From: Jeff Maggard 17-Nov-1992 1101 <maggard@subpac.enet.dec.com>
Subject: even *MORE* direx to Cornell
Reply-To: maggard@subpac.enet.dec.com
Organization: The Internet
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 06:13:23 GMT

Greetings!

Okay, since Bruce did it, I figure I might as well do it too.....so Bruce
can have a chance to correct MY errors.  :-)

- jeff

This is the first in a two part series:


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    Sluggo's Comprehensive Guide to the Finer Things in Ithaca New York
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This is the best I can do as far as directions to Cornell from the major
highways.  These directions are all from memory, which has gotten a little
fuzzy over the years from too much... well you know.  Please complain if 
these are at all misleading or wrong, and I'll do my best to correct the 
situation, or beg for forgiveness... whatever works best :-)
If you get lost, call me at home at (508) 620-6542 and I'll try to correct
the situation.  You can always ask "how do I get to Cornell?" to just about
anybody in upstate NY and they'll probably be albe to tell you.  There's not
all that much in upstate NY.  But there *IS* a lot to do in and around
Ithaca!!!  This guide has three sections: 1) Directions; 2) Bars and
Restaurants in Collegetown and Ithaca; and 3) Other things to do and see in
and around Ithaca.  If you like to do something that I haven't included
here, send me your questions by e-mail to "maggard@subpac.enet.dec.com" 
and I'll do my best to answer them!


HOW TO GET TO BAILEY HALL AT CORNELL -- no small feat!
------------------------------------------------------

FROM I-81:
If you're coming to Ithaca from I-81, you'll probably be taking rt. 79
west-bound into Ithaca.  Follow 79 all the way to its end.  It will end at a
stop sign at a funky intersection where the oncoming traffic doesn't stop 
(State Street).  Go straight at the stop sign and straight through the yield 
sign, down hill.  Take a right at the first light onto Stewart Ave.  
(landmark: Stewart is a brick road.)  GO TO '*' for more directions.

FROM I-88:
Use 'FROM ALBANY...' directions.

FROM ALBANY ON I-90:
Get onto I-88 south (toward Binghamton).  The exit you want is for rt. 206 in
Bainbridge.  Take 206 West toward Whitney Point and Ithaca.  When you get to
Whitney point, follow signs for 79 West to Ithaca.  Follow 79 all the way to 
its end.  It will end at a stop sign at a funky intersection where the 
oncoming traffic doesn't stop (State Street).  Go straight at the stop sign 
and straight through the yield sign, down hill.  Take a right at the first 
light onto Stewart Ave.  (landmark: Stewart is a brick road.)  Go through
two stop signs.  GO TO '*' for more directions.

FROM RT. 17:
If you're coming to Ithaca from 17, my suggestion is to take routes 96 and
96B.  DON'T TAKE RT. 79 IF IT'S SNOWING -- you're just asking for trouble.
If you're coming from the West on rt 17, then this is a must.  If you're
coming from the east, most people choose to take I-81 North to Whitney Point
and then rt. 79 into Ithaca.  This is about 5-15 minutes faster than driving 10
or so extra miles on 17 to Owego and heading up 96.  HOWEVER, if it's
snowing or raining, route 79 can be a real nightmare!  Take my advice and
take rt. 96, you'll enjoy the nice, straight, and MUCH smoother roads!
I did this last year when returning from spring break in a surprise blizzard
and saved ***3 to 4 HOURS*** of driving time, traffic jams, headaches, etc.!
Get off rt. 17 in Owego, at the exit for rt. 96.  I believe there are two
exits for 96 near Owego; if so, take the second one.  Follow signs for 96 north.
You'll pass through 'downtown' Owego and jog left and right a couple of
times.  After you head out of town toward Ithaca, you'll go a couple of miles
and come to an intersection where you don't have to stop.  It's not terribly 
well marked, but you must take a left across a bridge (following rt. 96 
North).  After that you're home free.  96 will turn into 96B, follow 96B
North toward Ithaca.  
    Go all the way to the 'end' of 96B; into downtown Ithaca.  
(After Ithaca College, after the road narrows down a steep hill you'll come 
to the 'end' at a light at the bottom of the hill. To your immediate left is 
the Ithaca Commons, an outdoor mall full of neeto shops and stuff--a must 
see!)  Take a right at the light, go straight through another light and up 
the hill.  You are now on State St.  Take a left at the next light onto 
Stewart Ave., it's a brick road.  Go through two stop signs.  For more 
directions, go to '*'.

FROM SYRACUSE ON I-81:
If you are coming from Syracuse, take 81 south to the 281 exit (Cortand?).
Get off 81 at the 281 exit (signs for Ithaca I think).  Take a right at the
end of the exit ramp.  This access road will go about 300 yards and will
come to an end at a 'T' at a light.  Take a left.  Follow signs for 281
until you get onto a main (4-lane) drag with lots of lights, etc.  Follow
this road (281/13) and any signs for rt. 13 to Ithaca.  There was bridge work 
on rt. 13 with a detour back in August, I don't know if it's still there.
Just before you get to Ithaca, there is a big-lit-up-like-a-Christmas-tree-
NYSEG-building on the left hand side just before a stop light.  This stop 
light is the intersection of rt. 366 with rt. 13.  

If you're in a hurry take 366 (a bit faster, but back roads), take a left at 
the light.  GO ALL THE WAY TO THE END OF 366!  (i.e. you don't need to turn 
off the road for any reason).  Just after you blink and miss the lovely
village of Varna, you'll crest a hill and be able to see part of Cornell's
Vet-School on the right.  Keep going, down the hill, and straight through the 
light. There will be signs welcoming you to Cornell University.  You'll then
pass a parking garage on your right, then a big building on your left.  The
road will end and dump you on the Cornell Campus.  To go to Bailey take a
right at the stop sign onto Campus Rd.  Take your first left onto Garden
Ave.  Go straight through the light, Bailey Hall is on your left across the
parking lot.

If not in a rush, stay on rt. 13.  Go though a light or two,
past the Airport (signs).  (landmark: Rt. 13 is now a 4 lane highway.)
Follow the highway down the long hill--Lake Cayuga is on your right.  Watch 
your speed 'cause the cops love to bust people here!  Go through 3 lights
lights.  START WATCHING FOR BUFFALO STREET!  It *should* be the next 2nd or 
3rd light, but don't count on that.  Take a left on Buffalo St.  Follow it 
through a half-dozen or so lights and up the hill.  There will be a flashing 
light, take a left onto Stewart Ave.  For more directions, GO TO '*'

FROM I-90 (the NY Thruway):
    Get off at the exit for 96 south.  I can't remember the specific exit
number, but there is a sign for Waterloo, and I believe there's also mention
of Ithaca.  All you need to do is follow 96 south.  LOOK AT A MAP!
    You'll pass through a number of small towns, Trumansburg (home of the 
famous Rongovian Embassy -- great bar!), Ovid, Romulus, etc.  Be careful for 
cops and watch for 'speed zones', much of these towns' incomes are from 
speeding tickets!  BRING A RADAR DETECTOR!
    The end of 96 is about 2-3 miles after the Hospital (on the left) 
When you get to the end of 96, you'll be in what is known as "The Octopus,"
a rather hairy intersection.  If you were to take a hard left just before
the 'meat' of the intersection, you would be on 89, but you don't want that.
You want to stay "left-ish" and cross over the bridge.  Take the first left
after the bridge onto Buffalo St. (There will be a couple of train cars to 
your immediate left that are part of The Station restaurant.)  You will go 
through a light and then over a small raised bridge.  Keep going straight, 
cross the main drag (rt. 13) and through a half-dozen more lights.  Go up
the hill (landmark: there's a Mobil station at the bottom on the right) and
take a left at the flashing light onto Stewart Ave.  Go to '*' for more 
directions.


*  <---THIS IS THE '*' (for further directions)

IF YOU JUST WANT DIRECTIONS TO BAILEY HALL:  

You'll soon cross the Cascadilla gorge, on a green metal bridge.  About 150 
yards later you will come to a rather funky 4-way intersection.  Stewart Ave. 
continues in a left-ish direction, but don't take this.  There are 2 roads 
on the right-ish side.  Take the more gradual right turn (i.e. NOT a hard 
right) and wind your way up the hill. You are now on Campus Rd.  
Go straight through the traffic light 
(landmark:  there will be barricades blocking off any possible left turn at 
the light.  If you want to go to C-town, take a right onto College Ave.) up
the hill and take a left at the stop sign onto East Ave.  Take your first
right onto Tower Rd.  Take your first left onto Garden Ave.  Bailey hall
will be ahead on the left across the parking lot.  Unless you get there 
early, you might have to hunt around behind some of the buildings for an 
open space.  You will likely be directed by Public Safety, Cornell's
arrogant/militant security guards.

IF YOU WANT TO EAT, DRINK, OR SEE THE CENTER OF SOCIAL LIFE AT CORNELL 
BEFORE THE SHOW, then read on.  

Collegetown:
'C-town' is a couple square miles of houses/apartment bldgs., shops, and 
bars just south of the Cornell Campus.  Most of the upper-class folk live 
and party in C-town.  I lived there three of my 5 years at Cornell.  It's a
WONDERFUL place have a good time.  Too bad every school doesn't have a
Collegetown--it should be a requirement!  Just about everything you'll want
to see is on three roads:  College Ave., Dryden Rd., and Eddy St.  Find a
place to park (see below) and walk -- driving is silly.

DIRECTIONS CONTINUE HERE:
If I were gonna go to the show, I'd suggest parking where it's easy to find
a spot.  It is typically HARD to find a parking spot in Collegetown.
If you are folling my directions, then you are now on Stewart Ave. just past
Buffalo St., heading north (up hill) toward campus.  There is a parking lot 
about FIFTY FEET from where you are on Stweart Ave.  Take your first right 
onto Williams St.  The parking lot is on your left.  Parking in this lot may 
make your brief stay in Ithaca a bit more enjoyable...  If the lot is full,
then you are probably too late to eat dinner anyway, you can wait for a spot, 
or continue on to Bailey Hall (see above).

From the lot, you can walk across Stewart Ave. to go to the Chapter House (see
below for a review), or walk up Williams St. (the steepest street in Ithaca! 
...also where I lived last year in the crappiest house on the street: 208.  
Ahhh the memories!) to Eddy St.  Across Eddy is Dryden Rd. which heads up 
hill for 100 yards or so and crosses College Ave.  All the things there are 
to do and see (for the most part) are on Eddy, College, and Dryden!

Bruce Willner <brucew@phaeton.ee.cornell.edu>, Cornell Student Extra-
ordinaire writes:
| I can't think of any good places for a gathering downtown.

Seconding the motion... 
Don't go downtown, you really don't want to have to walk up that hill!!!

To get to Bailey, (walking directions) get on College Ave. and head North
toward campus.  Just before the stone bridge, Oak St. meets college from the 
right.  There is a footpath that starts at a campus map sign.  (It's a pretty 
good map that you can use to plan out your trek to Bailey Hall.)  Follow this 
footpath thru the leafless trees across the bridge over the gorge.  There'll 
be a parking lot on your right, but don't go there.  Cross the driveway and 
head up the cement stairs.  At the top of the stairs is the Engineering 
Quad., my former 5-year home...  Take a 45 degree right turn and cross the 
quad diagonally, uphill.  You'll now be at the 'T' intersection of Campus Rd. 
and East Ave.  Cross Campus and head up East Ave.  Take your first RIGHT onto 
Tower Rd.  Go about 300 yards and take your first LEFT onto Garden Ave.
Bailey will be about 150 yards up on your left.  If all else fails, follow 
the crowds and ask directions.
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