There’s no better place to visit than the City of Waterfalls! And as avid chasers of waterfalls ourselves, there’s no combination we love writing about more than these natural wonders paired with a road trip. We’ve previously written about two unforgettable waterfall road trips in New York. The first trip brings you all around the Finger Lakes, hitting famous locations like Niagara Falls, Letchworth State Park, Watkins Glen State Park, and even a waterfall that has a natural, eternal flame burning right within it. The second trip focuses on areas around the Catskills, bringing you to some of the best waterfalls in New York that are off the beaten path.

But what if you don’t have a weekend to spare? Well, you’re in luck! Right out at the southern end of Cayuga Lake, you’ll discover one of our favorite cities in New York…Ithaca! It’s the perfect paradise for any explorer who loves the sight of waterfalls. Right in this city there are more natural wonders to be discovered within a 10-mile radius than you could ever expect. View the entire mapped-out waterfall adventure on Google Maps.

Google Maps
1. First up, the waterfalls of Robert H. Treman State Park!
iberjan/TripAdvisor
sdbower/Getty
Robert H. Treman State Park, 105 Enfield Falls Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
Rick C/TripAdvisor
We previously wrote about this enchanting place to go camping in New York, where you're surrounded by nature, gorges, and enormous waterfalls! The most eye-catching attraction of the park is Lucifer Falls, a 115-foot waterfall (seen pictured second above) that you'll see while exploring the hiking trails.

While there's plenty of fun to be had during the summer, these waterfalls look extraordinary when they're paired with the backdrop of our fall foliage. With nearly 10 miles of hiking trails to explore, you'll be able to see an amazing amount of waterfalls cascading through the gorges.
2. Next, make your way over to Buttermilk Falls State Park.
Andy Arthur/Flickr
Andy Arthur/Flickr
Buttermilk Falls State Park, South Hill, NY 14850, USA
Andy Arthur/Flickr
This is another state park in the city that's filled with a ton of waterfalls. As soon as you pull into the parking lot, you'll be able to see Buttermilk Falls, which is over 160 feet tall. Throughout the rest of the park, you'll find nearly 10 other waterfalls that will instantly relax you. Pictured above you can see that the fall is a particularly wonderful time of year for exploring the park, before it closes its trails for the year in November.
3. After, you'll enjoy a slightly more unique setting at Businessman's Lunch Falls.
Wells Falls, Finger Lakes, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
The Explorographer™
Cascading down over 65 feet with four major drops, this waterfall is a relatively popular spot for our residents to visit. The easiest way to visit these falls is to park in the Mulholland Wildflower Preserve parking lot, which you'll reach just before the bridge. Then cross the bridge and take a quick hike down the Six Mile Creek Trail, where you'll see the falls. Also known as Wells Falls, this place wins over the hearts of many by having a fascinating setting, located right next to the ruins of an old mill that once used the power of the falls.
4. Six waterfalls are waiting to be seen along the Cascadilla Gorge Trail!
Cascadilla Gorge Trail, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
Mark B/TripAdvisor
Beginning at Linn Street and ending right at the Schwartz Performing Arts Center, you'll explore over 1.3 miles along the Cascadilla Gorge Trail that showcases six waterfalls. The trail is managed by Cornell Plantations. You'll need to wear a good pair of shoes - and be prepared to tackle staircases on the way! You can actually view the entire trail right on Google Street View.
5. While it's difficult to choose a favorite, the next stop at Ithaca Falls is certainly one you won't forget.
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Skand Hurkat/Flickr
With an entrance right on Lake Street, a quick hike will lead you to probably the most powerful waterfall you'll see on this trip. Once you see this waterfall in person, you'll be blown away to see just how large in size Ithaca Falls truly is, at roughly 150 feet tall.
While you're in the area, you'll find even more waterfalls hiding on Fall Creek. You can even try the exhilarating suspension bridge hike over Fall Creek!
Justin Ennis/Flickr
A part of the Cornell University campus, there are an assortment of creeks and waterfalls hiding all throughout the city.
6. Last but not least, you'll finish off your adventure with Triphammer Falls.
Triphammer Falls, Avon, NY 14414, USA
Faina Gurevich/Getty
Another waterfall in Ithaca that has a fascinating setting, Triphammer Falls is located next to an abandoned power station that was built in the late 1800s. The falls can either be taken in from the Triphammer Foot Bridge or you can also see them from the East Avenue Bridge! These are just a few of the natural wonders that make Ithaca so "gorges" and worthy of having the title of City of Waterfalls.

While there are countless cities with waterfalls in New York, there are so many breathtaking cascades hiding in Ithaca that we definitely think it earns its title as the City of Waterfalls! Which one is your favorite?

To discover more natural wonders of our state, read about this above-ground cave hike in New York. Or, if you’re looking for some easy-to-access roadside waterfalls, we’ve got you covered there too!

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City of Waterfalls & Related Info

Meghan Byers | August 04, 2022

What are some waterfall hikes I can take in New York?

There are so many wonderful hiking trails with waterfalls in New York; the Empire State is the perfect place for waterfall chasers. For an especially unique (but somewhat challenging) waterfall hike in Buffalo, try this hike to Eternal Flame Falls, where an actual, natural flame burns in a grotto behind the waterfall. You’ll also find beautiful waterfalls in Moravia at Fillmore Glen State Park. And if you happen to visit New York’s most famous waterfalls, you might like these scenic hikes in Niagara Falls. For more, visit our guide to the best waterfall hikes in New York.

Are there any waterfall swimming holes in New York?

New York has its fair share of old-fashioned swimming holes where you can cool off on a hot summer’s day, and some of these do feature waterfalls! In Ithaca, you can swim at Enfield Falls in Robert H. Treman State Park. It’s only a brief 0.4-mile trek to the falls from the parking lot, following along an easy, paved trail to reach this popular summertime swimming hole. If you prefer to take a little bit more strenuous hike before you cool off in the water, try the Vernooy Kill Falls Trail in the Catskills. This 4-mile roundtrip hike leads to a beautiful waterfall swimming hole in Kerhonkson. Check out our previous article for more waterfall swimming holes in New York.

Are there any waterfalls in New York you can reach without hiking?

There are quite a few waterfalls in New York that require no hiking whatsoever. Visiting the famous Niagara Falls doesn’t require any hiking of course, but there are also a few lesser-known waterfalls you can see without even getting out of your car. For example, Bastion Falls is right on Route 23A and can be seen from the road, though you can also park a little ways past the falls and walk over to get a better view. Visit our guide to find more easy-access waterfalls in New York.

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