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The special feeling of a summer
vacation in Cooperstown NY
| Main Street
in Cooperstown, NY (photo by Eric H.) |
by Eric H.
The joy of spending a summer
vacation in Cooperstown in Central New York state extends way
beyond the accepted standard of 21st century cookie-cutter destinations.
A summer in Cooperstown transcends
the typical tourist hum-drum by having the good fortune to be
located in a truly spectacular setting of beautiful Lake Otsego,
gentle green rolling hills and a toy-village like downtown that
we all dream about but can't seem to find in this urban/suburban
sprawl world.
Cooperstown is primarily known
as the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum,
an incredibly enriching and yet fun experience for baseball and
non-baseball fans alike. Visitors, however, are quick to learn
that the Village of Cooperstown is more than a baseball town.
It is an American way of life, a wonderfully close community
blessed with a true rural beauty.
The beauty, however, would mean
nothing if Cooperstown didn't have a sense of preservation and
good taste. The incredibly well-maintained older homes, business
district historic brick buildings, the "It's A Wonderful
Life" streets and neighborhoods, historic Doubleday Field,
and a sophisticated culture of myriad museums juxtaposed with
the causal laid-back feeling of the Village make for a memorable,
one-of-a-kind experience. Amidst the many baseball-oriented shops
on and around Main Street are a great variety of charming specialty
stores for the whole family to enjoy. Women can enjoy the boutiques,
family clothing stores, jewelry and book shops, and a massage
while children flock to where the ice cream, toys and baseball
batting cages are located.
The attractions rival that of
a larger community (see detailed list
of attractions here), but thankfully through preservation,
community vision and just sticking to its proud roots, Cooperstown,
NY, expertly integrates those attractions into its village without
losing its own specal charm. Some of the most memorable Village
summer attractions are:
National
Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum The
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, one of the great treasures
in our country, resides proudly on Main Street in a stately large,
brick building with a new, inviting outside entrance. The Hall
of Fame's mission is to "relive the history of the National
Pastime, through artifacts from historic records, to the plaques
of the game's greatest players in the Hall of Fame Gallery,"
according to its literature. Once inside, that mission comes
to life whether it be the incredible New York Yankees displays,
an Abbott and Costello "Who's on First," movie clip,
a wonderful baseball card display, or, of course, the memorable
and historical Hall of Fame where one can read plaques all day
on all the great players inducted into this illustrious museum.
Hall of Fame induction weekend takes place every summer, this
year from July 28-30 (details to come soon.) The Hall of Fame
and Museum has a wonderful library and an appealing park area,
perfect for a short stroll or yet another perspective on Otsego
Lake. The Hall of Fame and Museum is a must-see for the baseball
fan or anyone with an interest in history. It is, simply, one
of life's great joys.
The
Farmers' Museum and
Fenimore
Art Museum The
Farmer's Museum which portrays rural life in early times. An
herbal pharmacy, blacksmithing, weaving, printing, stickball
games, music, farming, -- with many different animals -- and
more make for a lively afternoon. Unlike other places of this
ilk, it's not forced or hokey. Everything seems authentic. Virtually
across the street is the Fenimore
House Museum, "home to one of the country's premier folk
art collections, and now the American Indian Wing with a dazzling
collection and galleries 'any museum in the world would envy.'"
(The New York Times). The Fenimore Museum also has wonderful
children's activities.
The scenery in and around Cooperstow
during the summer is an attraction by itself. The surroundings
hills and mountains viewed from the outskirts of town make one
realize the unspoiled beauty of the area. It's as nice a scene
as anything you'll find in New Hampshire or Vermont, with the
difference being these mountains and hills aren't marketed to
the world. It's like your own secret discovery, courtesy of being
in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains.
There's really nothing quite
like Cooperstown, especially when the dark, cold winter gives
way to several months of sun shining on a Village that already
shines with American values, visions and vibrancy. Ask the people
who live here, or those who moved to this special village after
only the first or second time visiting.
Cooperstown is, first and foremost,
a community that bursts with neighborly, community pride. People
here are proud to live in Cooperstown, make you feel at home,
and call you friend. This unconditional acceptance, combined
with scenic discoveries every step of the wide Main Street and
the attractive countryside, results in a place where you can
feel good about yourself and be forced, in the most gentle way,
to relax and unwind in the pleasant Upstate New York summer sun.
For example, one day swimming at one of the beaches at nine-mile
Otsego Lake, catching a free ball game at sunny Doubleday Field
and touring the educational and entertaining National Baseball
Hall of Fame and Museum leaves you eagerly anticipating the next
day.
That next day can result in visiting
many other attractions like the Farmers' Museum, Fenimore Art
Museum, Glimmerglass Opera (world-class, in nature) and Fly Creek
Cider Mill, or just strolling the wonderful downtown, having
a picnic at nearby Lakefront Park, browsing the old-fashioned
Village Library, going to a community church, having lunch at
one of the many fine restaurants and then taking a nap. Whatever
the decision, there's never enough time to do everything -- or
nothing -- in Cooperstown. Perhaps that's the reason a three
or four day trip can result in ensuing daily memories until your
next return.
Cooperstown has the amazing gift
of just being itself, which means you can be yourself in this
splendid little village. It's almost like every step you take
in Cooperstown creates an exciting new chapter in one's own inner
"special places to visit" summer vacation guide.
For more information on
Cooperstown, NY, view the Cooperstown
Travel Library, Attractions Resource
Guide, Calendar of Events, Dining and Lodging sections, and photo gallery
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