Scenic Road Trip from Manhattan to Ithaca with Must-See Stops

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Day 1: Manhattan to New Paltz

Manhattan, NY to New Paltz, NY on May 18, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Buvette

Start your day with a cozy breakfast at Buvette, a quaint French café in Greenwich Village known for delicious crepes and coffee. It's open from 7:30am on Sundays, making it the perfect spot before hitting the road.
USD25, 1h

9:30am

Drive from Manhattan to New Paltz

Enjoy a scenic 2-hour drive north toward New Paltz, where you can explore natural beauty and historic sites.
USD0, 2h30m

12:00pm

Walk the Mohonk Preserve

Spend the afternoon hiking in the Mohonk Preserve. It offers stunning cliffs, forests, and Lake Mohonk, ideal for nature lovers. Trails are open year-round from dawn to dusk.
USD15, 2h

2:30pm

Lunch at A Tavola Trattoria

Dine at A Tavola, an Italian restaurant in New Paltz featuring wood-fired pizzas and fresh pasta, open for lunch from 12pm to 3pm.
USD30, 1h

4:00pm

Visit Historic Huguenot Street

Explore Huguenot Street, a National Historic Landmark District with original stone houses and rich 17th-century history. Open 10am-5pm Sundays.
USD12, 1h30m

6:00pm

Dinner at Main Street Bistro

Enjoy dinner in downtown New Paltz at Main Street Bistro & Bar, known for contemporary American cuisine and a relaxed atmosphere. Open until 9pm.
USD40, 1h30m
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Day 2: New Paltz to Cooperstown

New Paltz, NY to Cooperstown, NY on May 19, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at the Village Tearoom

Start your day at the Village Tearoom with a hearty breakfast and fresh pastries. Open Sundays from 7:30am.
USD20, 1h

9:30am

Drive from New Paltz to Cooperstown via scenic route through Catskill Mountains

Travel approximately 3.5 hours passing through the Catskill Mountains with beautiful scenic vistas and charming towns.
USD0, 3h30m

1:30pm

Lunch at Oakhurst Tea & Coffee

Enjoy a fresh, casual lunch in Cooperstown at Oakhurst Tea & Coffee, featuring sandwiches, salads, and specialty teas. Open 11am-3pm Sundays.
USD25, 1h

2:30pm

Visit Baseball Hall of Fame

Explore the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, celebrating America’s favorite pastime with exhibits and memorabilia. Open 10am-6pm Sunday.
USD25, 2h

5:00pm

Walk along Otsego Lake

Take a relaxing stroll along the scenic Otsego Lake shore, enjoying spectacular views and peaceful nature before dinner.
USD0, 1h

6:30pm

Dinner at Nicole’s Restaurant

Dine on upscale American cuisine at Nicole’s in Cooperstown, open until 9pm on Sundays. Their seasonal ingredients highlight the best of regional flavors.
USD45, 1h30m
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Day 3: Cooperstown to Ithaca

Cooperstown, NY to Ithaca, NY on May 20, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at Doubleday Café

Enjoy a casual breakfast at Doubleday Café in Cooperstown, open at 7am, known for classic American breakfast classics.
USD20, 1h

9:00am

Drive from Cooperstown to Ithaca with stop at Taughannock Falls State Park

Head west toward Ithaca with a 45-minute detour to Taughannock Falls State Park to see its breathtaking waterfall, open 8am to sunset.
USD0, 1h45m

11:00am

Explore Taughannock Falls

Spend time hiking the trails around the 215-foot waterfall, one of the tallest east of the Rocky Mountains.
USD0, 1h30m

12:30pm

Lunch at Moosewood Restaurant

Have a famous vegetarian lunch at Moosewood Restaurant in Ithaca, open 11:30am to 3pm, known for fresh and healthy dishes.
USD30, 1h

2:00pm

Visit Cornell Botanic Gardens

Explore the beautiful Cornell Botanic Gardens, open 7am to sunset, featuring native plants and themed gardens in a peaceful setting.
USD0, 1h30m

3:30pm

Stroll through downtown Ithaca and Ithaca Commons

Walk the vibrant pedestrian mall known as Ithaca Commons with shops, cafes, and street art celebrating the local culture.
USD0, 1h

6:00pm

Dinner at Just a Taste

Enjoy an elegant dinner with small plates and fine wines at Just a Taste, a popular bistro open until 9pm.
USD45, 1h30m
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Itinerary created by AI-assisted, human-reviewed