Spotlight

Cortland First Friday joins an informal nationwide movement to celebrate the arts in local communities on the first Friday of each month. Participating galleries, studios, artists, local businesses, music and performing arts venues will be open to the public throughout the evening to spotlight the arts. To view the map of current locations participating, click here!    March 3rd welcomes the…

This blog is the fourth in a series exploring hiking and traveling with your faithful, four-legged, friends in Cortland County. Do you have a favorite trail or place in Cortland County that you love sharing with your dog? Perhaps, you snapped the perfect photo of you and Fido exploring locally?  I want to know about it! Email me at Candace@experiencecortland.com and just maybe we'll see you in…

While many people are fussing over red roses, chocolates, and perfect dates this time of year, we'd like to take a moment to honor the oft-unsung hero of every relationship- our bestie.  They've been there through every breakup with a pint of ice cream and every first date with outfit advice.  They are always there to spill the tea, share a laugh, and make mischief.  So this year, remember to…

If the thought of visiting an art gallery brings to mind standing in front of stodgy old paintings with your hands in your pockets while quietly murmuring contemplations, think again.  The Dowd Gallery has turned art on its ear with the recent installation of the (re)Play Exhibit.  David B. Smith's collection of textiles, objects, installations and sculptures encourages the viewer to interact,…

January is national soup month, and what better way to fight off the cold, dreary days than with a steaming bowl of soup?!  Here in Cortland County, local establishments are serving up everything from the classics to the unique. Below is a list of some of our favorites, perfect to fuel your next adventure. YORI HOUSE - Move over chicken noodle, there's a new soup in town. Yori Houses's Katsu…

It might be the new year, but we're taking it back...way back. Vintage is king in Cortland County, and we've got the low down on the best places to find everything from retro ware to antique decor. So, strap in and hold on to your wallets; we're ready to do the time warp.  CROWN CITY CURIOSITIES 75 E. Court St, Suite 304, Cortland NY (607) 834-0084Open Friday 10-5pm or by appointment   Crown…

Experience Cortland will be featuring a Cortland County artist at the Visitors Center throughout the year. The program was developed to showcase local art to travelers and locals in hopes that they might bring a piece of Cortland County home. Feel free to stop by during regular business hours to view her work or at her Facebook page Maslin's Guarden. Maslin's Guarden sprouted from a lifelong love…

Experience Cortland will be featuring a Cortland County artist at the Visitors Center throughout the year. The program was developed to showcase local artwork and photography to travelers and locals in hopes that they might bring a piece of Cortland County home. Feel free to stop by during regular business hours to view the work or at her website Art By Emily Gibbons. Emily Gibbons'…

Gamers rejoice! After a 13-year hiatus, Area 51 has returned to Cortland! Offering a cornucopia of fun, from old-school box games to RPGs, collectibles, and everything in between- Area 51 & The Crowe's Nest is a sci-fi fan's paradise. We asked owner Fran Crowe if he could spare a couple of minutes from his new shop to answer a few questions.  What inspired you to open Area 51 & The Crowe's Nest?…

According to Webster's dictionary, the definition of Hygge is a quality of coziness that makes a person feel content and comfortable. It's also often used as an adjective meaning "cozy or comfortable." With cool November days upon us and the sun slipping below the horizon far too early, we could all use a healthy dose of hygge in our lives.  So grab a blanket, light a candle and brew some tea…

The Cortland County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), along with many local Cortland County tourism partners, are pleased to announce the launch of Cortland Curiosities: A Strange and Forgotten History Trail. The trail tells the history and lore behind the County’s interesting, wacky and occasionally spooky past. The launch features nine county-wide themed driving paths and…

It’s October, which means it’s time to go full fall mode! So, throw on your favorite flannel and start checking off a few autumn bucket list activities, and adventures in Cortland County. BABY, I’M A-MAZED A totally bucket list-worthy activity to do in the fall is tackle the Trinity Valley Dairy Farm corn maze. Surround yourself with 8- to 9-foot stalks of corn as you journey…

Steeped in history, charm, and tradition- stepping into The Farmhouse is like wrapping your hands around a steaming mug of tea on a brisk autumn's day. The more than two-hundred-year-old farmhouse rises from the encircling corn fields, anchored by immense dairy barns, welcoming visitors to take a step back into a simpler time.  The old screen door welcomes me with a familiar clack as I step…

Experience Cortland will be featuring a Cortland County artist at the Visitors Center throughout the year. The program was developed to showcase local artwork and photography to travelers and locals in hopes of them taking a piece of Cortland County home. Feel free to stop by during regular business hours to view the work or at the shop, Dragonfyre Distillery, at 1062 Leonard Rd, Marathon, NY.…

The days are warm and the nights cool, September lingers somewhere between summer and autumn. It's the perfect time of year for outdoor adventures. So get off the beaten path and get back to nature: explore our backwoods, swim in a mountain lake, let your hair down at outdoor music festivals, and soar through the forest canopy. Cortland County is the perfect place to embrace your inner wild child…

Experience Cortland will be featuring a Cortland County artist at the Visitors Center throughout the year. The program was developed to showcase local artwork and photography to travelers and locals in hopes of them taking a piece of Cortland County home. Feel free to stop by during regular business hours to view the work or at her shop, Elfcup Boutique, at 136 Main Street. Local artist and shop…

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 concert. Lace up your sneakers to stretch you legs on one of our hiking trails. Take a walk down memory lane in Cortland's Victorian-era stone castle. Keep your taste buds happy at one of the county's craft…

What do cast members of Stranger Things, Vanilla Ice, and Power Ranger David Yost all have in common? They are all proudly rocking local Thom Bulman's custom shoes! You may know Thom Bulman from season nine of Ink Master, but when Covid made tattooing nearly impossible, he had to think on his feet. Now, he is the proud owner of Bull Airs™ by Thom Bulman, a custom shoe shop that promises…

The Cortland County Historical Society has created a new, interactive children's exhibit! The grand opening of Then & Now Children's Room is August 27, from 1-3 pm at The Suggett House Museum (25 Homer Ave, Cortland). The Then & Now Children's room emulates an old-fashioned town, with a general store, barn, and cabin in the woods. Hands-on activities and historically accurate reproductions…

Summer always brings back childhood memories of melting ice cream cones, fishing poles, camping trips, parades, and adventures in the sun. It's not too late to recapture those carefree days. We have just the itinerary, whether you're young or young at heart, to create lasting summer memories, you'll treasure for years to come. LODGING Book your stay at the Yellow Lantern Kampground for the…