Ithaca Likes ...

Ithaca Likes … Knowing What There’s To Do Around Here

Ithaca Likes … Letting the Freshman In On the Secrets

15 Places To Visit In Ithaca Before the End of Your Freshman Year. Check it out!

Ithaca Likes … Huge Stores

Ithaca, you’re a quaint town. But in some cases, even you have to admit that bigger is better.

When I first traveled to Ithaca on a college visit, I had no idea what Wegmans was. I remember asking my parents: “what’s a Wegmans?” like it’s a mythical creature that people from Long Island don’t know about.

DISCLAIMER: to be completely honest, words are failing me with how to describe Wegmans. Please forgive me if this post becomes one big ramble.

Well, let’s keep it simple. Wegmans is awesome. I’ve been to the majority of the states on the east coast and have seen my fair share of supermarkets – everything from Stop & Shop to King Kullen to Path Mark to Aldi to Tops to Walbaums and of course, to Wegmans.

Never have I ever walked into a store and had a legitimate jaw-dropping experience. Everything in Wegmans is quality – from the service to the décor to the products.

In a college town such as Ithaca, I wouldn’t expect there to be a store with a caliber such as Wegmans’. Maybe a local chain – not a great store, but hey, you go and get your food and bring it back to campus. Going to the supermarket isn’t an experience unless you go to Wegmans.

Yeah, it’s legit.

Ithaca Likes … The Car That Comes From Across the Big Lake, Don’tcha Know?

Ithaca especially likes those cars that are widely known for having an impeccable safety track record.

The sole brand that comes to mind is Volvo. Hands down, has to be Volvo. Now, to avoid any backlash and uproar from any readers who are brand loyal to another manufacturer, I’m not saying that other brands are unsafe. What I am saying is it’s been Volvo’s marketing mantra forever: safety.

These cars are tanks. And that makes them perfect for Ithaca – the town that, nowadays, can’t decide which season it wants to be in. Seriously, one day (like yesterday), it’s late spring/early summer weather. Today: crap. Overcast and cold. Welcome Autumn.

Now the cold isn’t what affects travels conditions in the Ith. It’s of course the massive amounts of the white stuff. (No, not that kind of white stuff. Dirty minds. You are definitely an Ithacan).

Snow and hills aren’t usually the best factors for safe driving conditions – unless you have a Volvo.

Thank you, Sweden, for creating the perfect Ithaca automobile. It climbs hills with ease whether or not there’s snow on the ground. It bears the brunt of the unseasonable weather patterns. And it’s a trend. Now what’s more Ithaca than that?

An Ithaca hill without the snow?

Maybe not.

Ithaca Likes … Playing Jokes (Sort-Of)

Ok, it’s not necessarily a joke, but the 607 really enjoys teasing a us … weather-wise.

Between yesterday and today the weather couldn’t make up it’s friggin’ mind. I was sitting in class and across the room from where I sit is a window with a view of Cayuga Lake. In the span of an hour and fifteen minutes, I was able to not see the lake because of dense clouds, partially seeing the lake because of some clouds, seeing the lake perfectly because of bright sunshine. Repeat. Add some rain a few minutes of sun and end with clouds. That was the weather during my class. Nuts.

Ithaca, I know that you get mad cold in the winter. (Breaking out the 20s tonight, huh?) But, I’m sure I speak for all of your residents when I say: don’t tease us with the beautiful skies and bright sunshine. It reminds all of the summer lovers (including myself) to begin to really, really, really miss that season. It’s nice to switch it up and sport a comfortable hoodie for a couple of months, but if I was given the option between jeans and a sweater or shorts and a t-shirt, I’d take the latter.

Ithaca Likes … MORE APPLES?

Remember when I said in my Apple Fest post that photos would be updated at a later date? Well, I can not tell a lie. Here they are. Enjoy!

Ithaca Likes … Simply Delicious Food

It’s true – in some cases, at least.

Only in Ithaca can one find residents who have a taste for the upscale cuisine at Madeline’s AND the quick yet tasty meals at Ameritalia. And then there’s Five Guys.

That’s right, Five Guys Burgers and Fries is in a league of its own. I believe when Ithaca first heard that the chain will be plopping a location right down onto Route 13, the city underwent the equivalent of a religious experience. And when I say the city, I mean the almost 30,000 college students who reside here. Who knows, there might have been a few townies who were excited, too.

I’m not afraid to admit that I was stuck in the middle of this sudden uproar having never been to a Five Guys. I’m from Long Island, so there’s actually a few of these food chains that I’ve never been to. Why brands such as Dairy Queen choose not to build there, I don’t know. What I do know is that I wish I could have a DQ Blizzard in my hometown, and not wait until I go on vacation ::sigh::

Anyways, having a Five Guys in Ithaca makes up for it. My first trip to the eatery was about a week after it opened its door to the throngs of rabid students waiting for their double burger and free toppings. And who can forget the complimentary peanuts?!

Five Guys has exactly what our demographic wants: good food, not necessarily cheap, but a tasty burger, hot dog or fries. The fact that Five Guys doesn’t necessarily fall in line with fast food prices is okay with me. Because when I sit down with a good group of friends and bite into a bacon cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, onions and green peppers, I’m legitimately satisfied.