Things to Do in Ithaca in August
August weather, activities, events & insider tips
August Weather in Ithaca
Is August Right for You?
Advantages
- Perfect summer weather with warm days averaging 27°C (81°F) and cool evenings dropping to 18°C (64°F) - you can comfortably explore gorges and trails during the day, then enjoy outdoor dining without sweating through your shirt at night
- Students haven't returned yet (Cornell's fall semester starts late August), which means lighter crowds at restaurants, easier parking downtown, and better availability at popular spots like Buttermilk Falls and Taughannock - you'll actually get those Instagram shots without 30 people in the background
- Peak produce season at the Ithaca Farmers Market - you're hitting the sweet spot for local tomatoes, sweet corn, peaches, and berries. Saturday mornings (9am-2pm) are when the best stuff sells out by 11am, but it's worth setting an alarm
- Cayuga Lake is at its warmest for the year, typically reaching 21-24°C (70-75°F) by early August - locals actually swim without wetsuits, and sunset kayaking from Cass Park or Stewart Park becomes genuinely pleasant rather than teeth-chattering
Considerations
- Those 10 rainy days tend to cluster unpredictably - August weather in the Finger Lakes is notoriously variable, and you might get three gorgeous days followed by two washouts. The good news is rain here rarely lasts all day, but it can disrupt gorge hiking plans since trails close after heavy rain due to slippery conditions
- Late August (roughly after the 20th) brings move-in chaos as 25,000 Cornell students and their families descend on a town of 32,000 people. Hotel prices jump 40-60%, traffic on Route 13 becomes genuinely frustrating, and restaurant wait times double. If you're visiting late August, book accommodations 2-3 months ahead
- The 70% humidity combined with that UV index of 8 means you'll feel warmer than the thermometer suggests, especially on the exposed gorge trails around midday. I've watched countless visitors underestimate this and end up exhausted by 2pm - it's not scorching hot, but it's persistent and draining if you're not prepared
Best Activities in August
Gorge Trail Hiking - Taughannock, Buttermilk, and Robert Treman
August is actually ideal for Ithaca's famous gorge trails because water levels are still decent from spring runoff (unlike bone-dry September), but trails are fully open and maintained. The 70% humidity keeps the gorges noticeably cooler - you'll feel a 3-4°C (5-7°F) temperature drop as you descend. Start early (7-9am) before the UV index peaks, and you'll have mostly empty trails. Taughannock's 65 m (215 ft) waterfall is the crown jewel, but Buttermilk's natural pools are where locals actually swim. Trail conditions get sketchy after rain, so check the Ithaca Parks website the morning of - they close trails within hours of heavy storms.
Cayuga Lake Wine Trail Tours
The Finger Lakes wine region is in full swing by August, with tasting rooms offering current vintages and the previous year's releases side by side. The lake keeps temperatures moderated, making vineyard visits comfortable even on warmer days. Most wineries are spread along Route 89 on the west side of Cayuga Lake, roughly 15-25 km (9-15 miles) from downtown Ithaca. August weekends get busy, but weekday afternoons (Tuesday-Thursday, 2-5pm) are surprisingly quiet. The combination of wine tasting and lake views at spots along the Cayuga Wine Trail is legitimately stunning - you're looking across 61 km (38 miles) of water with rolling vineyard hills.
Cayuga Lake Paddling - Kayak and Paddleboard Rentals
With the lake at its warmest in August (21-24°C / 70-75°F), this is the month when paddling shifts from 'brave' to 'actually enjoyable.' Early morning launches (6-8am) offer glass-smooth water before afternoon winds pick up - the lake can get choppy after 2pm. Sunset paddles (7-9pm) are magical but book ahead since rental shops have limited evening inventory. The 1.6 km (1 mile) paddle from Cass Park to the Ithaca inlet is beginner-friendly and gives you downtown views. Stronger paddlers can explore the shoreline north toward Taughannock, though that's a 16 km (10 mile) round trip.
Ithaca Farmers Market and Local Food Scene
The Saturday and Sunday market (9am-2pm) at Steamboat Landing is where Ithaca's food culture actually lives. August is peak season - you'll find produce that's legitimately better than anything in grocery stores, plus prepared foods, local cheeses, and baked goods. Get there by 9:30am for the full selection; by noon, the best vendors are sold out. The market sits right on Cayuga Lake with picnic tables, so grab breakfast and watch sailboats. Downtown's restaurant scene is strong year-round, but August means local menus feature actual Finger Lakes ingredients rather than shipped-in produce.
Cornell Campus and Museum Exploration
With students gone until late August, Cornell's campus is unusually peaceful and accessible. The Johnson Museum of Art offers free admission and genuinely impressive collections (plus the best view of Cayuga Lake from the 5th floor). The Cornell Botanic Gardens covers 10 hectares (25 acres) with gorge trails, botanical collections, and that famous suspension bridge over Fall Creek Gorge. Campus is walkable but hilly - the climb from downtown to central campus gains about 120 m (400 ft) in 1.6 km (1 mile), which is steeper than it sounds in August humidity.
Sunset Watching at Taughannock Falls Overlook and Stewart Park
August sunsets over Cayuga Lake happen around 8-8:30pm, giving you long summer evenings. Taughannock Falls Overlook (the rim trail viewpoint, not the base) faces west across the lake and gets stunning light. Stewart Park's waterfront has picnic tables and a small beach where locals gather with wine and takeout. The combination of warm evenings (18°C / 64°F), low mosquito activity compared to June-July, and that golden-hour light reflecting off the lake makes evening activities genuinely pleasant rather than something you endure.
August Events & Festivals
Ithaca Festival (First Weekend of August)
This is Ithaca's biggest annual event - a free, three-day music and arts festival in downtown Commons and Stewart Park. You'll find 100-plus craft vendors, multiple music stages (everything from folk to funk), food trucks, and a parade. It's genuinely community-focused rather than touristy, which means you'll see the real Ithaca culture. Crowds peak Saturday afternoon, but Sunday morning is more relaxed. If you're visiting the first weekend of August, this will dominate downtown - embrace it rather than fight it.
Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival (Mid-to-Late July into Early August)
While technically this four-day music festival at Trumansburg (24 km / 15 miles north of Ithaca) usually wraps up in late July, some years it extends into the first days of August depending on the calendar. It's a beloved counterculture music festival with camping, workshops, and an eclectic lineup. If you're into that scene and your dates align, it's worth checking the current year's schedule. That said, most August visitors will miss it - just know that if you arrive the first few days of August and see tie-dye everywhere, this is why.