A day out of the Orange

Cortland

The city of Cortland is only a 30 minute drive headed south from Syracuse - perfect for a day trip for shopping along Main Street, a night out in a new town, or even a high-class getaway at the Greek Peak Mountain Resort. SUNY Cortland and Tompkins-Cortland Community College make for a lively college town Syracuse students can easily take full advantage of.

Distance: 30 miles

Driving: 40 minute trip south on I-81

Population: 18,740

Schools: SUNY Cortland, TC3

Skaneateles

If you’re getting sick of the traffic and smog of Syracuse, or you just want to look at a clean lake for a change, it may be time to escape to small-town Skaneateles. It’s a scenic 30-minute trip southwest from ‘Cuse to a relaxing getaway. Eat at a historic down-home diner, drink vino on a gorgeous lake, or chow down on some famous fish.

Distance: 23 miles

Driving: 30 minute trip southwest

Population: 2,700

Main Attraction: Skaneateles Lake

Oswego

OK, so Oswego, NY is even colder, windier, and snowier than Syracuse in the wintertime -- but it’s still worth a trip to experience what it has to offer. It’s a small college town nestled next to Lake Ontario with a hopping maritime district of bars and restaurants. Sip tea with some SUNY-Oswego students, conquer the downtown of this notorious party school, have a glass of wine with the Canale brothers of Canale's Restaraunt, or visit the waterfront to view some awesome WWII tugboats and learn some history.

Distance: 33 miles

Driving: 53 minute trip northwest

Population: 18,000

Schools: SUNY Oswego