I scream, You scream, we all scream for ice cream! With the start of SUNY Cortland’s fall semester, Cortland County is back to its lively self. Whether you’re a new or returning student, there’s one thing many of us have in common — a love for sweet treats! As summer transitions into fall, seasonal businesses are preparing to close, so now’s the perfect time to savor those last delicious moments.
Footie Freez offers an impressive selection of 52 soft-serve flavors, 24 hard ice cream flavors, plus flurries, milkshakes, sundaes, floats, ice cream cakes, and more! For those 21 and over, they also offer limited-edition, adult only alcohol infused ice creams, available seasonally. Their weekly specials often feature seasonal flavors, such as Pumpkin and Vanilla Twist soft ice cream, Soft Dole Watermelon (which can be twisted with vanilla yogurt), and last week’s featured item, was a Pumpkin Roll Sundae! Footie Freez is open Sunday through Saturday from 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM and is located on Tompkins Street, just a 25-minute walk from Corey Union or a quick 4-minute drive. It’s also conveniently located near Crown City Cinemas, which is open year-round (closed Mondays) and offers an $8 student deal for SUNY Cortland students with proof of attendance. It’s just a 2-minute drive or an 8-minute walk, making it the perfect stop for ice cream before or after catching a movie!
Crown City Cinemas is the only first-run movie theater in Cortland, serving nearby towns like Homer, Dryden, Cincinnatus, Truxton, Groton, Freeville, Marathon, and Moravia. It features six theaters with high-quality video and sound, and offers a variety of concessions, including popcorn, cotton candy, and Pepsi beverages. Weekly hours include showtimes from 3:30–7:00 PM on Tuesday and Wednesday, 11:30 AM–9:30 PM on Friday and Saturday, and 2:30–7:00 PM on Sunday. The theater provides affordable ticket prices in a convenient location, ensuring everyone can enjoy a movie night with family and friends. Crown City Cinemas is roughly a 20-minute walk from Corey Union or a 4-minute drive.
Be sure to check out their Instagram @CrownCityCinemas, where they frequently post exclusive movie giveaways and weekly deals! On the page you may also find weekly showings and their times, including the last chances. This week’s upcoming giveaway includes merch from the unreleased 2024 film Speak No Evil. Weekly specials can be found on Wednesdays, known as “Wumbo Wednesday.” The Wumbo Wednesday Combo includes a free popcorn with every purchase of a Wumbo Cup—refillable and perfect for slushies—available while supplies last!
New as of last spring semester, this locally owned theater has added a slushy machine. So even when Footie Freez closes for the season, you can still enjoy a refreshing slushy year-round, with fun, quirky names and a choice of three different flavors.
Unlike the cinema, Footie Freez typically closes toward the end of October, so make sure to grab your last licks of ice cream while you can! Whether you’re indulging in a cone of ice cream (while supplies last) or enjoying a bucket of popcorn (available year-round), both are great activities to enjoy with friends, on a date, or even solo.