Spotlight

The Readers' Choice contest hosted by USA Today is looking for America's best fall festival, and Cortland's very own has been nominated! USA Today’s popular 2019 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards is currently hosting a contest for Best Fall Festival in the USA and the Great Cortland Pumpkinfest is among the nominees. Now we need your help to make Pumpkinfest number one! Voting is currently…

Who's ready for a jam-packed weekend of family fun in Cortland County?! August is here and whether you love wine, music or art, there is something special to do in our county! Here are the top picks for your weekend in Cortland County: TURN UP THE VOLUME Grab your friends, along with your dancing shoes and head to Seedstock, Cortland’s three-day music festival!  The event started…

A few months back we hosted travel blogger Jason Rupp for a special tour of Cortland County's exciting outdoor adventure  and culinary scene. Back in May, the Experience Cortland team welcomed travel and food blogger, Jason Rupp to Cortland County for a full-day tour of outdoor adventures and delicious eats available in the area.  From a leisurely hike through Lime Hollow Nature…

Family-fun entertainment is expected to take over Cortland County this weekend! Panicking because you don’t know what to do this weekend? Don’t worry — below, find two annual events that perfectly bookmark the mid point of summer! 38TH HOLIDAY IN HOMER July 20th from 9am - 4pmHomer Village Green Holiday in Homer, one of the oldest arts and crafts festivals in Cortland County, is…

The Cortland Main Street Music Series returns for its 16th season! Start your weekend off right every Friday in July at the Cortland Main Street Music Series! The series is celebrating its 16th season with high-energy shows covering genres ranging from rock, Americana, country, folk, blues, Celtic rock, and everything in between. The combined 12 local, regional and national acts will play on the…

The Cortland County Convention and Visitors Bureau is pleased to announce the winning photographs of the 2019 'I Love Cortland County' Photo Contest! Over 60 photos were submitted in the 2019 “I Love Cortland County” Photography Contest, held by the Cortland County Convention & Visitors Bureau in celebration of National Travel + Tourism Week. Last night, at an Awards Reception held…

Cortland Repertory Theatre, one of New York State’s longest running professional summer theatres, has announced their 48th annual season for the summer of 2019.   Backstage is buzzing at the Little York Pavilion as casts rehearse and crews begin building sets for the 48-year anniversary season of the Cortland Repertory Theatre! This summer, the theatre is featuring a combination of…

There's no better time to visit the historical museums within Cortland County! Keep reading for the variety of historical hotspots to explore in the area.  Whether you're an out-of-town visitor looking to experience a unique perspective into the past, or you're a local wanting to learn more about the community you live in, Cortland County has much to offer!  Learn about the innovation of…

The Cortland County Convention & Visitors Bureau, along with many local Cortland County tourism partners, is pleased to announce a new festival coming this fall: Gears to Corsets, A Steampunk Festival, September 27-29, 2019.   Out with the new, and in with the old as Cortland County welcomes Gears to Corsets, a Steampunk Festival, to this year's festival lineup! The family-friendly affair…

This week, Experience Cortland joins hundreds of counties, cities and travel-related businesses nationwide in recognizing National Travel and Tourism Week, May 5-11.   On Thursday, April 25, Cortland County Legislature proclaimed May 5-11 Travel & Tourism Week in Cortland County County. The proclamation marks the kick-off of the 36th annual National Travel & Tourism Week (NTTW),…

Would you like to have your favorite photo featured in the 2020 Cortland County Visitors Guide? Here's your chance to do just that, and celebrate Cortland County Travel + Tourism Week at the same time!   The Cortland County Convention and Visitors Bureau is pleased to announce the “I Love Cortland County” photography contest for amateur, professional and youth photographers who…

It's that time of year - when thoughts turn to spring and maple syrup! Enjoy a delicious, fun-filled outing with family and friends right in Cortland County. Head to Cooper Hill Maple Farm during Maple Weekend to experience all things maple!   When you think of upstate New York, never-ending winters, chicken wings, and hard-to-pronounce town names come to mind (Oswegatchie, anyone?), but dig…

On the first day of March, let us momentarily forget about the never-ending snow and bitter cold, and celebrate that which tickles our taste buds and sticks to the roof of our mouths – peanut butter.  Today we celebrate National Peanut Butter Lovers Day, and Cortland County is spreading the peanut butter love with delicious treats.  Try one, or if you have no willpower, try them…

Edible alchemy is how Carly and Dave Dougherty describe their food fermentation. What began as a fascination became their passion in 2012 with the launch of Food & Ferments. What is food fermentation? When vegetables like cabbage are left to sit and steep, their sugars are broken down and promote the growth of bacteria. The bacteria converts sugar into lactic acid and that acts as a…

Art lovers rejoice! Cortland County has many art spots waiting for you. Explore a metal zoo, interactive art installations, impactful murals and so much more. Feed your soul and take a trip to Cortland County. Eric Kroot Art Trail at Lime Hollow Nature Center Eric Kroot Art Trail at Lime Hollow Nature Center Totem poles, incredible larger than life art installations can be found lurking amongst…

Cortland Repertory Theatre was awarded 9 Syracuse Area Live Theatre (SALT) Awards at a ceremony held on Sunday, November 11, at the Redhouse Theatre in Syracuse.   CRT received a total of 54 nominations from five of their summer productions in 2018.  The SALT Awards are divided into three categories: Professional, Regional and Community, with CRT falling into the Regional category. Nine…

Meghan Lawton graduated from Homer High School in 2003 and SUNY Cortland in 2007 and has found her way back to Cortland County. She recently took the Cortland County Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Director position after Jim Dempsey retired after 25 years of service. Last week we turned over our Instagram account to Meghan and experienced Cortland through her eyes.   For…

Hollenbeck's Cider Mill celebrates its 86th cider season this fall. A trip to see the cider press, or to enjoy a freshly made donut is a fall must do in Cortland County. Check out the video below. Share your Cortland County adventures with us for a chance to be featured! Tag @experiencecortland and use hashtag #experiencecortland.

Ashley Pearson of Cheerful & Creative Art Studio took over the Experience Cortland Instagram and showed us her unique perspective on Cortland County.   Ashley owns and operates Cheerful & Creative Art Studio in Historic Downtown Cortland since July 2017. She has lived in Cortland her whole life receiving her undergraduate degree in Art from SUNY Cortland and her…

Trinity Valley Dairy Farm is a fourth-generation family farm in the beautiful East Homer valley. We got to explore it all from cows to their 2-mile long corn maze! Make a trip to Trinity Valley Dairy Farm a must do on your fall adventure in Cortland County.   Check out the video below. Share your Cortland County adventures with us for a chance to be featured! Tag @experiencecortland and tag…