Hop on Rt. 13 North out of Ithaca and you’ll land in charming Dryden, NY. This historic village, home to Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3), delivers unique attractions to visitors of the area. Whether it is outdoor recreation, dining, or shopping that you seek, find a variety of places to explore in Dryden.
Things to do in Dryden
Looking for adventure? Dryden offers it! Enjoy hiking and mountain biking at Yellow Barn State Forest, stretching over 4 miles. Visit in winter to explore via snowmobile, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.
Discover fascinating wildlife around Dryden Lake. Connected to the Dryden Golf Course and Dryden Lake Park, this natural wetland is home to a variety of waterfowl, deer, and beavers. Bring a kayak along and navigate through overhanging branches and shrubs sure to provide ideal vantage points for bird watching and photography.
Feel the need for speed? Do a few laps around the track at Ringwood Raceway. This seasonally operated track has been around since the early ‘90s. Race against family and friends, or take it at a slower pace, it depends on you.
A true gem in Dryden is the Book Barn. There are three barns on this historic farmstead containing 2.5 miles of shelving, all lined with thousands of books. It is a bookworm’s paradise and can take hours to look through all of the titles. The Book Barn is a perfect rainy day attraction a few minutes from Ithaca.
Dryden Dairy Day
One thing that the residents of Dryden know is farming! Each June, the town celebrates dairy farming during Dairy Day. The event includes a parade, performances, a petting zoo, and of course, ice cream. Dairy Day is a fun and educational time for families on vacation in Ithaca.
Don’t miss a visit to Dryden while staying in the Ithaca area.
Dryden, NY Fast Facts
The population of Dryden, NY is roughly 15,000.
Dryden averages 70 inches of snowfall each year.
Dryden averages 39 inches of rainfall each year.
Dryden's land area is 93.64 square miles, according to the 2010 census.
