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Cooperstown tips?
Heading to Cooperstown in June for the first time since I was kid over 30 years ago.
Are there any exhibits in the Hall of Fame I should know about that I might otherwise miss? I know its a fairly big place. Anyone have some tips on what to do in town (if anything) besides the Hall of Fame? Any good places to eat/drink? I realize the Hall of Fame website has a ton of info, but was curious to hear from anyone that's been there recently. https://baseballhall.org/planyourvis...20Labor%20Day. |
I’m jealous! I have been 8-10 times but would go again today if I could
Take your time and you’ll enjoy every bit of the hall. The shops along Main Street are also a lot of fun, and with any luck, you’ll catch a game at the ballpark in downtown (forget the name of it) But take a get-away to the Omagang Brewery… great beer! Here’s their web site: https://www.ommegang.com/ Have a great trip! Jeff |
Used to go up there every year with my dad, great memories.
We've stayed here, great B&B right near Main St... https://www.innatcooperstown.com This was always our go-to lunch spot... https://doubledaycafe.com We liked going in the off season, felt like we had the town to ourselves. Fun to just walk around Main St, and light crowds in the Hall. Enjoy! |
I retired to Cooperstown a few years ago and love it here.
Other than the winters that last 7 months, its great. Plenty to see and do here. Check out the Farmer’s Museum and Fenimore Art Museum if you have time. I really recommend renting a boat and checking out our beautiful lake. |
Cooperstown
Charles Jackson
There is an annual BB card Show at the VFW building (on Main Street across from the HOF). This Show has been going on for 40+ years, and usually has some interesting stuff (vintage cards and memorabilia). The date of it varies....either the last week of July, or 1st week of August. If you are interested, I will get the date of it for this Summer. TED Z T206 Reference . |
Thanks for the tips so far!
I will definitely be heading to Ommegang, will try see a game downtown and will check out Main Street. We already have accommodations, but I will check out https://doubledaycafe.com for food. The lake sounds fun and the Farmer's Museum and Fenimore Art Museum sound interesting. Unfortunately, I won't be able to hit up the card show in July/August as I will only be there during the last few days in June. |
Hof
Some Suggestions. I am a member.
Cooperstown Diner for breakfast get there early as the place is tiny. other food options The Hawkeye Grill in the Otesaga Hotel has good food and great view. Most likely you will need a reservation in the summer. Mels is also a great choice for lunch and dinner. Cooperstown Distillery on Main Street is a nice place for sampling and cocktails. Cooleys is my go to dive bar. Red Shed brewery is across the street from Ommegang and is worth a stop. The hall itself is pretty well laid out and you won't miss anything. My favorite spots are the early baseball area that has a lot of memorabilia and the new exhibit upstairs on baseball cards. |
It's a lovely little town, the shops along main street are nice. Definitely echo the recommendations of the Cooperstown Diner and the Hawkeye Bar and Grill.
The store I normally always recommend, is unfortunately closed. Baseball Nostalgia was probably one of my favorite stops, right inside Doubleday Court. Was open for over 40 years, bought some great cards from there and had some wonderful experiences talking to Peter. Yastrzemski's is another fantastic store that I recommend checking out as well. Quote:
I didn't realize the show was going to happen again up at Cooperstown. Already have a trip scheduled this month with my father, might have to make a second trip up there this July! - James |
There is a great little bakery at the light on Main St. Also, Nicoletta's Italian Cafe is good.
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Shops are crazy with prices go in the winter i once had the whole place to myself ,,food is great ,nice town ,,
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Here is my tip about visiting the HOF.
Go on a week day, middle of winter. Only others in the building are employees and the ghosts. Leisurely look at everything without being rushed. |
Agree with all the others and would add there is a good used book store across the street from the cooper inn. Large baseball section in addition to all the usual categories. I think the name is Monie books.
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Go to the Hall later in the day...way less crowded and much more leisurely.
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Thanks Gary. A good spot, but not sure I will get there again.
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That trip though made my wife a complete baseball junkie. All we have playing now is MLB TV and season tickets with the Pirates. She attended the National last year, bought some Othani cards, now expects me to find out how to get her to meet him and have them signed. Having a terrible time trying to lower her expectations. |
Most of the above is right on....
Make restaurant reservations two weeks in advance at least You'll be happy you did. Toscana not Nicoletta's for Italian... Mels is good.. Doubleday field is a must game or no game..... Might try the Landmark Inn....Very nice your wife will be very happy... Sit on the back porch at the Otesaga and have a drink whether you stay there or not... Take the boat ride and see the "Tower" Go to the Mill in Fly Creek ...Your wife will love it.... great cider and many goodies... Leather stocking Golf course is beautiful.... Dreams park south of Cooperstown is amazing for young ball players weekly Championship games are on Thursday night...... Chamber of Commerce building near Doubleday on Chestnut Street has all the brochures for the surrounding area... That should keep you busy!!! Have fun. |
Quickly updating this thread and reporting in with some observations from my trip as it comes to a close. Stayed at the Otesega, again, accommodations are second to none, really feels like you take a step back in time when you stay in the Hotel.
Came in Sunday morning. Happened to catch George Brett, Wade Boggs and Ozzie Smith on their ways out of the hotel. Missed the Cooperstown classic by a day. No pictures or autographs with each of the Gentlemen who were all nicer than the next, just had some conversations with them. Ozzie especially, is still built like an athlete. My hand hurt from his handshake! Restaurant wise, the Hawkeye in the Otesega was very good. I thought the prices were fair as well. Doubleday Cafe, did not disappoint either. I did notice however that virtually every place, whether it be Restaurants or stores are short-staffed, with "Help Wanted" signs in the window. Also strongly reccomend checking out the small bakery in town, across the street from Cooperstown Diner. The Hall of Fame itself was night and day in comparison to last year, though I got there right as it opened, bee-lined to the plaque gallery and had it entireley to myself along with my father. Store wise, for cards, I Spoke to Adam of Yastrzemski Sports a couple of times when I visited his store. I feel like if you're going to support one card business in town, it has to be his. Prices are fair, Adam is a great guy. Purchased a 53 Eddie Matthews and a 55 Topps Al Kaline. Seventh Inning Stretch, where the old movie theater was is a nice store as well, though I believe they're slightly overpriced but still very nice. Passed by the old Baseball Nostalgia, which sadly is no longer there. It's always a bummer, anytime you lose a longstanding business, but I know the owners are enjoying a nice retirement. I happened to run into one of them very briefly as well. Another wonderful experience up here. Really have to make it up to induction weekend one of these days. |
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Spent Monday and Tuesday in Cooperstown.
Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. We got their a little late in the day, so rather than spend the $28 for few hours at the Hall of Fame, we headed to the the Fenimore Art Museum, which we enjoyed. We also enjoyed all of our meals: I think our favorite restaurants were the Upstate Bar and Grill--which is huge and has 24 beers on tap and the Hawkeye Bar and Grill at the Otsega Hotel --amazing view of Otsego Lake, a great beer list, and reasonable prices for an upscale place. Our meals at Doubleday Cafe, Stagecoach Coffee, Schneider's Bakery, and Cooperstown Diner were all tasty as well. Unfortunately, Ommegang was closed the entire time we were there (they are closed Mondays through Wednesdays), but we were able to get Ommegang on tap at the Upstate Bar and Grill, Hawkeye Bar and Grill, and in cans at Cooperstown Beverage Exchange. We spent an an entire day at the Hall of Fame. I enjoyed their baseball card exhibit, but thought some of the cards they chose to highlight were fairly random--(1923 Maple Crispette Casey Stengel?). The T206 Wagner they have, if real (it's not graded) has to be worth several million as it is in very good shape. I was really happy to see all of the cool items they had for Roberto Clemente, my favorite player, such as his Cangrejeros de Santurce jersey, and the glowing scouting report Al Campanis made about Clemente in 1952 for the Dodgers. Thanks again for the great suggestions on what to do. A really beautiful town with a lot of fun things to do. |
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I turned them for you.
Attachment 523361Attachment 523360 Campanis wrote his name as "Robert," too. That type of 'Americanizing' his name seems to have simply been a thing back in the day. |
Ommegang Brewery is a must....unless you don't like beer.
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