Spring has truly arrived IC! The weather is finally turning for the better and we continue to forge ahead in our efforts to contain the impacts of COVID-19. We have worked so hard to get to this point in the semester, but now is not the time to let up in our focus! This week brings our first long-weekend of the spring semester and an important opportunity for some well-earned time to recharge for the final weeks of the semester; however, let’s make sure we are doing so the right way while remaining #ICinThisTogether.
Embrace Ithaca During Your Wellness Weekend
Although Ithaca always holds a special place in our hearts, you can’t deny that our stretch of the Finger Lakes gets just a little bit better when that first spring warmth hits after a long cold winter. There is so much to do right outside your door! Staying local not only lets you explore all that Ithaca has to offer, but also is an important tool we can use to help mitigate spread of COVID-19 both within our campus community and to all the communities you call home when you are away from our beautiful South Hill campus. Get out and embrace Ithaca and the onset of spring with one of these activities this weekend.
Hike a Gorge Near You!
The Greater Ithaca area presents some of the best nature and hiking trails in New York State with Tompkins County alone accounting for over 28,000 acres of pristine public natural lands and over 150 waterfalls and gorges, many of which are located within a walk or short drive of our Ithaca College campus. Organize your Bomber Bubble and check out a trail near you!
Check out this site which has an amazing interactive map of all the various trails – including their location, corresponding length, and difficulty – so you are well prepared for your excursion. Enjoying the outdoors is a great activity to enjoy socializing with friends while also being lower-risk for the possibility of transmission of COVID-19.
Picnic at a Local Park
In addition to the abundance of nature trails, Ithaca also possesses some amazing parks that are the perfect setting for a picnic and some outdoor fun. Pack up your basket or grab takeout from one of your local favorites and swing by Cass or Stewart Park for a nice lunch on the lake. Check out these links from @ic_offcampus for some great resources on how to make sure we are following our COVID cues.
Get a Slice of Some Local History
Ithaca has several museums within a short walk or drive from campus that document the rich history of the Finger Lakes Region. Check out the Tompkins County History Center located right in the Ithaca Commons for a taste of the local culture.
Or perhaps natural history is more your thing? A short drive up Route 96B will take you to the Museum of the Earth, which has several interesting exhibits on the natural history of the region, including a diverse venue of Ithaca’s Paleontological Research Institute. Timed tickets for IC students are just $7.
Outing on the Commons
The Ithaca Commons has many local businesses that adhere to standardized set of COVID-19 protocols. Don that face covering and spend an afternoon browsing some unique stores for another low-risk activity that is distinctly Ithaca!
Let’s stay local this weekend and enjoy all that Ithaca has to offer!