An Experience You Can’t Miss

An Ithaca summer is something every student at Cornell should experience at least once. Ithaca’s highly reputed natural environment truly shines during these months in the middle of each year. Between gorge trails, waterfalls, hiking, picnics, and even outdoor thrift popups, there are so many ways to come together under the sun. Personal favorites include Buttermilk Falls, Stewart Park, and Robert H. Treman State Park. Each of these parks has its own unique elements, such as the lifeguarded swimming and diving area under the waterfall of Robert H. Treman State Park. Even right on campus, the Beebe Lake trail is a great place to run, hike, jog, or sightsee all through its one-mile loop.

Vibrant Community 

Nature is only part of the story. Ithaca comes alive in the summer in ways different from the activity of the academic year. Weekly concerts both on Cornell’s campus and on the Ithaca Commons make for a casual and frequent venue for live music. The Ithaca Farmer’s Market, an Ithaca staple since 1973, serves as a gathering place abuzz with live music and conversation with the aroma of fresh produce and local cider. My favorite gathering spot is the Fuertes Observatory on North Campus. Every Friday, including throughout the summer, they host an open night for anyone to look through the telescope and stargaze on the balcony.  

Opportunities Abound 

While the summer in Ithaca comes with so many fun perks, it doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your work or school commitments. Often, students stay on campus to research or take courses, meaning that if you are hoping to enjoy all that the summer has to offer, there will be plenty of other reasons to make that a reality. There are research fellowships, opportunity grants, and so many other programs designed to bring scholars together and maximize the benefits of more focused work during the summer months.