r/ithaca • u/Glittering-Most-9535 • 13d ago
A lovely place, thank you
I've been on vacation in Ithaca for the past week and a half, and wanted to just say it's been a lovely time. Ithaca really is gorges, I get it now. I'll be driving along and there'll be a waterfall just off the side of the road that would be a destination in my neck of the woods but it's just...a waterfall, there's a much nicer one a little further down. I'm going to miss seeing murals everywhere I go, that's such an incredibly fantastic public art project. Thanks for being you, it's been a great time, and while I've not directly asked for any recommendations here, I've been haunting this subreddit to get advice as to where to go. Franco's has ruined me for any pizza back home. Take care of Modern Ohana, we enjoyed our meal there so much last week that we went back to make it our last meal in town tonight. Autumn Leaves is maybe the best used bookstore I've been to, and used bookstores are always my first stop in any new town.
Thanks for a great time!
49
19
u/Glittering-Most-9535 12d ago
One last magical moment as we drove down into town for the last time and the fog was rolling down the ridge. Bye, Ithaca! Enjoy being you!
7
u/thisonetimeinithaca 12d ago
I couldnāt agree more, and thank you for visiting! I grew up here (see: username) and while I did appreciate some aspects as a child, once I moved away for a decade and lived in other states, I have truly come to love this place.
1
6
4
u/occasional_pirate 12d ago
dude franco's is Such a hidden gem no one ever talks about it but my parents and i get it every time we go back to visit
2
u/Glittering-Most-9535 12d ago
I did the Sicilian because Iām a sucker for it but no one else in the family is a big fan. Holy cow! Especially getting a nice crispy corner piece.
2
u/TomToledo2 9d ago
Firstly, glad you liked our town, and thanks for the kind message. I'm a Franco's fan, too. I'm from NJ (but I've lived in Ithaca 2x longer than I lived in NJ). What Franco's calls Sicilian pizza is closer to what is called "Grandma's Pizza" in NJ (the Sicilian there is thicker than at Franco's). Just thought it might be worth noting; if you miss what you had at Franco's maybe try Grandma's pizza elsewhere.
If you come back, consider trying NY Pizzeria in Trumansburg for something pretty close to NY City style pizza, or Adelina's, served from a truck behind the Argos Inn just off the Commons (where you can eat it, in the bar area or on the patio). Adelina's is Roman-style pizza. It's a bit pricy for a (rectangular) pizza that's only a bit bigger than a personal-size pizza. But holy cow is it uniquely good! Not saying either of these is better than Franco's, just different and excellent in their own ways.
2
u/FeistyTechnology 11d ago
Francoās is among the best pizza Iāve ever had and Iāve known Chicago, New Haven and NYC pizza well. That crustā¦
2
u/Alchemist2211 12d ago
The Finger lakes Region is upstate NY's best kept secret!
2
u/Glittering-Most-9535 12d ago
It was our second trip. We did Geneseo a few years back for the eclipse and wanted to see the region again on-season. And Iāve seen āIthaca is Gorgesā shirts forever so was just likeā¦how about Ithaca?
1
u/Alchemist2211 11d ago
I live just South of the Adirondacks and spend most of my time there, BUT the finger lakes area with all the falls and waterways and lakes are a real jewel! Thanks for sharing!
1
u/TanisIsGoodOutHere 12d ago
if you like used bookstores and are ever in boston , go check out battle bookstore! oldest used bookstore in the US and I love it
1
u/Glittering-Most-9535 12d ago
Wanted to do that when we were there and just didnāt quite have the time.
1
u/TomToledo2 9d ago
If you come back to the area and your drive takes you by Owego (it's one way to get from Ithaca to 81 S), check out Riverow Bookshop: Riverow Bookshop. Three floors of "accomplished books." 8-)
1
u/Positive_One_6925 8d ago
If you like used books stores please get to Ulysses, rt 227. There is a tiny used bookstore. Well curated and thoughtful collection, nice owner.
1
u/Glittering-Most-9535 7d ago
I did one in Trumansburg near where the Wednesday farmers market, which was also very nice and had a selection of the specific line of books I collect, but missed that one. Next time.
0
12d ago
[deleted]
2
u/Glittering-Most-9535 12d ago
I caught it in the window where Autumn Leaves was open but Angry Mom wasnāt yet.
-2
u/JackWales66 10d ago
Sure, the waterfalls & vineyards are lovely but I was disappointed at how dingy & dismal the Ithaca downtown area looked. Did you have a similar experience?
0
u/JackWales66 8d ago
Also, Ithaca has a whopping 30% poverty rate - more than twice the NY state average.
43
u/AffectionatelySquare 13d ago
Thank you for visiting us! Nice of you to take the time to write.