In Cortland, activities range from paddling and hiking trails to museums and seasonal events. To plan your trip, you can first decide which experiences you want to focus on.

Glacial Valleys, Water, and Trails

Labrador Hollow Unique Area is located in a glacial valley that runs from north to south. Its valley walls rise steeply for several hundred feet, and more than 107 different bird species have been recorded in the area. Paddling is possible on Labrador Pond, and there is a hand-carry boat launch on the west shore. The scenery, birdlife, and water activities offer different ways to enjoy a day in nature.

More specific trail information is available for hikers: James Kennedy State Forest has 16 miles of Finger Lakes hiking trails. The Finger Lakes Trail offers a different scale: it is a long-distance trail of more than 560 miles, stretching from the Pennsylvania border in Allegany State Park to the Long Path in Catskill Forest Preserve. Its trails also pass through Cortland County. There, the route runs generally from Cuyler in the northeast to Harford in the southwest; numerous trailheads along the route offer convenient parking. The long-distance trail and the trails in James Kennedy State Forest are different reference points for planning.

More Outdoor Activities

At the Lime Hollow Nature Center, the Action TrackChair can be used free of charge on many trails. Check reservation requirements before your visit. Those focusing on biking can find 20 different trails at Greek Peak Bike Park. A chairlift takes riders and their bikes up the mountain; the number of trails is a useful reference point, though offerings may change.

Activities also vary within the outdoor offerings: Labrador Hollow is about paddling on the pond, while information about the Finger Lakes Trail focuses on its long route and trailheads in the county. When choosing your outings, it is worth distinguishing between water activities, hiking, and biking rather than treating all the locations as one route.

Museums and Regional History

CNY Living History Center comprises three museums with different areas of focus. Homeville Museum covers military and local history, Brockway Museum explores the history of Brockway Trucks in Cortland, and Tractors of Yesteryear Museum focuses on agricultural history. The 1890 House Museum centers on the global wire industry built by inventor Chester Wickwire, as well as the lives of the Wickwire family, their servants, and factory workers. The two sites therefore offer different perspectives on regional and industrial history.

Dowd Gallery pairs its exhibitions with educational programs such as artist talks, lectures, performances, and workshops. Rozanne Brooks Museum has a collection of almost 200 objects; about half are on display at any one time, and the presentation may change. The museum also holds an annual lecture series featuring up to five speakers on geographic regions such as Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Educational programs are offered to visiting school and after-school groups. For those interested in culture, options range from exhibitions and discussions to lectures and group programs.

Seasonal Events and Discoveries

Cortland Repertory Theatre presents performances from June through August in the Main Pavilion at Dwyer Memorial Park. The park combines boating facilities with nature trails; if you plan to attend a performance, check the event dates for your travel period. The June Dairy Parade is considered the largest parade of its kind in New York State.

As a seasonal offering, the Cortland County Ice Cream Trail leads to 14 stops throughout the county. The self-guided route invites visitors to collect stamps at the stops; participants can receive a pin after collecting all 14 stamps. The Experience Cortland GeoTour offers a different kind of discovery, with 20 geocaches in the county. Since the availability of individual caches may change, check before planning your trip. The two programs involve different activities: one centers on stamp stops, the other on finding geocaches.

Find a Hotel Based on Your Travel Interests

Then tailor your choice to the activities you actually plan to visit. For a trip that includes theater or seasonal offerings, the relevant dates can help with planning; check reservation requirements in advance for the Action TrackChair. This way, your choice of where to stay is based on your own priorities, without combining different activities into a fixed route.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Cortland, Marathon, Mcgraw, Greene, Tompkins, Ulster, St. Lawrence, Sullivan

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