23 fun things to do in Tompkins County this summer

ITHACA, NY (CortacaToday) —

Check out our ultimate summer activities list and see how many you can cross off before September hits!

1. Come on, summer without a trip to an ice cream spot? Check out Candor Hi Way Dairy Bar for soft and hard ice cream, ice cream sandwiches, cakes, and yogurt. They also offer non-dairy dole whip for those with an allergy.
2. Get your “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” on! Follow United Line Dancing on Facebook for line dancing events in the area, taught by Karen Benjamin Hayes. She also teaches frequently at Hopshire Farm and Brewing in Freeville, so keep an eye out for the next shin dig on their Instagram or website.
3. Cayuga lake region is plenty with vineyards like Ithaca’s Six Mile Creek, where you can enjoy a glass or a bottle, while taking in a view of the vineyard’s rolling hills and fantastic fountain.
4. Spend the day out on Cayuga Lake with friends and family, kayaking, canoeing, and/or paddle boarding. Paddle N’ More at Myers Park in Lansing, Stewart Park in Ithaca, or Taughannock Falls in Trumansburg.
5. Take to the sky on a hot air balloon tour with Southern Tier Balloon Tours.
6. Get cozy by the fire with an elevated camping experience through Firelight Camps in Ithaca.
7. Enjoy the season’s harvest with berry picking at Underhill Farm in Dryden. 
8. Support local talent—restaurants, artists, and more, when you attend a festival or fair in Tompkins. Among the most popular are Reggae Fest, Newfield Old Home Days, Trumansburg Fair, and Grass Roots Festival.
9. Go strike out at Atlas Bowling! Have some extra fun Wednesday at Trivia Night or Thursday at Vinyl Night.
10. Journey on the Dryden Rail Trail in Freeville and Dryden. The Trail welcomes pedestrians, bicycles, horses, and dogs on leash.
11. Catch a concert at the State Theatre in Ithaca.

    

12. Take a pottery class in Dryden at Claybird Studio on Main Street.
13. On your mark, get set, go! Try go-karting at Ringwood Raceway in Freeville.
14. Check out an art market. The annual Ithaca’s Artist Market, sponsored by the Community Arts Partnership will take place in August. 
15. Wander around the Ithaca Farmer’s Market over the weekend and support your local farmers, artists and restaurants. Then sit on the dock and enjoy live music and a view of the boats on the lake.
16. When you spend summer in Upstate New York, waterfall trips are just as essential as beach visits are on the coast. Taughannock Falls is a fan favorite, and it’s too hot for a hike, then you can always drive up to the overlook. Also check out Buttermilk Falls, Robert H.Treman State Park, Ludlowville Falls, and Ithaca Falls.
17. Play on a full-size shuffleboard court at Personal Best Brewery, while you enjoy food from Fittnell BBQ and some craft beer.
18. Hurry up and stop by Iron Kettle Farm in Candor before they close for the season and then reopen for the fall. Shop their greenhouse selections of annual a perennial flowers and more. Also try their local honey, homemade jams, fudge, baked goods and more.

    

19. Learn a new craft or sharpen your writing skills with workshops like the Community Arts Partnership’s Literary Festival events.
20. Discover Cayuga Lake on a boat tour.
21. Find serenity among diverse plant species from all over the world with a  free visit to Cornell Botanical Gardens.
22. Music, music and more music! Every Thursday in the summer until mid-September you can catch a free concert at the Bernie Milton Pavillion in downtown Ithaca for the Summer Concert Series. Local and national acts will be performing genres including jazz, blues, reggae, folk, hip hop, country, bluegrass, rock, and more. A selection of beer, wine, and cider from Tap and Craft are available at every show.

    

23. Last, but certainly not least, roll down your windows, turn up the volume and set out on an adventure on the Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway. Make sure to make pit stops along the way for Stewart Park, East Shore Park and Cayuga Nature Center in Ithaca and Bet the Farm Winery in Trumansburg.