Logistics

The event will take place at Foundation of Light (FoL), located at 391 Turkey Hill Road, Ithaca, NY 14850. We'll dance in the Great Room β€” a rounded space with excellent acoustics, large windows, and hardwood floors that make it ideal for tango dancing.

We'll offer food, snacks and coffee during the milongas. Please bring your own bottle and cup to help us reduce waste and keep the event eco-friendly.

Housing

During summer months Ithaca is a popular destination among tourists, so we advise securing your lodging as soon as possible β€” always choose options with cancellation flexibility. Alongside Airbnb, here are some places to consider:

Budget options

  • Quiet Green Suite (Homestay)
    523 West Green Street, Ithaca, NY
  • Meadow Court Inn
    529 S Meadow St, Ithaca, NY
  • Econo Lodge Ithaca
    2303 N Triphammer Rd, Ithaca, NY
  • Grayhaven Motel
    657 Elmira Rd, Ithaca, NY
  • Super 8 Ithaca
    400 S Meadow St, Ithaca, NY
  • Ithaca College dorm rooms
    availability will be confirmed.

Standard options

  • Hotel Ithaca
    222 S Cayuga St, Ithaca, NY
  • La Tourelle Country Inn & Spa
    1150 Danby Rd, Ithaca, NY
  • Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ithaca
    371 Elmira Rd, Ithaca, NY
  • Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Ithaca
    359 Elmira Rd, Ithaca, NY
  • Country Inn & Suites Ithaca
    1100 Danby Rd, Ithaca, NY

Luxury options

  • Ithaca Marriott Downtown on the Commons
    120 S Aurora St, Ithaca, NY
  • Hilton Garden Inn Ithaca
    130 E Seneca St, Ithaca, NY
  • Statler Hotel (Cornell)
    Cornell campus, Ithaca, NY

Places to eat

Breakfast & Lunch

  • Gimme Coffee
    Best coffee in town.
  • Ithaca Farmers Market
    Open-air market with lake views; great food stalls.
  • Ithaca Bakery
    Classic Ithaca spot for breakfast or lunch.
  • Wide Awake Bakery
    Amazing bread and excellent coffee.
  • Mama Said Hand Pies
    Legendary hand pies; must-try.
  • College Town Bagels
    Local favorite with a fun, jazzy vibe.

Lunch

  • Viva Taqueria
    Mexican cuisine, lively atmosphere.
  • Modern Ohana
    Pacific Rim and Asian fusion cuisine.
  • Moosewood Restaurant
    Famous vegetarian restaurant and birthplace of the Moosewood Cookbooks.
  • Tacos CDMX
    Excellent tacos, highly recommended.

Ice Cream

  • Purity Ice Cream
    Classic Ithaca ice cream shop.
  • Sweet Melissa's
    Beloved for its soft-serve two-berry twist.
  • Cayuga Lake Creamery
    Local favorite with creative flavors.

Beer & Wine

  • Ithaca Beer Co.
    Taproom with outdoor seating and great local brews.
  • Salt Point Brewery
    Open-air eatery with beer and wine tasting, often paired with live music.
  • Six Mile Creek Vineyard
    Wine tasting in a beautiful setting.

Tourist Info

Waterfalls

Taughannock Falls

One of the most iconic waterfalls in the region, Taughannock Falls plunges 215 ft (65 m) over a high cliff into a deep gorge β€” the tallest single-drop waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains. The state park offers accessible trails to overlooks above and below the falls and stunning views of the Cayuga Lake valley.

Robert Treman State Park

A scenic state park south of Ithaca featuring a rugged wooded gorge with roughly 12 waterfalls along Enfield Creek. The signature Lucifer Falls cascades about 115 ft (35 m) into the gorge, and many smaller cascades and pools line the network of trails. Lucifer Falls is at the upper park entrance; the lower falls, near the lower entrance, are popular for swimming.

Watkins Glen Waterfalls

19 waterfalls carved into the narrow Glen Creek gorge. A stone-lined trail takes you among cascades, natural bridges, and waterfalls through a dramatic cliff-walled canyon.

Ithaca Falls

A powerful 150 ft (45 m) curtain-like waterfall just minutes from downtown Ithaca on Fall Creek. It's easily viewable from bridge overlooks and is popular with visitors for quick scenic stops.

Buttermilk Falls & Gorges

A cascading series of waterfalls formed by Buttermilk Creek dropping toward Cayuga Lake. The park's scenic gorge trail winds beside foamy cascades and offers picnic spots, wooded hikes, and beautiful overlooks.

Beebe Lake

Beebe Lake on the Cornell University campus is a tranquil reservoir created by damming Fall Creek. While the lake itself isn't a tall-waterfall destination, nearby Hemlock Gorge and Lover's Falls along Fall Creek offer small cascades and scenic nature trails close to campus.

Seneca Mills Falls

A charming, historic waterfall along the Keuka Lake Outlet Trail with cascade drops near the old mill ruins between Keuka and Seneca Lakes. A gentle hike along the multi-use trail brings you to this scenic spot.

Shequaga Falls

A striking 156 ft (47 m) waterfall right in the heart of Montour Falls village, where Shequaga Creek plunges dramatically toward Seneca Lake. It's easily accessible from the roadside and village parks.

Hector Falls

A roadside waterfall on NY-414 between Watkins Glen and Hector, where water spills near the highway into Seneca Lake. Visible directly from a roadside pull-off β€” great for quick scenic viewing.




Gorges & Trails

There are numerous places around Ithaca for exploration. Among the famous and accessible ones:

Buttermilk Creek

Drops 600 feet as it plunges through a gorge down the eastern slope of the Cayuga Valley at the southernmost edge of the City of Ithaca.

Black Diamond Trail

An 8.5-mile stone-dust path along the upland slopes of Cayuga Lake β€” an enjoyable family-oriented walk or bike ride.

Cascadilla Gorge Trail

The iconic Cornell Botanic Gardens Cascadilla Gorge Trail connects downtown Ithaca with the Cornell campus through one of the most picturesque gorges in the Finger Lakes Region β€” voted Ithaca's favorite gorge.




Lake & Inlet

Cauga lake

Cayuga Lake, the longest of the Finger Lakes, is known for its clear, cool water and scenic shoreline framed by rolling hills and vineyards. Water quality is generally good for swimming, especially at designated beach and swimming areas that are regularly monitored during the summer season. Because the lake is deep, the water stays refreshingly cool even on hot days β€” perfect for a mid-summer swim.

Boat tours

If you prefer to spend time on the water, consider:

Paddle-N-More

Kayak and paddle board rentals, located on the Cayuga Lake inlet and very easy to access from downtown. A 1-hour rental can bring you to the lake and back through the inlet.

Cayuga Lake Cruises

Offers multiple cruise options to enjoy your time on the water around Cayuga Lake.

The Cayuga Waterfront

An 8-mile trail around the inlet of Cayuga Lake that can bring you to the Ithaca Farmers Market. If you visit Farmers market you can enter the trail and enjoy scenery views as well as have pleasant promenad in your morninig hours.

Swimming

We recommend the following swimming locations:

Taughannock Falls State Park, north point β€” a locals' favorite, near the waterfall and trail, west side of the lake (15 min from downtown) πŸ“ Map
East Shore Park swim area - vibrant crowd, popular among students, small parking lot, (5 min from downtown) πŸ“ Map
Myers Park swim area - good place on east side of the lake (15 min from downtown) πŸ“ Map

These spots offer easy lake access, open views, and a relaxed atmosphere. Please follow posted safety notices and check local conditions, as water levels and temperature can vary.

Winneries

The Finger Lakes region is one of the most celebrated wine destinations in the United States, known for its cool-climate wines, rolling vineyards, and breathtaking lake views. The deep, glacial lakes moderate temperatures year-round, creating ideal conditions for Riesling, GewΓΌrztraminer, Cabernet Franc, and elegant sparkling wines. Many wineries are family-owned, welcoming visitors for relaxed, unhurried tastings.


Cayuga Ridge Estate Winery
(5 min drive)

A casual and friendly stop known for dry Rieslings, Cabernet Franc, and ice wines. The relaxed atmosphere makes it a good mid-route pause without feeling rushed.

Sheldrake Point Winery
(β‰ˆ25 min north of Ithaca)

Start with lake views and well-balanced cool-climate wines. Known for elegant Rieslings, Pinot Gris, and Cabernet Franc, with a tasting room terrace overlooking Cayuga Lake β€” an easy, welcoming first stop.

Hosmer Winery
(5 min drive)

One of the region's long-standing wineries, offering a wide range of wines from crisp whites to approachable reds β€” a great place to sample different Finger Lakes styles in one stop.

Corning Museum of Glass

The Corning Museum of Glass is one of the most distinctive cultural destinations in upstate New York and the largest museum in the world dedicated to glass. Located about an hour southwest of Ithaca, it blends art, science, and history, showcasing how glass has shaped human civilization for more than 3,500 years β€” from ancient Roman vessels and medieval stained glass to cutting-edge contemporary works.

The museum is known for its live glassblowing demonstrations, interactive science exhibits on the physics and chemistry of glass and light, and hands-on glassmaking workshops guided by professional instructors. Rotating exhibitions and artist residencies make it a memorable day trip.