Luxury Travel Guide: Ithaca

Accommodation

$200-450 per night

Upscale hotels with premium amenities, luxury bed and breakfasts, or high-end vacation rentals with lake views

Food & Dining

$80-200 per day

Fine dining restaurants, hotel dining rooms, premium wine tastings, private chef experiences, gourmet food tours

Transportation

$40-120 per day

Private car rentals, frequent taxi or premium rideshare services, possible private transportation for wine tours

Activities

$100-350 per day

Private guided tours, premium wine experiences, exclusive cultural events, spa services, helicopter or scenic flights

Visit during off-peak times like late fall or early spring for 25-40% lower accommodation rates

Take advantage of free activities like hiking the gorge trails and exploring Cornell's campus instead of paid tours

Shop at local grocery stores and farmers markets rather than eating every meal at restaurants to save 60-70% on food costs

Use the TCAT public bus system extensively instead of rideshares to reduce transportation costs by 70-80%

Book accommodation well outside peak graduation and orientation periods when rates can double

Look for restaurant happy hours and early bird specials which typically offer 20-30% savings on dining

Visiting during Cornell graduation or major university events when accommodation rates increase 100-200% and availability is limited

Relying entirely on rideshares and taxis instead of using the comprehensive public bus system, increasing transport costs by 300-400%

Eating only in the downtown Commons area without exploring more affordable options near campus and in residential neighborhoods