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At La Tourelle Resort & Spa, you'll experience great personalized adventures. Our Adventure Center Concierge will design an itinerary to fit the length of your stay ... from a weekend to a 7-day vacation.
For a weekend, you might consider a spa experience, a hike, and a wine tour. A longer stay gives you an opportunity to enjoy all that the gorgeous Finger Lakes region has to offer, including boating, fishing, nature walks, golfing, horseback riding, tennis, antiquing, wine tours, museums, skiing and ice skating.
Here's a list of some adventure ideas, but be sure to speak to our Adventure Center Concierge when you book your room, or when you arrive, for a personalized adventure itinerary.
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Art
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The Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art
This museum houses one of the finest collections of art in New York State, with breathtaking views of Cayuga Lake, the Ithaca landscape, and Cornell University from the panoramic windows of I.M.Pei's landmark building.There are over 20 special exhibitions every year, plus selections from a global permanent collection, displayed on 6 public floors. The collection includes art from throughout Asia, 19th- and 20th-century American art, the graphic arts, medallic art, Tiffany glass, video art, European art ranging from ancient Greek and Roman sculpture to Old Master prints and 20th-century works, pre-Columbian art and African art.
Special Notes: For more information, visit www.museum.cornel.edu or call 607-255-6464.
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Art Trail
Ithaca is an art lover's paradise! There are more than 50 artists on our Art Trail. Some are studios and others are at their homes. The Commons in Downtown Ithaca has numerous galleries of local artists' works available for purchase and collection.
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Cayuga Lake Activities
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Cayuga Lake Cruises
The beautiful "M.V. Manhattan" departs daily from the M.V. Manhattan Pier in Ithaca, NY. Enjoy the beautiful experience of dining as it cruises on scenic Cayuga Lake, New York. Built in 1915 for the Rockaway Boat Lines in Brooklyn, it was used to carry passengers back and forth across New York Harbor as well as to transport immigrants from Ellis Island to Manhattan. Dining aboard the Manhattan is like eating in a fine restaurant with the added feature of a panoramic view of Cayuga Lake and the surrounding countryside. We're sure your trip will be a memorable one!
Special Notes: For more informationm, visit http://www.cayugalake cruises.com
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Kayaking - Puddledockers
Rent a Seaward, Impex Kayaks, or Prijon, sea touring and recreational style kayaks, as well as Nova Craft Canoes.
Dockside instruction is available for those who wish it. Launch off our dock and explore the surrounding creeks and canals of the inlet, or explore beautiful Cayuga Lake. Rentals include PFD, paddle, and a map of the area.
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Narrated Lake Tours - Tiehero Tours
Tiohero Tours offers daily two hour historical narrated lake tours originating from our home dock at 435 Old Taughannock Blvd
Tiohero Tours hopes to raise public awareness of water quality issues affecting beautiful Cayuga Lake. With this in mind, they are committed to keeping their own impact on the lake to a minimum while providing as much opportunity for hands on education with the least impact on the lake as possible. The efforts towards this goal include using bio-diesel fuel made from a mixture of diesel and plant oils. Additionally, they are using a biodegradable antifouling paint on the M.V. Haendel's bottom rather than the traditional toxic copper based bottom paints that are currently widely used in the marine industry. The new biodegradable paint we are using is the first of its kind in the US.
There is a special tour which departs from the Ithaca Farmers Market at Steamboat Landing Saturdays and Sundays for one hour tours. The tour begins at 11am or 1pm.
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Private Sailing Charters - Alcyone Charters - Wind Catcher Sailing Charters
Leave at your convenience from Johnson's Boat Yard or Treman State Marine Park. Sail for a while, stop to swim and or snack, and then sail some more. You may bring your own lunch/dinner and Alcyone Charters will help serve.
Guests are encouraged to take the wheel and experience sailing as much as they desire. They even have a special award for the Captain of the Day complete with a photo and certificate.
The skipper is a licensed Captain through the USCG, certified in CPR and first aid. The vessel is fully insured and contains all required, and then some, safety equipment. The boat is a 35.5 foot sloop with an under cabin, onboard bathroom and kitchen.
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Discovery Trail
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Ithaca Discovery Trail
The Discovery Trail Partnership is a group of educational organizations based in Ithaca, NY. The only organization of its kind, the Discovery Trail promotes awareness and understanding of the connections among art, history, literature, science and the natural world.
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Fishing
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Fishing Charters
Fishing in Tompkins County centers on the 42,496-acre Cayuga Lake and its dozens of tributaries. Cayuga Lake is approximately 40 miles long, 435' at its deepest point, and 384’ above sea level. It was judged by Sports Afield Magazine as one of the top ten bass lakes in the United States and has been featured on ESPN as well as TNN. Notables like Doug Hannon (The Bass Professor), Jimmy Houston, Lonnie Stanley and Shaw Grigsby have all enjoyed the bass fishing on Cayuga Lake. Besides an abundance of smallmouth and large mouth bass, lake trout, land-locked salmon, brown trout and beautiful rainbow trout are also plentiful. Many large northern pike inhabit Cayuga’s waters. Trout and salmon season is open year round in the lake. The fishermen who are willing to brave the winter elements take large fish! There are numerous boat launch areas available - or, for the non-boater, there are numerous locations to view the lake and streams.
Though not the deepest, Cayuga Lake is the longest of the eleven Finger Lakes. The combination of nearly a quarter of the lake in either shallows or deep water provides for a habitat for the greatest fishing diversity in the region.
With all the streams and gorges in the Finger Lakes, Fly Fishing can be spectacular any time of the season. Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bullhead, Pan Fish and Rainbow Trout are some of the fish that populate the water ways.
G.F. Charters - April 1st-Oct. 20th– 6 or 8 hr trips on Cayuga Lake starting out of Ithaca. They supply everything except food, drink, and fishing licenses. You get captain and crew who assist all day, clean your catch, bag it, and supply receipts.
Loon-A-Sea Charters
Get a knowledgeable and personable fishing guide for the day. Visit the best and secret fishing spots on Cayuga Lake by boat.
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The Central New York Fly Fisher - Matt Chapple
Whether you're a seasoned expert or a novice who needs step by step instruction, the guide will provided tailored service for your skill level. You can enjoy ½ day, day, or even over night trips and the CNY Fly Fisher will provide instruction as you wish. You can walk and wade one of the favorite places in New York’s most scenic country or try a trout stream of your choice. Keep in mind New York has several year round fly fishing locations.
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Geocaching
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Geocaching
The newest adventure sport for adults. Use GPS units to find hidden "treasures" placed by other Geocachers. There are over 2,000 caches to be found around Tompkins County
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Golf
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Golfing
The hilly terrain of this area in Central New York can prove to be challenging at any of the golf courses that are located close to La Tourelle. Some courses are more difficult then others, but all will provide for an exceptional golf visit while you vacation.
Catatonk Golf Club - 71 Golf Club Road, Candor, N.Y.; (607)659-4600
Greens Fees: Weekdays 18 holes for $22 with cart; weekends $29 with cart, $22 for walkers and breakfast included before 11:30 a.m.
· 18 holes, par 72, 6,664 yards.
Estimated Distance 19.93 miles. Driving time 25 min.
Elm Tree Golf Course - 283 Rt. 13, Cortland NY; (607)753-1341
Greens Fees: $12 weekday, $14 weekend
· 18 holes, par 70, 6,251 yards.
Estimated Distance 22.16 miles. Driving time 25 min.
Hillendale Golf Course - 218 N Applegate Road, Ithaca, NY
Greens Fees: Weekdays 18 holes for $18; weekends $20. Cart rental is $12 on weekday and $24 on the weekend.
· 18 holes, par 70, 6,004 yards.
Estimated Distance 10.03 miles. Driving time 15 min.
Newman Municipal Golf Course - 10 Pier Rd, Ithaca, NY
Greens Fees: $11 for 9 or 18 holes on the weekday; weekends are $14. Cart rental is $12 on the weekday and $24 on the weekend.
· 9 hole, par 36, 3,330 yards.
Estimated Distance 4.93 miles. Driving time 10 min.
Robert Trent Jones Golf Course - Warren Rd, Ithaca, NY
* A member of the party has to have an affiliation with Cornell.
Greens Fees: $45 on the weekday or $50 on the weekend for 18 holes. Cart rental is $14 on the weekday and $28 for the weekend.
· 18 holes, par 72, 6,832 yards.
Estimated Distance 5.75 miles. Driving time 10 min.
Trumansburg Golf Course - 23 Halsey St, Trumansburg, NY
Greens Fees: $13 for 9 holes and $18 for 18 holes on the weekday; weekend is $15 for 9 holes and $20 for 18. Cart rental is $12 on the weekday and $24 on the weekend.
· 18 holes, par 72, 6,308 yards.
Estimated Distance 14.84 miles. Driving time 25 min.
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Hiking and Biking
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New York State Park Tours
During the months of May to October, the four surrounding parks, beautiful Taughannock Falls State Park, Treman State Park, Buttermilk Falls State Park and Watkins Glen State Park, offer nature tours free of charge, six days a week. There is, however, a $7.00 dollar parking fee per vehicle.
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Cornell Plantations
The plant collections are open free of charge, seven days a week, sunrise to sunset. Peak season is May through mid-October.
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Entry Level to Mid Level
Join local Ithacan tour guides who use these trails regularly. Be taken to the best spots for riding, walking or just plain sight seeing. There is something for every level of biker or hiker.
South Hill Recreation Way Trail – 5 min. drive or 15 min. bike ride
A beautiful 3.3 miles of mostly unpaved converted rail road bed (turf grass surface) path with many different access points. Gorges, waterfalls, babbling brooks and wildlife are a few of the things that you will experience on this trail.
Ithaca College Recreation Trail – 3 min. drive or 10 min. bike ride
Two different loops that total over 3 miles of trails a top South Hill. These trails are usually kept in very good shape and offer some mild ascents and descents. Ride or hike to the top and witness a spectacular view of Cornell University and the Cayuga Lake valley.
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Guided Gorge Tours
Pick any or all of the following and get your own guide to take you to the best spots in and out town. See for yourself why Ithaca is Gorges!
• Cascadilla Gorge- a walk from downtown Ithaca, to Cornell’s campus.
• Ithaca Falls- Not much walking, but very scenic.
• Buttermilk Falls- A gorge that plunges more then 600 feet down South Hill.
• Lucifer Falls (Robert H. Tremann Park)- Over a 100 foot water fall resides here.
• Lick Brook Gorge- Just off the wet land nature trail in Lower Buttermilk.
• Taughannock Falls- 211 feet tall. The nation’s third tallest waterfall.
• Watkins Glen
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Mid Level to Advanced
Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area – 25 min. drive
This is the largest wildlife management area in New York State, totaling 11,045 acres. There are over 20 miles of trails and access roads in this area, as well as one of the highest points in the area, which leads to some spectacular panoramas of the low lands.
Hammond Hill State Forest – 25 min. drive
Miles of jeep roads and trails. Rated in the top 20 places to ride in the nation by Bike Magazine in December 2004.
Shindagin Hollow State Forest – 25 min. drive
A cornucopia of trails in this forest. Fire access roads and some epic single track reside here. Some trails are technical while others are fast and rolling twisty single track. There is even man made bridges and log overs to add to the fun! With two State Forests getting rated in the top twenty riding spots in North America, there is plenty for even the most experienced of riders to be challenged with. Join our guide and be taken to all the best local riding areas.
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Horseback Riding
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Cayuga Lakeside Stables
Offers trail rides on their own privately owned and beautiful trails, that wander through tall whispering pines, over babbling brooks, and through open fields giving their guests the opportunity to experience sightings of the many types of wildlife abundant in this area. Some of the common wildlife spotted are deer, turkey, hawks, squirrels, foxes, and an assortment of birds.
Riding lessons, guided trail tours, horsemanship classes, cart rides and wagon rides are available.
Located for miles north of Taughannock Falls State Park the drive to the stable will take about 30 minutes.
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Cornell
Private and semi-private lessons on Cornell’s campus located just miles from La Tourelle. They do not offer trail rides, but they do have an indoor and outdoor riding arena.
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Indoor Rock Climbing
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Indoor Rock Climbing
Located just five miles from the resort is Cornell University's indoor rock climbing wall. It is one of the largest of its type in the country and provides hours of exercise and fun all year.
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Nature and Science
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Cayuga Nature Center
Visitors to Cayuga Nature Center can explore the wonders of the natural world first hand. The CNC houses over 40 live animals in both indoor and outdoor exhibits. Explore their Butterfly House seasonally from June to August. Climb 50 feet into the tree canopy in Treetops, their six-story observational tree-house. Or simply enjoy the outdoors while walking the five miles of interpretive trails, which meander through a mature deciduous forest, along gorges and streams, and past a variety of native plants and wildlife.
Special Notes: Visit www.cayuganaturecenter.org for more information or call 607-273-6260
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Cornell Lab of Ornithology
The lab is now located in its new facility, the Imogene Powers Johnson Center for Birds and Biodiversity. It is surrounded by Sapsucker Woods, a 220-acre wildlife sanctuary with more than four miles of walking trails. The building's Visitors Center and observation areas are open to the public, with a wall of thirty-foot windows for viewing over Sapsucker Pond and the Treman bird-feeding garden. Displays include a surround sound theatre, object theatre presentation, sound studio, and informational kiosks featuring bird sounds and information. The Wild Birds Unlimited store in the Observatory carries bird supplies and a wide array of beautiful gifts.
Special Notes: Visit www.birds.cornell.edu for more information or email cornellbirds@cornell.edu.
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Cornell Plantations
Cornell Plantations is an area of great natural beauty that includes an arboretum, a botanic garden, and natural areas -- all of which are part of Cornell University. Their 25-acre botantical garden features 14 specialty gardens, including herbs, flowers, heritage vegetables, international crops, rock garden plants, rhododendrons, peonies, perennials, ornamental grasses, gound covers, and plants with winter interest.The F.R.Newman Arboretum features a wide range of both native and cultivated varieties of trees and shrubs that are hardy in New York State. Our collections include maples, oaks, crabapples, conifers, dogwoods, urban trees, and other species in a 150-acre pastoral setting. Specialty gardens in the arboretum include the Zucker Flowering Shrub Collection and the Treman Woodland Walk.
Special Notes: For more information, visit www.plantations.cornell.edu or call 607-255-2400.
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Museum of the Earth
The Museum of the Earth is located at the Paleontological Research Institution (PRI) and is a major natural history museum located in the heart of the Finger Lakes in Ithaca. Using PRI's world-class fossil collections, audio, visual, and tactile displays in a new state-of-the-art faciltiy, the Museum tells the story of our planet, as preserved in the geological record, with an emphasis on New York State and the Northeastern United States. The Museum also features the skeletons of the Hyde Park Mastodon and Right Whale #2030 and the 500-foot mural, "Rock of Ages Sands of Time" created by artist Barbara Page.
Special Notes: For more information, visit www.museumoftheearth.org or www.priweb.org or call 607-273-6623.
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Science Center
The Science Center is a hands-on science museum for people of all ages with over 200 exhibits, educational programs, an outdoor science park, a seasonal 18-hole minature golf course and a gift shop. Come see why they were voted Ithaca's Best Place for Family Fun two years in a row! Meet their live animals, explore the Curiosity Corner (designed for children 4 and younger), experiment with science kits in the Discovery Space, connect with your inner artist at the Reinvention Station, and stroll through the solar system on the Sagan Planet Walk.
Special Notes: For more information, visit www.sciencecenter.org or call 607-272-0600.
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New York State Park Tours
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Choose from 4 State Parks
During the months of May to October, the four surrounding parks, beautiful Taughannock Falls State Park, Treman State Park, Buttermilk Falls State Park and Watkins Glen State Park, offer nature tours free of charge, six days a week. There is, however, a $7.00 dollar parking fee per vehicle.
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Theatre
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Theatre
Amateur and professional theatre is abundant in Ithaca. Call our front desk to find out what will be playing at the time of your visit. Cornell University, Ithaca College, Kitchen Theatre and The State Theatre give year 'round performances.
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Tompkins County
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The History Center
The History Center in Tompkins County is the gateway for learning about the people, places, things and stories that have shaped our past. You are invited to examine history through a local lens by exploring thousands of historic photographs, documents, diaries, scrapbooks, genealogies, maps and more in The History Center's Research Library. Participate in a Hands-On History workshop, schedule a behind-the-scenes tour, or purchase historic photographs and books featuring Ithaca history. Discover the excitement of exploring the past at The History Center in Tompkins County.
Special Notes: For more information, visit www.thehistorycenter.net or call 607-273-8284.
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Tompkins County Public Library
At the Tompkins County Public Library, you can find a world of information at your fingertips. At the library you may connect to special databases, search the library catalogue for CDs, DVDs, videos, or your favorite author. Explore the Internet or simply sit back and read. Enjoy programming for all ages, from storytelling to music on Sundays, from book discussion groups to author readings. Join cultural celebrations and appreciate art displays and other exhibitions.
Special Notes: For more information, visit www.tcpl.org or call 607-272-4557
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Winter
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Cross Country Skiing
Annually the Ithaca area received over 100 inches of snow! This provides for phenomenal cross-country skiing. In the summer many of the trails are used for mountain biking and hiking (see that section above for specifics), when the snow falls these award winning trails turn into a variety of exceptional ski trails!
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Downhill Skiing
Do not hold back, skiing and snowboarding in Central New York is great! There is a lot of diversity from steep trails, to terrain parks to first time beginner area and lessons. There are three choices with-in a one hour drive and all have rental equipment and lessons available.
Greek Peak Ski Resort – There are 29 trails with a vertical drop of 952 feet. Annually there is over 122 inches of snow. In addition, Greek Peak has a Tubing Center. The mountain is with in a 45 minute drive of the hotel.
Labrador Mountain– There are 22 trails and one of the best terrain parks in Central New York. You can ski or ride over 250 acres and a 700 foot vertical drop. The drive will take about an hour.
Toggenburg Winter Sports Center – Togg has 24 trails, a Tubing Center, terrain park and four chair lifts. Located on the other side of the ridge from Labrador Mountain the drive will take about an hour.
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Ice Skating
Cass Park - Open skate takes place numerous times through out the week. There is a roof, but the walls are open so dress appropriately. Rental equipment is available. This rink is approximately a 10 minute drive.
The Rink – This is a new, fully enclosed facility located in Lansign. Rental equipment is available. The drive will take about 20 minutes along the east side of the lake.
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Snow Shoeing
The geography of Ithaca combined with the annual snow fall can give any one vacationing here hours of fun and exercise on-site at La Tourelle, or in one of the State Forests.
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