A visit to Cooperstown, New York, is truly an exciting and unforgettable experience. The town  is most known for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. It is only fitting that a town, often times associated with “America’s Favorite Pastime”, should be home to such a wonderful sports complex. Cooperstown All Star Village is a family-friendly sports complex, with activities for all ages. In addition to on-site lodging, the various accommodations include an arcade, a fitness room, and an outdoor pool in the shape of a catcher’s mitt.

Things to do

National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is a three story brick building that’s located near Cooperstown All Star Village. Opened on June 12, 1939, the Hall of Fame and Museum has dedicated itself to honoring and educating baseball fans about the legendary “greats” of baseball. All visits are self-guided. Visitors may enjoy the museum at their leisure or, exit, and return the same day. Comprised of three floors, each floor offers valuable insight into the historical events in baseball. The museum suggests you start on the second floor. There, you will find a locker with memories from the most recent years of baseball, and Derek Jeter’s cleats! You can also find the “oldest known baseball jersey” on this floor as well as a bat used by the Sultan of Swat himself, Babe Ruth.

On the third floor, guests will discover a jersey which Hank Aaron wore and a baseball that Cy Young used when he won his 500th game. The museum is open seven days a week. However, it is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day. The museum’s regular season lasts from Memorial Day until Labor Day Weekend, from 9 a. m. to 5 p.m. Scheduling a visit for your team is encouraged. However, you must make group reservations in advance. 25 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326

Doubleday Field

Once you wrap up at the National Baseball Hall of Fame, visit Doubleday Field. It’s only a three minute walk away from the Hall of Fame and Museum. Doubleday Field, a Cooperstown landmark, derived its name from Abner Doubleday, an officer in the American Civil War who spent part of his youth in Cooperstown. Today, you can step onto Doubleday Field and be transported back in time. Over the years, this field has seen such baseball legends as Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, and Willie Mays. Even Babe Ruth played in an exhibition game here! Each year, from 1940 until 2008, the field was used for exhibition games between major league baseball players to honor the Hall of Fame inductees.

The field’s exciting history yields to present day fun. Today, the fields are primarily used for amateur and American legion baseball. If the legendary baseball players who played on Doubleday Field, such as Babe Ruth and Mickey Mantle motivate your team, feel free to practice your own swing at the batting cages located directly across the parking area. 1 Doubleday Ct, Cooperstown, NY 13326

Barnyard Swing

When you finish swinging a bat at Cooperstown All Star Village, try a golf club! You need look no further than Barnyard Swing. Located four miles south of Cooperstown, Barnyard Swing is an 18-hole miniature golf course, welcoming to all age groups. This miniature golf course also hosts group and team parties and picnics. You may reserve a tent or the front deck for your event. The reservation for the tent is free of charge. Several necessary amenities are provided for the picnics such as a gas grill, coolers, and of course picnic tables. If your team does not have food for a picnic, you still do not need to overlook this delicious and entertaining event! There are restaurants near by the Barnyard Swing, which will deliver food to you. There is also a local grocery store.

Other activities offered at Barnyard Swing include golf or laser tag. Both activities are packaged as one. The laser tag is indoor-outdoor and has a Wild West theme. This exciting activity gives guests the chance to experience the famous American West. A truly family-oriented attraction, Barnyard Swing offers ice cream, a game room, and a pool. The game room is home to a pool table, an air hockey table, football, and video games. Don’t forget to try and go mining for gems, an activity also offered by Barnyard Swing. This experience simulates the California gold rush! 4604 State Hwy. 28 Milford, NY 13807

Cooperstown Candlelight Ghost Tours

Cooperstown, New York is known as the birthplace of baseball. However, it has other famous attractions. Cooperstown Candlelight Ghost Tours is one such attraction. Anyone who is feeling brave enough may take a one-hour guided tour. Along this tour, you will learn about the historic and haunted sites in the village. Your team will learn about the village’s eerie history and haunted houses. This tour includes stops at the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Each walking tour lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Reservations are required. 176 Greenough Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326

Cooperstown Escape Room

Cooperstown Escape Room is an action-packed adventure for your entire team that’s close by Cooperstown All Star Village. Here, you will find both history and storytelling interwoven in a way a guest would need in order to complete the mission. However, these escape rooms can be adapted to all age groups and abilities. As part of the Escape Room experience, visitors will be given clues to complete a mission to either save someone, or something, or solve a riddle. Being in a village so closely associated with baseball, the Cooperstown Escape Room features a baseball-themed game known as, “The Curse of the Bambino”. The Escape Room is open seven days a week, but online booking must be made at least one hour before game play. 73 Main St, Cooperstown, NY 13326

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Places to Eat

Sloan New York Grill

Sloan’s New York Grill is a steak house in Oneonta, New York. Just a short car ride away from Cooperstown All Star Village, the restaurant is an unforgettable exploration! It is renowned for its steak, burgers, and barbecue. Sloan’s New York Grill was featured on, The Empire Plate, a television show which travels throughout New York State in order to showcase family owned restaurants. This dining establishment cooks with local farm, fresh foods. In addition, Sloan’s New York Grill is also vegetarian friendly. For those who prefer seafood over steak, you may choose Salmon or Shrimp Scampi. This restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner. Additionally, Sloan’s New York Grill is available for catering. 337 Chestnut Street Oneonta, NY 13820

Alfresco’s Italian Bistro

Alfresco’s Italian Bistro is an Italian restaurant in Oneonta, New York that’s just a short drive from the Cooperstown All Star Village. Opened in 1987, this restaurant serves lunch and dinner, and is available for catering special events. All menu items are made to order. In addition, the restaurant ensures their food is prepared fresh in the Alfrescan Tradition. Alfresco’s Italian Bistro serves an impressive variety of food including Chicken Parmigiana, Eggplant Parmigiana, various pasta dishes, as well as pizza! Customers have the option of enjoying gluten free, gourmet, or traditional pizza. 26 Main St, Oneonta, NY 13820

Soda Jerks

Soda Jerks is a restaurant located in Oneonta, New York. It’s close by the Cooperstown All Star Village. This restaurant serves breakfast and lunch. Its menu also includes gluten free and vegan options. Soda Jerks also includes a wonderful feature called, “MANmade Cakes.” As one can guess, these beautiful cakes are custom made for special events. In addition, Soda Jerks has made themselves available for hosting and catering special events. 458 Chestnut St, Oneonta, NY 1382

Nicoletta’s Italian Cafe

Nicoletta’s is an Italian cafe in Cooperstown, New York. The restaurant boasts an elegant yet family-friendly dining atmosphere. This restaurant also offers a kids menu. Nicoletta’s Italian Cafe has several private rooms for group events. It has hosted a variety of celebrities including, actor James Earl Jones, hockey player Wayne Gretzky, and baseball player Ishiro Susuzki. Nicoletta’s Italian Cafe maintains the same hours year round, serving dinner from 4 P. M until 9:30 P. M. seven days a week. 96 Main St, Cooperstown, NY 13326

A trip to Cooperstown, New York is a must for any baseball enthusiast. With so many activities around town, it is a challenge to complete them all! Cooperstown has been a family-friendly trip which has inspired generations.