Looking for a great fall day trip in New York? It doesn’t get much better than Ithaca. As the home of Cornell University, it’s got a great college town atmosphere. Another big draw is its beautiful natural surroundings. Not only is it right on Cayuga Lake, but it’s also loaded with waterfalls. With the crisp cool weather and gorgeous fall foliage in New York, don’t waste another minute indoors! Ithaca is a great spot to get out and enjoy all the resplendent beauty that is fall in New York.

New York never looks better than when it's decked out in the beautiful hues of autumn.
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Cayuga Lake is the longest of the Finger Lakes, and Ithaca sits along its southern shore.
Katie Gosmeyer/NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/Flickr
Ithaca has a population of around 30,000, but it still manages to have a small-town atmosphere. You'll feel right at home here, and there are lots of great restaurants and shops to check out.
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We really can't stress how beautiful the city is. Lakes, creeks, gorges: there's a varied landscape, and it's one of the prettiest towns in the Empire State.
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It's also a one-stop shop for a waterfalls in New York road trip. Some of the state's most incredible waterfalls are in Ithaca.
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The mighty Taughannock Falls stands tallest at 215 feet. You can also see the churning Buttermilk Falls and the impressive Lucifer Falls.

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We may be a little bit biased, but Cornell is one of the most beautiful college campuses around. It may be the youngest of the Ivy League schools, but it was still founded in 1865, so there's plenty of history.
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The campus's suspension bridge is absolutely magnificent in the fall!
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Whether you're taking a walk through campus...
Barbara Friedman/Flickr
Or just driving around admiring the scenery in the rest of the town...
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You're sure to find Ithaca makes for a great day trip in New York!
☼☼Jo Zimny Photos☼☼/Flickr

Have you visited Ithaca, New York? Share your experiences in the comments!

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