A Few Places Worth Haunting
Every place has its local haunts. These are a few of ours.
Follow a Curiosity long enough and you’re bound to get hungry, find something strange you need to take home or decide it’s probably best not to drive home after dark. From history-inspired treats and curious shops to historic places where you can spend the night, consider these a few worthwhile detours along the way.
Curiosity Lives Here
Cortland County Visitors Center
Come find our tribute to rock legend Dio in our Cortland-centric I-spy mural!
Curiosity Trail: Ronnie James Dio on One-Off Oddities
42 Main Street
Cortland, NY 13045
Grace’s Commute Mural
“The Commute” is a signal box created by local artist Crystal Lyon. It is located on what was Grace Brown’s daily commute to the Gillette Skirt Factory at the intersection of Wheeler and Homer Ave in Cortland.
Curiosity Trail: The Misfortune of Grace Brown
Wheeler Avenue & Homer Avenue
Cortland, NY 13045
Magpie Custom Creations
Whether you join a workshop to make your own Vintage Apron, or simply shop the gorgeous selection of premade items, Magpie’s is the place to satisfy your inner Betty Crocker.
Curiosity Trail: Betty Crocker on Wild Women of Cortland County
Cortland Corset Building, 75 East Court Street
Cortland, NY 13045
Curious Happenings
Dio Day
The official hometown tribute concert to honor Ronnie James Dio.
Curiosity Trail: Ronnie James Dio on One-Off Oddities
Cortland Country Music Park, 1989 State NY-13
Cortland, NY 13045
FASNY Winter Games
Each year, dozens of departments and hundreds of volunteer firefighters from across the State come together for a little competition and camaraderie during the FASNY Winter Games. Visit www.fasny.com for dates.
Curiosity Trail: The Firecracker Trail
Greek Peak Mountain Resort, New York 392, Cortland, NY, USA
Cortland, NY 13045
National Brockway Truck Show
In August, the Village of Homer will be filled with Huskies, but not the kind attached to a sled. Truck buffs, regional history enthusiasts, and festival-goers come in hoards for the Annual Brockway Truck Show for the sights and sounds of the Brockway Motor Truck Co. legacy.
Curiosity Trail: The 1925 Brockway Firetruck on The Firecracker Trail
Village of Homer
Homer, NY
Eat & Drink
Cortland Beer Company
Crack open the crisp and refreshing Fire House Pale Ale, brewed in honor of some of Cortland’s bravest men and women!
Curiosity Trail: Cortland Fire Station on the Firecracker Trail
16 Court Street
Cortland, NY 13045
Dragonfyre Distillery
Swing on by the distillery and indulge in Mr. Seeber’s signature drink, the Sweet Feed. It was so good, it was his last.
Curiosity Trail: Seeber Murder Mystery on Boneyards & Burial Grounds
1062 Leonard Rd
Marathon, NY 13803
Frosty Caboose
Ask for the Very Sperry Flurry, a secret menu flurry made with cheesecake soft serve mixed with Twix bar chunks and tastes like childhood memories.
Curiosity Trail: The Electrifying Tale of Elmer. A Sperry on Men of Mystery
107 Homer Ave, Cortland, NY
Cortland, NY 13045
Gridley Hollow Honey
Although they may have not discovered any honey in the tree, there is no reason you should go home empty handed. Bring home a jar of Gridley Hollow honey for your own sweet ending.
Curiosity Trail: Hannah’s Stump on Wild Women of Cortland County
1819 Tone Street
Cortland, NY 13045
New York Bagel Cafe & Deli
Quench your thirst with the Red Dragon, an iced coffee shaken with vanilla and Hershey’s chocolate, topped with whipped cream and chocolate drizzle.
Curiosity Trail: The Cortland Normal School on the Firecracker Trail
33 Main St
Cortland, NY 13045
Sinfully Sweet Café
Step right up and grab a bag of roasted peanuts or flavors of cotton candy during your circus-inspired trip around the county.
Curiosity Trail: The Sig Sautelle Spectacle
17 South Main Street
Cortland, NY 13077
So Good Ice Cream
Ask for the secret menu item, The David Harum, a signature sundae named after the main character in the novel David Harum by E. N. Westcott. Enjoy David’s signature treat, a vanilla ice cream sundae topped with strawberries, pineapples, and whipped cream.
Curiosity Trail: The Harum Hoax
13 S West St
Homer, NY 13077
The Glen Haven
The Croque Gilletter masterpiece takes punny to a whole new level! It is a classic Croque Monsieur sandwich, a grilled ham and cheese, with a FRIED egg (because of the electrocution), DROWNED in cheese sauce.
Curiosity Trail: The Misfortune of Grace Brown
7434 Fair Haven Road
Homer, NY 13077
The Rock Sports Bar & Grill
The Dragon Burger will set your taste buds on fire! Two smash patties smothered in melted mozzarella and jalapeños and topped with their house-made spicy blue cheese dressing.
Curiosity Trail: The Cortland Normal School on the Firecracker Trail
7 Tompkins Street
Cortland, NY 13045
Shop the Strange
Bernard’s Custom Logo
Commemorate your adventure with dragon themed memorabilia. After all, Blaze the dragon only became their mascot after the originall school burned to the ground.
Curiosity Trail: The Cortland Normal School on the Firecracker Trail
31 Main Street
Cortland, NY 13045
Bev & Co
History is always in fashion at Bev & Co. Shop local historian, Martin Sweeney’s newest novels, where local history comes to life!
1 South Main Street
Homer, NY 13077
Cortland County Historical Society
Learn more about you favorite curiosities, or discover new stories in Cortland County’s history at the Cortland County Historical Society’s book store!
25 Homer Ave
Cortland, NY 13045
Crown City Curiosities
Crown City Curiosities is bursting with vintage fashion. Take a step back in time by stepping into some vintage shoes, dresses, outfits and hats!
75 East Court Street, Cortland, NY, USA
Cortland, NY 13045
Stay the Night
The Glen Haven Inn
Before Grace Brown and Chester Gillette made their fateful trip across the lake, they spent the night at The Glen Haven. More than a century later, the historic inn is still welcoming guests, and has collected a few ghost stories of its own along the way.
Follow Grace Brown’s Story →
Visit The Glen Haven →
Looking for Somewhere Else to Stay?
Haunted history not required. Find hotels, inns, vacation rentals and more places to stay while you explore Cortland County.