Ithaca, NY (WBNG Binghamton) Everyone has heard the saying "Ithaca is Gorges". But what is in Ithaca?
From its magnificent waterfalls to the popular downtown Ithaca Commons, Ithaca is the gateway to the Finger Lakes and full of life.
If you drive alongside Cayuga Lake, you can't miss all of the wineries.
The Cayuga Wine Trail features 15 wineries, 1 cidery, one meadery and four distilleries.
"Some of the wineries offer different tours where they can show you how they make the wine. Also, how they do the whole process, from the beginning working out in the vineyards and off until they start doing the tanks and bottling the wine," said Cathy Millspaugh, Cayuga Wine Trail.
Other wineries offer restaurants at their locations so you can pair a fine meal with fine wines.
The wineries have 5,300 national and international awards over the years. Also, they have won 6 Governor's Cups, which is the "Oscars" of wineries.
The Wine Trail's "Vino Visa" allows you different specials at each of the stops. Also, if you join the Wine Trail's e-mail list you will be entered to win a $25 gas card.
You can find out more about the wineries at Cayuga Wine Trail
Cayuga Lake is the longest of the Finger Lakes. You can ride the rivers on board the Cayuga Lake Cruises. They offer 3 trips a day: a lunch cruise, an afternoon sight seeing cruise and a dinner cruise.
"By far the dinner cruise is the most popular. You get to see more of the lake. Some more of the stately homes and the waterfalls and the other things the lake has to offer," said B.J. Bliss, President of Cayuga Lake Cruises.
The cruises sell-out fast so get your tickets to enjoy the sights of Cayuga Lake and learn the history of the waters. All cruises leave from the M/V Columbia Pier on West Buffalo Street.
For more information, times and dates, Cayuga Lake Cruises
Once you hop off the boat, you can enjoy a glass of wine at Corks and More right next door. Bliss also owns the high-end wine bar lounge and he says it's the most unique place you're going to find in Ithaca.
"Everything works off of a tasting card, which is the size of a business card, it turns into a debit card. You come in and put whatever denomination on the card. For the card, there's 10 different wine stations scattered throughout the bar," said Bliss.
Every wine station features four bottles of wine, which vary by season. Corks and More was the first establishment in New York to use this technology.
The bar also offers comfy outdoor seating, tapas and live music.
For a wine list, tasting menu and more information, Corks and More
If you're looking for some entertainment for the kids this summer, go to Cornell. Cornell's Sports School brings in 4500 kids in the summer from ages 7 to 18. Kids come from 40 different states.
Every varsity sport at Cornell runs a camp. There's soccer, lacrosse, hockey, wrestling, football, baseball, basketball, cross-country, golf, rowing, swimming, tennis, track and others.
The Varsity coaches run the camps along with the Cornell University athletes.
"They might see them on TV and then be on the field with them. If the participants are older, they can see what Cornell is like as a college. If they are younger, they get that neat experience to play on some top Division I facilities," said Kath Fenzel, Cornell Sports School Director.
You can also learn new sports such as sailing and fencing. There's also the opportunity to try your luck at climbing up the Lindseth Climbing Wall.
Camps work around your schedule. They range from three days to three weeks. Resident campers stay in dorm rooms in residence halls on Cornell's North Campus.
There's still slots available in this summer's camps at Cornell. Click here for more detailed information on the camps You can also call (607) 255-1200
More than 100,000 visit the Sciencenter each year. It's where play and science go together. The Sciencenter is the #1 family destination in Ithaca.
"Over 250 exhibits that invite you to play, think, gets hands-on, explore, it's a wild ride for anyone who has some time," said Lara Litchfield-Kimber, Deputy Director.
There's the world's only Kevlar suspension bridge, Galaxy Golf, a Curiosity Corner for younger kids and you can hold sea stars, hermit crabs and sea urchins in the Connect to the Ocean Touch Tank.
The museum was built by the community itself. More than 2,800 volunteers gave their time to build the entertaining destination.
"There is no other museum that is both a children's museum and a science center that is literally built by the community," said Litchfield-Kimber.
The Sciencenter is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 A.M. until 5 P.M. It is open Mondays in July and August. Group rates are available. You can hold your group's event at the Sciencenter in its Community Room. The center also does birthday parties.
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