Outdoors

This Saturday, the US celebrates National Scavenger Hunt Day, and Experience Cortland has a high-tech twist on this classic game.  Grab your Smartphone and your sense of wanderlust, and embark on the Experience Cortland GeoTour.  This tour will take you along the byways of Cortland County to the secret and not-so-secret hideaways where we have stashed our caches for you to discover.…

Memorial Day certainly looks a little different this year, but the unofficial start to summer can still mean burgers fresh from the grill, patriotic displays and friendly cornhole games with the ones you love.  We’re here to help you plan a fun-packed weekend for you and your family. Keep reading for a list of socially distant activities, at-home escapes and BBQ to go for your three-day…

Sandy, Danny and the cast of Grease are not the only ones spending time at the drive-in these days. The Cortland County community, including myself, flocked to Virgil this past weekend to check out the only outdoor cinema experience in the county. Greek Peak Mountain Resort, normally known for it's ski trails, over 500 feet of water slides, and more recently dancing dinosaurs, has found a creative…

Welcome to the third episode of Spirit of Cortland, a 5-part video series created to celebrate National Travel & Tourism Week. 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. This year, the…

Looking for a few minutes of distraction between frequent hand washings?  Want to step away from your Twitter feed? Sit back and enjoy these 20 beautiful photos from Cortland County, taken by locals and tourists to not only inspire your next trip, but to hopefully provide a moment of distraction.  Looking for more Cortland County in your life? Download our Visitors Guide (or request a free…

If you're unable to step outside to breath in some fresh air, or maybe the weather isn't cooperating during this time of self-quarantine, we have a solution for you. Take a hike in the comfort of your home! Experience Cortland has put together a video of some of the most scenic spots in and around Cortland County. Areas featured on your virtual hike include... TINKER FALLS Located in the Labrador…

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…

Pack those tents and bags of marshmallows, and head out to enjoy the great outdoors in beautiful Cortland County! Cortland County campsites offer way more than the basics — tent camping, trailer camping, sites with or without electricity and water.  They also offer shower houses, laundry rooms and full hook-ups for your RV.  Many have an on-site convenience store and dining…

New York State is home to the most ski areas in the United States. Cortland County has 4 ski areas all within 30 minutes of each other. Take advantage of over 100 downhill trails in the beautiful Finger Lakes Region. So what other reasons do you need? Here are 5 reasons to make Cortland County your ski destination this winter.   Come for the skiing, stay for the food.   You are…

There’s a massive corn maze growing out in Truxton, NY in Cortland County! Trinity Valley Dairy Farm has created a 2-mile-long corn maze adventure that is sure to get the entire family excited for the fall harvest season.   Located on the farm, this maze takes you through twists and turns as you venture among the corn stalks. From above, your journey is in the design of a friendly…

We took an airplane over Cortland County for the Cortland Airfest.   The Cortland County Airfest at Gen. Levi Chase Field draws hundreds of people to see planes up close from small charter planes to a Black Hawk helicopter courtesy of the US Army's 10th Mountain Division in Watertown, NY. You can also take an airplane or helicopter ride. We took to the skies in one of these airplanes for some…

By Gabrielle DiDomenico Project Coordinator, Seven Valleys Health Coalition   It's that time of year when we celebrate the return of the sun and warmer temperatures--but that isn't the only reason to get excited by the arrival of spring and the coming of summer. Our local farmers' market season is upon us and that calls for a celebration in and of itself. How about three cheers for fresh…

Recently Experience Cortland learned a new snow skill: snowboarding. Greek Peak Mountain Resort has partnered with Snow Operating and completely revitalized the learning experience. Snow Operating uses the terrain to help you learn to ski or snowboard. It’s called terrain-based learning. Different styles of terrain teach you how to ski or snowboard naturally. The traverse track carves out…

Looking for outdoor winter fun that is away from the ski slopes? For the families that love the winter months, there are plenty of enjoyable activities in the Finger Lakes that will get the whole family excited for snow.   Tubing Slide down the mountain in a tube   Tubing can be great winter fun for all ages. Greek Peak Mountain Resort Adventure Center makes tubing even easier with…

Snowshoeing is a great and inexpensive way to get outside during the winter months. Whether you seek trails that are off the beaten track or are looking for family fun between snow covered trees, there are plenty of snowshoeing options in Cortland County. Here are some tips to help get you started on your great snowshoeing adventure this winter. Easy to learn. The expression, “If you can…

Wintertime in the Finger Lakes is relatively quiet, but visitors to Cortland County will find mountains of winter activities to enjoy. Whether you seek family friendly fun or search for a rush of outdoor adrenaline you can find it all here. Visitors will find four family friendly ski areas all within a 30-mile range of each other in Cortland County. Here are some ski tips to help you get the most…

Song Mountain is excited to announce it has replaced its Thunderbird T-bar with a new triple chairlift. The T-bar, installed around 1965, had seen many years of dependable service. The new triple chair that replaces it was relocated from Northern Minnesota and is from the Riblit Tramway Company. Riblit built its first lift at Mount Hood, Oregon in 1938 and was once the largest ski chairlift…

Sure, you could hop in your car and take in the scenic fall foliage that covers Cortland County, but we recommend stepping outside your vehicle and explore these unique leaf peeping spots.   Fall Foliage with some adrenaline.   Catch some of New York's best fall foliage from the mountain! Try out Greek Peak's Nor'Easter Mountain Coaster for some added adrenaline to your leaf peeping this…

Fall in Upstate New York is a magical time of year. The rolling hills throughout Cortland County are dotted with farms, produce stands, beautiful old homes, and the best drives for enjoying fall foliage. We’ve made a list of a few drives throughout the county to enjoy the fall season and hopefully take you to places you’ve never been before! Little York to East Homer to Truxton This…