vivi

Is this feasible? Train or rental car?

For Father's Day my sister gave her hub Yankees tix (so he can see the stadium before its too late) , they will be flying from Calif and bringing 3 teens/young adults along for a long weekend. They plan to stay in Manhattan the whole time, the hub is a baseball fanatic and not a big city lover. Sister would like to surprise him with a day trip to the BBHF while the kids stayed behind in Manhattan for the day.

Ackislander

Not very feasible unless he likes driving a lot.

Google Maps shows this as only 205 miles, but it required 4 1/2 hours EACH WAY because most of it is on rural roads, not four lanes. Google only counts driving time, not time for lunch, buying gas, etc.

So nine hours plus of driving plus however much time he wants to spend in Cooperstown -- say 13 or 14 hours for the day.

I wouldn't consider it a treat, even though it is a beautiful drive.

Now, he could take the train to Albany, rent a car, and drive from there. It is still 3 1/2 hours roundtrip from Albany, but he isn't behind the wheel all the time and the train trip from NYC to Albany and return is gorgeous.

Flying to Syracuse or Ithaca doesn't work either.

tchoiniere

Its 200 miles each way. You definitely need a rental car to do this. It would be worthwhile, but a very long day.

I agree with Ackislander about the feasibility (or lack thereof).

Dohlice

I definitely would not do that.

TwoFatFeet

Way too long of a day for me.

bmw732002

I have done this from Central New Jersey as a day trip. Long day..but it is a beautiful area for a summers drive.

Has to be by car.

vivi

What about a car service for the day (money doesnt seem to be much of an object.) Would Carmel do a trip like that?

Yes, it would be a very long day but the guy realllllllllly would be thrilled to see the BBHF. He has some close ties to MLB and he is a rabid fan. He is also a very reluctant traveler so the semi-proximity to Cooperstown seems alluring!

I am just trying to gather some info to pass along....

tchoiniere

If you think that he wouldn't mind the very long day, the option of train to Albany, pick up a rental car there, drive to Cooperstown for the day then return trip to Albany. Or he could return the car in Manhattan. I always plan on 8 hrs in Cooperstown b/w the HOF, Doubleday Field and walking around town. It is an absolutely gorgeous area and shouldn't be missed. If this may be his only chance, go for it but it will be a long day.

nytraveler

It's a great trip - but very exhausting as a day trip. Can they consider overnight (going up late one day, spend the night, most of the day at the museum (which is incredible), then drive back day 2.

ellenem

Amtrak to Albany and then car doesn't really work well. The earliest train to Albany leaves at 7:15 am and arrives in Albany at 9:50 am. Then figure in connection time to car rental place. Then the drive from Albany to Cooperstown is at least 90 minutes. Chances are you wouldn't arrive until after noon. All this depends on impeccable connections.

The latest train from Albany back to NYC is 7:05 pm. Estimate leaving Cooperstown 2-2.5 hours beforehand to make the drive back to Albany and and have time to turn in the car.

Which means you might arrive in Cooperstown by 12:30 pm and have to leave by 4:30 pm.

By driving you save and hour each way and have a more flexible schedule.

Though I still wouldn't do this as a day trip.