Cooperstown, NY - Baseball Hall of Fame

[Wishydoo]

I could use some help please.

Thinking of taking a drive there, and I am not seeing a very big selection of hotels in the area.

We'd like to be close to the HOF (I think), but I'd rather not stay at historical type or B&B places.

Any recommendations for hotels and other things to do/see while there?

 

[Nagle]

I don't recall any chain hotels in Cooperstown. There were B&B's and some lovely inns. Last time I went ( about 5 yrs ago) we had to get a room in Utica and drive the 45 minutes or so in the morning.

John

 

[goofygirl]

I agree- you are better off at a B&B outside of town. There's no chains, and anything IN town is always booked!

My BF and I stayed at the Arcadia B&B, in Cherry Valley (about 20-30min away) we were pleased with it.

 

[Wishydoo]

Thanks John, thanks Goofygirl.
If it was just dh and I, a B&B would work, but I've got 2 kids tagging along (13 and 14).

What else is there to see outside of town? I'm trying to stretch it out for 2 nights.

We're driving from the Buffalo area.

 

[apagano]

There's plenty to do in Cooperstown. Having a place like the baseball HOF encourages the development of plenty of tourist traps! I really enjoyed the boat rides on Lake Glimmerglass. Very interesting and informative. Take the time to stroll around town and just take in the general atmosphere. Take a drive along the back country roads. Also, watch the Food network, which recently did a "$40 a day" show on Cooperstown area dining.

 

[DisneyMim]

Wishydoo we had the same problem with hotels last year. We wanted to go to Cooperstown on our way home from Niagra Falls. We had a very hard time finding a place to stay. We ended up in Utica at a Radison (I believe it was a Radison). Anyway the area wasn't the best and we didn't like the hotel, but there aren't many really close to the Hall of Fame. My son and husband enjoyed the Hall of Fame, but my daughter hated it and I found it interesting, but didn't find much else of interest to me in the area. Everyone is different. It is nice to walk along the streets, everything has a baseball theme. Try to book a hotel as early as possible, that is your best bet in my humble opinion.

Have a Great Vacation!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

We usually stay in Utica too, but that is probably because we used to live there. I would love to stay at one of the cute B&B's in Cooperstown!

 

[Wishydoo]

Thanks for the info everyone...keep it coming.

I was hoping there was a chain hotel or resort nearby. I live in a 100 year old victorian, so when we get away, I like a change of pace.

I kinda like tourist trap stuff too, lol.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

When we went several years ago we stayed in a motel (not chain) right on the lake near the Glimmerglass Opera? house. The motel was across the road from the lake and had row boats you could take out. We had 2 kids with us. It was older but clean and fine for our needs.

I found the information on where we stayed and will PM it to you.

 

[Wishydoo]

Thanks for the info Carol!

I am not having fun planning this trip.
Cleveland/Akron - Football Hall of Fame was soo much easier!

 

[jk1]

I was there several years ago, but at that time there was a newer chain motel south of Cooperstown, near the Pizza Hut.

 

[SideshowBob]

VERY famous Opera company, as the "house" mentioned above...

SSB visited years back, and loved the HOF and the area!!

 

[Princess Dot]

Hi there!
That newer hotel I think is the Best Western. It is very nice with an indoor pool. The only problem is that it seems to book quickly as it is right near the "Field of Dreams" where they have lots of little league tournaments.

The nicest by far hotel in the area is called the Otesaga and it is just gorgeous but $$$$$$$$$$$$!! Not what you'd expect in the middle of upstate NY. Plus you have to buy a meal plan and pay per person. The Best Western was the best deal for us.

You could also try the Holiday Inn in Oneonta which looks ok too. This is about a 20 min drive from Cooperstown, not really too bad. We ate a nice Sunday brunch there one year.

I really like Cooperstown as do my kids and they are not big baseball fans. If you are a fan the HOF is fantastic! The town is really pretty and you can walk up and down and check out the shops.
As others have mentioned, the town is on a nice lake and you can take a pretty boat ride which gives you a tour of the lake. Also there is a state park on the lake with a beach for swimming that was lots of fun. There was another swimming area on the lake that I think was a town or a county park that had a diving board into the lake that the kids really liked as well.

I found eating to be a bit on the expensive side in Cooperstown too. We often drove into Oneonta ( a college town with SUNY and another college there that I can't remember the name of). In Oneonta there are more chain restaurants,but the best place that you must try is Brooks House of Barbecue. THis is a family tradition for us and I even saw the place feature on the Food Network!
Oh I forgot, there is a new hotel in Oneonta I think a Clarion or something like that. Look on expedia or travelocity for the Oneonta area as well as the Best Western on the Commens I believe it is called.

I hope this was helpful. We have traveled to Cooperstown for many years (family used to have a home in the area) and always enjoyed it. If you think of any other questions,just ask!

 

[Wishydoo]

Hi Princess Dot!
Yes, your post was very helpful, thank you.
I recall the hotels and resort you mentioned from my online searches, but it is so good to hear from someone who is familiar with them. I'm going to take another look.
Thanks for the dining suggestions also...always a concern with the kids.
When we went to Cleveland last summer, we stayed downtown, and had trouble finding places to eat after 5:00pm.
Loved all the sights and attractions of Cleveland, but enjoyed our hotel stay in Akron much better.
The Football Hall of Fame was great!
I'm expecting the Baseball HOF to be cool too.

Definitely hoping to visit the Glimmerglass Opera House.

hi SSB

 

[apagano]

When we went to Cleveland last summer, we stayed downtown, and had trouble finding places to eat after 5:00pm.

Next time you come to town, drop me a line. I could have helped you with that.

 

[oldkicker]

No recommendations for hotels, we always drive there and home again.....but I know you'll have a wonderful time there.

As many have mentioned, the town is gorgeous. One of our favorite things to do is to grab and ice cream and head down to the lake. There's a little park there that offers some lovely views.

The Otesaga looks like a spectacular place and I do hear it is very, very pricey.

The HOF itself is just remarkable. I'm a fair to middlin' baseball fan, but a bigger fan of America history....you'll find plenty in the HOF to pique both of those interests. Leave plenty of time to really involve yourself with the details. The exhibits are full of them.

The Farmers' Museum in town is worth a look (IMO) and there is a micro-brewery just outside of town (Cooperstown Brewing Company) that makes some pretty tasty brews!

When are you going?

If you catch good weather a walk around town is a very nice time. Main Street is pretty nice, and the side streets have some lovely old homes and a sprinkling of shops and restaurants.

Be sure to stop by Doubleday Field too. It's a great little park.

ENJOY!

 

[Wishydoo]

Thanks Apagano!

We had a nice meal at the Winking Lizard before we headed to a baseball game.
We stayed downtown (at the huge Holiday Inn) in the hopes of being able to ditch the car for a few days.
It was great location for walking to R&R and Science Center, etc, and we were right across from a mall. Lots of places to eat there but they were all closed when we arrived at 6:00pm.
Even the hotel restaurant was touch and go..the only time I saw it open was for breakfast.

 

[Wishydoo]

Hi Bernie!
Yeah, it's sounds nice. I think we could drive it and just spend the day and come home too, but not sure that dh would get a kick out of that, lol.
I believe the inductions are early July, so we were planning for later in the month. But, with the nice weather we are having lately, it's crossed my mind to visit during Easter vacation next month.

Thanks for the additional suggestions!