Areas to Explore THE ITHACA COMMONS

When people think of Ithaca, they often think of Cornell University, Ithaca College, the gorges, or the Ithaca Commons. Our awardwinning three-block pedestrian mall downtown is the city’s cultural and economic center and a truly iconic feature of Ithaca.

Kitchen, Mia Tapas Bar & Restaurant, Monks on the Commons, Simeon’s American Bistro, Pasta Vitto, and Thompson and Bleecker while Paris Baguette provides a variety of freshly prepared breakfast and lunch options. For quick slices head to Casablanca Pizzeria or Sammy’s Pizzeria. Authentic Asian dishes can be found at Kimchi serving authentic Korean cuisine or Sushi Osaka offering many freshly wrapped sushi options and traditional Japanese cuisine. A fun hangout for millennials is Nothing Nowhere where you’ll find tasty specialty cafe-style beverages and interesting chatter from the baristas.

Traveling with Children? Check out Alphabet Soup where you’ll find dozens of educational toys, puzzles, games, books, and more! Plus, stop by The Brain Shoppe for various brain teasers for the whole family to enjoy. You should also explore the Sagan Planet Walk, named after famed Cornell University astronomer Carl Sagan, a scale model of the solar system which originates with the sun on the Commons and stretches 3/4 mile to the Sciencenter. The inner ring planets all fit on a short section of Bank Alley.

The Ithaca Commons is a popular regional destination filled with independently owned clothing boutiques including Benjamin Peters, Breathe, and Petrune; gift shops like Sunny Days, Home Green Home, and Mockingbird Paperie; art and crafts stores including 15 Steps, American Crafts by Robbie Dein, One World Market feature handmade crafts by highly skilled artisans; and you can find popular name-brand footwear at Homegrown Skateshop, and stores like Autumn Leaves Books that feature recycled item. Plus, the finest worldwide beverages at Cellar d’Or Wine and Cider Shop which offers tastings of their products, and The Cornell Store featuring all things Cornell University and selling Cornell Dairy cheese curds, ice cream, and maple syrup. Also, don’t forget to grab some name-brand gear for your outside adventures at the Outdoor Store and handcrafted, warm, cozy, and stylish sheepskin garments at Ithaca Sheepskin

Plus, checkout Angry Mom Records for a grand selection of vinyls, CDs, Cassettes and more!

These unique shops and restaurants are housed in some of the most interesting and historic architectural facades in the area.

In the Center Ithaca food court, you’ll find freshly prepared, quick eats establishments — Lou’s Cafe (grilled street food and Purity Ice Cream), Adam’s Grill (Mediterranean Halal food), Tian Jin and Tibetan Momo Bar(authentic dumplings and other popular Asian cuisines) and Sangam Indian Cuisine.

FUN FACT: Ithaca has more than 100 waterfalls within 10 miles of downtown. If you put them all together, it’s a waterfall 7,342 feet tall and 1.39 miles of falling water!

Check out a complete listing of businesses on the Commons in the directory starting on page 25.

Enjoy gourmet foods and hand-mixed cocktails and spirits at upscale restaurants such as Lev