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Tompkins County

Cayuga Lake, the City of Ithaca, and Tompkins County in the Finger Lakes, New York USA

Tompkins County is named for Daniel D. Tompkins (1774-1825) who was born in Westchester County and practiced law in New York City. He was appointed an associate justice of the State Supreme Court in 1804. Three years later he was elected governor of the State. In 1816 he was elected vice president of the United States on the ticket with James Monroe and served in that capacity from 1817 to 1825.

Tompkins County is located in the southeastern portion of the Finger Lakes and has a population of roughly 100,000. Its county seat--Ithaca--is situated picturesquely at the southern end of Cayuga Lake, the longest and largest of the Finger Lakes. The county terrain is an excellent example of the past work of the glaciers, which carved out many valleys through which run creeks over hundreds of waterfalls, large and small. The glaciers left rounded hills ideal for hiking through approximately 35,000 acres of public land.

Beautiful online waterfall guide

There are three institutions of higher learning in the county--Cornell University, Ithaca College, and Tompkins Cortland Community College. In many respects, education dictates life in the county. Overall, education--public and private--is the county's major industry with Cornell--the county's major employer--employing roughly one-fifth of the county's workforce. Nearly 40% of the county's businesses fall into the service sector. Non-education-based industry in the county tends to be of the high-tech variety.

Tompkins County is basically a rural county that is blessed by the many advantages that come with being the home of a major ivy league university. Overall the population is quite diverse with many ethnic groups represented, well educated, open and outspoken in its views. Because of this, the residents tend to be talented, providing many opportunities to enjoy a wide variety of arts (dance, music, fine arts, and crafts), skills (construction, computer technology, and communications), and alternative lifestyles (farms and communes).

Barn on State Route 13 in the Town of Newfield, Tompkins County in the Finger Lakes, New York USA

The county has a number of museums and many festivals and other interesting events each year. Although most of the places to visit and events take place in the City of Ithaca, one should not overlook the surrounding towns in the county (see below) that offer opportunities to look for antiques, purchase maple sugar products, pick fruit in season, kayak and canoe, and view one of the few remaining historic covered bridges in the state.

Because the county surrounds the southern part of Cayuga Lake and because the county contains a considerable amount of open space, the county provides numerous opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Boating, biking, hiking, golf, cross-county skiing, and nature appreciation are just some of the many activities available in the county. In addition, there are many wineries and breweries either in the county or nearby.

The Tompkins County Public Library has a large collection of books, magazines, newspapers, audio books, and DVDs. Its large and up-to-date reference section and considerable collection of local history materials is invaluable to anyone doing genealogical research. Internet access is free to all.

The Reference Dept. at the Tompkins County Public Library in Ithaca, New York USA

Although the residents like to think of the county as "centrally isolated" because no interstate highways come into the county, Tompkins County is about an hour's drive from Syracuse and a two hours' drive from Rochester, the two largest cities in the Finger Lakes. Via Interstate Route 81, one can access Toronto, Philadelphia, and New York City. The regional airport connects with other airports on the east coast.

Map of the County

Towns in the County

Caroline

Danby

Dryden

Enfield

Groton

Ithaca

Lansing

Newfield

Ulysses

Tourism Information

Ithaca/Tompkins County Convention & Visitors Bureau

904 E. Shore Dr.

Ithaca, NY 14850

800-284-4222

Business Information

Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce

904 East Shore Dr.

Ithaca, NY 14850

607-273-7080

Relocation Information

Diversity Consortium

Joint Ventures Guide to Ithaca

Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce Guide

Transportation within Tompkins County

(Transportation to or from Tompkins County)

Ithaca Carshare

Taxis

TCAT (Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit)

Restaurants and Pubs

For restaurant ratings and reservations see: Open Table This list doesn't not include franchises.

DRYDEN

Song Tao

9 North St., Dryden, NY 13053, 607-844-9318

GROTON

Benn Conger Inn

206 W. Cortland St., Groton, NY 13073, 607-898-5817

Groton Hotel & Restaurant

102 E. Cortland, Groton, NY 13073, 607-898-3385

New York Chinese Restaurant

144 Main St., Groton, NY 13073, 607-898-5685

ITHACA

See also: 14850 Dining

The ABC Cafe

308 Stewart Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-277-4770

Abbey's Real Texas Bar-B-Q

Center Ithaca, Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-256-2333

About Bangkok

11 Graham Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-266-8780

Agava

381 Pine Tree Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-319-4366

Aladdin's Natural Eatery

100 Dryden Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-273-5000

All About Chicken

215 E. State St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-272-1355

The Antlers

1159 Dryden Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-273-9725

Apollo Chinese Restaurant

407 College Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-272-1188

Asia Cuisine

126 N. Aurora St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-256-8818

Asian Noodle House

204 Dryden Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-272-9106

Autumn Leaves Cafe

115 E. State St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-273-8239

Bandwagon Brew Pub

114 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-319-0699

Blue Stone Bar & Grill

110 N. Aurora St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-272-2372

The Boat Yard Grill

525 Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-256-2629

Booker's Backyard

1638 East Shore Dr., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-319-0351

Cafe DeWitt

215 Cayuga St. N, Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-273-3473

Cafe Pacific

214 Dryden Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-277-7700

Cajun Cafe

40 Catherwood Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-266-0975

Capital Corner Restaurant

118 W. State St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-272-7350

Carl's Cafe

222 Elmira Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-273-0904

Carriage House Cafe

305 Stewart Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-645-0152

Chinese Buffet Restaurant

401 Elmira Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-277-3399

Ciao!

2 Hickory Hollow Lane, Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-257-2233

College Cafe

321 College Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-277-8899

Coltivare

235 S. Cayuga St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-882-2333

Crow's Nest Cafe

115 The Commons, Ithca, NY 14850

Dappers Restuarant

Ramada Inn, 2310 N. Triphammer Rd. , Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-257-3100

De Tasty Hot Pot Restaurant

422 Eddy St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-821-2312

Easy Wok

40 Catherwood Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-257-8889

Four Seasons

404 Eddy St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-277-1117

Glenwood Pines

1213 Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-273-3709

Gola Osteria

115 S. Quarry St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-273-0333

The Great American Grill (breakfast & brunch only)

Hilton Garden Inn, 130 E. Seneca St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-277-8900

Hai Hong Chinese Restaurant

208B Dryden Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-272-1668

The Heights Cafe & Grill

9032 Hanshaw Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-257-4144

Hong Kong Restaurant

120 Dryden Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-277-7595

Imperial Kitchen Buffet

11 Graham Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-257-0355

Inlet Island Cafe

310 Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-272-5452

The Ithaca Ale House Grill & Taproom

111 N. Aurora St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-256-7977

Jack's Grill

120 Dryden Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-256-5225

John Thomas Steakhouse

1152 Danby Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-273-3464

Joe's Restaurant

602 W. Buffalo, Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-256-3463

Just a Taste

116 N. Aurora St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-277-9463

Kelly's Dock-Side Cafe

319 Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-277-8709

Kilpatrick's Publick House

130 E. Seneca St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-216-4343

King David

171 E. State St. (The Commons), Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-272-6000

Ling Ling Restuarant

222 Elmira Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-272-0718

Little Thai House

202 Dryden Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-273-1977

Little Tokyo

113 E. State St. , Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-272-8638

Lot 10 Kitchen & Lounge

106-112 S. Cayuga St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-272-7224

Lucatelli's Ristorante

205 Elmira Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-273-0777

Madeline's

215 E. State St. (The Commons), Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-277-2253

Mahogany Grill

114 N. Aurora St., Ithaca, NY 15860, 607-272-1438

Main Moon Chinese Buffet Restaurant

401 Elmira Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-277-3399

Maxie's Supper Club & Oyster Bar

635 W. State St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-272-4136

Max's Classic American Grill

222 S. Cayuga St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-272-1000

Mercato Bar and Kitchen

108 N. Aurora St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-319-5171

Miyake

410 Eddy St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-277-6767

Moosewood Restaurant

215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-273-9610

New Delhi Diamond's

106 W. Green St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-272-4508

The Nines Restaurant

311 College Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-272-1888

Northstar Pub

202 E. Falls St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-216-8580

On the Street

105 S. Fulton St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-277-7482

Paradise Cafe

1601 Trumansburg Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-272-2233

Paul's Cafe & Grill

171 E. State St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-256-7919

Peking Restaurant

Cayuga Mall, 2309 N. Triphammer Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-257-4818

Plantation Bar & Grill

1285 Dryden Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-273-4950

Plum Tree Japanese Restaurant

113 Dryden Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-256-8212

Purity Ice Cream

700 Cascadilla St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-272-1545

Rascals

1710 Trumansburg Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-277-6362

The Rook

404 W. State St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-319-0180

The Rose Hometown Tap Room & Grill

Triphammer Mall, Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-257-5542

Royal Court Restaurant

529 S. Meadow St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-273-3022

Rulloff's Restaurant

411 College Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-272-6067

Sabor Latino

113 S. Cayuga St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-319-0532

Sahrara Mediterranean Restaurant

118 N. Aurora St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-319-4522

Sangam Indian Cuisine

424 Eddy St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-273-1006

Scalehouse Brewpub

Small Mall, 23 Cinema Dr., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-257-0107

Souvlaki House

315 Eddy St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-273-1650

Taste of Thai

216 E. State St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-256-5487

Taverna Banfi

Statler Hotel, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, 607-254-2565

Thai Basil Restaurant

118 W. State St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-319-4722

Thai Cuisine Restaurant

501 S. Meadow St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-273-2031

Thai Garden

503 N. Meadow St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-277-2220

Taste of Thai Express

209 S. Meadoww St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-272-8424

Tokyo Hibachi

722 Meadow St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-277-8888

Tower Club at Ithaca College

953 Danby Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-274-3393

Vietnam Restaurant

208 Dryden Rd. Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-273-5030

Viva Taqueria

101 N. Aurora St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-277-1752

Wok Village Chinese & Vietnamese Restaurant

23 Cinema Dr., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-257-8883

Zaza's Cucina

622 Cascadilla St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-273-9292

LANSING

East Shore Cafe

1638 East Shore Dr., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-277-3433

Elizabeth Restaurant

813 Auburn Rd., Groton, NY 13073, 607-533-0097

Rogue's Harbor Inn

2079 East Shore Dr., Lansing, NY 14882, 607-533-3535

Sumo

2309 N. Triphammer Rd., #15, Ithaca, Ny 14850, 607-257-7777

The Second Landing

Airport Terminal, 1 Culligan Dr., Lansing, NY 14882, 607-266-0007

Wanderlust Cafe & Boutique

Airport Terminal, 1 Culligan Dr., Lansing, NY 14882, 607-266-0007

NEWFIELD

Stella's Barn

1346 Elmira Rd., Newfield, NY 14867, 607-564-9031

TRUMANSBURG

Atlas Bowl

61 W. Main St., Trumansburg, NY 14886, 607-387-3191

Creekside Cafe

4 W. Main St., Trumansburg, NY 14886, 607-342-8145

Dragon Village

21 E. Main St., Trumansburg, NY 14886, 607-387-7800

Falls Restaurant & Tavern

214 E. Main St., Trumansburg, NY 14886, 607-387-9761

Hazelnut Kitchen

53 E. Main St., Trumansburg, NY 14886, 607-387-4433

Inn at Taughannock

2030 Gorge Rd., Trumansburg, NY 14886, 607-387-7711

Little Venice Ristorante

49 E. Main St., Trumansburg, NY 14886, 607-387-7044

Ron Don's Village Pub

1 Old Main St., Trumansburg, NY 14886, 607-387-9222

Bakeries

Ithaca Bakery

400 N. Meadow St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-273-7110

Coffeehouses/Expresso Bars/Juice Bars/Tea Shops

Barnes & Noble

Tops Plaza, 614 S. Meadow St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-273-6784

Gimme! Coffee

506 W. State St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-272-8564

430 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-277-8393

7 E. Main St., Trumansburg, NY 14886, 607-387-3960

Ithaca Bakery

400 N. Meadow St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-273-7110

Ithaca Coffee Company

2255 N. Triphammer Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-257-2669

311 E. Green St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-273-7800

JJ's Cafe

903 Hanshaw Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-257-5313

The Old Teahouse

111A Dryden Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-272-4950

The Shop

312 E. Seneca St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-253-5028

Starbucks Coffee

400 College Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-256-0231

130 E. Seneca St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-256-0452

Stella's Cafe

403 College Ave., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-277-8731

Waffle Frolic

146 E. State St., Ithaca, NY 14850, 607-319-0999

Nightlife

Transportation

Airports

See: Getting to the Finger Lakes

Trains

The is no commuter train or metro service to or within Tompkins County.

Buses

Bus service within the county is provided by Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT). Bus service on the Cornell University campus is provided by the university.