Cradled by over 150 waterfalls and stitched collectively with beautiful college-town allure, Ithaca has formally been ranked as America’s best town to go to in 2025 by CNN. It was the solely place in New York to make the listing, alongside with Asheville in North Carolina and Las Cruces in New Mexico.
“The area around Ithaca is jam-packed with gorges and cascading falls, slicing through fertile land dotted with wineries and cider houses in the state’s Finger Lakes region,” writes CNN Travel. “In town, there’s a lively farmers market and more cultural offerings than Ithaca’s size would suggest.”
Its vibrant cultural scene additionally boasts two prestigious faculties, Cornell University and Ithaca College. CNN states that the massive scholar population “provides layers of range”to the town’s appeal.
Other notable spots embody The Ithaca Farmers Market, not too long ago touted as the best farmers market in America, the historic State Theatre, The Commons (a pedestrian-solely mall), and Moosewood Restaurant, one of the oldest vegetarian eating places in the nation. “Fans of geology, birding, music and more will find plenty to do here,” experiences CNN travel.
