Things to Do in Ithaca in January
January weather, activities, events & insider tips
January Weather in Ithaca
Is January Right for You?
Advantages
- Cornell University is in full swing, which means the town has actual energy and the cafes, bookstores, and restaurants are properly busy. The student population makes Ithaca feel alive in January, unlike some college towns that go dormant in winter.
- The gorges are spectacular in winter - frozen waterfalls at Taughannock Falls (65 m / 215 ft drop) and ice formations in the gorge trails create scenes you simply cannot see any other time of year. Buttermilk Falls and Ithaca Falls transform into ice sculptures when temperatures stay below freezing for sustained periods.
- Accommodation pricing drops significantly compared to summer and graduation weekends. You'll find downtown hotels running 30-40% below their May-October rates, and you'll actually have your pick of places rather than scrambling for whatever's left.
- Winter activities are genuinely good here - Greek Peak ski resort is 40 km (25 miles) away and typically has solid snow coverage by January, cross-country skiing at Hammond Hill State Forest is excellent, and ice skating on Beebe Lake on Cornell's campus is free and beautiful when conditions allow.
Considerations
- The gorge trails get legitimately dangerous. Ice on the stone steps and paths means many trails close entirely, and the ones that stay open require serious caution. If you're coming specifically to hike the gorges, January is honestly not your month - you might find your top choices completely inaccessible.
- Daylight is limited to roughly 9 hours, with sunset around 5:00 PM. This compresses your sightseeing window considerably, and the overcast skies that tend to settle in make it feel darker than it is. If you're prone to seasonal mood issues, this can be challenging.
- Lake effect weather from the Finger Lakes makes conditions unpredictable. You might wake up to 30 cm (12 inches) of fresh snow that wasn't in the forecast, which can disrupt driving plans and close attractions with little warning. Rental cars need proper winter tires, and you need genuine winter driving skills.
Best Activities in January
Frozen Waterfall Viewing at Taughannock Falls State Park
January is actually the prime time to see Taughannock Falls partially or fully frozen, creating ice columns and formations that draw photographers from across the region. The 65 m (215 ft) waterfall is New York's tallest single-drop falls, and when temperatures stay below -6°C (21°F) for several consecutive days, the ice buildup becomes dramatic. The base trail (1.2 km / 0.75 miles round trip) stays open in winter and is relatively flat, though you'll be walking on packed snow and ice. The overlook trail offers a rim view without descending into the gorge. Best visited midday when whatever sun breaks through illuminates the ice formations. The park charges no entrance fee in winter, unlike summer months.
Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding at Greek Peak
Greek Peak Mountain Resort sits 40 km (25 miles) northeast of Ithaca and typically has full operations by January with snowmaking supplementing natural coverage. The resort has 32 trails across 90 hectares (220 acres) with a 210 m (700 ft) vertical drop - not Colorado, obviously, but genuinely decent skiing for the region. January weekdays are notably less crowded than weekends, and the mountain rarely sells out unlike larger Northeast resorts. Night skiing runs until 10:00 PM on weekends. The resort also has snow tubing if you're traveling with non-skiers.
Ithaca Farmers Market Indoor Winter Season
The Ithaca Farmers Market moves indoors to various locations in January (currently rotating between downtown venues), but it maintains its character as one of the region's best year-round markets. January is actually ideal for experiencing the winter vendor lineup - maple syrup producers, winter vegetable growers using hoop houses, artisan cheese makers, and prepared food vendors who aren't swamped with summer crowds. You'll find ingredients and products that reflect actual upstate New York winter agriculture rather than imported produce. Open Saturdays and Sundays typically 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, though confirm current location and hours as the indoor venue arrangement shifts year to year.
Wine Tasting Tours Along Cayuga Lake Wine Trail
January is low season for Finger Lakes wineries, which means you'll often have tasting rooms nearly to yourself and staff actually have time to talk through their wines rather than rushing you through. The Cayuga Lake Wine Trail has roughly 16 wineries within 30-45 minutes of Ithaca, specializing in Riesling, Cabernet Franc, and ice wine (which is literally produced in January when grapes freeze on the vine). The winter landscape of snow-covered vineyards and frozen lake views provides atmosphere summer visitors miss. Most wineries maintain weekend hours year-round, though some close Mondays-Wednesdays in winter.
Cornell University Campus Exploration and Museum Visits
Cornell's campus is genuinely beautiful under snow, and January means students are back from winter break so the campus has energy. The Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art (free admission) has an excellent collection and the building itself - designed by I.M. Pei - offers panoramic views across Cayuga Lake from the fifth floor. The Cornell Botany Teaching Greenhouses provide tropical warmth (bring layers you can remove) and are free to visit. The Cornell Lab of Ornithology visitor center sits 5 km (3 miles) from main campus and has indoor exhibits plus winter bird feeders that attract species adapted to upstate winters.
Indoor Rock Climbing at Lindseth Climbing Center
When outdoor gorge hiking becomes too hazardous, Ithaca's climbing gym offers a legitimate alternative for active travelers. The Lindseth Center on Cornell campus is one of the larger university climbing facilities in the Northeast, with 1,400 square meters (15,000 square feet) of climbing surface including bouldering walls, top-rope routes, and lead climbing. Day passes are available to non-Cornell visitors, and the facility is notably less crowded during January weekday mornings and early afternoons before students finish classes.
January Events & Festivals
Ithaca Ice Fest
This weekend event typically happens in late January and celebrates winter climbing on the frozen waterfalls in the area. It includes ice climbing demonstrations, equipment vendors, clinics for beginners, and guided climbs for experienced participants. Even if you're not climbing, watching experts scale frozen waterfalls is spectacular. The event is organized by the local climbing community and draws participants from across the Northeast.