Off the Beaten Path: 3 Days of Outdoor Adventures in Cortland County
The days are warm and the nights cool, September lingers somewhere between summer and autumn. It's the perfect time of year for outdoor adventures. So get off the beaten path and get back to nature: explore our backwoods, swim in a mountain lake, let your hair down at outdoor music festivals, and soar through the forest canopy. Cortland County is the perfect place to embrace your inner wild child and wander.
DAY ONE
Start your adventure by booking a stay at Ole Miss Franny's Farm. Glamp in comfort under inky skies, serenaded by crickets, coyotes, and the quiet sounds of farm animals stirring in their sleep. Here, campers have found themselves greeted by the local red fox in the early morning hours. Book a private trail ride and enjoy a canter through the meadows. Bring your yoga mat and share a flow with a goat. Ole Miss Fanny's is the perfect place to reconnect, recharge, and fulfill your hippie homesteader dreams.
Once you've settled in, head downtown to the Cortland. Each August, Cortland Arts Connect hosts Arts off Main, and outdoor art show, where you can shop artisan pieces, participate in the calk mural contest, and catch live music and entertainment. In the fall, the Corset Building is home to Crown City Mural Fest. Spend a few hours watching local artists paint under bluebird skies, shop at the unique artisan market, and dance to live music. When your tummy starts rumbling, grab some lunch just a few streets over, in historic downtown. Adventurous pallet? We recommend Pita Gourmet. The authentic flavors of Lebanon inspire their delicious cuisine. We especially love the Kufat and Falafel wraps.
DAY TWO
Go jump in a lake! Start your day with a refreshing swim at Hope Lake Park, and float at the foot of the mountain. If you're feeling extra adventurous, book a zip line tour through the canopy, or an exhilarating ride on the mountain coaster, at Greek Peak's Outdoor Adventure, and you won't even need a cup of coffee to get your heart pumping!
Stop by Gorgers for lunch and discover a menu filled with a wild fusion of flavors. From noodles to rice bowls, Korean to Tex-Mex, this ever-changing menu is bound to impress. It's just the fuel you'll need for a day filled with dancing at Seedstock Cortland. This one-day festival features local and regional musicians performing on the rolling hills of historic Reed's Seeds Farm at the end of each summer. Food, music, and camping give this event a festival vibe, and the sunset performances always dazzle.
DAY THREE
It's time to pack up camp and paddle the crystal clear waters of Skaneateles Lake. Cortland County is a kayaker's paradise, and the calm, turquoise waters of the south end of Skaneateles Lake are one of its jewels. Launch your kayak or paddle board from Andrew R.Fuller Park and paddle your way to The Glen Haven for brunch. Enjoy a meal served right to your boat, or tie off and make your way to the second-story porch for incredible views and delicious food. When you've finished, walk the lakeside farmers market for picnic fixings and handmade crafts before squeezing in one last adventure.
Tinker Falls is the ideal spot to stretch your legs and enjoy a picnic. The graded, level trail is approximately a half mile to the base of the falls and back. If you want to upgrade this to an Indiana Jones level of adventure, strap on your hiking shoes and climb the narrow stairs behind the cascades and eventually to the top of the falls. Note, this route can be slippery and precarious. If you'd like an equally challenging but much safer trek to the top, journey up the North Country Trail to the precipice and watch the water tumble 50 feet to the pool below before eventually making your way back home.
In search of more inspiration for your next Cortland County weekend getaway? Request a FREE Visitors Guide to start planning.