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Farmhouse, Gateway to the Finger Lakes

Photo gallery for Farmhouse, Gateway to the Finger Lakes

Front of house, you'll get a code to this door
Great room and living room
Living room
Living room
Window nook in living room

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 9

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Dog-friendly
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor barbecue

Explore the area

View map
Richford, NY
  • Place, Griggs Gulf State Forest
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Place, James Kennedy State Forest
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Place, Greek Peak Mountain Resort
    ‪24 min drive‬
  • Airport, Ithaca, NY (ITH-Tompkins Regional)
    ‪36 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 9)

Arcade

1 Double Bed

Bunk Room

1 Single Bunk Bed

Dawn Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Downstairs bedroom

1 Double Bed

Living Room

1 Double Futon

Master Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Downstairs Full Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Downstairs Half Bathroom

Toilet

Upstairs full bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Garden

About this property

Farmhouse, Gateway to the Finger Lakes

Relax in our large living room, watch birds from the kitchen, hike our field and forest behind, visit Finger Lakes Wine Country, Ski at Greek Peak, explore Ithaca and all the lovely waterfalls ... Grab ice cream down the street at the neighborhood spots. This house has two large living rooms, (including one with a recently refurbished Steinway baby grand piano), two porches, a greenhouse, and a lovely garden. Plenty of space for your whole family. Only a short drive to Ithaca, Owego, Cortland, wine country. There is a Finger Lakes Land Trust preserve adjacent, and many trails start in the backyard.

NOTES: The house is vintage and was built in 1866, thus when booking please realize that it may show its age! We are constantly making improvements -- it still has 19th century charm and blemishes. For winter, please inquire for availability.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Lots of stairs. We also have a foldable crib
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings
Must be considerate of neighbors.
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)
1-2 friendly dogs considered
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No smoking in house or property please.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 12
Note from host: Must be considerate of neighbors.
Long-term renters welcome
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

About the area

Richford

Located in Richford, this holiday home is in a rural area. Bacchus Brewing Company and Six Mile Creek Vineyard are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those in the mood for shopping can visit Ithaca Commons and Ithaca Farmers Market. Cascades Indoor Waterpark and Cornell Botanic Gardens are also worth visiting. Kayaking and canoeing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails and cycling nearby.
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Map
Richford, NY

What's nearby

  • Griggs Gulf State Forest - 6 min drive - 9.5 km
  • James Kennedy State Forest - 12 min drive - 15.2 km
  • Tompkins Cortland Community College - 17 min drive - 24.8 km
  • Greek Peak Mountain Resort - 24 min drive - 30.9 km
  • Cascades Indoor Waterpark - 24 min drive - 30.9 km

Getting around

  • Binghamton, NY (BGM-Greater Binghamton) - 34 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Richford Diner - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Tastee Treat - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Richford Pizza - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪The Poor Shots - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪centerport seafood - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Farmhouse, Gateway to the Finger Lakes pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

How much does it cost to stay at Farmhouse, Gateway to the Finger Lakes?

As of 5 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Farmhouse, Gateway to the Finger Lakes on 5 May 2026 start from NZ$509, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Farmhouse, Gateway to the Finger Lakes?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Farmhouse, Gateway to the Finger Lakes?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Farmhouse, Gateway to the Finger Lakes?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Farmhouse, Gateway to the Finger Lakes located?

Situated in a rural location, this holiday home is within 16 miles (25 km) of Bacchus Brewing Company, Tompkins Cortland Community College and Six Mile Creek Vineyard. Cornell University and Marathon Village Hall are also within 20 miles (32 km).

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 16 out of 24 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 7 out of 24 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 24 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 24 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 24 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

9.2/10

Location

9.2/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

JACQUES S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Loved the old world charm. Would stay there again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

C L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a fantastic time at the McDonald's farmhouse! Wonderful hiking and exploring around the finger lakes region. Wish we could have stayed longer. The house and grounds are very charming, spacious, comfortable, and relaxing. Joan and Leo are excellent hosts - very thoughtful, generous, and accommodating. I highly recommend!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Warren H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Really enjoyed our stay

My family and I had a great time. The house was a short distance from a lot of nice trails and outdoor activities, and we really enjoyed the property itself
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tim D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Historic Richford retreat

Top notch rental with plenty of room and historic charm. Owners were nice people and easy to deal with. Quick to respond with any questions we had. Would not hesitate to rent this property again. Thanks!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Teddye P.

Wonderful farm house

It rained our whole visit, but the farmhouse was a perfect place to enjoy indoor time. As a southerner I was concerned with no central air, but the hot muggy days we perfect with the window units and fans. We loved the space, the proximity to my inlaws, we did wedding prep for my niece, it couldn't have been more perfect!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2018
Verified

8/10 Good

Mary Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location
We enjoyed the property, it accommodated our family while we celebrated my granddaughter's graduation from Cornell. One of the reasons I chose this site was that it advertised an outdoor swimming pool. However, it was clear the pool had not been opened for several years. It was not made clear to me that the pool was not functional. Disappointed there, but overall enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

MELANIE M.

Perfect place for family gathering

I can't express how much we loved staying here. The house is incredibly spacious, the kitchen has everything anyone could possibly need. The grounds are lovely. We had so much fun that we're already talking about coming back. In this day and age, it's really something when your kids rave about a place with no TV! There is wireless, so you're not off the grid, but it's just so pretty that you spend hours enjoying the outside spaces without even noticing the time passing.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2018
Verified

6/10 Okay

Samuel Z.

Very vintage and needed some repairs

Okay experience. Things could use a good updating.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022
Verified

8/10 Good

Ellen V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Needed updating

We basically liked our stay. We felt the whole house needed updating without taking away from "country house" setting. Queen size beds would have been nicer. We did not like the shower on the 1st floor. Also a TV would have been appreciated.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Maggie R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Farmhouse in Upstate NY

Property was exactly as described and pictured in the listing. Kitchen was well stocked with plates/cups/etc, there was plenty of parking in the driveway plus you could easily turnaround in it so you did not need to backup onto the road, bedrooms were comfortable and the yard was larger than I expected which was great since we stayed with our dog. I appreciated that things in the home were labeled (i.e.:which switch is for which lights). I asked for an early check-in if possible and Joan was very quick to grant it. I traveled to upstate NY to attend my step-son's graduation from Ithaca College and this rental was an easy 25-30 minute drive door-to-door. The town is very small but there is a pizza place, ice cream shop, and gas station/convenience store very close-by. Overall we found the house to be very charming and it was large enough that we did not feel at all cramped. A big thank you to Joan who was terrific communicating before and during our stay!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Susanne B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Extremely Charming Rustic Retreat

When I am away from home for several days, I like the privacy of a stand-alone home. This rental was the perfect solution for putting me close to my itinerary in the Finger Lakes Region while allowing me to escape from all of the hustle and bustle at the end of a long day of sightseeing. (Ithaca and several State Parks are about 35 minutes away and Watkins Glen is about an hour. Greek Peek is 20 minutes away.) The owners of the home were attentive, very responsive, and extremely adept at making sure our stay was comfortable. All of my exchanges with them made the entire process of booking and getting into the property both seamless and easy. The house, itself, has an old charm and with 5 bedrooms and 2.5 baths, there were ample spaces for everyone. The WiFi was strong and could easily handle multiple devices using video at the same time. An added bonus was the potential to hook one’s device to a projector for a movie on a provided screen in the Living Room. (You will need an HDMI port on your device or the BenQ app). Although the house faces a main road, there is little traffic and it is very quiet at night. Down the street within walking distance, there are two locations for ice cream and a restaurant which has an extensive menu and excellent pizza. We did not have time to explore the walking trails or take advantage of the pool, porches, patio/grill, or old arcade games located on the property, but since this home is so affordable, we won’t hesitate to return.
Looking at the house from the parking area
The backyard has a bridge over a stream which leads to walking trails.
The Tasty Treat down the Street
Excellent flavors of fantastic ice cream
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
Archival

8/10 Good

Keena A.

Love the unique style and feel of the house. Comfy beds. It's near all sorts of small towns.

The house itself is beautiful- love the style and all the space. Plenty of beds and they were extremely comfy. I was concerned with the yard, however. There was a lot of old metal items and downed trees or branches all over the yard. I thought I'd be able to let my 2 ½ grandson play outdoors and even brought his little drive on motorcycle. I couldn't let him go in the yard at all due to the items in the yard. We went to many places nearby where he and we had so much fun so that the yard disappointing us was not such a big deal. I loved the convenience to nearby small towns and attractions and parks so the house was great for us. We were sad the pinball machine did not work as the description said it did. We were all looking forward to it. A smart tv would have been nice and put in the description so we could have brought some DVDs to keep our grandson happier in the house instead of running around and up and down the steps. (The fact he ran is not the owners' fault - he's 2, almost 3, that's what 2 year olds do). Overall, we enjoyed our stay in the house and, with cleaning up the yard, we would recommend it to friends with young kids or grandkids. Thanks for use of your home.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2017
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lynnette B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Enjoyable Short Stay!

House is very roomy, well stocked, and Joan is very responsive.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Marjorie F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Elegant, comfortable home in the country with all modern conveniences

Joan and Leo were the perfect hosts to our first foray into the post-vaxxed world of vacations! They were flexible and accommodating; their home is elegant and charming, with comfortable beds and a fully modern and stocked kitchen. My teen sons played foosball and swam in the pool. We cooked and also ate at the great restaurants in Ithaca, a 20 minute (beautiful) drive from their historic home. It's an easy drive to Cornell and Ithaca College. This was by far our best vacation home and we recommend it very highly.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

paul m.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

family gathering for graduation

This property is very interesting. The grand, very old house was just wonderful. Many rooms to gather in. We really enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jamie M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Rent this property!!!

We had an amazing time. The house was beautiful and so cozy. There were 10 of us and we all slept comfortably. The kitchen and the house itself had all the supplies and comforts of home. We were able to cook and really relax and enjoy each other’s company. The trails right behind the house were fun to explore. The ice cream store was great. It wasn’t too far to the supermarket and to the winery. The owners were amazing as well. We could not have asked for a better experience. Highly recommend.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Scott P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Family Get Together

Perfect vintage farmhouse for our family getaway. Description of the home was just as described by the owners. Will see you on our next visit!!
Verified

8/10 Good

Marissa S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful family retreat

We had a wonderful stay. The house is huge but homey. Our group age range is quite wide, which can make our experience a little different. We travel with my mom (mid 70s) and my three children (5-9). It was a great way for us all to unplug. The place is so well stocked it was an easy transition the first day. The owners leave notes that make the first couple of days so much easier. Plates, glasses, utensils, pots, pans, and baking pans are all provided. The kitchen is great. I loved the stove. And the way it allowed everyone to hang out while cooking. The outdoor space is lovely but can use some updates to make it a little easier to enjoy. This point leads me to some of my suggestions on the house. First I would note that while there is a bedroom on the first floor there is no bathroom that is easy for elderly people with balance issues or prior falls to use for showering. The upstairs bathroom is slightly easier but it isn’t perfect for that either. The steps to the second floor are incredibly steep which also made using that bathroom hard for my mom. The rugs were also a concern for my mom. The outdoor and greenhouse space could use additional or updated seating. It is a beautiful space but it is hard to hang out in. The stairs In the greenhouse were an obstacle for my mom as well. As for the kids the game room was perfect and the location was great for them. It is walking distance to the ice cream stand and a short drive to a well maintained park. It is also a great midway point if going to Cortland and Ithaca. The rugs also presented an obstacle for the kids who run and can sometimes trip on them. Even with that said, I loved the stay and look forward to this mode of traveling.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2019
Verified

8/10 Good

ARLENE R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family vacation

It was good experience we all had space and enjoy nature..Joan was very helpful in all aspects..thank you for everything.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stefania K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quiet farmhouse for a family excursion

We had an overall wonderful experience at this house! The house was a little farther to Ithaca than I had anticipated, but our stay was really great. The house had more than enough room for six adults and our large dog, and the owners were very responsive to our questions and needs! They did a really great job at having the house stocked with essentials, and all of the beds were extremely comfortable (which was a big bonus after a long day of hiking)! This is definitely an ideal house for a larger family that doesn't mind driving a little extra. :) Highly recommend!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2019
Verified

8/10 Good

Jane N.

We wanted lots of space and bathrooms. House fit the bill.

We love old houses. This was spacious and kitchen was well supplied. We do wish the pool had been open.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2018
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Robert C.

What a Wonderful Home!

Our family gathered from all over and enjoyed a week at this delightful farmhouse. The layout is great! The high ceilings are amazing. The kitchen is so well stocked with everything you could ask for. Located close to Ithaca, Cortland, Owego, and Whitney Point. We will definitely be back! Owners are very accommodating and friendly. Thank you so much!
Stayed 9 nights in Nov 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Nadia C.

Charming, quiet, and happily well-stocked!

We cannot say enough good things about the owners, Joan and Leo. They were so responsive from our initial contact and provided us with such a positive experience! The house is huge! And charming! The bedrooms have lots of comfy beds and the bathrooms are large and warm. We rented the home for a sisters’ weekend away and it was the perfect backdrop to relaxation and reconnecting. I have never stayed at a home that had such amazing supplies and staples right off the bat- sugar, tea, coffee, herbs, oatmeal, etc. really a nice touch and so welcome. The common spaces like the dining room, kitchen and living room are all spacious, yet cozy too. We played numerous games of trivial pursuit around the dining room table and we plan on going back for additional tournaments. 😃 I would highly recommend the property (great hiking trails right behind) and the lovely owners, the MacDonalds. Perfect distance from Ithaca.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2017
Archival

8/10 Good

abbe l.

Girl's Winery Weekend

The Old Vintage Farmhouse was a lovely getaway for eight women. The house had a great deal of room and sleeping space for all. The kitchen was large and provided all the amenities. The favorite area was the rustic sunroom that over looked the backyard and all of the wild flowers. The house did need a little more lighting and a few more mirrors would have helped with our group but we would definitely return.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2017

About the host

Hosted by Joan and Leo Macdonald

Host profile image
We are both scientists (a chemist and a geoscientist). We have two daughters and two dogs. We grew up in the Finger Lakes region and really enjoy spending time hiking, wading, swimming, fishing and exploring here. We enjoy being with family in this spacious house and garden and on the trails, and we hope you will too.

Why they chose this property

This beautiful old farmhouse has a field and a very large forested tract behind it. We originally got it because we wanted the open space, but the house, greenhouse, and garden are really nice to hang out in. There are a lot of old logging/hiking trails to explore and an old cabin that you can access by arrangement. Our property backs up against a wildlife preserve owned by the Finger Lakes Land Trust. Hiking there is also allowed.

What makes this property unique

Wonderful for family or small group gatherings. Convenient to nearby colleges and university (Cortland, Ithaca College, Cornell, Binghamton), Greek Peak, kayaking/canoeing/fishing, There is a trout stream in walking distance. Finger Lakes waterfalls, trails, wine country ... There are 2 ice cream stores, a local diner, a playground and state land and Finger Lakes Land Trust Preserve all within walking distance.

Languages:

English

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