Outdoors

Navigating your way through a corn maze is an essential fall activity for families, and Trinity Valley Dairy Farm has pulled out all the stops once again to create a fresh, challenging maze for their visitors! Everyone - not just kids - can enjoy a fun-filled, fall trip to Family Fun Days & Corn Maze starting Saturday, September 12.  Enjoy acres of SAFE outdoor family activities in the fresh…

Take a breather from work and bring your family and friends to Cortland County for a little rest and relaxation during Labor Day weekend! Pack a lawn chair to sit under the stars for an outdoor movie. Lace up your sneakers to stretch you legs on one of our hiking trails. Take a walk down memory lane in Cortland's Victoria-era stone castle. Keep your taste buds happy at one of the county's…

The next time you're planning to get some fresh air, don't leave Fido at home! Dogs make excellent walking companions whether it's your usual stroll around the neighborhood, or an adventure through the woods. Cortland County has a variety of dog-friendly paths available that are for both the experienced hiker or the novice pup who hasn't done much exploring.  Keep reading for a list of…

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…

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 of…

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…