As provided by www.thisiscooperstown.com
Family Themed Itinerary
With museums combining learning with fun, connections to the area’s agricultural past and present, and a myriad of ways to explore the great outdoors, Cooperstown and Otsego County is a true family destination. From baseball bats to butterflies, this itinerary offers a memorable family experience for all.
We recommend consulting these business’ websites before visiting, as many of them operate seasonally and have varying hours of operation.
Day One
The Farmer’s Museum (3 hours)
Start the weekend off with a bit of educational fun at the Farmers’ Museum, one of the only rural life museums in the country. Here, families experience 1800s rural and village life firsthand through daily demonstrations and interpretive exhibits. With a historic stone barn listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the museum features a working farmstead and recreated the historic village. Other museum highlights include the hand-carved Empire State Carousel and Cardiff Giant, considered “America’s Greatest Hoax.”
Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard (1-2 hours)
Step back in time and watch the workings of the 160-year old Fly Creek Cider Mill press fresh, sweet cider during the autumn peak harvest season. In this self-guided tour available year-round (with videos when the press isn’t running), families learn about the Mill’s cider production and history that includes Johnny Appleseed! Be sure to check out the Mill Store Marketplace offering generous tastings of local products or visit the Snack Barn for its famous pulled pork and pot roast sandwiches, baked goods, and other treats.
Kingfisher Lavender (1 hour)
Pay a visit to one of the most unique agricultural attractions in the region. Kingfisher Lavender is a small artisan farm growing a variety of lavender plants. From June through August, the fields are awash in purple hues and full of fragrance as lavender blooms. In addition to producing lavender flower water (hydrosol) and oils, the farm sells fresh flower bunches in season, as well as dried lavender bunches, flower buds, body butters, sachets, and gardening items throughout the year.
Day Two
National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum (3 hours)
More than just a game, baseball is a family experience that connects generations. Visit the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum to celebrate the American tradition that holds a special place in the hearts and minds of fans of all ages. Highlighting baseball’s history, the museum also explores legends of the field, diversity in the game and highlights top records, as well as baseball art and photography. No visit is complete without a visit to the Plaque Gallery, the sacred ground for baseball fans where Hall of Famers are revered for their contributions to the sport.
Cooperstown Bat Company (1.5 hours)
Get into the baseball swing with a visit to Cooperstown Bat Company. Specializing in game bats for juniors up to major league pros, Cooperstown Bat Company offers custom bats with personalized engravings, as well as autographed bats and other collectibles. Crafted from the finest Maple, Ash and Birch woods found in New York State, Cooperstown Bat products are processed from ‘forest to field’ to ensure quality. In addition to the Main Street store, the Cooperstown Bat Company’s factory in Hartwick features bat turning demonstrations.
Glimmerglass Queen (1 hour)
Take to Glimmerglass State Park for a self-guided hike along the two-mile Sleeping Lion Trail, offering views of Otsego Lake for all the family to enjoy. In summer, Glimmerglass offers swimming from the public beach area, and in winter, there’s cross-country skiing, ice skating, snowshoeing and more. Glimmerglass State Park is also home to Hyde Hall Mansion, a National Historic Landmark site, with tours available from late May through October.
Day Three
Heroes of Baseball Wax Museum (1.5 – 2 hours)
The Heroes of Baseball Wax Museum features over 30 wax figures in historic settings, a virtual reality batting cage and a ‘Baseball Bloopers Theatre’ – something for the entire family
Otsego Outdoors
Choose your adventure! Through the Otsego Outdoors website, plan a family outdoor activity such as biking, hiking, paddling or a winter sport based on difficulty, and other criteria. Want to bring your pet? Prefer free parking? Through an easy drop-down menu, you and your family will be on your way with helpful information about safety, etiquette, food and lodging to help make the most of your outing.
The Clark Sports Center (2-4 hours)
Plan a family workout at the Clark Sports Center. This all-encompassing sports facility features a multi-use gym floor, indoor running track, racquetball and squash courts, bowling center, and swimming and diving pools. In the Fitness Center, families can utilize weight and cardio equipment, take an aerobics or yoga class, or try out the climbing wall. Outdoors, high ropes and zip-line courses, soccer and softball fields, along with tennis courts offer plenty of options for getting active.