Set aside a few hours for the Baseball Hall of Fame on Main Street, a tasteful tribute to America's pastime. While recent renovations have added technology and extra exhibit space, the highlight for most is still seeing the official plaques of the many greats who have been enshrined for their excellence.
Hail the town's heritage by visiting the Fenimore Art Museum, a handsome mansion constructed on the site of James Fenimore Cooper's former home (the town was written about by Cooper many times but actually named for his father). Folk art and Native American creations are the focus.
Treat your ears to a feast of sound at the Glimmerglass Opera, which has come to be internationally acclaimed after its humble beginnings performing at the local high school in the 1970s. Outdoor programs are available, as are tours of the opera house, but the Glimmerglass lakeside campus comes alive every summer with an avid following, so plan ahead for your visit.
The Farmer's Museum is not just a museum, but an actual mini-village of the mid-1800s, complete with barn, print shop, pharmacy, farmhouse and more. This is a great stop for history buffs and families with children; it's both entertaining and very educational.
Visit Hyde Hall, a neo-Classical wonder that is slowly being restored to its former glorious stature, for a taste of art, architecture and aristocracy. Hyde Hall is open for public visits and tours from May through October, and adjoins Glimmerglass State Park-a great place for summer hiking and picnics or cold-weather ice fishing and skating.
Enjoy a stop at the Brewery Ommegang, five miles south of downtown Cooperstown, where beer lovers may reach nirvana. Tours and tastings are available all year, with the brewery specializing in Belgian-style brews. The sprawling grounds make for a great picnic or hiking outing.
Stop by the glorious Otesaga Hotel, a 1909 beauty with excellent restaurants and a stunning golf course open to the public. It's a real a throwback to the grand resorts of yesteryear.
