – one of the tallest waterfalls on the East Coast, easy 1.9-mile trail
Lime Hollow Nature Center – hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country ski rentals, all-terrain wheelchair rentals
Sapsucker Woods at Cornell Lab of Ornithology – birdwatching, easy family-friendly trails
Hope Lake Lodge Indoor Waterpark – waterslides, a wave pool, and perfect after a cold day outside
Feel Goods Ithaca – DIY ice-dye workshop, fun hands-on activity
Ithaca Falls – one of the most accessible waterfalls in Ithaca, just a short walk from the parking area
Downtown Cortland – small-town charm with unique shops and cafes
Where to eat:
Hairy Tony’s – one of the best restaurants I’ve ever visited, both for food and atmosphere
Bickering Twins – Latin American food with scratch-made empanadas and tacos
Liquid State Brewing Co- amazing sours and lots of games for the kids
Milkstand Ithaca – casual brunch spot with big portions and fresh ingredients
Hollenbeck’s Cider Mill – fresh-pressed cider and homemade donuts, a Finger Lakes staple
Trax Pub & Grill – slope-side dining at Greek Peak with pizza, burgers, and pub food
Cortland Beer Company – local brewery with craft beer and a relaxed atmosphere
BRIX – locally sourced comfort food, a cozy dinner spot
The Corner Brew – coffee shop with fresh bagels, an easy grab-and-go breakfast
Our 4 Day Itinerary:
Day 1:
Check into Hope Lake Lodge
Visit the indoor waterpark, hot tub, (and if it's warm enough the pool) at the lodge.
Have dinner at BRIX - you can't go wrong with their nachos, wood-fired flatbreads, and the cannoli's
Day 2:
Grab breakfast at Hope Lake Lodge’s Starbucks or a quick bite from the gift shop
Spend the morning skiing or snowboarding at Greek Peak Mountain Resort. Even though we've been a few times we did a lesson for the kids and they LOVED it.
Have lunch at Trax Pub & Grill – you have to get the huge pretzel!
Go snow tubing and ride the mountain coaster at Greek Peak.
Stop by Cortland Beer Company for drinks – their Foggy Notion IPA is a local favorite
Have dinner at Hairy Tony’s – they have a really good margarita flight and literally everything on the menu is delicious
Day 3-
Grab coffee and bagels at The Corner Brew - also maybe grab some of their pastries for later.
Walk the trails at Sapsucker Woods and visit the hands on museum at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Check out Ithaca Falls – a short walk from the parking area, this was an easy walk and a must see!
Have lunch at Milkstand Ithaca – get the waffles, all of them. I'm not even kidding.
Get creative at Feel Goods Ithaca and try a DIY ice-dye workshop
Stop for a drink at Liquid State Brewing Co. – their sours were really good and they have root beers and games for the kids.
Have dinner at Bickering Twins – the empanadas were delicious, and their margaritas were excellent
Day 4-
Have breakfast at Carver’s Steakhouse at Greek Peak before packing up – the eggs benedict was a standout
Stop at Hollenbeck’s Cider Mill for cider, donuts, and maybe a pie for the road. They let us see how they made cider with the old fashioned machines and it was SO cool to see.
Try snowshoeing, cross country skiing, or check out their all terrain wheelchair with a rental at Lime Hollow Nature Center.
Head home, drool over all your photos and plan you next trip back!
Ready to Plan Your Trip?
Book your stay at Hope Lake Lodge, find more ideas and planning tips at Experience Cortland and Visit Ithaca, and check out our other adventure guides at We Chose Adventures.
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