TIME TO FILL YOUR PERSCRIPTION
Feeling burnt out, scrolled out, or just flat-out “nope”? Don’t worry—we checked WebMD, and the cure is not more screen time or another group chat. It’s a getaway to Cortland County, where the vibes are green, the snacks are local, and the therapy looks a lot like a nap in the woods.
This is wellness the good way: slow mornings, hands-on healing, spa robes, sound baths, and locally sourced cheese. From dark skies to LEED certified green lodging, we’re serving sustainable travel with a side of “ahhh.”
Below, you’ll find four prescriptions for a better kind of burnout recovery—no co-pay required.
PERSCRIPTION FOR THE CRONIC OVER THINKER
Symptoms: Racing thoughts. Tight shoulders. A running to-do list that replays even during downward dog.
Diagnosis: Classic case of Brain Won’t Shut Up Syndrome.
You don’t need a productivity app—you need a forest, a sound bath, and maybe a nap with a view. Start with a slow, soul-soothing walk at Lime Hollow Nature Center, where forest bathing means exactly what it sounds like: soaking in the sights, smells, and sounds of actual nature. Zero screens. Zero expectations. Maximum trees.
Still buzzing? Slide into a sound healing or yoga class at Cortland Wellness Studio, where the vibes are soft, the bowls are crystal, and your nervous system gets to finally chill.
And when the stars come out? Head to Gee Brook State Forest, one of the darkest sky spots in Cortland County. With minimal light pollution, Calico Pond is one of the best local places to spot the Milky Way—or at least remember how small (and sparkly) the universe really is. Turns out, staring into the vastness of space is weirdly relaxing.
When it’s time to crash, Hope Lake's LEED-certified lodging wraps you in cozy, eco-friendly comfort. Low energy, high-quality sleep, and no guilt about the extra-long snooze button session. Doctor-approved.
PERSCRIPTION FOR THE ALWAYS OVER EXTENDED
Symptoms: Too many calendars. Too little serotonin. Prone to answering emails in your sleep.
Diagnosis: Hustle fatigue, with a side of “why did I agree to this?”
Time to cancel your meetings and head straight for a spa robe. Kick things off at Waterfalls Spa, where you can get steamed, scrubbed, massaged, or just sit in total silence pretending no one needs anything from you. That’s wellness.
Swing by the Homer NY Regional Farmers Market for snacks that haven’t seen a barcode—think leafy greens, crusty bread, and pickled things that’ll make your gut do a happy dance. Bonus: it supports local farmers and doesn’t require a tip screen.
Then it’s off to The Community for a mocktail so pretty, you’ll forget it’s good for you. These zero-proof beauties are crafted with fresh herbs, homemade syrups, and enough flair to make your old cocktail order look lazy.
Stay at The Farmhouse by Trinity Valley, where the fridge is stocked with local cheese and you can spend the evening on a tree swing soaking in the sunset.
PERSCRIPTION FOR THE CREATIVLY STARVED
Symptoms: You’re out of ideas. Your inspiration’s gone rogue. You may have recently tried to “redecorate” using only beige.
Diagnosis: Creative drought. Possibly contagious.
Cortland County is here with the antidote: goats, clay, wool, and a plant shop that makes you believe in love again.
Get your hands dirty at Pottery Works, where throwing clay is messy, meditative, and deeply satisfying. No pressure to be perfect—just spin, squish, and vibe.
Then head to Daisy Hollow Farm, a hillside sanctuary full of fuzzy animals, fresh herbs, and handmade soaps that smell like a fairy tale. Tour the farm, stock up on farm-to-face housemade beauty products, or try your hand at felted soap crafting using wool from the farm's flock—a wildly cute (and sustainable) skill you didn’t know you needed.
If breaking things sounds oddly therapeutic, Forged From Ashe Studios gets it. This creative space invites you to smash old ceramics and salvaged tile—on purpose—to craft bold, beautiful mosaics. It’s cathartic, eco-conscious, and wildly satisfying. Destruction meets design, and recycling has never looked so good.
When the sun sets, retreat to The Bunkhouse at Big Easy Stables, where horses roam and time gets real casual. Whether you’re enjoying a riding lesson, or just sipping tea with a pony nearby, you’ll remember what it feels like to make something that isn’t content.
PERSCRIPTION FOR THE SCREEN WEARY ESCAPEIST
Symptoms: Digital exhaustion. Compulsive scrolling. You may be experiencing phantom buzzes.
Diagnosis: Tech fatigue with rural getaway deficiency.
Let’s shut down the tabs and boot up some real-life calm. Start at Hope Lake, where stand-up paddleboarding is the closest thing to floating meditation. Bonus: it requires both hands, so you physically can’t check your phone.
Then hike the shady trail to Tinker Falls, where you can sit at the base of a waterfall and pretend you’re the star of a very peaceful indie film. The only notifications here come from birds and breezes.
Before your big nature moment, stop by Truxton Outpost for all the locally sourced picnic essentials—Trinity Valley cheese, Foods & Ferments pickles, crusty loaves of sour dough, and probably something in a mason jar. Or grab a smoothie and some of those suspiciously delicious protein balls from Project Lean Nation. Either way, your lunch is travel-magazine ready and planet-friendly.
End the day at The Glen Haven Hotel, where there’s a kayak launch out front and a tavern below dishing up their famous local bison burgers. At night, get cozy in the historic inn, with a good book and peak-a-boo views of the lake. There is a reason it's known locally as the "South End of Paradise" and it won't take you very long to discover why.
UNPLUG THE CORTLAND COUNTY WAY
Cortland County is full of fresh air, feel-good flavors, and things that don’t require a password. Whether you’re a spa-soaker, cheese-snacker, forest-walker, or craft-lover, there’s a green getaway here with your name on it. The vibe? Low impact, high reward. The prescription? Nature, naps, and absolutely no notifications. And the side effects? It's all good. For a full list of things to do and places to stay click here!
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