TRA VEL GUIDE

Transcription

TRA VEL GUIDE
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Baseball’s Home. Your Escape.
Council Rock, Cooperstown
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“
Nothing I had read about this famed village
prepared me for such a Shangri-La.”
Chris Erskine, Los Angeles Times
Covered bridge at Glimmerglass State Park

Step into a world of wonder in Cooperstown/Otsego County - a timeless destination
nestled among the glimmering shores of Otsego Lake. You’ll discover an abundance of
historical ties to art and culture, agriculture and, of course, baseball.
Here, past and present come together. Generations of families return time after time to
pass down magical traditions and experiences only found here. Explore hands-on history,
view one the country’s largest collections of American Indian art, and adventure outside
to enjoy the beauty of Otsego County.
“
There’s a ‘Brigadoon’ quality to this. Imagine what would happen if you dropped a mobile electronic device into this serene scene.
It might have the effect of a cultural and social nuclear device.”
Welcome to Cooperstown/Otsego County –
a multi-season, multi-reason destination.
Gary Tischler, The Georgetowner
I’ve been fortunate to promote tourism for the Cooperstown/Otsego County area for almost two decades.
I still find it exhilarating albeit a bit curious that such a small county in upstate New York has such beauty,
charm, authenticity and diversity of attractions, events, and recreational opportunities. Be prepared to fall
in love with Otsego County!
DEB TAYLOR, Tourism Director
Cooperstown/Otsego County Tourism Program
Lakefront Park
Summer concert at Lakefront Park
Kingfisher Tower on Otsego Lake
Plan your trip to Otsego County at ThisIsCooperstown.com
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Next to bonding over your

love of baseball with younger
generations, Otsego County’s
offerings for family fun span far
and wide. In the summer, explore
miles of hiking trails, swim in the
pristine lakes, race go karts, or
play mini golf. Pick apples or visit
a pumpkin patch in the fall, and in
the winter, enjoy age-old holiday
traditions. Try these family-
BATTER UP: a fan’s dream come true
friendly attractions for a trip
guaranteed to satisfy all ages.
The Farmers’ Museum
Everybody knows ‘Cooperstown’ is
synonymous with ‘baseball.’ Tens of
thousands of fans make their way to
“The Main Street Mecca” each year to
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National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum
3 hours
One common thread in every baseball fan’s trip to Cooperstown? The hallowed halls of
the Hall of Fame, the definitive repository of baseball’s treasures and an immortal shrine
for the game’s greatest players.
“
revel in America’s favorite pastime –
but every baseball fan’s trip here is
It was Baseball Woodstock – a bunch of passionate people sitting in a field
in the middle of nowhere to celebrate, in this case, their love of the game.”
unique. Hit a home run with these
suggested baseball highlights.
FAMILY FUN: memories that bind
“
• Start with a 12-ounce glass
• Add two scoops of French vanilla
ice cream
(Fly Creek Cider Mill) was my nine-year old’s favorite stop and she loved feeding the gaggle
of geese, chickens and ducks running around the mill yard, sampling homemade fudge
and enjoying a bottle of fresh, cold apple cider.”
• Fill with equal parts of FCCM
Sweet Cider and Ginger Ale
Gina Vercesi, Westchester Family Magazine
Kevin Foote, The Advertiser
Heroes of the Game
Wax Museum
Doubleday Field
1 hour
A short distance from Heroes of the Game,
step onto the field considered the ‘birthplace
of baseball’ – at least within baseball lore – at
Doubleday Field. Stay longer if a game is in play.
Mosey north along Main Street to Heroes of
the Game, where a self-guided tour will reveal
your favorite baseball heroes immortalized as
life-sized wax figures, as well as family-friendly
entertainment.
DIY Recipe: Fly Creek’s
Famous Cider Float
30 minutes
Cooperstown Bat Company
Factory Tour
Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard
The Farmers’ Museum
1.5 Hours
2.5 Hours
1.5 hours with travel
Built in 1856, Fly Creek Cider Mill still presses
fresh apple cider the old-fashioned way and makes
for a great destination for foodies and families
alike. Shop the Mill Store to find a wide variety of
Mill-made comfort foods and beverages – from
dips, cheeses and fudge, to hard cider and their
famous fresh-pressed apple cider – let the kids
‘mill around’ at Tractor Land or the Mill pond to
feed the resident ducks and geese, and grab a
bite to eat at the Snack Barn & Bakery.
The Farmers’ Museum is a living history museum
with a purposeful village, including a Blacksmith
Shop, Pharmacy, and Bump Tavern, plus a working
farm (including a milking cow, should you care to
try!) Although work on the farm and in the village
was tough during the mid-1800s, folks had time
for fun – as you will see at the Country Fair and
the Empire State Carousel.
This unique baseball attraction is worth the
15-minute drive to nearby Hartwick, where you
can watch as hand-selected blocks of wood are
handcrafted into premier baseball bats. Open
Monday-Friday.
At the 2015 Hall of Fame Induction Weekend, U.S. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announced that the Navy’s newest ship in its fleet
would be commissioned as the USS Cooperstown to honor all professional baseball players who served in World War II.
“
Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley
Railroad
1.5 Hours
A ride on the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley
Railroad brings smiles to kids and the young at
heart! Hop aboard when the whistle blows and
enjoy a ride on one of the train’s vintage cars as
you snake along the banks of the Susquehanna
River. Rides take around 90 minutes.
Cooperstown is a real place, not just the Hall of Fame.” – Gary Tischler, The Georgetowner
4 Find out more about Otsego County at ThisIsCooperstown.com
Plan your trip to Otsego County at ThisIsCooperstown.com
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BIG CITY CULTURE in small town america
“
Lest you think there’s nothing to do in
Cooperstown but pay homage to America’s
favorite sport, there is also the Fenimore Art
Museum and The Farmers’ Museum. The
Glimmerglass Opera Festival sounds amazing,
even if you think you don’t like opera.”
Jo-Lynne Shane, My Life and Style
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One of the really cool things about
Otsego County is the melding of its
authenticity and natural beauty.
We expect to find stellar museums,
BEER & WINE: Belly up with your bevy
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theater and cultural amenities in
The Glimmerglass Festival
larger metropolitan areas. The
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Cooperstown area is truly unique in
James Fenimore Cooper’s “The Deerslayer” was photographed in Springfield Center near
Otsego Lake in September 1911 by the Vitagraph Company. For the first time, famous actors
and actresses were brought to Cooperstown…. The picture was shown in movie houses
all over the country. It brought publicity to Cooperstown.”
Back Thru Time in Springfield Center, by Mary Maine.
that our first-rate cultural attractions
Visitors come to this idyllic town to visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and perhaps to stay for a gin and tonic on the porch of the lakefront Otesaga
Resort. But in the past few years, the food has become its own draw. Local chefs shop at the year-round farmers’ market, and their restaurants serve
the local beer, which (happily) comes from the town’s nationally revered Ommegang Brewery.”
are in a stunning, pristine setting,
Gina Hamadey, America’s Best Little Food Towns
many lakeside, nestled in the rolling
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foothills of the northern Catskills.
“
BrewCentralNY.com
Attending Glimmerglass is like entering a dream. Each night is another performance of incredible quality and every morning
you wake on the edge of a lake glimmering in the sunshine. What’s not to like?”
Anne Kostalas, Dear England, Love Canada
Brew Central brings together the stories,
traditions and tastes behind craft beer, hard
cider and spirits in the Central New York
Vacation Region and beyond.
Cooperstown was once the epicenter of hops production in the United
States – at its peak, the region produced more than three million
pounds annually. This Golden Age of hops production, however, came
to an abrupt end when a blight hit the region in the early 20th century
and prohibition was passed. Today, local breweries such as Brewery Ommegang and
others are reviving local hops production in Cooperstown and surrounding areas.
Fenimore Art Museum
Hyde Hall
The Glimmerglass Festival
Cooperstown Beverage Trail
Brewery Ommegang
Cooperstown Farmers’ Market
1.5 Hours+
2 Hours
Performance times vary
1-2 Hours per stop
3 Hours
1 Hour
Discover America’s past through its art at the
Fenimore Art Museum with its stunning American
Indian Art Collection and American Folk Art
Collection. Exhibitions change seasonally,
keeping the museum fresh and lively.
Built in the early 1800s, Hyde Hall is a stunning
reminder of a bygone era, of English aristocracy in
a new America. Take a guided tour of the 50-room
mansion and revel in its remarkable architecture,
original furnishings and draperies, all while
enjoying its commanding view of Otsego Lake.
For more than 40 years, patrons have been thrilled
by the summer performances at the Glimmerglass
Festival. Experience its blend of world-class opera
in a relaxed, casual atmosphere amid stunning lake
views, rolling hills and rich farmland. Productions
run July through August.
Boasting four breweries, three wineries, an historic cider
mill, and a new distillery, visitors can stop by each of
the trail’s partners to tour facilities, see the production
process, and sample products. Stops along the trail include
Butternuts Beer & Ale, Rustic Ridge Winery, Fly Creek
Cider Mill & Orchard, Cooperstown Distillery, Brewery
Ommegang, Cooperstown Brewing Company, Pail Shop
Get a behind-the-scenes look into this Duvel
Open Saturdays year-round, the Cooperstown
Moortgat-owned brewery producing an awardFarmers’ Market is a not-to-be-missed stop, as a
winning lineup of Belgian-style brews. Afterward,
meeting place for locals and visitors alike, who mix
head to Café Ommegang for some an authentic
kibitzing with shopping for fresh, locally-grown
Flemish cuisine, including frites, Belgian-style
foods and beverages of every description.
waffles and a tasting flight of Ommegang’s
signature brews.
Plan your trip to Otsego County at ThisIsCooperstown.com 7
6 Learn more about Otsego County at ThisIsCooperstown.com
Vineyards and Bear Pond Winery.
Once a famed angling
tradition on Otsego Lake,
Otsego bass fishing
became just a memory when the species’
population was threatened by a combination
of agricultural and human activity and the
introduction of a non-native fish species into
the lake. In 2015, the lake’s water quality had
improved to the point where the Department
of Environmental Conservation and SUNY
Oneonta were able to reintroduce the fish –
meaning Otsego bass fishing is back!
Lake Front Park Summer Concert
Adventure outside
SUMMER
The summer months in upstate New York are exquisite - beautiful sunrises and blazing sunsets, starry nights and
perfect weather (most of the time). Not too cold, not too hot, a kind-of Camelot. With bountiful water resources
and abundant hiking, biking and paddling opportunities, you’ll always find something to do. There’s nothing like
spending a sunny summer day splashing around in a lake, or enjoying a picnic in one of the many public parks
scattered throughout the county, from lakeside to scenic overlooks.
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WINTER
Snow Tubing
at Glimmerglass State Park
Home to a myriad of outdoor recreation options
in the warmer months, in January and February,
enjoy Glimmerglass State Park’s biggest draw with
some good old-fashioned snow tubing, just $5 per
person for the day.
Council Rock Park, Cooperstown
Great fishing in Otsego County
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Paddle boarding on the Susquehanna
Snowshoeing &
Cross Country Skiing
The place is as lush as your lettuce bin and rests on the lower lip of a Dodger-blue lake graced with kayaks and canoes. Take
away its vaunted National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, and you would still have an uncommonly alluring destination.”
When winter transforms the area’s hiking and
walking trails into a winter wonderland, break out
the skinny skis to enjoy Otsego County’s beautiful
snow-covered landscape on a bluebird winter day.
Chris Erskine, Los Angeles Times
Hike Otsego County’s Parks
Hit the trails and take in the beauty of Otsego
County by foot in one of five state parks, five
state forests, and a variety of other preserves and
walking trails, each with their own breathtaking
views of the region’s rolling landscapes.
Boating on Otsego, Canadarago,
& Goodyear Lakes
Get a different perspective of the area from the
water! Rent your own motorboat, paddle boat or
kayak, learn how to maneuver a stand-up paddle
board, join a narrated cruise or take a charter
out to fish the plentiful cold water fisheries of
Otsego and Canadarago lakes.
8 Learn more about Otsego County at ThisIsCooperstown.com
Paddle the Susquehanna
Snowmobiling
Cooperstown is headwaters of the mighty
Susquehanna River. Sportsmen will revel in
discovering the river’s nooks and crannies
as it meanders south.
Otsego County is a snowmobiler’s paradise with
more than 300 miles of marked and well-groomed
trails. Hop on your sled and enjoy a day of zooming
across rolling landscapes and frozen lakes.
Sugaring Off at The Farmers’ Museum is a family-fun event celebrating our rich maple history,
each Sunday in March.
Plan your trip to Otsego County at ThisIsCooperstown.com 9
Richfield
Springs
Milford
Gilbertsville
Cherry Valley
Cooperstown
Worcester
Oneonta
Photo: Gerry Raymondo
Our countryside is filled with hidden gems,
waiting to be discovered. The church
steeples of many little hamlets dot our
rural landscape, each with its own story.
CHERRY VALLEY was once the Gateway to
Oneonta from Hartwick College
Fenimore Art Museum, The Farmers’ Museum, and
the Glimmerglass Festival. Explore the Cooperstown
Beverage Trail and more art lovers’ havens like the
Cooperstown Summer Music Festival, Cooperstown
Art Association and Smithy Center for the Arts.
GILBERTSVILLE’S unique Tudor downtown
bespeaks its English heritage. The entire village,
located in the Butternut Valley, is on the National
Register of Historic Sites. The Major’s Inn is located in
the heart of the charming village.
and evening entertainment. The “hustle and bustle”
of the Southside area offers a variety of shopping and
dining experiences, in addition to art havens like the
Foothills Performing Arts Center, Main View Gallery,
Community Arts Network of Oneonta at the Wilber
Mansion, Oneonta Theater, along with several other
performing arts organizations.
RICHFIELD SPRINGS once hosted the elite
RICHLY STORIED: Charming Otsego County
the American Frontier. Its history includes notable
events like the Cherry Valley Massacre and notable
characters like Beatnik poet Allen Ginsberg. Today,
Cherry Valley is home to shops and restaurants, some
featured in Food & Wine Magazine, as well as Cherry
Valley Artworks, which offers a Sculpture Trail and
presents events at the Star Theater.
Otsego County is filled with a variety of charming towns and historic villages each well worth the visit. Discover some
COOPERSTOWN is a national treasure on
MILFORD is located half-way between
Cooperstown and Oneonta. Although a cross-road
village, it is home to the Cooperstown & Charlotte
Valley Railroad, a fine art gallery and historic Sayre
House.
of the county’s hidden gems like Richfield’s sulphur springs, Cherry Valley’s unique art scene, Gilbertsville’s Tudor
the southern shore of Otsego Lake. With only one
stop light and 1,800 year-round residents, the
village is home to iconic collections of American
history, culture, and art, from iconic attractions
like the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum,
ONEONTA is a small college town about 30
minutes south of Cooperstown. “Bohemian, funky,
renaissance” are words that describe its historic
downtown, a nostalgic setting for dining, shopping,
A walk down WORCESTER’S Main Street is
like taking a step back in time. Located conveniently
off I-88, this small village is located mid-way between
Oneonta and Cobleskill. The Worcester area is a
sportsman’s paradise: The nearby Schenevus Creek
is a NYS designated trout fishery; hiking, hunting and
snowmobile trails are abundant.
Unique dining options throughout Otsego County
Foothills Performing Arts Center, Oneonta
Biking on country roads
architecture, and Oneonta’s thriving college town vibe.
at grand hotels because of its prolific sulpher springs.
The hotels are gone, the springs dried up, but the
village’s location on Route 20, a NYS Scenic Byway
keep it buzzing. Canadarago Lake is one of New York’s
top fisheries, with a large DEC boat launch.

Getting here
Slow down and enjoy the fantastic scenery on the winding roads to the
Cooperstown/Otsego County area. We’re an hour or two from two
international airports, Albany and Syracuse, respectively. The Greater
Binghamton Airport is about two hours from Cooperstown. There is taxi
service to and from the airports.
Train service from Penn Station, NYC, to Rensselaer Station, Albany, is
available on Amtrak. Enterprise Car Rental has cars at the station to pick up/
leave on departure.
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Learn more about Otsego County at ThisIsCooperstown.com
Because Cooperstown is a small village—one stop light—it’s highly
recommended that visitors take advantage of free peripheral parking and
the trolley system ($2 per person) during the summer months. Look for the
parking lot signs as you approach the village. Trolley maps are available at the
Cooperstown Chamber on 31 Chestnut Street, and at the Information Kiosk at
Main and Pioneer streets. Stops include Fenimore Art Museum, The Farmers’
Museum and the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum.
For in-depth maps and more information, visit
ThisIsCooperstown.com.
Plan your trip to Otsego County at ThisIsCooperstown.com 11
COME STAY:
we are ready for you
Meadow-Vale Campsites
Hampton Inn
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Whether you’re visiting for one night or a week,
Otsego County has a wide variety of lodging
Inn at Cooperstown
Bayside Inn and Marina
options for couples and families. Check out these
MORE FAMILY LODGING PARTNERS
area accommodations that promise a restful
night’s sleep so you wake up feeling refreshed
Bayside Inn and Marina
Hickory Grove Motor Inn
Landmark Inn
and ready to play!
7090 State Highway 80, Cooperstown
(866) 547-2371
www.baysidecooperstown.com
6854 State Highway 80, Cooperstown
(607) 547-9874
www.hickorygrovemotorinn.com
64 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown
(607) 547-7225
www.landmarkinncooperstown.com
Best Western Plus
Holiday Inn Oneonta
50 Commons Drive, Cooperstown
(607) 547-7100
www.bwcooperstown.com
5206 State Highway 23, Oneonta
(607) 433-2250
www.hioneonta.com
Hampton Inn
Inn at Cooperstown
225 River Street, Oneonta
(607) 433-9000
www.oneonta.hamptoninn.com
16 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown
(607) 547-5756
www.innatcooperstown.com
Holiday Inn Oneonta
Landmark Inn
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15 Chestnut Street
Cooperstown
(800) 348-6222
www.cooperinn.com
Meadow-Vale Campsites
505 Gilbert Lake Road, Mount Vision
(800) 701-8802
www.meadow-vale.com
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 Cooper Inn
CAMPGROUNDS
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 Cooperstown Luxury
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(908) 304-4666
www.cooperstownluxury.com
 Lake ‘N Pines Motel
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7102 State Highway 80
Cooperstown
(800) 615-5253
www.lakenpinesmotel.com
 Otesaga Resort Hotel
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60 Lake Street
Cooperstown
(800) 348-6222
www.otesaga.com
For more information about these and other lodging options, please visit ThisIsCooperstown.com.
12 Learn more about Otsego County at ThisIsCooperstown.com
Plan your trip to Otsego County at ThisIsCooperstown.com 13
the main
attractions
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“
(The Hall of Fame is) an impressive place, a kind of church that’s full of reverence,
references and irreverence. It’s a place where the playing of ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame’
can suddenly bring you close to tears.”
Gary Tischler, The Georgetowner
Brewery Ommegang
656 County Highway 33
Cooperstown
(607) 544-1800
www.ommegang.com
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Fenimore Art Museum
5798 State Highway 80
Cooperstown
(888) 547-1450
www.fenimoreartmuseum.org
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Fly Creek Cider Mill
288 Goose Street
Fly Creek
(800) 505-6455
www.flycreekcidermill.com
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National Baseball
Hall of Fame & Museum
25 Main Street
Cooperstown
(888) 425-5633
www.baseballhall.org
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ADDITIONAL ATTRACTIONS
Canoe & Kayak Rentals
Heroes of Baseball Wax Museum
2828 State Highway 28, Portlandville
(607) 286-7349
www.canoeandkayakrentals.com
99 Main Street, Cooperstown
(607) 547-1273
www.baseballwaxmuseum.com
Cooperstown Bat Company
Hyde Hall
118 Main Street, Cooperstown
(888) 547-2415
www.cooperstownbat.com
267 Glimmerglass State Park Road, Cooperstown
(607) 547-5098
www.hydehall.org
The Farmers’ Museum
5775 State Highway 80
Cooperstown
(888) 547-1450
www.farmersmuseum.org
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The Glimmerglass Festival
7300 State Highway 80
Cooperstown
(607) 547-0700
www.glimmerglass.org
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MUST DO: top attractions not to be missed
The bucket list items: these are the tried and true experiences in Otsego County that one would be remiss not to experience during a visit.
There are the standard ‘musts’ like the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum, but trust us on this one... Cooperstown is so much
Cooperstown Farmers’ Market
101 Main Street, Cooperstown
(607) 547-6195
www.otsego2000.org
Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley
Railroad
136 East Main Street, Milford
(607) 432-2429
www.lrhs.com
more than just baseball. Do yourself – and your bucket list – a favor, and explore these attractions during a visit.
14 Learn more about Otsego County at ThisIsCooperstown.com
Plan your trip to Otsego County at ThisIsCooperstown.com 15
Presorted Standard
US Postage
Cooperstown/Otsego County Tourism
20 Chestnut Street
Cooperstown, NY 13326
PAID #422
Oneonta, NY 13820
ThisIsCooperstown.com
Fly Creek Cider Mill and Orchard
The Inn at Cooperstown
Cooperstown Charlotte Valley Railroad