Spotlight

Ready to celebrate the red, white and blue in Cortland County? Our 4th of July plans may look a little different compared to past years, but there is no reason why they can't be just as fun with a socially distant twist. Whether you want to stay at home, or hit the town, we've put together some ideas on how to safely celebrate America's independence. Make a festive craft. If you're feeling artsy…

There’s nothing quite like a bucket filled with freshly picked strawberries. Picking them yourself is even better. Cortland County has its very own u-pick farm at Cobblestone Valley Farm, a diversified organic farm located in the heart of New York State right off Interstate 81. For a few precious weeks out of the year, locals and visitors flock to the Preble, NY to pick their own plump,…

The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted American women the right to vote, a right known as women’s suffrage, and was ratified on August 18, 1920, ending almost a century of protest. The legendary crusade for women's suffrage began in 1848 at a historic meeting in Seneca Falls, New York. Following the convention, the demand for the vote became a centerpiece of the women’s rights…

Cortland County restaurants are now able to offer indoor dining for the first time since March. Those that are reopening will be following state guidelines, including limited occupancy, spacing-out tables, and additional cleaning of equipment, tables and chairs. Below is a list of restaurants that we know are opening for indoor service. Please keep in mind that just because eateries are allowed to…

Cortland County is slowly starting to come back to life as we move further into phase two of Governor Cuomo's reopening plan, and with that comes a little retail therapy.  Many of Cortland County's shopping destinations have finally opened their doors after being closed for almost two months. Though we have all appreciated the efforts locals shop have taken to provide us with virtual shopping…

The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted American women the right to vote, a right known as women’s suffrage, and was ratified on August 18, 1920, ending almost a century of protest. The legendary crusade for women's suffrage began in 1848 at a historic meeting in Seneca Falls, New York. Following the convention, the demand for the vote became a centerpiece of the women’s rights…

If this was a normal year, we would be gearing up for a summer chock full of signature Cortland County events that showcase our love of art, music, culture, food and wine.  However, the increased effort to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus has meant the cancellation of many of these events. While some of the cultural events, like the annual Blackbird Film Festival, have been rescheduled…

Today is National Hamburger Day, and there's no better way to celebrate than with a rich, juicy hamburger from your favorite Cortland County eatery. From beef patties to a chicken burger, or healthier veggie options, meat lovers and vegetarians can't resist the taste of the tasty concoction. In celebration of the national day, order takeout or delivery from a Cortland County restaurant offering…

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…

The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted American women the right to vote, a right known as women’s suffrage, and was ratified on August 18, 1920, ending almost a century of protest. The legendary crusade for women's suffrage began in 1848 at a historic meeting in Seneca Falls, New York. Following the convention, the demand for the vote became a centerpiece of the women’s…

Hello! My name is Kelly Gardner, a senior in my final semester at SUNY Cortland. I have been interning for the Cortland County Convention & Visitors Bureau during this spring semester. I major in history and minor in political science. Originally, I was studying to become a high school social studies teacher. However, I realized that I enjoy working with people much more than teaching history…

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…

Welcome to the fifth, and final 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,…

Welcome to the fourth 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…

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…

Welcome to the second 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,…

Welcome to the first 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…