For information about amenities, activities and events specific to Cortland County, please go to Cortland County Overview.
Additional information is available through the Cortland County Chamber of Commerce's web site at http://www.cortlandchamber.com.
Or learn about the City of Cortland's vibrant downtown through its web site at http://www.cortland.org.
The planned Tioughnioga River Trail will provide hiking, biking, fishing, boating, and other recreation along this scenic river.
For the most current information on special events, community activities, or accommodations call the Cortland County Convention and Visitors Bureau at:
1-800-859-2227
or visit the Cortland Area Innkeepers Association site at http://www.usagetaways.com/newyork/cortland.
For information about the region, call 1-800-CALL-NYS tourism information service or the Finger Lakes Association
at 1-800-KIT4FUN, or visit its web site: http://www.fingerlakes.org.
Welcome to Cortland... A Place of History and Charm
Midway between Syracuse and Binghamton, situated on a glaciated plateau at the intersection of seven valleys, Cortland is one of the most scenic small cities in New York State. Cortland is also the southeast gateway to the beautiful Finger Lakes Region, with nearby wineries, farm markets and world class educational institutions.
The City of Cortland is a place of great charm and local history. Its rich heritage traces back to 1500 AD when it was American Indian hunting grounds, used primarily the Iroquois who named Cortland’s lovely Tioughnioga River "Bank of Flowers." Indians hunted in the great hardwood forests until the American Revolution when early pioneers arrived, paddling up the Tioughnioga River, which is the headwaters of the Susquehanna and Chesapeake Bay. A small road constructed in the late 1700s through Cortland to Cayuga Lake brought New Yorkers and New Englanders who welcomed the opening of this new frontier. By the early 1800s, Cortland County was formed, named in honor of General Pierre VanCortlandt, first lieutenant governor of the state.
The region was soon transformed into rich farmland, supporting mixed crops such as wheat, corn and potatoes. Early farmers floated their products along the Tioughnioga River, which was the primary mode of transportation, from Port Watson, a bustling center of commerce within the City. From Cortland, the Tioughnioga River flows 400 miles south to the port of Havre de Grace, Maryland, the mouth of the Chesapeake, and it was not an uncommon sight in the early to mid 1800s to see "arks" loaded with local products floating down river to Baltimore.
With the opening of the Erie Canal and the construction of the railroad in the mid 1800s, local dairy farmers began shipping milk, butter and cheese to eastern markets. Cortland’s historic rail station, which just celebrated its centennial, was the hub of this activity. The station is just a few blocks from the downtown central business district, and still serves as an important feature of the line now operated by the New York, Western and Susquehanna Railway.
By the late 1800s and early 1900s, Cortland was a city of varied industries. That era of enterprise, prosperity, civic pride and public spirit is still evident in the mansions that line Tompkins Street, and the beautiful Victorian era central business district. In the early 1920s, one of Cortland’s most famous landmarks, the domed Courthouse was built. Its statue of Justice towers 160 feet above the manicured park lawn with its stately old elms. Lighted at night and visible for miles, the building is more impressive than many State capitols
Today, Cortland’s thriving downtown business district has retained its Victorian heritage and is home to charming shops and restaurants. In addition, world renowned companies like Cortland Line make their home here, along with small entrepreneurial companies. The community has secured $1 million in funding to develop a Tioughnioga River Trail that will blend heritage tourism with unique recreational resources such as blue-ribbon fly fishing along the shores of this classic American Waterway... hearkening back to the era when Cortland’s first inhabitants fished its swiftly flowing cold water streams fed by the gently sloping, scenic seven valleys.
Finger Lakes Region
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The natural beauty of the Finger Lakes region includes sweeping scenic hillside vistas and grape vines -- along with breathtaking cold water gorges that plunge into dramatic waterfalls and dramatic glacial lakes. The scenery of the countryside complements cities housing state-of-the art museums of science, history and art such as the Sciencenter in Ithaca and the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology in Syracuse. The Finger Lakes Association is one of the oldest regional tourism promotion organizations in America, encompassing a region with 11 pristine lakes, more than a thousand waterfalls and 25 State Parks. The picturesque waterways of the Finger Lakes also include three sections of the New York State Canal system, providing access to the world's waterways. The region is known for its scenic, historic and cultural richness.
The Finger Lakes region is America's largest wine producing area outside of California, with more than 60 wineries clustered around four main lakes, producing some of the country's best estate wines. Eleven glacial lakes, some more than 600 feet deep and 30 miles long, provide the vineyards with protection from the weather. Many nationally recognized wineries are situated on stunning hillside bluffs overlooking the lakes, and also feature award winning dining at bistros, cafes and fine restaurants. The Finger Lakes Wine Trail attracts visitors from around the world to enjoy premium wines and magnificent views at the oldest wine producing region in the East.
Outdoor activities in the Finger Lakes include hiking, biking, wind surfing, fishing and auto racing. Cottages dot the shores of the lakes, inviting visitors to stay and linger. Farm markets, pick your own farm homesteads, cider mills, and maple outlets offer up seasonal bounty. The Finger Lakes are filled with quality antique stores, elegant bed and breakfasts, country inns and rare, new and used bookshops for connoisseurs of fine living.
Nearby Ithaca, just south of Cortland, is noted for its geologic beauty with a renowned hiking trail system connecting state land areas and passing through gorges, waterfalls, craggy groves, cascades and rapids formed over 15,000 years ago by the receding waters of the Ice Age. The City of Ithaca is a diverse cosmopolitan community, influenced by Cornell University's presence and noted for restaurants offering ethnic cuisine from around the world. The award winning downtown "Commons" is a a vibrant pedestrian marketplace with an international flair where one can browse among boutiques, art galleries and specialty shops, or take in the many street festivals and outdoor concerts -- or just the funky community scene -- at a sidewalk cafe. Ithaca is also noted for its own micro-brewery, Ithaca Beer Company, Inc. The City is a cultural Mecca, with its own chamber orchestra, vocal ensemble, center for the theater arts, ballet, opera association and baroque orchestra. In addition, Cornell University lecture series, featuring luminaries from Nobel laureates to Pulitzer Prize winners and the CEO's of Fortune 50 companies, are open to the public. Both Cornell University and Ithaca College have active theater, film and dance series which are also available to the community. Summer outdoor concerts are held at Taughannock Falls, Downtown Ithaca Commons and at the Arts Quad on the Cornell campus. There is an active nightlife in Ithaca with more than 25 clubs that range from casual jazz and string quartets to eclectic ethnic mixes and new age fusion with performers from around the country and around the world.
Neighboring Tompkins County has over 102 miles of trout streams and 28 miles of warm water streams. Water activities center around Cayuga Lake, just over 40 miles long and judged by Sports Afield as one of the top ten bass lakes in the country. There are numerous boat launches available, as well as many public access points to the lakes and streams through an exceptional park and greenway system.
Central New York Region
Just a few miles to the north of Cortland, Syracuse and Onondaga County offer a different perspective with annual events such as Winterfest, the Central New York Flower and Garden Show, Hot Air Balloon Festival, Rose Festival, Thunder on Onondaga Grand Prix America Racing Tour, Syracuse Jazz Fest, Taste of Syracuse, Nation Grid July 4th Spectacular at the Empire Expo Center, Great American Antiquefest, New York State Rhythm and Blues Festival, Pops in the Park Series, Central New York Scottish Games and Celtic Festival, Skaneateles Festival and Skaneateles Antique and Classic Boat Show, Great New York State Fair, Golden Harvest Festival, Lights on the Lake, Dickens Christmas, and First Night in downtown Syracuse.
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Syracuse features one of the largest tourism attractions in New York State -- the Empire Expo Center/NYS Fairgrounds which hosts year round expositions and major national events. Syracuse University offers a rich tapestry of events, exhibits, concerts and orchestral performances, as well as NCAA Division I football, basketball and lacrosse intercollegiate athletic events at the 50,000 seat multipurpose Carrier Dome -- the only major domed stadium on a college campus and the largest facility of its kind in the northeast. The Syracuse Skychiefs, the AAA affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, play at the magnificent P&C Stadium, while the Syracuse Crunch, the AHL affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks, serve up fast-paced professional hockey at the Oncenter civic center complex. In nearby Auburn, the Doubledays are the farm team for the Houston Astros.
The region is connected to the 500-mile New York State Canal System, and this rich heritage is marked by canal museums, boat landings and canal parks. Multi-day cruises on the canal system through locks and under bridges, past farms and quaint villages, depart from June through October. The Erie Canal opened in Syracuse in 1825, and many of the handsome buildings that graced its shores as it once wove its way downtown still stand in places like Hanover Square and Clinton Square. Syracuse is at work on a major redevelopment plan for its Inner Harbor, an inlet on the southeast corner of Onondaga Lake which can be reached via a canal feeder. At the Inner Harbor, a $76 million project is already underway, including a marina and charter boat operations, restaurants and retail shops, as well as a promenade and public parking. A pedestrian walkway will lead from the lakefront through Franklin Square to downtown and future plans include an aquarium and entertainment center to be located on the water's edge.
Syracuse is considered the region's center of cultural activity with the 3,000 seat Landmark Theatre, Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, Salt City Center for the Performing Arts, John H. Mulroy Civic Center Theaters at Oncenter, Syracuse Stage and Syracuse Opera. The Bristol Omnitheater IMAX at the Museum of Science and Technology is New York State's only IMAX dome theater.
Regional highlights that make good day outings include:
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