Tourism

Gone are the days of cheesy tee shirts and cliché tchotchkes. Travelers crave a souvenir that tells a story. Something unique, created by locals, handmade- a treasure that could only be found on their adventures. Whether it is an original piece of art for your wall, a limited-edition concert t-shirt, something handmade or one of a kind, Cortland County is brimming with uncommon goods that reflect…

Experience Cortland, the Cortland County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), will be honored with a Tourism Excellence Award for the Cortland Curiosities: A Strange & Forgotten History Trail. The New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA) acknowledges and recognizes the outstanding work of New York State's destination marketing organizations, attractions, and other tourism-related…

Immerse yourself in the flourishing art and culture scene in Cortland County! This two-day itinerary will have you exploring eclectic art installations and rousing theatre – and you’ll discover tasty eats along the way. DAY 1 Begin your art adventure with a locally roasted caffeine boost at Coffee Mania; then venture to the Cortland Corset Building for a little retail therapy. The creative and…

This year marks the 40th anniversary of National Travel and Tourism Week. Let’s amplify the essential and integral role travel plays in every industry and nearly everything we do. Our success is the nation’s success, and together, we will keep moving #TravelForward. #nttw23 #TRAVELFORWARD Small towns and quaint villages are essential to the fabric of America. These communities are filled with…

The 2023 Cortland County Visitors Guide is now available at the Visitors Center and online at ExperienceCortland.com, offering travel inspiration for visitors and locals! From heart-pumping outdoor adventures and family-friendly festivals, to unique cultural experiences and arts explorations, fall in love with Cortland County. Designed to inspire travel, the magazine-style piece highlights…

Summer always brings back childhood memories of melting ice cream cones, fishing poles, camping trips, parades, and adventures in the sun. It's not too late to recapture those carefree days. We have just the itinerary, whether you're young or young at heart, to create lasting summer memories, you'll treasure for years to come. LODGING Book your stay at the Yellow Lantern Kampground for the…

I love the sense of community.

Standing under the only stop light in town, you'll often hear a distant clip clop as an Amish horse and buggy makes it's way down Main Street. Comprised of a patchwork of buildings, both historic and new, hemmed in by the Tioughnioga River, Marathon is radiating quintessential small town charm, perfect for a wandering day trip. FIRST STOP BREAKFAST Reilly's Cafe It's been said that breakfast is…

Experience Cortland, the Cortland County Convention & Visitors Bureau, is excited to announce the soft opening of the brand-new Experience Cortland Visitors Center at 42 Main Street, Cortland! “While the grand opening celebration has been delayed due to the COVID pandemic, we are pleased to officially open the doors to the all-new Experience Cortland Visitors Center,” said Meghan…

The Cortland County Convention & Visitors Bureau is very excited to be a participating organization in the Cortland County Comeback initiative, a community-focused campaign developed to help businesses within the county recover during these trying times. The campaign will not only help educate people about the reopening process, but also promote local spending and pride in Cortland County with…

The local restaurants, artists, the cute shops and weekly markets are the heartbeat of the Cortland County community.  They serve us every day, and it's our time to pay it forward. There are many ways we can't control the ongoing situation, but what we can control is how we respond to it, and how we support small businesses. Whether it's ordering takeout, picking up fresh vegetables at the…

And that's a wrap! The Spirit of Cortland videos series has come to a close. It was such a pleasure for the Experience Cortland staff to talk about the Cortland County tourism industry and how the spirit of tourism is very much alive even during these uncertain times. We understand that life can be lonely and scary as we practice social distancing, so we hope that these videos brought light to…

National Travel and Tourism Week is an annual tradition for the U.S. travel community. It’s a time when travel and tourism professionals across the country unite to celebrate the value travel holds for our economy, businesses and personal wellbeing. The Cortland County Convention & Visitor's Bureau (CVB) is leading Cortland County's travel and tourism community during this celebration. In its…

Stuck at home with some time on your hands? We have an activity that can pass by the time, take your mind off your troubles and even bring the family together for a few moments. The Experience Cortland team has put together a variety of virtual jigsaw puzzles for you to piece together. The puzzles were created of photos of county festivals including the Cortland Airfest, Holiday in Homer, Dairy…

Whether you're meeting with coworkers or having a virtual happy hour with friends, Zoom videos are the perfect way for all of us to stay connected during this time. But don't let being behind a computer screen limit your Cortland County experience! Host a meeting with a waterfall behind you, standing outside a 19th-century 'castle', or talk to your family with beautiful fall foliage in the…

Running out of activities to keep the kiddos entertained? Looking for an adult stress-reliever that doesn't involve a glass of wine? Dust off those markers and crayons, and enjoy some stress-reducing coloring! Click on any of the images below for a printable PDF coloring page of Cortland County festival moments, scenic spots and more. Check back later this week for another round of coloring pages…

We're certainly living in different times. Our children have become our 'co-workers', dining rooms tables have turned into offices, restaurants are limited to takeout only. We are doing our best to protect the public during these uncertain times. Here at the Cortland County Convention & Visitors Bureau, everyone's safety is our top priority, but we also want to make sure you don't go entirely…

UPDATED: March 23, 2020 The Cortland County Convention and Visitors Bureau is closely monitoring the situation surrounding COVID-19, and is in regular communication with industry leaders to stay abreast of the news, protocol and to share updates. On March 16, 2020, New York State announced restrictions on commercial activity and halted non-essential business operations, in order to reduce the…

Experience Cortland, the Cortland County Convention & Visitors Bureau, is pleased to announce the release of the official 2020 Cortland County Visitors Guide. Featuring cover photos depicting a taste of the variety of activities one can experience throughout the county, the new guide encourages visitors and locals alike to Experience Cortland. The 2020 Visitors Guide is a completely revamped piece…