Ithaca

Walking just a few blocks east of College Avenue in Ithaca, it quickly becomes apparent that the Bryant Park/Belle Sherman neighborhood is much more of a year-round residential community than the busy Cornell University's Collegetown area. Here, one finds grassy front lawns and quiet residential streets. “Belle Sherman is one of the top three areas in Ithaca where houses move the quickest,” says Johan Dulfer, an associate broker with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Heritage, who has been selling homes in the area for five years. The neighborhood, located on the city’s eastern edge, is home to a mix of residents, including longtime homeowners, college professors, students and investors. Homes in this neighborhood tend to sit further from the street than many other Ithaca neighborhoods. The lots are larger as well. “There are no new homes in Belle Sherman. The housing stock is older and more traditional,” says Dulfer. Home styles here include Tudors, craftsman, Victorians and bungalows. For a single-family craftsman, home buyers can expect to pay between $400,000 and $700,000. Children in the community may begin their public school education at Belle Sherman School, which is within walking distance of most neighborhood homes and serves kindergarten through fifth grade. The school has a 9-1 student-teacher ratio and an A-minus rating from Niche. DeWitt Middle School has an 8-1 student-teacher ratio and an A-minus rating. Ithaca Senior High School has an A rating. The school has an average SAT score of 1350. The community has few green spaces, but nearby Buttermilk Falls State Park features 10 waterfalls and several hiking trails. The upper section of the park features a small lake and trails; along the gorge and rim of the creek are a playground, picnic areas and playing fields. The lower park has a natural pool for swimming, a campground and playing fields. Nearby Robert H. Treman State Park is 1,100 acres of untamed beauty. The central feature of the park is the Enfield Glen Gorge. Hikers can take trails past 12 waterfalls. Campers can pitch a tent or rent a cabin at the lower end of the park. Swimming is permitted in a pool at the base of a waterfall. There are few shopping options in this neighborhood, but in Collegetown, dozens of international restaurants, busy bars and hip shops cater to the college crowd. The Souvlaki House is known for its generous portions of Greek and Italian classics like gyros and pizza. Ithaca Beer is a local brewery; its Flower Power IPA is an area favorite. For other shopping needs, Ithaca Commons is just a mile away. Grocery shoppers can check off their lists at Aldi on 3rd Street. There is a Walmart Supercenter 3 miles away on Memorial Parkway. In spring, the Fall Creek neighborhood celebrates Streets Alive! A simple, one-day affair when the streets are closed to traffic and open for the people. Attendees are free to dance, jump rope, open a lemonade stand or whatever else they want to do. Many Ithacans head to Fall Creek in September to enjoy Porchfest. Since 2007, local musicians have been performing on the front porches of area homes. Attendees can listen to music and check out the food trucks parked throughout the area. The Apple Harvest Festival returns to Downtown Ithaca with crisp fall weather, introducing delicious new apple dishes and freshly pressed apple cider. This is a walkable community. Ithaca Road runs through the neighborhood. TCAT buses have regular stops throughout Bryant Park and Belle Sherman. The Ithaca Tompkins International Airport is 5 miles away via Warren Road.

As Ithaca’s first planned suburb, Cornell Heights Historic District stands as a beacon of 19th-century American residential development and architectural grandeur amidst the Fall Creek Gorge’s natural setting in Central New York. Conceived initially as an exclusive enclave for the distinguished faculty of the adjacent Cornell University, the meticulously planned 175-acre district showcases stately historic homes spanning 1898 to 1942 that preserve Cornell’s enduring legacy. Lavish landscaping along its undisturbed and walkable street patterns, a high level of architectural integrity, and continuous strong ties to Cornell University all contribute to the historic district's early-20th-century charm. Though the neighborhood accommodates student housing, apartment complexes, and administrative buildings, Cornell Heights still maintains its historic, residential character through its architecturally diverse single-family homes set on large private lots. “Craftsman and Colonial Revival homes dating after 1900 are most prevalent, and many lovely houses have a lot of cross-fertilization of styles,” says local broker Margaret Hobbie of Howard Hanna Real Estate, who has been serving Ithaca since 1995. This stylistic eclecticism is highlighted by heavy Dutch Colonial, Tudor, Queen Anne and Victorian influences. Real estate prices range from smaller cottages for around $375,000 to grand Craftsman and Colonial estates on 2-acre properties fetching up to $1.25 million. In Cornell Heights, fraternity and sorority houses are the second most popular residential land use after single-family homes, and several Greek letter and independent organizations have acquired formerly private estates. As a result, residents may be subjected to loud music and parties, although Hobbie says the area remains relatively quiet most of the time. Even unintentional landscaping was intentional in the original planning of Cornell Heights, as the development was promoted as a high-class residential park. Wild growth complements expert landscaping, and an established tree canopy offers shade to students and residents who tread the neighborhood’s sidewalks. A kaleidoscope of color surrounds the historic district throughout the year: dogwood trees blush in the spring, clusters of wildflowers pop up along its curved roadways in the summer, maple trees blaze orange in the fall, and mature conifers create a dense blanket of green in the winter. Other original landscaping details include fieldstone walls and small segments of stone pathways decorating properties that still stand today. Apart from the University, Cornell Heights is immediately surrounded by the natural setting of Central New York. “I always said it’s a shame that Cornell Heights doesn’t have its own park,” says Hobbie, formerly a City Parks Commission member. “But residents use the Cornell campus as an informal park, and Fall Creek Gorge and Beebe Lake serve as lovely areas adjacent to Cornell Heights.” Many of these areas are walkable from the district, as a connective network of pathways and bridges weave through the University and surrounding natural spaces, including the scenic trail that encircles Beebe Lake. The University is also home to thousands of acres of lush gardens, including the Mundy Wildflower Garden and Cornell Botanic Gardens, which highlight a diversity of blooms and plants. Fall Creek frames the neighborhood’s southern border, and the Fall Creek Gorge’s deep ravines create rushing waterfalls with picturesque points such as Horseshoe Falls, Triphammer Falls and the well-known Ithaca Falls. The cool mist from Ithaca Falls’ cascading, thunderous waters refresh hikers who take the short 0.2-mile trail to see the 100-foot-tall sight, which features overhanging drops and irregular cliffs. Part of the Fingers Lake region, the district sits just south of the 38-mile-long Cayuga Lake, another recreation destination. Lake visitors swim in shallow waters or enjoy boating in the deeper waters. Anglers set up along the graveled banks to catch largemouth bass and carp, while hikers take to the winding waterfront trails. Cayuga Heights and Downtown Ithaca are nearby for dining, shopping, and other essentials. Corners Community, a small commercial area off Hanshaw Road in Cayuga Heights, features a florist, a tailor, and a variety of eateries. Colorful plates of Mediterranean-inspired seafood and meats grace the modern tables of the refined American restaurant The Heights. Across the street, Alléchant Bistro’s yellow doors and striped umbrellas beckon patrons to its contemporary yet cozy quarters, where they can enjoy elevated, French-inspired dishes. Favorites for a dinner out in Downtown Ithaca include Mercato Bar & Kitchen and vegetarian fixture Moosewood Restaurant. Bars like The Downstairs and The Range attract imbibers and concertgoers to its establishments for live music and craft drinks. On Cornell University’s campus, students and residents alike frequently visit staples like Taverna Banfi and more casual Mac’s Café. Groceries can be picked up at the Aldi or Wegmans off N.Y. State Route 13, and fresh produce and local goods are available at the Ithaca Farmers Market, which takes place seasonally every Wednesday and Saturday. The top-rated Ithaca City School District serves the neighborhood's youngest pupils. Schools include Cayuga Heights Elementary and Boynton Middle School, both earning an A-minus overall grade from Niche. With an A rating, high-achieving Ithaca Senior High School is frequently ranked among New York's best high schools. Cornell Heights students may also receive a private education at A-plus-rated Cascadilla School, which serves ninth through twelfth grade. Naturally, proximity and ties to Cornell University are a plus for residents seeking an Ivy League post-secondary education. The University’s many visual and performing arts centers offer a tapestry of events and goings-on. Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art showcases rotating and fixed exhibits of ancient art to modern photography. Concerts ranging from jazz to classical fill Bailey Hall’s theater, while the Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts hosts dance performances, plays and film screenings. The University’s academic event calendar is also robust, featuring keynote speakers, enriching lectures and more. Additionally, Ithaca’s diverse range of houses of worship, from Christian churches to synagogues, hosts various community events. “Between the fine arts museum and the performing arts centers, concerts and events go on frequently at the university, and they’re in walking distance,” Hobbie says. “The proximity to cultural events and the university all add to the district’s appeal.” Stewart Avenue and Triphammer Road are the historic district’s main roads, but residents benefit from the proximity to N.Y. State Route 13, which connects to Downtown Ithaca. Bus stations along Thurston Avenue take commuters to stops within the University, Downtown, and other neighboring communities. The Ithaca Tompkins International Airport is only a 9-minute drive from Cornell Heights.

Downtown Ithaca is a diverse neighborhood of historic buildings, hip stores and vibrant artwork. Just a half mile from Cornell University’s Campus, the area has a college-town vibe. “The college kids keep this community young at heart,” says Allison Hogue. Their presence also enables many local businesses to flourish, she says. As Downtown Ithaca is primarily a commercial district, home inventory is low. While some Victorian and Italianate-style homes are here, many of the houses are foursquares with front porches. As with most of the city, most homes sit close to sidewalks with little front yards. Most homes do have private driveways, and some have detached garages. Homebuyers can expect to pay between $260,000 and $536,000 for an American Foursquare home. Local children begin school at Beverly J. Martin Elementary School. The student-teacher ratio at the school is 7-1, and Niche has given it a B-minus grade. DeWitt Middle School is rated A-minus and has an 8-1 student-teacher ratio. The rating for Ithaca Senior High School is A. The average SAT score for the school is 1350. Cornell University is an Ithaca-based private Ivy League university focused on research. About 22,000 students attend the university, including more than 5,100 international students from 120 countries. Notable alums include Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg of the Supreme Court and Dr. Anthony Fauci. Just a few blocks from the Commons, DeWitt Park has been recognized as Ithaca’s gathering spot for more than 200 years. The open green space also serves as a divider between the city’s commercial and residential areas. It has served as a spot for speeches and protests, and a place to remember Tompkin County’s war heroes. Today, Ithacans enjoy its shaded paths and benches. The Ithaca Farmers Market is held at the park on Tuesdays during the summer. The entire Finger Lakes region has narrow gorges formed eons ago by retreating glaciers featuring plunging waterfalls, cascading streams and water-carved cliffsides. Ithaca is no exception. Cascadilla Gorge Trail is a 10-minute walk from Washington Park. This stunning, three-quarter-mile trail leads from Downtown Ithaca to the Cornell University campus. In the course of the walk, hikers pass eight waterfalls, ranging in size from eight to 80 feet. The Bernie Milton Pavilion in the Commons is an outdoor concert venue that takes advantage of sloping grounds that help create a natural-looking stage and allow listeners in the back to have as advantageous views as those in the front. The Downtown neighborhood is seeing a real resurgence, says Hogue. The commercial corridor runs through the area and is home to many restaurants and coffee shops. Located in the heart of Downtown Ithaca, The Commons is a four-block pedestrian shopping area with over 100 independently owned and operated businesses and shops, including everything from boutiques to street entertainers. Benjamin Peters is an upscale men’s clothing store and Home Green Home specializes in organic products for the home. Avid readers can visit Autumn Leaves Used Books. Wine drinkers may enjoy checking out Cellar d’Or. Grocery shoppers can check off their lists at GreenStar Food Coop in the mall or walk a half mile to Wegmans. There are plenty of dining options in the area. Gimme! Coffee is a popular spot to grab a morning cup of joe. Saigon Kitchen and State Diner are popular dinner spots. Luna Inspired Street Food is a favorite spot for tacos. The annual Apple Harvest Festival returns with crisp fall weather. During the three-day festival, visitors are introduced to all sorts of facts and information regarding the apple, including delectable new recipes and apple cider. The Downtown Ithaca Chili Cook-Off helps everyone fend off the cold-weather blues in winter. During the warmer months, nearby Stewart Park hosts Ithaca’s annual Reggae Fest in June. The music-filled event includes food trucks and craft vendors along with dancing, kids’ activities, yoga and skateboarding. New York’s Highway 13 cuts through the city and meets Interstate 81. Commuters to Syracuse can follow that for the 53-mile drive to Salt City. The Ithaca Tompkins International Airport is 5 miles via NY 13. The Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit Company provides bus service throughout the area. Although this is a walkable neighborhood, residents may prefer to have a vehicle during inclement weather. Winters are cold and snowy. Due to the snowfall and the very hilly terrain, drivers should note that snow tires and chains are often necessary in winter.

East Hill is an Ithaca neighborhood bordered by Cascadilla Gorge Trail to the north and State Street to the south. It is conveniently situated about 2 miles from Cornell University and a mile from Downtown Ithaca. Residents benefit from living in a dense residential neighborhood within walking distance of restaurants, coffee shops and parks. “The neighborhood is a combination of older, single-family and rental homes,” says Karen Eldredge, a Realtor with Howard Hanna Real Estate. “Although the neighborhood is quite hilly, it’s a very walkable community, and most homes have lovely views overlooking downtown Ithaca.” East Hill is home to Ithaca’s largest concentration of historically and architecturally significant buildings; many still retain their original facades and trim work from 1870-1920. Homes here tend to sit on small lots with small front yards. While many homes have private driveways, others rely on street parking. Most streets are lined with mature shade trees, and sidewalks are found throughout the area. “Much of the neighborhood is considered a historic district. That means no alterations can be done to the homes here without prior approval from the Ithaca Landmarks Preservation Commission,” notes Patricia Ehrich, owner and manager of The Ivy at Cornell’s Door, a neighborhood inn. Prominent home styles in East Hill include Greek Revival, Italianate and Queen Anne. While many of the homes in East Hill have been converted to multi-family units or student housing, there is still plenty of single-family housing to be found. Home buyers should expect to pay between $353,000 and $540,000 for a four- or five-bedroom Greek Revival home. Updated Victorian homes in the community may run between $630,000 and $955,000. Conway Park is a small green space in East Hill with a fenced-in playground area, basketball courts, benches and an open field. The neighborhood is just steps away from Cascadilla Gorge Trail. This scenic ¾-mile trail begins in the nearby Fall Creek neighborhood and leads past eight waterfalls on its way to the Cornell University campus. The Newman Municipal Golf Course, a challenging 9-hole course on the banks of Cayuga Lake, is about 1.5 miles from East Hill. Residents can head to DeWitt Mall or Ithaca Commons for basic shopping needs. Grocery shopper can check off their lists at GreenStar Co-op in DeWitt Mall. Collegetown Bagels is just a half-mile from East Hill. The local breakfast spot is as popular with the locals as it is with Cornell students. Residents of East Hill are less than a mile from Restaurant Row, otherwise known as Aurora Street. Whether one is in the mood to grab a bite at a burger joint or enjoy a fine dining experience, that eatery is probably on the row. From Le Café Cent-Dix’s elegant French bistro menu to Asian Cuisine’s varied Japanese, Korean and Chinese dishes, Aurora Street offers a world of dining options. For those seeking a night on the town, Uncle Joe's Grill & Sports Bar and The Watershed are fun places to raise a glass with some pals. Children in the community may begin their public education at Belle Sherman School, which is within walking distance and serves kindergarten through fifth grade. The school has a 9-1 student-teacher ratio and is rated A-minus by Niche. DeWitt Middle School has an 8-1 student-teacher ratio and scores an A-minus rating. Ithaca Senior High School boasts an A rating. The school has an average SAT score of 1350, and 38% of its students are enrolled in the advanced placement program. East Hill residents can head to State Street in Downtown Ithaca in June for the Annual Juried Photography Show. The event attracts photo entries from around the state and a panel of jurors selects the best ones that are then placed on exhibit for three days. In September, the Fall Creek neighborhood hosts Porchfest. Since 2007, local musicians have been voluntarily performing on the front porches of friends and volunteers in the neighborhood. Attendees can listen to music as they stroll through the neighborhood and check out the food trucks parked throughout the area. The annual Apple Harvest Festival in Downtown Ithaca returns in September with the crisp fall weather, introducing delicious new apple dishes and freshly pressed apple cider. Stewart Avenue runs through the neighborhood, and TCAT buses make regular stops throughout East Hill. The Ithaca Tompkins International Airport is 5 miles away via Warren Road.

Fall Creek is an Ithaca neighborhood just north of downtown that captures both the vibes of an established community and the energy of a hip college town. Since the late 18th century, the area has been the site of paper mills, foundries and factories. When those industries left in the second half of the 19th century, Fall Creek began to grow as a residential community. Early residents included small business owners, tradesmen and skilled laborers who worked together to build a school, a firehouse and create involved civic organizations. Fall Creek is still known for its neighborliness and sense of community today. “It’s such a nice neighborhood,” says Eva Bleakley, owner of Business is Blooming Floral Design, a neighborhood business. “It is mostly families and longtime residents. There are a lot of gardens, and it is just a pleasant place to stroll around.” The neighborhood is adjacent to the Cornell University campus, Downtown Ithaca and Washington Park. “Fall Creek is within walking distance of many things—the bus station, shopping and restaurants. If you don’t want a car, you don’t need a car,” says Johan Dulfer, an associate broker with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Heritage, who has sold homes in Ithaca for five years. Homes in Fallo Creek sit on wide, tree-lined streets. Porches are a common feature, and neighbors enjoy sitting out on them. Most homes have very small front yards, and as a result, many homeowners have planted flower gardens in the easements between sidewalks and streets. “People take a lot of pride in those flowerbeds,” says Dulfer. “That helps create a close community as gardeners tend to their plots and chat with the neighbors.” Home styles include Victorian, Queen Anne, Italianate, colonial-style and craftsman. As most homes are well over 100 years old, many have been upgraded and remodeled. Prospective home buyers can expect to pay between $300, the 000 and $520,000 for a Victorian home. Craftsman style homes average between $285,000 and $450,000. Ithaca’s biggest parks are in Fall Creek. Ithaca Falls Natural Area has the area’s largest waterfall. The wide, cascading waters are powerful and impressive as they plunge more than 150 feet. The plunge pool that the waters fall into is a favorite spot for local anglers hoping to catch trout or salmon. With picnic tables and walking paths, it’s a perfect place to bring a lunch or a good book. Cascadilla Gorge Trail is also in the neighborhood. This scenic ¾-mile trail leads past eight waterfalls on its way to the Cornell University campus. Fall Creek residents are within a mile of the Newman Municipal Golf Course, a challenging 9-hole course on the banks of Cayuga Lake. The Sciencenter is a nationally recognized museum in the neighborhood that helps kids and adults explore the world around them. The Animal Room lets visitors engage with fish and reptiles and the Changing Skies exhibit teaches all about weather patterns. In the Mobilab, kids can don a lab coat and invent their own toy vehicles. The ¾-mile Carl Sagan Planet Walk is a one-billionth scale model of our solar system that begins at Ithaca Commons and follows Cascadilla Creek to the Sciencenter. Fall Creek residents have a wide range of shopping options. The neighborhood is a mile from DeWitt Mall, a multi-use facility with shops, restaurants and office space. Mall shops include Buffalo Street Books, which sells a variety of titles and subjects and features book signings and story hours and Fibers, a women’s apparel store specializing in handcrafted women’s jackets. Grocery shoppers can check off their lists at GreenStar Food Co-op in the mall or make the 2-mile drive to Wegmans. In summer, the Ithaca Farmers Market is just a mile away and features local produce and artwork from area farmers and artisans. Locals may begin their mornings at Gimme! Coffee, a local shop that features roasted coffees and espressos. Northstar Public House is a cozy bistro with an American menu, an inviting interior and covered outdoor patio. The Lincoln Street Diner is a welcoming daytime café that specializes in American comfort food. The Fall Creek community gets together regularly to celebrate. In spring, Streets Alive! is a simple, one-day affair when the streets are closed to traffic and open for the people. Attendees are free to dance, jump rope, open a lemonade stand or whatever else they want to do. Many Ithacans head to Fall Creek in September to enjoy Porchfest. Since 2007, local musicians have been performing on the front porches of their own homes or the porches of friends and neighbors. Attendees can listen to music and check out the food trucks parked throughout the area. The Apple Harvest Festival returns every fall to Downtown Ithaca with crisp fall weather, introducing delicious new apple dishes and freshly pressed apple cider. Fall Creek Elementary School has a B-plus rating from Niche and an 11-1 student-teacher ratio, while Boynton Middle School holds an A-minus rating and has a 9-1 student-teacher ratio. Ithaca High School has an A rating and a 13-1 student-teacher ratio. The school boasts an average SAT score of 1350. This walkable community is bordered by NY 13 to the west, Fall Creek to the north and Cascadilla Creek to the south. The neighborhood is a half-mile from Cornell University by car, even less by foot if one walks up the Cascadilla Gorge trail to the college. Ithaca Tompkins International Airport is 4 miles away and the Cayuga Medical Center is 4.5 miles from the neighborhood. TCAT buses run throughout Fall Creel and serve the greater Ithaca area.

The scenic Forest Home neighborhood, located on the banks of Fall Creek, is in northeastern Ithaca and is surrounded by the meadows and fields of Cornell University’s botanical gardens and golf course. “Forest Home is its own little enclave, it feels separated from everywhere else,” says Johan Dulfer, an associate broker with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Heritage, who has sold homes in Ithaca for five years. “A big part of the neighborhood is considered a historic district, so there is a lot of pride here; Forest Home even has its own historian.” The small neighborhood was initially settled to take advantage of Fall Creek’s waterpower. At one time, several mills stood along the water, and the little hamlet had a post office, a school and several shops. Eventually, as more efficient forms of energy emerged, the mills moved away and today, residential homes and one small chapel are all that remain. The few streets here are a handful of one- and two-lane roads that wind through the community. Two historic, single-lane bridges cross Fall Creek in Forest Home. They were built between 1900 and 1910 and are among the oldest of their type in the country. The houses in Forest Home are located on those wooded lanes and sit on small plots of land. “There is not one typical home style here. The homes are unique,” says Dulfer. “And, in general, residents here have a lot of pride in their homes. And they tend to stay longer in Forest Home than elsewhere in Ithaca.” As a result, inventory is low. This is primarily a neighborhood of longtime residents and college faculty, although the northwest corner of the neighborhood is home to university-owned apartments for graduate and professional students. The most common home styles are farmhouse, Italianate, Queen Anne, Colonial Revival and bungalow. Home buyers should expect to pay between $500,000 and $950,000 for a four-bedroom, single-family home. Children in Forest Home may begin their education at Cayuga Heights Elementary School, which has a C-plus rating from Niche and 12-1 student-teacher ratio, while Boynton Middle School scores an A-minus rating and has a student-teacher ratio of 9-1. Ithaca High School boasts an A rating and a 13-1 student-teacher ratio. The high school also has an average SAT score of 1350, well above the national average of 1028. Forest Home Park is on the north bank of Fall Creek. The small green space by the water’s edge has walking paths and several picnic tables. When one lives within walking distance of a world-renowned research university, chances are there is always something to do nearby. The Cornell Botanic Gardens are in Forest Home and open to the public. The grounds include 150 acres of specialty gardens dedicated to conserving rare native flora. Play a round of golf at Cornell’s challenging golf course that was designed by Robert Jones Trent. On a nice day, take a stroll around nearby Beebe Lake. Cornell tradition says any couple who walks hand-in-hand around the water will end up together for life. Two shopping areas—DeWitt Mall, a repurposed school now home to shops, art galleries, restaurants and offices and the Ithaca Commons, a four-block pedestrian shopping area—are about 2.5 miles from Forest Home. Stores in DeWitt include trendy women’s shops like Fiber, which specializes in handmade women’s jackets and Buffalo Bookstore. The Commons offers more than 100 shops, art galleries and small businesses, including Home Green Home, where one can purchase sustainable and eco-friendly items for the home. Grocery shoppers will find a GreenStar Co-op in DeWitt Mall. There is also an Aldi and a Wegmans in downtown Ithaca. Diners may want to check out Simeon’s American Bistro in Ithaca Commons. The restaurant is as well known for its steak and seafood dishes as it is for its detailed plasterwork and angel motif decor. When in the mood for coffee or maybe a fudge sundae made with Cornell ice cream, the Cornell Dairy Bar is just a short walk from Forest Home and is open to the general public. Residents of Forest Home benefit immensely from their proximity to a world-class university and all it offers the public. From vintage ragtime to Japanese drums and Mexican mariachi bands, the Cornell Concert Series, held at Baily Hall on campus, brings in music from across the globe. The series runs from September through April; tickets are available to the general public. On most Friday nights, Cornell’s Fuertes Observatory is open from 8 p.m. until midnight for public viewing of the night sky. The Watershed, a downtown Ithaca social space serves cocktails, wine and tea and welcomes those who enjoy bookish conversations. Those who enjoy dancing and shooting pool may want to check out Moonies, located on the Commons. In September, many Forest Home residents join the rest of Ithaca at the Apple Harvest Festival held at the Ithaca Commons. This three-day event celebrates the humble apple and all of its delicious possibilities. This is a car-dependent neighborhood. Forest Home Drive is the main road through the hamlet. The neighborhood is 2.5 miles from downtown Ithaca and just under 3 miles to Ithaca Tompkins International Airport. The Cayuga Medical Center is 9 miles away. Residents can walk to the Cornell Dairy Bar to catch TCAT buses for transportation around the greater Ithaca area.