Cortland
Around Cortland
Photo: Andre Carrotflower · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · New York · 45k people
Cortland
“Crown City”
Crown of the hills, heart of the harvest.
Cortland RedHill GreenHarvest Orange
Welcome to Cortland, where the apples are crisp and the winters are snowy. Whether you're here for the college, the countryside, or the small-town charm, you'll find a friendly community.
Clubs for Cortland
No clubs for Cortland yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Cortland. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Cortland. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Lime Hollow Nature Center Over 400 acres of trails, wetlands, and wildlife viewing.
- 1890 House Museum Victorian mansion preserved as a museum.
- SUNY Cortland Stadium Complex Home of the Red Dragons football and soccer teams.
- Dwyer Memorial Park Lakefront park with a beach and picnic areas.
- Hoxie Gorge Scenic gorge with hiking trails and waterfalls.
- Greek Peak Mountain Resort Largest ski area in central New York, with summer adventure park.
- Outdoors Hike at Lime Hollow Nature Center
- Outdoors Ski or snowboard at Greek Peak
- With kids Apple picking at local orchards
- With kids 1890 House Museum
- Evenings Downtown bars and pubs
- Evenings Trivia nights
- Locals love Apple orchards
- Locals love Dairy farms
Through the year
- Cortland Apple Festival September September celebration of the local apple harvest with cider, pies, and crafts.
- Cortland County Fair July Classic county fair with livestock, rides, and demolition derby.
- Summer Concert Series Summer Free outdoor concerts in the downtown park on summer evenings.
- First Friday Art Walk First Friday of each month Monthly gallery openings and live music in downtown Cortland.
- Homer Winterfest January Winter carnival with ice skating, sledding, and bonfires in nearby Homer.
Cortland has cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. The best time to be out is late spring through early fall. Best: Late spring to early fall is perfect for hiking and apple picking.
Getaways
- Ithaca Gorges, waterfalls, and eclectic downtown.
- Auburn Historic homes, the Owasco Lake, and the Seward House.
- Syracuse Carrier Dome, Destiny USA mall, and the Erie Canal Museum.
- Binghamton Carousel rides, the Discovery Center, and the Spiedie festival.
Local flavour
Teams
- SUNY Cortland Red Dragons NCAA Division III
Also rooting for Syracuse Orange (NCAA DI), Syracuse Mets (MiLB), Buffalo Bills (NFL)
Eat and drink
- Cortland apples The apple variety is named after the county
- Apple cider Fresh from local orchards
Where people go
- Apple orchards Pick-your-own and farm stands
- Dairy farms Historic agricultural landscape
- Small-town downtown Classic upstate New York main street
Heritage and traditions
Cortland is proud of its agricultural heritage, especially apples and dairy, and its small-town community spirit.
This time of year in Cortland
- Apple picking and foliage drives Fall Fall traditions celebrating the harvest.
Say it like a local: “Up the hill” — Referring to SUNY Cortland, which is on a hill.
Festivals
- Cortland County Maple Weekend March Local sugarhouses open for tours, tastings, and syrup sales.
- Cortland Repertory Theatre Summer Season Summer Professional theatre productions held at the historic Cortland Repertory Theatre.
Landmarks with a story
- Homer Village Historic District 19th-century architecture and the childhood home of Andrew Dickson White.
- Cortland Rural Cemetery Final resting place of local notables, including Alton B. Parker.
- Cortland County Courthouse A 1920s landmark in the city center, still in use.
Food traditions
- Salt potatoes Small boiled potatoes with butter and salt, a central New York staple at summer cookouts and fairs.
- Apple pie Made with local Cortland apples, a fall favourite at family gatherings.
- Maple syrup Produced by local sugarhouses, used on pancakes and in baking.
- Dairy products Fresh milk, cheese, and ice cream from area farms, reflecting the county's dairy heritage.
- Apple cider donuts A seasonal treat at orchards and cider mills, especially in autumn.
Music and arts
- Community theatre Cortland Repertory Theatre offers professional productions in the summer.
- Folk music Local musicians play at farmers markets and festivals, keeping traditional tunes alive.
- Visual arts The First Friday Art Walk showcases local artists in downtown galleries and shops.
A little history
- 1808 Cortland County was formed from Onondaga County.
- 1900 The village of Cortland became a city.
- Late 19th century The Cortland apple was developed and named for the county.
- 19th century Dairy farming became a mainstay of the local economy.
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day SUNY Cortland Red Dragons football games
- Outdoors Canoeing on the Tioughnioga River
- Outdoors Snowshoeing at Greek Peak
- With kids Visiting the Cortland County Historical Society
- With kids Swimming at Greek Peak's indoor waterpark
Residents speak with a mild upstate New York accent. They pronounce 'Tioughnioga' as 'tee-oh-nee-OH-ga' and 'Homer' as 'HOH-mur' (not like the poet).
Only here
- The Cortland apple was named for this county.
- The Tioughnioga River is one of the few rivers with a name from the Iroquois language.
- The Cortland Crush baseball team plays in the New York Collegiate Baseball League.
New here? A few tips
- Invest in a warm winter coat; temperatures often drop below freezing from December to February.
- A car is essential for getting around; public transit is limited.
- Try a salt potato at a local barbecue.
- Learn to say 'Tioughnioga' correctly.
- Support local farms by buying fresh produce and dairy.
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Part of Ithaca area
Nearby
Every areaIthacaNew YorkWhere gorges meet good vibes.AuburnNew YorkWhere history lives by the lakeSyracuseNew YorkA city of salt and soulNorwichNew YorkWhere the hills meet the riverBinghamtonNew YorkA carousel of charmSeneca FallsNew YorkWhere history meets the lakeSayrePennsylvaniaWhere the river bends and the ridges roll on.ElmiraNew YorkA river town wrapped in autumn hills
Cortland, NY. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.