ITHACTOBER DAY 6: Cornell Lab of Ornithology

As a student at the other college in Ithaca, I signed a legal, binding contract stating that I have to hate on Cornell at all times.

...Okay, okay, since the contract wasn't binding and we don't really hate Cornell (sometimes), today I'd like to take the opportunity to discuss something beautiful and natural that's worth crossing over the other hill to go see: The Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Cornell University has an amazing programs in zoology, ecology, biology, horticulture, and more. Not only do they have these amazing majors, but they are put into practical use on stretches of land just outside the campus itself.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is a mini-museum combined with trails, both free and open to the public. If a quiet afternoon of wandering through the woods listening to bird calls is your cup of tea (it's definitely mine!) this is a wonderful place to visit, that you might not have known about otherwise.

My tips for the visit: Determine how much time you want to spend there, because their are many points on the trail where you can opt for a direct route, or choose a more winding, 'lost in the woods' approach. Other tip? If you're going in the summertime, bring bug spray ;)

ITHACTOBER DAY 5: Wanna See a Movie?

As a cinema student, I always want to know where the good theaters are when I visit a new place. Being the culturally eclectic place that it is, Ithaca has several theater options that go outside the norm.

Here are the two I frequent most:

Cinemapolis

Cinemapolis is located in the Commons (previously mentioned in my Applefest post), making it convenient to stop into after an evening of shopping or dining.

Most of the fare at Cinemapolis consists of independent films and documentaries - ones you wouldn't normally get to see at a regular movie theater. As a result of Cinemapolis, I've seen great films that others only discovered once they hit DVD, like the charming Robot and Frank, and the chilling Martha Marcy May Marlene.

In addition to the cinema itself, check out the concession stand (with Ithaca Root Bear, rum brownies, and other snacks) as well as the Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival. This week of art films and documentaries that are worth every penny is held in the spring.

Cornell Cinema

source: cinema.cornell.edu

Like Cinemapolis, Cornell Cinema offers alternative movie options to the mainstream theaters. As the name implies, Cornell Cinema operates out of Cornell University, specifically the Willard Straight Theatre.

The wide variety of films that can be found at Cornell Cinema is enough to lure in just about anybody - screenings of old classics, not-so-old classics, new movies a few months after their initial release, retrospectives on a single director, and more. While Cinemapolis is my go-to for new, independant films, Cornell Cinema is where I go to catch up.

Their schedule changes weekly, so it's best to take a thorough look at the calendar if there's something you don't want to miss.

ITHACTOBER DAY 4: Ithaca is Gorges

So, Ithaca has a lot of gorges. 

Ithaca loves its gorges.

One could almost say we're obsessed.

But it's with good reason!

One of the top three things I love about Ithaca is the natural beauty located mere minutes from the city itself. I'm a country girl who loves fresh air and sunshine, the kind that a pedestrian mall or coffee shop patio can't satisfy. It doesn't matter what time of year you visit (though fall is obviously the best), put on your boots and spend some time at a gorge!

This list sums up the local gorges quite well, so I'm going to let my photos do the talking. For everyone following along at home, I took these at Buttermilk Falls, Ithaca Falls, and Taughannock Falls, but are presented in random order! 

 

Sources for the Gorges apparel examples: 1, 2, 3, 4. All other photos taken by yours truly.

Yes, the man in the last photo is nude. He is always there. And he is always nude. 

ITHACTOBER DAY 3: What To Eat at Applefest!

Every October, the city of Ithaca holds the Annual Downtown Ithaca Apple Harvest Festival, or Applefest for short, in the commons. For those who don't know, the commons is the name given to Ithaca's pedestrian mall. The area is a treat to explore at any time of year, but Applefest makes it even more so.

Applefest is a fall festival filled with craft selling, kids games, live music, and food. Kid friendly, adult friendly, hippie friendly, foodie friendly... basically anyone and everyone finds something to love at Applefest.

So with all this delicious food being offered up, where to begin? Fear not, my child. I, a three-year Applefest veteran, will show you the way. In no particular order:

Cider Donuts

Okay, I lied, in this case it is in a particular order - cider donuts are the best. Get here early to secure your spot in line for one of these. They're only 75 cents and worth a million bucks, but people line up for them like they're going out of style! Make sure you grab one (or 5) of these during your Applefest experience, they're the epitome of the perfect apple-inspired munchie!

Warm Apple Cider

Unlike the coveted cider donuts, you can find almost every apple vendor selling this warm, delicious liquid. It's better than coffee (in my humble opinion) and is a great way to start Applefest, especially if you start bright and early in the morning. Start here, go anywhere!

Apple Crisp Sundae 

Get in line early for this. Even if you get stuck in the line, just wait. I don't care if you have to wait forever for one of these, do yourself a favor and get this sundae. Warm, crunchy apple crisp meets cinnamon ice cream from Ithaca's greatest ice cream parlour, Purity. Do it.

Mexican Burritos

As a lover of both Applefest and mexican food, this is the perfect fusion. This authentic stand not only has a wide variety of burrito options (vegetarian, chicken, etc.) at a reasonable price (compared to other food stands at the festival), but the man who works this stand is always extremely friendly. Warning, this burrito is quite filling, so don't eat it right off the bat if you want to sample other apple goodies first.

Apple & Caramel Kettle Corn

I dare you to walk by the kettle corn stand and not buy something. Go ahead, try it. Between regular kettle corn, cinnamon kettle corn, and apple-flavored kettle corn, I think you will fail. Embrace it. Buy a bag. Snack forever.

Gourmet Wraps & Sandwiches

I have yet to try the wide variety of meals offered at this stand, mostly because there are so many! This stand is great because it also offers breakfast-type options, whereas most of the other food stands are lunch-oriented. I have ordered Mediterranean quesadillas and scrambled egg wraps and pleased with them both. This year they even added a giant potato latke as an option! And by giant, I mean plate-sized. Really.

Mennonite Pastries

Terrible photo, I know. I'm honestly just too busy gobbling them up to photograph them!

I secretly saved the most amazing, delicious, and cost-friendly option for last! Among Ithacans and non-locals alike, it is a known fact (yes, scientific fact) that the Mennonite pastry stand is the shining glory of Applefest. Imagine, if you will, about seven folding tables laying end to end. They're covered in every kind of fall pastry you can imagine - pumpkin whoopie pies, apple bread loaves, sticky buns, pecan pies, oatmeal cookies, and so much more.

And then behind those folding tables, are entire crates filled with even more pastries. We are talking in the hundreds here. And the prices? Ridiculously cheap. Three dollars for a whole plate of cookies. Three dollars for a tray of cinnamon buns. Four dollars for a loaf of pumpkin bread, five dollars for a whole pie. So cheap, and so well made.

Best part of all? The Mennonites themselves are the ones selling them to you. It makes the entire experience feel so much more personal. I really hope they get a kick out of how much everyone enjoys their pastries.

And most importantly:

*Others that didn't make the cut (mostly because I didn't take a photo of them, not because they aren't worth your time!): 
Pumpkin Funnel Cake - exactly how it sounds, and smells
Apple slices with warm drizzled caramel - A much better alternative to an old caramel apple on a stick
Philly Cheesesteak - enough cheese and steak to fill you up
Free Candy - win it from one of the educational science booths for answering a trivia question
Authentic Thai Dishes - the smell is enough to lure you in
'Farm to Food Truck' - delicious food truck faire meets farmer's market freshness
Hard Cider tasting - for 21 and up, such a delicious treat!
And, yes, fear not... you can buy actual apples here too!



All photos taken by yours truly during one of my many Applefest excursions.
Click here & here to read more about the 'fest, and the Downtown Ithaca Commons!