It's full of almost all local stores (Subway being the sole outsider) and has been freshly renovated to provide the best experience for all kinds of people. I love the summer concerts at the pavilion (free!) and it is incredibly well maintained.
Wonderful community events always going on, great sense of community
Every town should have a pedestrian mall like the commons! Lots of great places to eat, a very good bookstore, an excellent toy store, buskers, a play ground, even some shared office space for rent by the hour - the Commons is definitely the place to be.
Quaint, lots of little shops with various prices and all kinds of things. Simply a must do in Ithaca. Really gives you a feel for the town.
Plenty of shops, plenty of places to eat no matter the diet, and the awesome Fingerlakes School of Massage!!
If you're on the highway, make sure to stop in downtown Ithaca. In my opinion it's one of the most beautiful parts of any town in upstate NY.
An amazing place to go to get in the heart of Ithaca, nice shops, quick good food at places like Casablanca pizza, or yummy desserts at Madeline's and great spot to people watch.
Beautifully redone! Mostly small kitschy shops, but well worth the visit! Absolutely a must-see in Ithaca.
I love this traditional shopping area. Good range of independent shops and really good restaurants. Be sure to look up my favourite hot dog stand. He has been there for years
It is an emblematic place that you can not miss in Ithaca
There are so many things on the commons you can check out. I love the snowflake lights they put up in the winter. Makes it look almost magical at night.
One of the best pedestrian shopping areas, complete with local stores, food, and art. Something for everyone, frequent events with Ithaca traditions.
A vibrant downtown pedestrian area with shopping and events.
Really great now that it's been redone for a while. Lots of great shops to wander in and out of. The sheepskin store is a favorite of mine! I also love some of the bars in the evening. Great place to go for a few hours day or night no matter who you're with.
Its really cute and quiet. Not much to do but the food is great there. Very trendy.
Wide selection of unusual and different shops and restaurants appealing to the college crowd
Its not like it use to be when i came to ny 8years ago
Nice little block of stores. It was Sunday though and most stores were closed
I love how the commons have been revitalized. The entire project has comepletly changed the face of the commons and I think this is going to help business grow over the next coming decades. Im glad it was done the way it was and there aren't concrete blocks in the middle anymore where people would congregate and sit all day.
Nice small town to explore. Some good restaurants and nice places to walk
Family fun. There is lots of shops to check out and even a little park for the kids to play.'
Its okay. Few stores to go about. Some people will try to hustle you for money or a service like magic tricks. But friendly
Plenty of homeless people panhandling and interrupting your meal. College kids that normally ruled the commons have been displaced by COVID closures and left to locals that can't be bothered with you.
The Commons remind you of everything you wish you could find in small town America. There are some very good restaurants making this a destination. There are a few good stores though I wouldn t go out of my way if I wasn t staying at a nearby hotel.
Cool destination in Ithaca. A variety of shops and restaurants.
They demolished the Commons. I don't even know what else there is to say. It was a historical landmark--kind of stunned still. It's pretty sterile and boring and dirty now.
Nice urban walk with restaurants and stores, rebuilt just a couple of years ago.
Avoid this downtown area at all costs. The city's highway department has major construction projects all over the place impeding traffic and causing unexpected detours during the daytime. So if you have to be someplace on time I wouldn't take any road through Ithaca
Awesome local city center. Tons of local shops and restaurants and eateries. Very Ithaca! Take time to explore them all
Good variety of shops, fun events, and even more stuff right off the Commons. Parking can be rough, though.
Great area to walk around. Came by on a Saturday evening and a lot of the stores were closed so come earlier in the day. Lots of little shops and places to check out. Seating areas all around!
Parking is ridiculous and it's only getting worse. Not convenient. Once you actually get down there it's interesting and there are good restaurants there.
So many wonderful stores and restaurants on the Commons! It's an excellent destination for people (especially visitors) who want to do some shopping, dining, and sightseeing. My favorite stops include Home Green Home, Mockingbird Paperie, and Gorger's Taco Shack - but you can't go wrong with any of the shops around. There's a parking garage nearby that is often free on weekends and holidays, and you're within walking distance of many other Ithaca destinations. Definitely pay a visit if you can!
I love the Commons! Has a wide variety of shops and many community events are held there! Recently remodeled but have to say I do not care for the industrial look of the pavilion and The Commons sign. It is a pedestrian only area in the center of town.
We have been there on festival time. It was geart! Food from all over the world, playground, musicals shows.
Love the Commons. Beautiful, fun, eclectic activities, shops, festivals, foods, etc.
Strolling around the Commons is always fun. So many unique shops. It does close down early most evenings, so check the times before you go.
Quaint shops not found elsewhere. Friendly relaxing atmosphere. Dog friendly. Foot traffic only.
Found a few nice stores that I will visit again... I believe with every experience will just get more and more awesome!
Was a really good day out liked all the little shops can't wait to go back to moonies.
Upscale stores in a collegiate atmosphere. Pedestrian mall has unique artwork, beautiful flower beds and interesting art work.
Good shops. Nice playground for kids. Parking not too bad.
It's a really nice place to hang out ever since they've redone all the stuff around there although I was a little bit sad to see the old stuff go. It has a great selection of shops and places to eat all around it and overall it really encapsules the Ithaca vibe in general.
How could you not!
#merica
The Ithaca Commons is the heart of the city. Recently renovated and well appointed the space offers an excellent venue for the many festivals, concerts and gatherings the city is known for. Due to the infrastructure improvements below the Commons many new businesses have sprung up in close proximity which has increased the density of pedestrian traffic , housing and hotel options. Many of the historic legacy buildings that feature century old architecture were able to tap into the new utilities and so were able to improve and modernize. All together this has resulted in the space and buildings being well kept with a low vacancy rate. The Commons features lovely plantings, seating options, a clean and well lite environment. There are many specialty stores but this is not the place for grocery or home shopping, rather a place to buy gifts or incidental items. The Commons reflects the personality of the city and although it has gone through growing pains over the past few years the projects seem to be subsiding and hopefully will provide many years of enjoyment. Under the auspices of the Downtown Ithaca Alliance the space has an infusion of professional, monetary and custodial influence and direction. Come down and enjoy the art, shopping and festive atmosphere and venture into the nearby community that has much of the same to offer.
People are amazing always in a good mood and helping anyone out that needs help not to mention its free!
Great selection of small businesses, and unique art. A landmark of ithaca
A great place to walk around, get some food and drinks, shop if it's the daytime. Lots of great local shopping and eating options. Don't listen to people who complain about parking etc. If you're driving, just ditch your car in one of the MANY parking garages that are within a block of the Commons. Yeah, Ithaca is a denser city than it used to be, but it's still wonderfully easy-going and pedestrian-friendly on the Commons. Walking a block is good for you.
It'll take me a while to get used to the new remodeled Commons. The live music stage (Bernie Milton Pavilion) is, for some baffling reason, set up alongside a busy street and a noisy bus stop (??!) and the new "fountain" is an ugly wet rectangle. But, otherwise, it's pretty nice.
The design of the mall is horrible. No shade, no wind-breaks, knuckle-busting playground, ankle-twisting curbs abound. Bands slow traffic as crowds meander near Seneca St. The angular "Commons" signs look like tangled closet hangers. Very disappointing, especially for the money we spent.
You can always find something to do locally such as festivals and events. Many shops have closed but for what's left shopkeepers are always friendly.
This location is fantastic. Definitely worth the drive down every time. Parking is a little tricky
Ithaca's entirely dysfunctional pedestrian mall will be sure to underwhelm you. It has nothing you'd actually want to buy, unless you're in the market for overpriced local handicrafts or a bong. Be ready to be accosted by the local riffraff, who ensure that the kind of people who have enough money to shop here would never run elbows with them. It is worth visiting just to mock it.
downtownithaca.com
