Things to do In Cooperstown Area

Baseball Hall Art Museum Glimmerglass Baseball World Ommegang Mill & Orchard Wax Museum Barnyard Swing Secret Caverns Cave House

Cooperstown is the Upstate New York destination that appeals to all ages and interests. The scenic Catskill Mountains and Otsego Lake beckon nature–lovers with a penchant for leisurely cruises. The Glimmerglass Opera impresses patrons of the performing arts. Baseball and soccer fans meet kindred spirits at Halls of Fame dedicated to each sport. Families plunge below the earth’s surface at Howe Caverns. No matter what your interests, our friendly and knowledgeable concierge staff at Best Western Inn & Suites at the Commons can help you plan the perfect New York vacation.

National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in downtown Cooperstown celebrates America’s favorite pastime with an extensive collection of baseball artifacts, memorabilia, exhibits, and a research library. Read about the lives and careers of baseball’s greatest athletes in the Hall of Fame. Visit www.baseballhalloffame.org.

The Farmers’ Museum. Step back in time to 19th century America at The Farmers’ Museum. Interactive displays, living history exhibits, and an extensive collection of over 23,000 historic artifacts depict life as an Upstate New Yorker in early America. The Farmers’ Museum features dozens of authentic New York buildings, including a live barnyard where visitors can milk a cow. Visit www.farmersmuseum.com.  [Top]

Fenimore Art Museum. The Fenimore Art Museum houses one of the world’s largest and most detailed collections of American art, folk art, and American Indian art. The museum features permanent and changing exhibitions that include studied works of art such as historical portraits by painters Gilbert Stuart and Ralph Earl; a seven–foot long panel depicting a 1773 farmstead, considered to be the first landscape painted in the United States; and more than 800 American Indian art objects. Visit www.fenimoreartmuseum.org.

Howe Caverns. Howe Caverns is the second most visited natural landmark in New York. The enormous underground cave plummets to 156–feet below the earth’s surface. A variety of tours are offered daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The Traditional Cavern Tour includes a ¼ mile boat ride on the underground Lake of Venus. Lantern Tours and Adventure Tours are also available for thrill–seekers. Age requirements. Visit www.howecaverns.com.  [Top]

Glimmerglass Opera. Glimmerglass Opera is an internationally acclaimed opera theatre that opened its doors in 1975. Since its humble beginnings in the Cooperstown High School auditorium, Glimmerglass Opera has evolved into a world–class performing arts organization. Each season, Glimmerglass Opera presents 43 performances of four operas in the Alice Busch Opera Theatre situated on the shores of Otsego Lake. Visit www.glimmerglass.org.

Cooperstown Dreams Park. Cooperstown Dreams Park is home to the American Youth Baseball Hall of Fame. This complex of playing fields was built in 1996 with the mission of providing any 12 and Under youth baseball team in America with the experience of playing baseball in Cooperstown. Visit www.cooperstowndreamspark.com.  [Top]

Cooperstown Baseball World. Cooperstown Baseball World is the only youth tournament facility that offers week–long tournaments for 16 and Under teams. The facility is owned and operated by Eddie Einhorn, owner and vice chairman of the Major League Baseball team Chicago White Sox. Visit www.cooperstownbaseballworld.com.

National Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum. The National Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum in Oneonta pays tribute to achievements in American soccer. The 40,000 square foot facility features four premium soccer fields, Hall of Fame, and museum that houses the nation’s soccer archives comprising over 100,000 artifacts, memorabilia, and records. Visit www.soccerhall.org.  [Top]

Brewery Ommegang. Experience the authentic taste of traditionally brewed Belgian beer at Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown. Tours of the brewery are offered daily. Learn from the brewmeisters how and why time–honored brewing techniques like open fermentation and warm cellaring produce award–winning beer. Visit www.ommegang.com.

Cooperstown Brewing Company. The Cooperstown Brewing Company is famous for its premium ales, porters and stouts that are masterfully brewed in small batches for superior taste and quality. Brewery tours are offered daily and culminate with an informal tasting session. Cooperstown Brewing Company beers, with names such as Old Slugger, Benchwarmer and Slugger, pay homage to the region’s baseball legacy. Visit www.cooperstownbrewing.com.  [Top]

Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard. At the historic Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard, visitors get a first–hand look at how apple cider is made. Self–guided tours wind visitors past the pressing room where crisp, juicy apples are pressed in the sweet, delicious cider that New Yorkers have enjoyed for over 150 years. Also onsite are a winery, restaurant and bakery, and a small market that sells fresh, homemade treats. Visit www.flycreekcidermill.com.

Leatherstocking Railway Historical Society. Learn about the fascinating history of railways and their significance on Otsego County and the nation. The Leatherstocking Railway Historical Society was established to preserve the stories and legacy of railroads and the people who are passionate about them. Visit www.lrhs.com.  [Top]

Heroes of Baseball Wax Museum. See legendary baseball greats up close at the Heroes of Baseball Wax Museum on Main Street in Cooperstown. On display are over 30 life size wax figures. Also at the museum are a virtual reality batting cage and the comical Baseball Bloopers Theatre. Visit www.baseballwaxmuesum.com.

Otesaga Leatherstocking Golf Course. A round of 18 holes at the par 72 Otesaga Leatherstocking Golf Course is a must for any golfer. The scenic course on Otsego Lake was designed in 1909 by Devereux Emmett and is considered one of the most challenging resort golf courses on the East Coast. A practice facility and the Leatherstocking Golf School are renowned. Visit www.otesaga.com/LGC/.  [Top]

Barnyard Swing. Open June – Labor Day, Barnyard Swing is the top–rated family fun center in Cooperstown. An 18–hole miniature golf course offers fun and good–hearted competition for visitors young and old. Other activities include gem panning and shopping. Call (607) 547–8330.

Hyde Hall. Historians, architecture experts and critics consider Hyde Hall to be the finest neoclassic country mansion in the United States. Overlooking Otsego Lake, Hyde Hall was built nearly 200 years ago by English ex–pat George Clarke. The house features nearly 50 rooms, many of which are being restored. Tours of Hyde Hall are led by knowledgeable guides. Visit www.hydehall.org.  [Top]

Secret Caverns. Wind through the dark and cool chamber of Secret Caverns, admiring the impressive display of prehistoric calcite formations. Stalactites hang from the cave’s ceiling like giant icicles, while odd–shaped stalagmites grow up from the cave’s surface. Secret Caverns tours include a stop at the 100 foot underground waterfall. Visit www.secretcaverrns.com.

Iroquois Indian Museum. The Iroquois Indian Museum near Howe Caverns is a cultural center and anthropological museum that preserves the heritage of North America’s native Iroquois people. The museum’s collections include historic artifacts and contemporary art representing fine arts, crafts, photography, and multi–media. Lectures, storytelling, and ceremonial dances are performed throughout the summer. Visit www.iroquoismuseum.org.  [Top]

Cave House Museum. The Cave House Museum traces the roots of mining and geology in Upstate New York through interactive natural exhibits and walking tours through the onsite limestone quarry and two caves, Howes and Barytes. Visit www.cavehousemuseum.org.

Northeast Classic Car Museum. Stroll among 125 of the finest classic cars on display in the United States. The Northeast Classic Car Museum in Norwich, New York contains the world’s largest collection of Franklin luxury cars. Other mint–condition vehicles of rare and exquisite vintage include Duesenbergs, Auburns, Packards, Cords, and Pierce–Arrow. Visit www.classiccarmuseum.org.  [Top]