In a few weeks, I'll be driving from Ottawa to Philadelphia, mostly down I-81 thru NY.. Would like recs on a good location for an overnight stop. Will probably rule out Saratoga because of racing season. Would Ithaca be a worthwhile stop?

I think Ithaca would be a good stop.
If you are of a certain age and interested in vegetarian food, I would have dinner here:
https://moosewoodcooks.com

Elaboration on Ithaca?

We only did a short visit years ago to check out Cornell. The campus is attractive, and we did a hike to Taughannock Falls:
http://www.visitithaca.com/attractions/waterfalls

I think I'd cross into the States at the Thousand Islands and spend some time there. Cruise on the river, perhaps? The area is beautiful! No, we have never done it because we had places to go and things to do the one time we used that route.

k: I am familiar with the 1K Islands area and like it, but I was hoping to stay somewhere farther south so as to have a shorter ride the 2nd day.

You could stop in Skaneateles. Cute town on a gorgeous lake.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-...Vacations.html

If you go down 380 to the NE extension, you can stop at Skytop in the Poconos.
http://www.skytop.com/?utm_source=go...medium=organic

Skaneateles does look interesting. I'll have to learn how to pronounce it.

Skinny-atel-us, according to an employee who was a native speaker. It's charming.

How about Cooperstown? Baseball Hall of Fame. Source of Susquehanna River. Glimmerglas Opera, excellent food, wine, beer, charming architecture. Boat tours on the Lake. Vast Hotel Otsego, like a CP hotel in the US. Enjoyable museum with famous Thaw American Indian art collection, 19th century buildings, regional art.

Even further out of your way is Seneca Falls, home of the women's movement in North America.

If it's just an overnight stop, Ithaca is a good side trip, it's on the Lake, very picturesque, and not too far off the track... add a lake cruise or hot air Baloon ride for a memorable stop...

If you just want to overnight sleep, stop in Binghamton or nearby Johnson City... motels and eats with easy highway access. ..

Thanks, all (especially to Ack for the pronunciation -- never woulda guess that).

Been to an have seen Cooperstown.

This would be overnight, but we figured we might get there, wherever "there" is, by early afternoon and maybe have a chance to take in a sight or two.