While Cooperstown and Otsego County are picturesque year-round, autumn is a spectacular time to explore the Central New York Region. The following suggestions could easily keep you busy for days, offering wonderful ways to enjoy the cooler temperatures, arts & culture, and sample some of the area's bountiful hop and grape products.
Leatherstocking Golf Course (3 - 5 hours) Seasonal
Start the weekend by hitting the greens! Rated one of the best courses in the region by Zagat, Leatherstocking Golf Course offers 18-holes of challenging play and is considered one of the East's most scenic golfing locations with its sweeping views of Lake Otsego. After a round, compare scores over a meal at the Leatherstocking Grill while taking in fairway and lake views. Lessons and clinics can be arranged in advance along with tee times.
Village Shopping (1 - 3 hours)
Head downtown to Main Street Cooperstown to take in the small-town charm noted by the likes of Architectural Digest and MSN.com. There is a lot to discover in this famed, one-stoplight town, including Where It All Began Bat Company and the Cooperstown Farmers' Market. Don't miss the historic Doubleday Baseball Field and reach out to the Friends of Doubleday for a tour! And, definitely make time to enjoy a meal at one of the many great dining options in town ranging from casual coffee shops to farm-to-table and international cuisine.
The Village of Museums (1 - 3 hours each) Seasonal
You can’t come to Cooperstown without sliding into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum...it’s almost a right of passage as an American. And they don’t call Cooperstown the Village of Museums just for kicks! While here you must visit the Fenimore Art Museum and The Farmers’ Museum. Both offer special events, workshops, and often classes, even in the off-season, so don’t miss out!
Swart-Wilcox House Museum (Sundays only, 1 hour)
Delve deep into the region's history with a visit to Oneonta's oldest standing structure, the Swart-Wilcox House Museum. Built by a Revolutionary War Veteran, this German Palatine Vernacular house sits on the banks of the Susquehanna River. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places, the house and grounds tell the story of the generations of the three families that lived there as Oneonta grew from a small village to a thriving city. Open every Sunday in July and August from 1-3 p.m. for informal tours and by appointment.
Community Arts Network of Oneonta (1 - 2 hours)
A Victorian Era gem located in the heart of historic Oneonta, the Wilber Mansion is a centerpiece and a focal point of the city's downtown landscape. Built by a prominent area banker in the late 1800s, the mansion has been renovated and restored, and now serves as the home of the Community Arts Network of Oneonta (CANO). Stop by to view the latest exhibits, or check out the calendar of events for workshops, music performances, and other activities.
Yager Museum of Art & Culture (1+ hours)
With five galleries of permanent and temporary exhibits, the Yager Museum of Art & Culture at Hartwick College is one of the premier art institutions in the region. The museum's impressive collection includes work from Renaissance artists, American Impressionists, and Andy Warhol. Native American artifacts of the Upper Susquehanna and the Southwestern United States are also on display.
Brewery Ommegang (1 - 3 hours)
If you’re a fan of beer, you must pay homage to the brewery that started the craft beer renaissance in the United States. Built in 1997 on land once used for hop growing, Brewery Ommegang was the first farmstead brewery to be established in the USA in over 100 years. Crafting award-winning Belgian-style beers, tour the recently updated and expanded beer-making facility, and finish with a select tasting of Ommegang brews. Then, enjoy a meal or shared plate in the Belgian-themed café. Always good at keeping their fans wanting more, ask what’s new in the brewhouse.
Red Shed Brewery (1 - 2 hours)
A craft farm brewery dedicated to making fresh, handcrafted ales using local New York hops and grains, Red Shed Brewery features the best of locally-grown hops and ingredients. Visit the new Cooperstown tasting room with 20 beer taps serving a variety of Red Shed brews that include ales, pilsners, wheat beers, IPAs, stouts, and porters, and nibble on specialty farm-to-table bites from nearby Rock Hill Farm and Table.
Fly Creek Valley Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch (1 - 2 hours)
Weekends in September & October - Who doesn’t want to find their way out of a corn maze in the cool, autumn air?!!! This family-ran, fun-field is the perfect way to end your day, this time of year. Let us know how it went...when you find your way out!
Pail Shop Vineyards, Winery and Tasting Room (1+ hours) Seasonal
Located just north of Fly Creek at the junction once known as "Pail Shop Corners" because of the wooden pails once crafted and sold from a shop at the site, Pail Shop Vineyards specializes in cold climates grape varietals that reflect the rocky soil of this hillside vineyard. Sample a selection of their distinctive red and white blends in a rustic barn tasting room and enjoy the artworks on display in the vineyard's rotating artist series.
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