Cooperstown in Aug
 

We're going to Cooperstown the week of Aug 14 thru the 20th-Have any suggestions of places to visit and things to do around the area-also any a good-reasonable restuarants? Any suggestions will be appreciated.

I'm sure you already know about the 3 museums in Cooperstown. The lake and the opera are also right there for things to do. You go to the micro-brewery as well. Outside of that, Howe's Caves is often mentioned (also some American Revolution places towards that area like the Old Stone Fort), so is Herkimer Diamonds depending on what interests you. Canajoharie has quite an art gallery with Winslow Homer, Mary Cassatt, John Singer Sargent, etc. that you wouldn't expect in the area. (sort of like a mini-Williamsport MA - if you do go, just tell the curator his brother sent you ;-)

Besides many nice little places in Cooperstown itself, Brooks Chicken in Oneonta is always a favorite and not expensive. Couple of nice places is Sharon Springs - Roseboro and a nice Italian next door I've eaten in several times but the name escapes me. Charter House in Fort Plain isn't bad for the price. I'm partial to Boreali's in Howes Caves (very reasonably priced, you wouldn't think to order pizza in a sit down Italian place but do) and Cobleskill has the Bull's Head for high end cuisine. Worth it, but you want to call and make reservation since it's small. Come to think of it Le Chambord in Palatine Bridge is the same way, and also not cheap. They always seem to be on the brink of going out of business, so I'm not sure if I should mention it. A high end French restaurant has a tough time of it in the little town area up there.

HTH.

If you are going with kids, I would suggest staying on one of the places on the lake outside of town. It's very easy to get into town on the trolley.

And also if you have kids and go to Howe's Caves, check out the nearby Iroquois Indian/NativeAmerican Museum. Lot's of kids' hands-on stuff. We like places that Sneezey wrote of: Borelli's, Charter House, Brooks Chicken (often called Brooks BBQ). Went to brunch buffet years ago at Cooperstown's Otsega (spelling?) Hotel, which was pricey but terrific quality.

I saw your more recent question, cbredrock, but as mclaurie suggested, decided to answer this old one in the interests of consolidation. Anyway, I'm seconding Sneezy's 3 museums recommendation, especially the Hall of Fame, of course, which is great even for lukewarm baseball fans; and the one that's like an old-time farm, with the original buildings and real live farm animals (can't for the life of me recall its name). I assume tha third is the art museum, which is wonderful, but your interest would depend on the ages of the kids you'll have with you. Have fun--Cooperstown is awesome!

If you like beer, particularly Belgium beer, you can visit the Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown for a tour. Check out their website at:

http://www.ommegang.com/

Saturday, August 21 is the first annual Belgium Beer Festival. My husbands favorite beer from this brewery is Three Philosophers. If you visit, have one for him. Have a good time. Peace.

Robyn