Best Things to Do in Cooperstown New York with Kids

Looking for things to do in Cooperstown, NY with kids? With our sons playing baseball, we had the pleasure of spending two summers there and each time was amazing!

The small village of Cooperstown is nestled on the southern shores of Lake Otsego in upstate New York. It’s probably best known by baseball fans as the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

For 13 weeks each summer, families like ours flood Cooperstown for the baseball tournaments that take place at Cooperstown Dreams Park or Cooperstown All-Star Village.

While our kids were playing, we had time to tour the area, sample some of the restaurants, and do some souvenir shopping. Most visitors head to Main Street, filtering in and out of the numerous boutiques and souvenir shops all day long.

Thankfully, there’s more to Cooperstown than baseball, you just have to know where to look! the town is also the perfect place for history buffs and outdoor lovers.

Want to know more? Below, I’ll share all the best things to do in Cooperstown, NY. I’ll also give you my recommendations for restaurants and hotels in the area.

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What is Cooperstown Known For?

Cooperstown is best known as the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, making it a must-visit for baseball fans of all ages. But there’s more to this charming village than America’s favorite pastime.

History buffs will love exploring the Farmers’ Museum, where you can step back in time and experience 19th-century rural life.

The nearby Fenimore Art Museum is another highlight, showcasing American folk art and celebrating the legacy of author James Fenimore Cooper, who wrote “The Last of the Mohicans” and grew up in the area.

For families who love the outdoors, Cooperstown also offers beautiful natural attractions like Otsego Lake, often called “Glimmerglass” in Cooper’s novels. You can spend the day fishing, boating, or simply enjoying a picnic with great views of the surrounding hills.

How to Get to Cooperstown

Cooperstown is a picturesque village located in central New York, nestled along the southern tip of Otsego Lake. It’s halfway between Syracuse and Albany (roughly a 90-minute drive either way). You’re about a 4-hour drive from both New York City and Boston.

The last time we visited, we took a road trip from Chicago to Cooperstown, covering about 800 miles. We stopped in Cleveland and Buffalo along the way. On the way back we stopped in Pittsburgh.

The second time we visited, we flew but know that you will still have a drive if you choose this option. The closest airport to Cooperstown NY is Albany International Airport which is 90 minutes from Cooperstown by car, and Greater Binghamton Airport is about the same.

We used the Syracuse Airport, which is an hour and 45 minutes from Cooperstown. We chose this one because there are rental cars at Albany Airport. I rented a car in Albany and dropped it off in Cooperstown.

Things to Do in Cooperstown NY with Kids

Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame

One of the most popular things to do in Cooperstown NY is visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame. This is the place to find everything that covers the history of American baseball. It’s mind-blowing just how much baseball memorabilia and artifacts are in this building!

There’s a hall of inductees that’s impressive, a locker room area with memorabilia from every major league team, a Babe Ruth room, a baseball short film, and so much more.

We spent close to 2 hours there which was plenty, but a BIG baseball fan will want more. It’s endless and enjoyable, worth a visit for all ages.

Also, kids who play at Dreams Park get free admission to the Baseball Hall of Fame, so of course, their families end up tagging along. We took my parents with us and I think my dad would have stayed for two days if I would have let him!

See a Game at Doubleday Field

Located right in the heart of Cooperstown, Doubleday Field is a classic ballpark often called the “Birthplace of Baseball.”

The story goes that Abner Doubleday invented baseball here in the 1800s, which led to the creation of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Doubleday Field by the first half of the 1900s. While the game’s exact origins are up for debate, you can’t deny the charm and nostalgia of this iconic park.

Mid-April through mid-October is baseball season, when you can stop by and catch a game. The park hosts local minor leagues, youth teams, and more. There are also live concerts and other special events you can attend throughout the year.

You can also just visit the park and sit in the stands. Sitting in the old-school park and seeing the field and dugout, it’s easy to imagine what it must have been like to play here decades ago.

If you want to take an hour-long tour of the stadium, Friends of Doubleday offers them from April through October. You will meet at the Grandstand entrance at 8 AM, pay an admission fee, and learn about the park’s history from a local historian. This is also your chance to go on the field!

Head to the Doubleday Batting Range

While you’re visiting Doubleday Field, consider a stop at the Doubleday Batting Range! Located directly next to the park, the batting range offers a chance for everyone to step up to the plate and feel like a pro.

You can choose between different pitching speeds, so there’s something for everyone. Each token gets you 10 pitches, and you can purchase between 1 and 25 tokens. Radar guns are also available for rent.

The old-school range was recently taken over by Cooperstown’s own Wood Bat Factory, which specializes in wooden bats. Inside, there are video games, a snack bar, and a variety of cold drinks, including beer. You can also shop for a beautiful wooden bat or other Cooperstown souvenirs.

Go Shopping on Main Street

A short walk away, the village’s Main Street is a major stop for visitors. First of all, downtown Cooperstown looks straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting!

Red-brick buildings line both sides of the street filled with mom-and-pop storefronts selling every kind of baseball memorabilia you can think of, as well as clothing and souvenirs.

Baseball fans will want to check out the Cooperstown Bat Company store on Main Street, where you can watch wooden bats being handcrafted and even order a personalized bat to take home as a keepsake.

Add in the National Baseball Hall of Fame, a post office, a bakery, a cafe, an ice cream shop, and a few restaurants, and you have Main Street! Parking in town is metered during the day or you can park in one of the remote lots and take the trolley into town.

Check Out the Farmers Market

The Cooperstown Farmers Market is open every Saturday and every Tuesday during the summer just off Main Street (behind the Heroes of Baseball Wax Museum).

It features over 40 vendors selling their wares. The tomatoes, cherries, and goat cheese we enjoyed were fabulous and the kids raved about the brownies they purchased.

The market also has a program with the local food bank where they give needy families coupons to use at the farmers market. Every year they raise thousands of dollars for local families, allowing them to add more fresh food to their diets and helping local farmers as well. 

This is a winning combination for this community and a forward-thinking idea that could be implemented elsewhere!

Learn at the Farmers Museum

The Farmers Museum is a working museum in a recreated 1840s historic village. It’s a glimpse into 19th-century farm life, making it a great stop for families interested in history and hands-on experiences.

This was a fun place to spend a couple of hours with the kids as there was a ton of information to absorb. We could’ve easily stayed there longer!

As you wander through the museum’s charming historic village, you’ll see actors chopping wood, milking cows, and completing tasks that would have been common during that period. 

Kids can even try their hand at some of the activities and learn about the past. My son was able to see firsthand how difficult it was to make a rope using a crank and hook device known as a ropewalk.

One of the highlights is the Empire State Carousel, a beautifully hand-carved merry-go-round featuring animals native to New York State. It’s a must-ride for little ones (and adults!). The museum also hosts a variety of events throughout the year, from harvest festivals to craft workshops

There’s also a cafe and gift shop. Just check hours before you go, because this is a seasonal stop. It’s open from the beginning of April through the end of October and holds more hours during the summer months. Admission is free for kids under 6 years.

Play at Fly Creek Cider Mill and Orchard

By far, one of the best things to do in Cooperstown NY is spend an afternoon at Fly Creek Mill and Orchard. It’s not far from the fields at Dream Park and it was one of our favorite places to visit between games.

One of the main attractions is the tours and tastings available at the cider mill. You can watch the cider-making process from beginning to end. The best part is at the end of your tour when you head to the tasting room to try the delicious, fresh cider! The experience is fun for the whole family.

At the Mill Store Marketplace, you can shop for local goodies. Don’t forget to pick up some homemade pies, apple cider donuts, and pickles from the country store before you leave.

You’ll also love all the free samples (there were close to 50 when we were there): everything from cheese, salsa, and jam to fudge, hard cider to wine. The kids thought they were in food heaven!

Outside there was a large goose and duck pond where the kids could feed the birds. Just make sure they watch their fingers! There is also a small playground, old John Deere farm equipment to explore, a restaurant on site, gemstone mining, and more.

And if you’re looking for hiking trails, there are a few that start and end on the grounds of Fly Creek Cider Mill.

ROAD TRIPPING TO COOPERSTOWN? DON’T MISS OUR ROAD TRIP ESSENTIALS!

Have Fun on Lake Otsego

The town sits on Lake Otsego and it’s stunning. The lake is 9 miles by 1.5 miles wide, and 160 feet deep at its deepest point. Lake Otsego is the focal point of the area and a great place to enjoy outdoor activities like fishing, kayaking, riding bikes, canoeing, or swimming.

Our kids had the opportunity to go fishing (but didn’t catch anything) and swim in the lake (which they loved). The water is so tempting, it’s worth making the effort to explore!

There’s also Lake Front Park if you want an easy walk from Main Street, with its picnic areas and grassy lawn. This is also where you can join a boat tour with the Glimmerglass Queen Tour Boat Company. You will have a scenic view of the lake and learn about its connection to the Susquehanna River, which starts here and flows more than 500 miles south to Maryland.

If you’re up for a short drive, head to Glimmerglass State Park at the northern end of the lake. Not only does the beautiful, wooded park offer tree-dappled trails and a sandy beach, but for a touch of history, you can visit Hyde Hall.

This beautiful 19th-century mansion is a national historic landmark that offers tours from May through October, including haunted tours (Hyde Hall was even featured on the TV show, “Ghost Hunters,” in 2013).

Cooperstown Restaurants

While you’re checking off all the amazing things to do in Cooperstown NY with kids, don’t miss the chance to visit some local restaurants around town! Here are a few favorites from our summertime trips:

Ommegang Brewery

Cooperstown has a decent craft beer scene and just outside of Cooperstown is our favorite brewery, Ommegang Brewery. The Belgian brewery is open for tours, but we didn’t go for the tour, we went for the food. (Although if you want to tour, kids over 5 are welcome).

The food is a mix of small plates, burgers, and sandwiches. We ordered a sampling and shared it with the kids. The food was so good (and the setting was gorgeous) that we came back another day with my parents.

If you are hungry, make a point to stop here for the food, sit back and enjoy the scenery, and stay awhile.

Stagecoach Coffee

I didn’t know how I would survive for a week without Starbucks, but thanks to Stagecoach Coffee (and a coffee maker at our VRBO rental), I was able to pull through!

Stagecoach Coffee has some delicious flavored coffees. I tried a sugar maple one and a mandarin orange one. Both were delicious.

Cooperstown Diner

Another place with a great cup of coffee is the tiny Cooperstown Diner. Yes, it’s tiny. You might miss it as you walk down Main Street, though the small brick building with a blue door might catch your eye! The Cooperstown Diner is over 100 years old and it’s perfect if you love an old-school diner.

If Main Street is busy that day, you’ll have to decide if this stop is worth the wait. Inside, it’s very tiny. A few tables, wood paneling, 1 server, and 1 cook. Enjoy a cup of coffee and order an omelet. Or come for lunch and try their burgers. Just make sure you get there early: they’re only open until 2 PM!

Hawkeye Bar & Grill

Located at The Otesaga Hotel, the Hawkeye Bar & Grill has a beautiful location overlooking Otsego Lake. The restaurant is casual and family-friendly, perfect for lunch. The menu is quite diverse, offering items from fish tacos to burgers to fish and chips.

Cooperstown Hotels

Because we were there for baseball tournaments, we spent a fair time at the Dreams Park complex, which is amazing by the way! (On our second trip to Cooperstown with the kids, we stayed at All-Star Village. It was great, but a completely different experience than Dreams Park. If you have questions, feel free to message me.)

But if you’re looking for a place to stay in Cooperstown, check out one of these hotels:

$$$ – The Otesaga Resort Hotel

The Otesaga Resort is the grand dame of Cooperstown. With its rooms overlooking Lake Otsego, a sweeping veranda outfitted with rocking chairs, and a grand lobby, this resort is a throwback to a bygone era.

Built in 1909, the historic hotel exudes charm and luxury. Visitors feel welcome to explore the hotel and grounds as they wish, taking in the views of the lake from many of the hotel’s gathering spaces.

My parents stayed at the resort for their last night and thought the service was impeccable, the morning breakfast (which was included in the stay) was divine, and the rooms were well-outfitted and spacious.

There’s also a spa, fitness center, and tennis courts. Our kids spent the afternoon swimming at the pool, while we enjoyed time with my parents, and it was the perfect end to our trip.

$$ – The Railroad Inn

There are so many good things to say about this mid-range inn in Cooperstown! The Railroad Inn is a renovated feed mill dating back to the late 1800s, now an adorable boutique hotel on a quiet residential street near Doubleday Field.

Don’t let the affordable price fool you! While amenities are pretty basic (you get a free continental breakfast and a garden and terrace), the rooms are exceptional. Enjoy light-filled rooms and suites with your choice of King- or Queen-sized beds. And the 2-level Deluxe King Suite sleeps 5, so it’s great if you have a larger crew!

At the Railroad Inn, you also have convenient concierge services and free self-parking.

$ – The Lake Front Hotel

For lakefront views at a fraction of the price, consider a stay at The Lake Front Hotel. Located just one block north of Main Street, you can enjoy Cooperstown and then return to your cozy room with lake views.

Rooms come in standard or deluxe and hold 2 or 4 people (no rollouts or cribs available). The recently updated hotel also offers guests boat tours and kayak rentals, an on-site restaurant and bar (seasonal), and access to the marina.

When booking, please be aware that all rooms on the second floor are reached by stairs only. Check-in is contactless.

Houses to Rent in Cooperstown

Many visitors will find houses to rent while staying in Cooperstown. They use services such as VRBO and Airbnb. This is a nice option for families because they can spread out and make their meals at home if they want. We rented a house through VRBO and we were very happy to have a place to call our own.

While we spent a lot of time in Cooperstown watching baseball, we did have a fair amount of time exploring the town and relaxing at our farm. Our road trip to Cooperstown was worth the time put into planning, the many hours of driving, and the money we spent. We were able to walk away with beautiful memories that we will cherish forever.