Summer is here, Motel Lovers!

Here at Grayhaven we’ve aired out the lawn games and are enjoying this year’s colorful plantings. We are looking forward to sunny days at the lake, early morning hikes at the state parks, and BBQs on Grayhaven grounds.
What are your summer plans? We hope they include Ithaca!

Have you gotten to enjoy our Sweetheart Retreat package? Add it to your booking under “Packages”. Perfect for a Pride weekend getaway, Ithaca-style!

Sweetheart Retreat:
Looking for a getaway for two with minimal planning? Let Grayhaven support you in your romantic (or BFF!) adventure! Check in early and settle into a glass of bubbly and a fun array of local snacks. Head down the road to Rasa Spa and enjoy one of their many relaxing treatments or maybe a massage using the gift card we’ve purchased for you. Mosey on over to dinner at one of our many fantastic local restaurants.

Try our newly arrived wines!
We’ve got a few updates to our wine selection here at Grayhaven, in time for summer 2023. 
Purchase in our office or Select from “Add To Your Stay” on our website at booking. Pair well with our charcuterie kit – or its individual snacks!Sheldrake Point 2021 Gamay Noir (an excellent summer wine as it refreshing served chilled!)Sheldrake Point 2021 Rosé Lamoreaux Landing Round Rock Vineyard RieslingBoundary Breaks “Un-oaked” ChardonnayDr Konstantin Frank 2018 Sparkling  Rosé Dr Konstantin Frank sparkling Célébré

Four Part Bookbinding Series @ Grayhaven Motel,
w/ Laura Rowley of Illuminated Press 
Reminder of the wonderful upcoming class series led by the talented Laura Rowley of Illuminated Press! If you’ve been interested in learning bookbinding, if there’s a more advanced technique you’d like to try, or if you’re looking for a new craft, these classes are a wonderful opportunity. The environment is intimate, comfortable and relaxed. Take the entire series or pick a class à la cart.

Keep your eye on our Instagram account; there are always fun motel happenings that we love to share!

Last but not least, here’s the list of June events happening here and near Grayhaven.
Hope you’re able to join us for one or all… 

Upcoming Events Here and Near June 2nd – 10th: Check out Circus Culture’s performances at the Ithaca Children’s Garden! Various times and dates listed HERE. Sundays: Sunday morning meditation at Foundation of Light, 9-10am.   June 9th – 16th: Downtown Ithaca Pride Week. Events calendar HERE!  Friday, June 16th: Screening of Lavender Hill: A Love Story in the CAP ArtSpace of Tompkins Center for History + Culture from 5:30-6:30pm. Stay after for the Q+A! Saturday, June 24th: Ithaca Reggae Fest from 9am – 10pm in Stewart Park. Enjoy yoga, skateboarding, education and of course – a day of reggae! Saturday, June 24th: Not feeling festy? Visit the Cornell Botanic Gardens for a fascinating tour, The Secret Lives of Plants! They are offering this about once/month through the fall so if you aren’t in Ithaca for a few months, you can still participate. $12 tickets required (free for members!). Friday, June 30th: Check in at 3:00 and head to the State of the Art Gallery where the annual juried photography show will be up for another couple of days! See the 82 stunning pieces in person before 5pm. Visit www.grayhavenmotel.com for more information on booking and events!

If you’re looking for a fun weekend away, any weekend is a good one to visit the Finger Lakes. Here are our June suggestions…

Recommended itinerary for June 9th – 11th:

FRIDAY: Check in and enjoy an early-ish dinner at very close-by, Ithaca Beer Company! For a performing art fix afterwards, walk to The Soil Factory (down the road from Ithaca Beer) for Civic Ensemble’s Fertile Grounds, a community-based play set on a BIPOC farm at 7pm. Tickets offered on a pay-what-you-can scale.

SATURDAY: Start the day at the Ithaca Farmer’s Market, then head out to Trumansburg (about 20mins from Grayhaven) for their annual Tburg Porch Fest! This happens all around the small village from 12 – 5pm. While you’re thatta way, enjoy a fabulous dinner at one of our favorites, Hazelnut Kitchen. Reservations suggested!

SUNDAY: Drink coffee and read the Sunday NYTimes in the lounge by our wood stove. Check out at 11am and head to brunch at Café DeWitt which is right downtown in the historic DeWitt building.

Recommended itinerary for June 16th – 18th:

FRIDAY: Check in and order in some grub before meeting in the CAP ArtSpace at the Tompkins History & Culture Center for a screening of the poignant queer history documentary about one of the few gay + lesbian communes in the Back to the Land movement of the 1970s, Lavender Hill: A Love Story. Stay for the Q+A with former Lavender Hill residents, David Hirsch and Yvonne Fisher. Then check out The Watershed (a couple blocks from the History Ctr) for impeccable drinks (+ snacks + tea) afterwards.

SATURDAY:  Try a balloon ride with our pals, Southern Tier Balloon Tours! They will give you a gorgeous tour of our area that you won’t be able to get anywhere else. Once back on solid Grayhaven ground, enjoy some downtime right here with yard games, a BBQ kit and a variety of regional beverage choices. Don’t leave out your complimentary s’mores around one of our fire pits before bedtime!

SUNDAY: Come say goodbye to us in the office while you’re grabbing morning coffee and checking out. Get a nice, lazy Sunday start because you don’t want to miss the Kegs + Eggs brunch from 12-3p at Hopshire Farms just 20 mins up the road from Grayhaven. Happy trails!

2024 rates and multi night discounts are active on the website. 

See you soon!