Newfield

The hilly town of Newfield was established in Tompkins County in the 1800s, and while centuries have passed, Newfield has kept its rural setting filled with farmland. The quaint downtown is known for its historic landmark and quaint amenities. Brian DeYoung, an associate broker with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Heritage Realty, has a family connection to the area. “The main street the school is on also has the covered bridge and the Covered Bridge Market,” DeYoung says. “It’s got the library and a bank. Other than that, it’s a pretty rural area. You’ve got high schoolers that come to school in their pickup trucks. Sometimes you see parents drop off their kids, and the dad is wearing overalls.” Newfield maintains a tranquil atmosphere among the farms and little Main Street experiences, all 20 minutes away from Ithaca.

 

Some families have lived in Newfield for generations, and there are homes that have been standing since the late 1800s, but DeYoung points out that there are newer options as well. “There are a fair number of new homes,” DeYoung says. “There are even some small developments coming up Route 13 from Ithaca.” Colonial Revivals, ranch-style homes and Cape Cods have sold for $200,000 to $400,000. New Traditionals and cabin-style houses on acres of land can range from $430,000 to $700,000. Anything that sells for less than $200,000 is usually a manufactured home or an investment property. Newfield Hamlet offers municipal water and sewer, while residents outside the hamlet manage well water and septic tank systems.

 

Newfield residents feel tucked away from busy city life, but downtown Ithaca is 13 miles away. The drive takes 15 minutes when using Route 13, the main highway that flows through town. Ithaca also has emergency services at Cayuga Medical Center. The Ithaca Tompkins International Airport, north of Cornell University, offers direct flights to other international airports on the East Coast. DeYoung says Newfield is usually the first area to get snow because of the elevation. The town is responsible for sending snowplows to clear roadways, and the state maintains Route 13.

 

In Newfield’s early days, schools were all one-room buildings across the area. The schools later merged to create the Newfield Central School District, which earns a C-minus from Niche. All grades share one campus on Main Street, making it easier for parents during drop-off and pick-up times. Newfield Elementary and Newfield Middle get C-minus ratings. Newfield High School receives a B-minus. “We go there and walk,” DeYoung says. “There’s a big track there we go to when we want to walk a mile or two and don’t want to be in the woods and keep track of how far we’re walking.”

 

The Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area is another significant part of Newfield's history. Farmers were among the first residents here, but they abandoned the land to farm in a better climate. Today, hunters, hikers and anglers explore the area, which is the highest elevation in the county and one of the largest state game lands in New York. Robert H. Treman State Park is another hiking destination, offering trails that lead to scenic waterfalls tumbling into the gorge below or swimming ponds.

 

The Newfield Covered Bridge was built around 1850, making it the oldest covered bridge still in use in New York. “It’s a big deal to locals,” DeYoung says. “Fortunately for us, we’ve got the Covered Bridge Market, which is right next to a little park area. So instead of driving over the bridge and, boom, being done, you can go and picnic right there. It’s the local convenience store.” After driving over the bridge, residents and visitors pass the Newfield Public Library, which hosts events like craft groups for kids and movie nights. The Newfield Hamlet has sidewalks lining Main Street, allowing people to walk from the library to Mill Park or the Newfield United Methodist Church, located near the school.

 

The Covered Bridge Market & Pizzeria is half restaurant, half convenience store. "The owner actively works in it,” DeYoung says. “He makes all kinds of crazy stuff all the time, Chinese food pizza or wonton pizza. He loves to cook." State Eatery opens for brunch, lunch and dinner, serving Southern comfort food, barbecue dishes and cocktails. Seabring Inn is a destination for wings, burgers and fish-fry dinners that pair with draft, canned and bottled beer. The nearest grocery stores are Walmart and Trader Joe’s in Ithaca.

 

The inaugural Covered Bridge Fall Festival was held in October of 2024 and has since become a local tradition. The event is set up near the covered bridge on Main Street, with vendors, live music and food made by the Covered Bridge Market & Pizzeria and the Newfield Lions Club.