Spotlight

Doesn't your mom deserve a meal where she doesn't have to do the dishes? She's endured your learning to play the tuba, scraped knees, spelling bees, and endless heartaches. The least you can do is treat her to a delicious, stress-free meal. Lucky for you, Cortland County has an excellent selection of Mother's Day brunches to choose from, one for every taste. Updated May 5 at 11 a.m. This post…

Do you fanaticize riding off into the sunset, cantering over rolling hills, splashing through streams? Or maybe you daydream of driving a perfectly matched pair of horses down a country road.  Perhaps you own a horse of your own and are simply looking for new trails to roam. Cortland County is home to stables and trails of every sort, each offering its own unique equine adventure. If you're…

April 16th is a big day for Ashe Martin. A muralist and mosaic artist, Ashe is celebrating the grand opening of Forged from Ashe Studios, in the Cortland Corset Building. Having practiced the craft for well over 10 years, Ashe is incredibly excited to begin teaching others. We asked Ashe to share a little about the space, before the big event.  What inspired you to open Forged from Ashe? I…

Plan a visit to the 1890 House Museum on a sunny afternoon and find yourself bathed in a kaleidoscope of rainbows. The architectural treasure is located in the heart of downtown Cortland, built for the late 19th-century inventor and industrialist, Chester Wickwire. Those who venture in will be treated to ornate decorative stenciling, parquet flooring, and oak and cherry woodwork, but it is the…

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. Come meet Rose in person, April 1, from 12 pm.-3 pm, at the Winter Farmers…

Calling all comic book and pop culture fans! Cortland’s lone comic bookstore, Heroes and Villains, will be holding its 5th Annual Heroes and Villains Con.  The one-day event on Saturday, April 2 will be held at the Cortland Corset Building at 75 East Court Street in Cortland, N.Y., and will run from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There will be a combination of professional artists and writers and…

As soon as you walk into the Elfcup Boutique, you can't help but smile. A cheerful amalgam of vintage and modern, classic and cheeky- there is something to be found for everyone's taste. We asked Sam Daniels, the owner of downtown Cortland's newest boutique, to take a moment to answer a few questions for us. What inspired you to open Elfcup Boutique? I’ve always wanted my own brick and…

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. Come meet Chelsea in person, March 4, from 12 pm.-3 pm, at the Winter…

Cortland County is home to beautiful, historic libraries, each filled with a world of books and their own unique charm. From February 21-26, they invite you to map your own literary adventure, explore five of them, discovering the best reading nooks and creative corners. Cortland County is hosting its first-ever Library Crawl! Pack up the whole family and stop by any of the participating libraries…

The kids are all home for winter break. The skies are grey. The temps are low. Cabin Fever is real. No worries, Cortland County has just the cure for the winter blues! Here is a list of our seven places to play when winter is at its worst.  THE BIG SCREEN Everyone loves a good movie, but did you know you could combat boredom by bringing your favorite game system to Crown City Cinemas? Watch your…

Black History Month is underway, and there are many ways to honor and recognize the importance of Black history and culture both nationally and in our local communities. Here at Experience Cortland, we are celebrating by highlighting a few stand-out Black-owned businesses in the tourism industry.  To support additional, non-tourism-related black entrepreneurs in Cortland County visit the Chamber…

Cortland County is home to more than charming farm communities, outdoor adventures, and a blossoming downtown. It's also home to a group of innovative, creative artisans who grow, brew, and make some of our very favorite things. For the sake of brevity, below you find a collection of nine of our favorites, though in reality there are far too many to count. Remember, each time you buy local, not…

Tis' the season for romantic get always, chocolate, and flowers. Or, perhaps Gal-entines, filled with brunch and besties is more your style. Either way, Cortland County has everything you need to make whatever holiday you celebrate extra sweet. Romantic Getaway Experience the perfect cozy couples weekend at Hope Lake Lodge. Celebrate your love, reconnect, relax, and rekindle. The Romantic Getaway…

Shake off the cold and come into the Center for the Arts, for the 12th annual Community Arts Challenge. Discover the vibrant, thought-provoking, and unique pieces created by Cortland County citizens. The gallery is home to a cornucopia of mediums; from felt to stone, photography to oil, fiber arts, and metals, it is a feast for the eyes. Take your time examining and contemplating each piece,…

Freshly fallen snow on bluebird days just begs us to get outside and play. Whether you are an avid outdoorsman or new to cold-weather adventures, Lime Hollow Nature Center offers two ways everyone in the family can explore the woods in winter. Lime Hollow's Nordic Center provides cross-country ski and snowshoe rentals. Let a knowledgeable staff member help you to choose the right size equipment…

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. Born and raised in Cortland, Molly Reagan is the proud mom of two vivacious…

Equal parts funky and functional, the Truxton Outpost is exactly what this neck of the woods needed. Upon stepping through the cowbell cladded door, I am greeted by the chatter of a bustling café, and a friendly hello from behind the counter. The entire place smells of baked goods, fresh coffee and pine. I feel as though I've been transported to some tiny frontier town. Coming in from a cold…

This blog is the second 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…

  It's holiday break, the house is in chaos and the kids are bored. Now what? Have no fear, we've compiled a list of what to do and where to go, to get your kids out of the house and out of your hair. Come play in Cortland County, we've got just what you're looking for.  CASCADES INDOOR WATER PARK2177 Clute Rd., Cortland(607) 835-6300 At a balmy 84 degrees, this waterpark is a little…

Travel Responsibly: As per state guidelines, masks will be required to be worn in all indoor public places - including the Cortland County Visitors Center - unless businesses or venues implement a vaccine requirement through January 15, 2022.  Check out our updated safety guidelines for Cortland County and New York State. The Cortland County Visitor's Center is excited to host a Winter Pop-Up…