Liam and Mimi's Cooperstown guidebook
Food scene
Brewery Ommegang offers a world class beer selection with lots of tasty food options. We highly recommend the frites and the chicken and waffle. They have a huge indoor and outdoor seating area, but because of their popularity the wait in the summer can be quite long. They do NOT offer reservations. Also, don't forget to check their online schedule for concerts; each summer the Brewery hosts a handful of great musicians.
195 locals recommend
Brewery Ommegang
656 Co Hwy 33Brewery Ommegang offers a world class beer selection with lots of tasty food options. We highly recommend the frites and the chicken and waffle. They have a huge indoor and outdoor seating area, but because of their popularity the wait in the summer can be quite long. They do NOT offer reservations. Also, don't forget to check their online schedule for concerts; each summer the Brewery hosts a handful of great musicians.
Whereas Brewery Ommegang is better known and has a larger seating area, Red Shed is a great option for a more laid back dining experience. They host local musicians throughout the summer and there is a large open area with games and picnic tables for families with kids. The feel is more of a beer garden than a restaurant. Besides the handcrafted beers on tap, there is also a food truck with some delicious options. We highly recommend the chicken sandwich!
40 locals recommend
Red Shed Brewery
709 Co Hwy 33Whereas Brewery Ommegang is better known and has a larger seating area, Red Shed is a great option for a more laid back dining experience. They host local musicians throughout the summer and there is a large open area with games and picnic tables for families with kids. The feel is more of a beer garden than a restaurant. Besides the handcrafted beers on tap, there is also a food truck with some delicious options. We highly recommend the chicken sandwich!
If ambiance is a not a chief concern, then Council Rock Brewery is a great choice. The brewery is located right on route 28 between Cooperstown and Dreams Park The handcrafted beers are delicious and the pub menu has the best burger in town. We also highly recommend the garlic pesto fries with aioli dipping sauce!
53 locals recommend
Council Rock Brewery
4861 NY-28If ambiance is a not a chief concern, then Council Rock Brewery is a great choice. The brewery is located right on route 28 between Cooperstown and Dreams Park The handcrafted beers are delicious and the pub menu has the best burger in town. We also highly recommend the garlic pesto fries with aioli dipping sauce!
Only a mile from the cottage, Origins Cafe is the best secret in town if you are looking for a delicious sustainable lunch. Their ever evolving locavore menu includes vegetarian and vegan options all of which can be enjoyed while eating inside an active greenhouse. Be sure to check on hours before you go as they are only open for lunch. They typically serve dinner only once or twice per week and require reservations.
46 locals recommend
Origins Cafe
558 Beaver Meadow RdOnly a mile from the cottage, Origins Cafe is the best secret in town if you are looking for a delicious sustainable lunch. Their ever evolving locavore menu includes vegetarian and vegan options all of which can be enjoyed while eating inside an active greenhouse. Be sure to check on hours before you go as they are only open for lunch. They typically serve dinner only once or twice per week and require reservations.
The best doughnuts in town hands down. The bakery is famous for their old fashioned doughnut which is best enjoyed warm, so get there as close to opening as possible. Avoid going on Sunday morning because often they do not have the same fresh selection. On Fridays they also bake a chocolate cake doughnut that can't be beat.
17 locals recommend
Schneider's Bakery
157 Main StThe best doughnuts in town hands down. The bakery is famous for their old fashioned doughnut which is best enjoyed warm, so get there as close to opening as possible. Avoid going on Sunday morning because often they do not have the same fresh selection. On Fridays they also bake a chocolate cake doughnut that can't be beat.
This is the most popular coffee spot in Cooperstown. They roast their own beans and offer a wide array of coffee options, smoothies, breakfast/lunch sandwiches, and bakery treats. This is a great place to park and start a morning walk in the village.
42 locals recommend
Stagecoach Coffee
31 Pioneer StThis is the most popular coffee spot in Cooperstown. They roast their own beans and offer a wide array of coffee options, smoothies, breakfast/lunch sandwiches, and bakery treats. This is a great place to park and start a morning walk in the village.
This is a great year round cafe with an amazing serving staff. The Doubleday's strength is definitely breakfast, but they offer food all day long. Their breakfast menu offers great daily options; we highly recommend the fresh baked muffins and cinnamon rolls. It gets pretty busy after 8:00, so the earlier the better.
50 locals recommend
Doubleday Field
1 Doubleday CtThis is a great year round cafe with an amazing serving staff. The Doubleday's strength is definitely breakfast, but they offer food all day long. Their breakfast menu offers great daily options; we highly recommend the fresh baked muffins and cinnamon rolls. It gets pretty busy after 8:00, so the earlier the better.
This one of the most popular places in town for a sit down dinner. The food and drink specials are delicious and the location in the heart of Cooperstown can't be beat. Make sure to make a reservation!
68 locals recommend
Mel's at 22
22 Chestnut StThis one of the most popular places in town for a sit down dinner. The food and drink specials are delicious and the location in the heart of Cooperstown can't be beat. Make sure to make a reservation!
If you are looking for a sit down Italian meal then Toscana's is the best option in town. The wine glasses are large and filled often, and the classic Italian food is reasonably priced and delicious. The seating area is small, so make sure to call ahead for a reservation.
17 locals recommend
Toscana Italian Fusion & Grill
64 Main StIf you are looking for a sit down Italian meal then Toscana's is the best option in town. The wine glasses are large and filled often, and the classic Italian food is reasonably priced and delicious. The seating area is small, so make sure to call ahead for a reservation.
If you are looking for a nice sit down meal then this is one of our favorite places in the area. The downside is that it is located about 12-15 minutes away in Cherry Valley. The upside is that in the busy summer season the slow rural feel of Cherry Valley is often refreshing. Everything on the menu is delicious and the nightly specials are true gems. For the price, the Rose and Kettle surpasses Cooperstown's more expensive options. During the summer it is often frequented by Glimmerglass Opera visitors who avoid the baseball buzz of Cooperstown.
24 locals recommend
Rose & Kettle Restaurant
4 Lancaster StIf you are looking for a nice sit down meal then this is one of our favorite places in the area. The downside is that it is located about 12-15 minutes away in Cherry Valley. The upside is that in the busy summer season the slow rural feel of Cherry Valley is often refreshing. Everything on the menu is delicious and the nightly specials are true gems. For the price, the Rose and Kettle surpasses Cooperstown's more expensive options. During the summer it is often frequented by Glimmerglass Opera visitors who avoid the baseball buzz of Cooperstown.
This place is crazy busy all summer long, but their pizza and staff are all top notch. It's just a four minute drive from the cottage, so it's a great place for a quick pickup meal, though they do offer plenty of indoor seating as well. Make sure to order some garlic knots with your pizza, and for dessert, the tiramisu is excellent.
46 locals recommend
New York Pizzeria
111 E Main StThis place is crazy busy all summer long, but their pizza and staff are all top notch. It's just a four minute drive from the cottage, so it's a great place for a quick pickup meal, though they do offer plenty of indoor seating as well. Make sure to order some garlic knots with your pizza, and for dessert, the tiramisu is excellent.
A great little low-key Italian spot with outdoor seating. Located right outside of town on Route 28. Tasty woodfired pizza options!
35 locals recommend
Bocca Osteria
5438 NY-28A great little low-key Italian spot with outdoor seating. Located right outside of town on Route 28. Tasty woodfired pizza options!
Good spot for large groups. Sports bar with many game options on at any time. Indoor and outdoor seating options available.
25 locals recommend
Upstate Bar and Grill
5418 NY-28Good spot for large groups. Sports bar with many game options on at any time. Indoor and outdoor seating options available.
Happy hour on Main Street anyone? This is Mimi's choice for best cocktail in town. All cocktails are created with Cooperstown Distillery's locally-distilled spirits.
14 locals recommend
Cooperstown Beverage Exchange
73 Main StHappy hour on Main Street anyone? This is Mimi's choice for best cocktail in town. All cocktails are created with Cooperstown Distillery's locally-distilled spirits.
Things to do in the Cooperstown Area
The Farmer's Museum is an exquisitely maintained museum that is made up of historical buildings that were moved and rebuilt here in Cooperstown. The buildings are staffed with crafts people completing tasks as they would have in the 1840's. It is less than a mile from town and is great for families. Our kids love the animals, the carousel, and the carriage barn snack shop. It is also fun to pack a picnic and eat it on the village green.
159 locals recommend
The Farmers' Museum
5775 NY-80The Farmer's Museum is an exquisitely maintained museum that is made up of historical buildings that were moved and rebuilt here in Cooperstown. The buildings are staffed with crafts people completing tasks as they would have in the 1840's. It is less than a mile from town and is great for families. Our kids love the animals, the carousel, and the carriage barn snack shop. It is also fun to pack a picnic and eat it on the village green.
If you are looking for a place to swim in Otsego Lake, then this is your best bet. While Glimmerglass state park provides a larger beach and more facilities, three mile point offers a quieter experience and is is only three miles from town. There is a small fee at the gate for visitors who are not from the area.
12 locals recommend
Three Mile Point
6266 NY-80If you are looking for a place to swim in Otsego Lake, then this is your best bet. While Glimmerglass state park provides a larger beach and more facilities, three mile point offers a quieter experience and is is only three miles from town. There is a small fee at the gate for visitors who are not from the area.
You will find the public docks to Otsego lake off of lake street on the north end of town. The Glimmerglass Queen is the lake's only tourboat and it runs multiple times throughout the day.
14 locals recommend
Glimmerglass Queen Tour Boat Company Inc.
10 Fair StYou will find the public docks to Otsego lake off of lake street on the north end of town. The Glimmerglass Queen is the lake's only tourboat and it runs multiple times throughout the day.
Check in to Middlefield Orchard throughout the summer for a variety of u-pick options. The season starts in June with berries and continues into the fall with a wide variety of apple options. The fall season also includes a maze and activites for kids. The orchard is only a short six minute drive from the cottage.
11 locals recommend
Middlefield Orchard
2274 NY-166Check in to Middlefield Orchard throughout the summer for a variety of u-pick options. The season starts in June with berries and continues into the fall with a wide variety of apple options. The fall season also includes a maze and activites for kids. The orchard is only a short six minute drive from the cottage.
The Fenimore Art Museum offers a variety of permanent and rotating exhibits. The Thaw Gallery of Native American artifacts is an awesome permanent exhibition. Besides the exhibits, the museum itself is a beautiful building on an idyllic setting along the shore of Otsego Lake.
115 locals recommend
Fenimore Art Museum
5798 NY-80The Fenimore Art Museum offers a variety of permanent and rotating exhibits. The Thaw Gallery of Native American artifacts is an awesome permanent exhibition. Besides the exhibits, the museum itself is a beautiful building on an idyllic setting along the shore of Otsego Lake.
As its name implies this a great place to buy local cider, but it also offers a variety of other food items, perhaps most well known is the fudge. While the prices are not especially reasonable, guests with kids will appreciate the family activites, free food samples and snack shack.
74 locals recommend
Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard
288 Goose StAs its name implies this a great place to buy local cider, but it also offers a variety of other food items, perhaps most well known is the fudge. While the prices are not especially reasonable, guests with kids will appreciate the family activites, free food samples and snack shack.
Unilke many touristy areas, Cooperstown does not have an abundance of mini golf options, but this is definitely the best one. We appreciate the opportunity to drink a fresh poured local beer while playing. There is also a really good ice cream counter on premises that is very much worth a visit.
18 locals recommend
Barnyard Swing
4604 NY-28Unilke many touristy areas, Cooperstown does not have an abundance of mini golf options, but this is definitely the best one. We appreciate the opportunity to drink a fresh poured local beer while playing. There is also a really good ice cream counter on premises that is very much worth a visit.
Despite Cooperstown's size, we are fortunate to have a top notch fitness and sports center. The Clark Sports Center is only a mile from the cottage (this is where the Baseball Hall of Fame Induction occurs) and they offer day and week passes to their facilities. Inside you will find a state of the art fitness center, basketball court, pool, rock climbing wall, racquet ball and tennis courts, bowling, fitness classes and more. It's an incredibly well maintained and staffed facility.
25 locals recommend
The Clark Sports Center
124 Co Rd 52Despite Cooperstown's size, we are fortunate to have a top notch fitness and sports center. The Clark Sports Center is only a mile from the cottage (this is where the Baseball Hall of Fame Induction occurs) and they offer day and week passes to their facilities. Inside you will find a state of the art fitness center, basketball court, pool, rock climbing wall, racquet ball and tennis courts, bowling, fitness classes and more. It's an incredibly well maintained and staffed facility.