Tully: Nature, Local History, and Song Mountain

Song Mountain’s location is important to its winter appeal: the mountain is in the Town of Preble, southwest of the Village of Tully. Song Mountain has 24 trails and five lifts across 250 snow-covered acres; night skiing is available on some trails. Conditions and operations may vary by season, so check current operating conditions before your trip.

Nature Trails and Local Orientation

South Meadows Nature Area is on Grove Street in Tully and consists of higher ground, wetlands, and forest. The area has a network of trails with boardwalks. The trails are rated easy, but include some inclines. Both details matter: the rating does not mean the trails are flat. If you’re planning a walk, take the inclines into account and check current trail conditions before your visit.

The Tully Area Historical Society Museum is at 24 State Street in Tully, New York. Its address places the museum in the town and adds a distinct local-history point of interest to the nature trails.

Railroad and Local History

The Tully Train Depot was built in 1905 and served passenger and freight traffic until railroad operations ceased in 1965. Its history therefore includes both passenger travel and freight transport. The Town of Tully received a grant to acquire and preserve the depot. After the initial renovations, the Tully Area Historical Society held its “Christmas @ the Station” festival there each year, on the weekend after Thanksgiving, for the next three years.

The depot is available for rental. If you’re planning to rent it, coordinate the specific arrangements with the Historical Society in advance. This helps distinguish rentals as a separate use from the building’s railroad and event history.

Observatory and Activities

The Syracuse Astronomical Society’s Darling Hill Observatory is in the hamlet of Vesper in Tully. Volunteers there operate a nine-foot-long telescope that can be used to observe planets, the Moon, galaxies, and star clusters. For more than 40 years, the observatory held star parties for thousands of children, young people, and adults on clear summer nights. Clear summer nights were an explicitly stated condition for the events.

A local newsletter in 2021 described the Tully Dairy Moo Run as a 5K race held annually around Crooked Lake. If the race matters to your trip, check the event dates in advance. Heuga’s Alpine Restaurant and Bar is in Tully at the foot of Song Mountain, providing another specific local landmark.

For the broader travel overview: Onondaga.