Spotlight

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…

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. The Cortland County Convention & Visitor's Bureau (CVB) is leading Cortland County's travel and tourism community during this celebration. In its…

Stuck at home with some time on your hands? We have an activity that can pass by the time, take your mind off your troubles and even bring the family together for a few moments. The Experience Cortland team has put together a variety of virtual jigsaw puzzles for you to piece together. The puzzles were created of photos of county festivals including the Cortland Airfest, Holiday in Homer, Dairy…

Whether you're meeting with coworkers or having a virtual happy hour with friends, Zoom videos are the perfect way for all of us to stay connected during this time. But don't let being behind a computer screen limit your Cortland County experience! Host a meeting with a waterfall behind you, standing outside a 19th-century 'castle', or talk to your family with beautiful fall foliage in the…

Cortland Repertory Theatre has been busy rescheduling the list of talented comedians, musicians and more that were scheduled to play at the Downtown location this spring. If you have previously purchased tickets for the following spring-now-fall shows, they are offering these options:  Move your ticket for the same event on the new rescheduled date. Allow your ticket purchase to become a donation…

A drive through the Town of Homer today, you’ll find rolling hills and valleys, dairy farms, and an unspoiled 19th century downtown. Don’t forget about the world’s largest pair of pants, connections to Abraham Lincoln, and an unsolved murder.  And now, the small New York town will welcome its first craft brewery. Homer Hops Brewing, located roughly five miles outside Historic Downtown…

Running out of activities to keep the kiddos entertained? Looking for an adult stress-reliever that doesn't involve a glass of wine? Dust off those markers and crayons, and enjoy some stress-reducing coloring! Click on any of the images below for a printable PDF coloring page of Cortland County festival moments, scenic spots and more. Did you miss the first round of Experience Cortland coloring…

Running out of activities to keep the kiddos entertained? Looking for an adult stress-reliever that doesn't involve a glass of wine? Dust off those markers and crayons, and enjoy some stress-reducing coloring! Click on any of the images below for a printable PDF coloring page of Cortland County festival moments, scenic spots and more. Check back later this week for another round of coloring pages…

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 looking for the "sweet stuff" in life, there is no sweeter creation than maple syrup between January and April.  Though the annual CNY Maple Festival has been postponed until April 2021, there are still ways you can enjoy the sweet season and support your local sugar houses.  Cortland County sugar makers have maple syrup and maple products available for pick-up, and are…

Art teachers, the local community and art studios have come together to bring you fun ways to keep kids and parents entertained during this weird and crazy time. Being stuck at home can be stressful, which is why activities like cookie decorating, finger painting and doodling can be a great way for connection and creativity. It will keep the little ones' hands busy while their minds can get…

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…

UPDATED: March 23, 2020 The Cortland County Convention and Visitors Bureau is closely monitoring the situation surrounding COVID-19, and is in regular communication with industry leaders to stay abreast of the news, protocol and to share updates. On March 16, 2020, New York State announced restrictions on commercial activity and halted non-essential business operations, in order to reduce the…

Wondering how to spend a chilly Saturday in the Finger Lakes region? We suggest a road trip to Cortland County for the annual Chill-A-Bration in downtown Cortland! The popular mid-winter attraction is just a quick 40-minute drive from Binghamton and Syracuse, and is the perfect family-friendly day trip. Here's what you need to know… The Basics The festivities begin at 12 p.m. and run until 4…

Experience Cortland, the Cortland County Convention & Visitors Bureau, is pleased to announce the release of the official 2020 Cortland County Visitors Guide. Featuring cover photos depicting a taste of the variety of activities one can experience throughout the county, the new guide encourages visitors and locals alike to Experience Cortland. The 2020 Visitors Guide is a completely revamped piece…

The Center for the Arts of Homer announced 15 live music performances for its 2020 winter/spring schedule that includes classic rock bands, rap artists, blues musicians and more. The list includes three-time GRAMMY winner Shawn Colvin, The Travelin' McCourys, Macy Gray, singer-songwriter-rap-legend Everlast, Vanessa Carlton and The Travelin' McCourys, who won the Best Bluegrass Album at the 2019…

Happy National Plan For Vacation Day, a day to encourage Americans to plan their vacation days for the whole year at the start of the year - and inspire them to use those travel days to travel the USA. Did you know that more than half of American workers (55%) failed to use all their time off last year? That's a stockpile of 768 million unused vacation days in 2018, of which 236 million were…

The Homer Winterfest is a family-friendly weekend chock full of events, kid's activities, entertainment, dining, shopping and more! It's that special time of year again! The annual Winterfest in the Village of Homer is just around the corner. Now in it's 20th year, the activity-packed weekend will feature over 30 different events and activities from Friday through Saturday, January 24-25.  In…

It's time to nominate your Cortland County favorites for the SAMMY People's Choice Award, honoring the best in local music. It's time to nominate your Cortland County favorites for the Syracuse Area Music Awards (SAMMYS) People's Choice Award, honoring the best in local music. The Center for the Arts in Homer and BRU 64 were nominated under the Local Venue category, while the Cortland Main Street…