How to Best Experience a Trip to Cooperstown Without Going to the Baseball Hall of Fame

A lot of what you hear in this area is about baseball, specifically the Cooperstown National Baseball Hall of Fame. But what else is there to do around here? Look no further.

Of course there’s the Hall of Fame inductions — generally in late July. If you aren’t a baseball fan, you should pretty much avoid Cooperstown that weekend.

But the quaint village offers plenty of other offerings that are of the highest quality.

1. The Fenimore Art Museum

This is the regions finest art museum, catering to schoolchildren and adults alike. Its current offering includes a series entitled: “American Impressionism: Paintings of Light and Life“.

In total, the Fenimore Art Museum brings in painting of both local and international significance, including pieces on loan from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Location: 5798 State Highway 80, Cooperstown, NY; Phone: 607-547-1400

2. Fly Creek Cider Mill

The Fly Creek Cider Mill not only produces cider and apple donuts, but wine and beer! You can start a regional wine tour at the Fly Creek Cider Mill, while the kids play with donuts and drink cider. It’s a win-win for everyone.

The cider mill, of course, offers tours and explains the process of making apple cider, which is actually quite interesting.

And what better way to end the day with some fresh cider, donuts, and a trip to their on-site restaurant.

Location: 288 Goose Street, Fly Creek, NY; Phone: 607-547-9692

3. Cooperstown Farmer’s Museum

This living museum has been in operation since 1944, but has been tied to the farmland since 1813. It offers an incredible interactive look at the past and how farming was done 200 years ago.

Of course, this is popular with school field trips, and if you grew up in the area there’s a strong possibility you took a field trip here at least once.

It is open year-round and consistently puts on new events and programs for adults and children to experience and enjoy.

Location: 5775 State Highway 80, Cooperstown, NY; Phone: 607-547-1450

4. Heroes of Baseball Wax Museum

You can’t completely avoid baseball. This little gem offers a quick and quirky trip through baseball’s past. Take pictures with the statues and remember a time when baseball was pure and simple.

What’s the strangest thing in the wax museum? How about this George Costanza wax figure. He, of course, was a front-office employee of the New York Yankees in the television show “Seinfeld”.

Location: 99 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY; Phone: 607-547-1273