About Cooperstown & Otsego County, New York
Cooperstown, New York — nicknamed America's Hometown — is one of the most storied small towns in the United States. Home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum, the village draws hundreds of thousands of baseball fans and history lovers each year. But Cooperstown is far more than a baseball town. Nestled in the rolling hills of Otsego County in Central New York, the region offers world-class museums, pristine lakefront recreation, acclaimed performing arts, outstanding craft beverages, and genuine small-town character that's increasingly rare in modern America.
The National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum
The Hall of Fame is the heart and soul of Cooperstown. Located at 25 Main Street in the center of the village, the museum spans three floors of immersive baseball history, from Babe Ruth's bat to the cleats of the game's most recent inductees. The Plaque Gallery — a solemn, cathedral-like room honoring more than 340 all-time greats — is a pilgrimage site for baseball fans of every generation. The museum is open daily, year-round, 9am to 5pm, with extended hours during the summer season. Hall of Fame Induction Weekend 2026 runs July 24-27, with the Class of 2026 — Carlos Beltrán, Andruw Jones, and Jeff Kent — being inducted on Sunday, July 26 at 1:30 p.m. at the Clark Sports Center.
Cooperstown Dreams Park & Cooperstown All Star Village — Official Tourism Guide
Each summer, thousands of youth baseball and softball teams travel to Cooperstown, NY to compete at Cooperstown Dreams Park and Cooperstown All Star Village — two of the premier youth tournament destinations in the United States. For the families and players who make the trip, This Is Cooperstown is the official source for planning everything beyond the ballfield. Between games and after tournaments, Cooperstown and Otsego County offer an unbeatable lineup of family activities: the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum (a must-visit for every team making the pilgrimage), swimming at Glimmerglass State Park beach on Otsego Lake, Barnyard Swing Mini Golf, Jerry's Place arcade, Fly Creek Cider Mill, the Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad, and dozens of restaurants and shops on historic Main Street. Whether you're planning your team's schedule around tournament days or looking for ways to extend the trip into a full family vacation, thisiscooperstown.com is your complete guide to making the most of your time in Cooperstown.
Things To Do in Cooperstown Beyond Baseball
Cooperstown's cultural riches extend well beyond the diamond. The Fenimore Art Museum houses one of the nation's most significant collections of American folk art, fine art, and Native American art from the Thaw Collection — rivaling any major metropolitan museum. Next door, the Fenimore Farm & Country Village is a living history experience spanning 200+ years of American rural life, with costumed interpreters, heritage breeds, and seasonal programming that captivates visitors of all ages.
Music lovers make a summer pilgrimage to the Glimmerglass Festival, one of America's leading opera festivals, staged in a stunning open-air theater on the shores of Otsego Lake. For craft beverage enthusiasts, Brewery Ommegang — an award-winning Belgian-style brewery on a former hop farm — and the broader Cooperstown Beverage Trail make the region a destination in its own right. The Fly Creek Cider Mill, a National Historic Landmark dating to 1856, produces hard ciders, wines, and New York State specialty foods in a working mill setting that delights first-time visitors and returning regulars alike.
Family Fun in Cooperstown
Families with children will find Cooperstown an ideal destination. The Hall of Fame's interactive exhibits engage young fans. Glimmerglass State Park offers a sandy swimming beach on Otsego Lake where families spend full summer days. Barnyard Swing Mini Golf provides lakeside entertainment for all ages, while Jerry's Place arcade keeps rainy-day restlessness at bay. The Cooperstown & Charlotte Valley Railroad offers family-friendly excursion rides through the scenic countryside, with themed events including Thomas the Tank Engine days. Fly Creek Cider Mill's barnyard animals and fresh-pressed cider are perennial kid favorites.
Outdoor Recreation in Otsego County
Otsego County's natural landscape provides exceptional outdoor recreation in every season. Otsego Lake — Glimmerglass — is a pristine 8-mile glacial lake ideal for boating, kayaking, fishing (bass, perch, pike), and summer swimming. The county's trail network supports hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Fall foliage in the Catskill foothills surrounding Cooperstown is spectacular, typically peaking in mid-October. Winter transforms the county into a snowmobile destination, with 100+ miles of groomed trails connecting communities across Otsego County. Ice fishing on local lakes and ponds draws enthusiasts from across the region. The Leatherstocking Golf Course at the historic Otesaga Resort is considered one of the most scenic golf courses in the Northeast.
Where to Stay in Cooperstown, NY
Cooperstown and Otsego County offer lodging for every style and budget. In the village, historic inns and B&Bs like the Otesaga Resort Hotel (a grand 1909 lakefront resort) put guests within walking distance of Main Street and the Hall of Fame. Lakefront properties on Otsego Lake offer private docks and swimming. Vacation rentals throughout the county sleep groups of all sizes, from romantic cottages to farmhouse retreats sleeping 20+. Campgrounds including Glimmerglass State Park campground provide lakeside tent and RV sites. Note: during Hall of Fame Induction Weekend and summer tournament weekends at Cooperstown Dreams Park and All Star Village, accommodations within 30 miles book up quickly — often 6 to 12 months in advance.
Getting to Cooperstown
Cooperstown is located in Otsego County, Central New York. By car, the village is approximately 70 miles west of Albany via I-88 to Route 28, 4 hours from New York City, 2.5 hours from Syracuse, and 1 hour from Binghamton. The nearest major airports are Albany International Airport (ALB), Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR), and New York Stewart International Airport (SWF). There is no direct train or bus service to Cooperstown. Within the village, the free seasonal Cooperstown Trolley circulates between major attractions and parking areas from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Cooperstown in Every Season
Spring brings trout season, birding, and the return of Cooperstown's legendary charm after the quiet winter months. Summer is peak season: Hall of Fame Induction Weekend, youth baseball tournaments at Cooperstown Dreams Park and All Star Village, Glimmerglass Festival, Otsego Lake beaches, Ommegang concerts, and Main Street humming with energy. Fall delivers stunning foliage, harvest festivals, apple picking, and the area's most photogenic conditions. Winter is Cooperstown's best-kept secret — snowmobiling on groomed trails, ice fishing, cozy dining, and the Hall of Fame without the summer crowds. The destination truly shines year-round.
Cooperstown, NY is located at: 42.6998° N, 74.9240° W. Address of the National Baseball Hall of Fame: 25 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Official tourism website: thisiscooperstown.com. Tourism contact: 20 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326 | (607) 322-4046.
