Getting to the Festival

Transportation in and around Ithaca - for travel to Ithaca via bus, plane, or car from outside of town, check out Visit Ithaca! 

Getting Around the Festival

For specific access-related information, check out our know before you go guide . Contact Access Coordinator Polly@hupstatecircus.org with any additional questions.

Note: there is a lot of construction in and around Ithaca both on roads and sidewalks in the warmer months. Please plan accordingly and give yourself a bit of extra time. 

Hupstate Caravan

Don’t have a car, don’t want to deal with parking, or just want to hitch a ride? The Hupstate Caravan will provide transportation between performances on Saturday, September 5th and Sunday, September 6th.

Buy a day pass ($15) to reserve a spot on the Caravan. Single trip tickets ($5) will be sold on the Caravan on a first-come first-serve basis. Space is limited!

Please email Polly@hupstatecircus.org with accessibility questions/needs regarding the Caravan.

Public Transportation

Ithaca and Tompkins County are serviced by the accessible bus service Tompkins County Area Transit - known locally as TCAT. Bus availability varies (many buses do not run late at night for example), so it’s best to use their app to explore if your desired route and time will be feasible in advance. 

Rides are $1.50 and cash or card can be taken on the bus. Buses are equipped with two bike racks for those wishing to bring their bikes on board. 

Bike Travel

Traveling by bike around Ithaca can be an amazing way to get around! Downtown Ithaca, Cherry Artspace, and Hangar Theatre are all relatively flat and connected (some by a lovely waterfront trail). Cornell University is close by but up a very steep hill, and the Ithaca Waldorf School and Hoffman Challenge Course are (10+ miles) outside the downtown core and likely better for experienced touring riders. Make sure to bring a substantial lock (U lock suggested) and always lock your bike  - there is bike theft in Ithaca just like in any other city!

Bringing your own bike? Check out Bike Walk Tompkins for local bike maps, parking, and other infrastructure. 

Need to rent a bike? Ithaca Bikeshare provides E-Bikes all over town - download the app before you arrive for easy riding. 

Pedestrian Travel

Walking between many of our venues is possible - but be sure to check maps and look into elevation before you embark on your adventure!  Downtown is relatively flat, but as soon as you go towards Cornell University (walkable on sidewalks, but very steep until you get to campus) it’s useful to understand the elevation when making your plans. 

There is a lovely (but not accessible) walk called the Cascadilla Gorge Trail that takes you directly from downtown to Cornell and ends up right by the Kiplinger Theatre - if you fancy a hike to Rollercoaster and stairs work for you, check it out here.

Personal Car Travel:

Whenever possible, we highly suggest that you carpool to shows. This is especially true for Avast (Ithaca Waldorf School), Rollercoaster (Kiplinger Theatre, Cornell University), and ECDYSIS (Hoffman Challenge Course). 

• Parking in Downtown Ithaca for numerous shows! 

In Downtown Ithaca, paid street and garage parking are available on the immediately surrounding streets (Sunday is free). Find more information on paid parking from the City of Ithaca. We suggest the Cayuga Street Garage if you plan to use one. You can use the electronic parking meters or use the Parkmobile service to pay for parking.

Free downtown parking is available 7 days per week on the streets surrounding the downtown core, visible on this map. 

• Parking at Cornell University for Rollercoaster by Wes Peden

Parking at Cornell can be tricky, please leave time if you plan to arrive by car!

The simplest / closest parking to the Kiplinger Theatre at Cornell is the Dryden Road Garage (118 Dryden Road). It is run by the City of Ithaca. There are 4 designated accessible parking spots on each level (8 total), and an accessible entrance which requires support from our access coordinator  to be opened (contact Polly Solomon at 914 310 2073 to be let in!).

Street Parking: On Oak Street and throughout the Collegetown neighborhood, metered street parking is often available and typically free after 5pm. Always check posted signs. The roads are hilly and we suggest leaving time to find a spot if planning to park on the street. Parking at Cornell University can require some patience on a saturday evening, but it will be worth it! We suggest you leave a bit of extra time to navigate finding a spot if your first choice is full:

Other options:

Anabel Taylor Hall (548 College Ave) lot (5 min walk to Schwartz Center, mostly flat, wheelchair accessible)

Hoy Road Garage (10 min walk to Schwartz Center, mostly flat, wheelchair accessible and via a gorge trail if desired)

Route 90 TCAT Bus from Downtown Ithaca.

• Parking* at Ithaca Waldorf School for Avast - Arrive early

On Saturday Sept 5th from 10am - 1pm there is a local farmshare pickup in the same area as our show. To avoid a parking backup, we suggest that audiences arrive by 9:30 to assist with traffic flow - bring a breakfast picnic! 

*In the case that the lots are too full, Hupstate will operate a park and ride from a nearby parking lot!

Once you turn on to Nelson Road, the primary parking areas are located on the left (Ithaca Waldorf School lot) and right (mowed field).  Designated accessible parking spots and drop off area are closer to the performance site, and drivers will be directed to the appropriate area by Hupstate Circus Festival staff members.  Please note: this alternative access path will require driving over mowed grass.