Going to Cooperstown for my Bachelor Party

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Posted By: Greg

I went to Oneonta State, a 20 minute drive from Cooperstown, and I too did a bachelor party weekend there, although it was 12 years ago. Most important piece of advice -- book the hotel as soon as possible. August is incredibly busy -- I now do a father/son weekend in Cooperstown every August with one of my college buddies, we're going the weekend before your party and booked a couple of months ago and had trouble finding rooms.
The Otesaga is great and the setting out the back of the hotel is stunning, but it's expensive. If you're just looking for a place to crash, there are plenty of good typical chain hotels -- best western, holiday inn suites, clarion, etc. onthe outskirts of Cooperstown and in Oneonta. Zoning in the village of Cooperstown doesn't allow for any chain hotels or restaurants, so if you want to stay in town and be able to walk from your hotel, the only choices I can think of are the Otesga, Cooper Inn (also fancy) and a motel on the lake that I think is called Lakeside (not sure of that name).

I can't remember if the Otesga golf course is public -- I think it is. Oneonta Country Club is also public and it's a pretty nice course.

best baseball shop by far is called National Pasttime, but virtually every store in downtown Cooperstown has baseball items for sale.

Doubleday Cafe in the middle of downtown is great for lunch. I'd highly recommend Brooks for either a lunch or dinner. World famous barbecue chicken , also great ribs and fries, and the coleslaw at the all you can eat salad bar is pretty good too. Very 1960s family country setting. (it's always busy, so if you go at a peak time, expect to wait).

If you want bachelor party night life, you'll have to go to Oneonta. even in the summer, the downtown college bars get busy, and of course there is also the Novelty Lounge, which offers some typical bachelor party fare.

there's also the Oneonta Tigers of the single A New York Penn League. Damaschke Field is oneof the great old time parks, nothing facny, actually a little run down, but a beautiful view out past the outfield, great atmosphere, and you don't need tickets in advance. I just checked -- they're home against Williamsport that weekend.

that's a start, if I think of more I'll be glad to add it. Also, as I said, I'll be there the weekend before, so if I come across anything special I can let you know. (of course I'll be with two ten year olds who are just excited about having a vending machine in our hotel).

Greg