Discover Cortland: Nature, Trails and Culture

A stay in Cortland can focus on different things, from landscapes and culture to seasonal events. At Labrador Hollow Unique Area, a glacial valley, birdwatching and paddling come together; museums and galleries explore history, technology and art. If you’re looking for hotels in Cortland, it helps to first decide which activities you want to shape your stay.

Nature, Hiking Trails and Water

Labrador Hollow Unique Area is located in a glacial valley that runs from north to south, with walls rising steeply several hundred feet. More than 107 different bird species have been recorded there. Paddling is possible on Labrador Pond, and there is a hand-carry boat launch on the west shore. You can take the landscape, birdwatching and an on-the-water activity into account as you plan.

The Finger Lakes Trail is a long-distance hiking trail more than 560 miles long. It runs from the Pennsylvania border in Allegany State Park to the Long Path in the Catskill Forest Preserve, and also includes trails in Cortland County. In the county, the route runs generally from Cuyler in the northeast to Harford in the southwest. Numerous trailheads along the route offer convenient parking. James Kennedy State Forest has 16 miles of Finger Lakes hiking trails—another specific distance to consider when planning your hikes.

The Action TrackChair is available to use free of charge on many trails at Lime Hollow Nature Center. Check reservation requirements before your visit. At Dwyer Memorial Park, boating facilities connect with nature trails, bringing together trails and on-the-water activities.

Museums and Cultural Topics

CNY Living History Center includes 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. 1890 House Museum explores the worldwide wire industry built by inventor Chester Wickwire, as well as the lives of the Wickwire family, their servants and factory workers.

The collection at Rozanne Brooks Museum includes nearly 200 objects, about half of which are on display at any given time; the presentation may change. Each year, the museum hosts a lecture series featuring up to five speakers on geographic regions such as Africa, Asia and the Americas. The museum also offers educational programs for visiting school and after-school groups. All exhibitions at Dowd Gallery include educational programs, such as artist talks, lectures, performances and workshops.

Seasonal Experiences and Fixed Dates

Cortland Repertory Theatre performs at the Main Pavilion in Dwyer Memorial Park from June to August. If seeing a show is important to your trip, check the performance season against your travel dates. The June Dairy Parade is considered the largest parade of its kind in New York State. Cortland County’s summer festival program includes annual arts, wine and live music events; check the dates for that year’s program.

The Cortland County Ice Cream Trail is a self-guided route with 14 stops throughout the county, available seasonally. Participants collect stamps at the stops and can receive a pin after collecting all 14. The Experience Cortland GeoTour includes 20 geocaches throughout Cortland County; availability may change. Submit the code words in the correct order to receive a free Experience Cortland GeoTour pin.

The Cascades Indoor Waterpark at Hope Lake Lodge offers a different timeframe: year-round water experiences include a wave pool, water slides, interactive play features and a heated outdoor pool. When planning your trip, it can be helpful to compare this with the seasonal theater performances or events.

Explore more destinations: Cortland, Marathon, Mcgraw, Albany, Cayuga County, Orleans County, Herkimer County, Oneida.

For the broader travel overview: New York.