Baseball HoF-Cooperstown

[Dan T.]

Apparently there's a sport called "baseball" that's played in warm weather during football offseason. And they have a Hall of Fame honoring the best players. Who knew?

Anyway, I'm headed there soon. Who has been to Cooperstown? Any cool hidden treasure or feature of the Hall I should see? Where's a good place to eat in town? A good place to drink a beer or two? We're staying at an old hotel just a block of so from the HoF. Also, we'll be in Albany one day, near the airport. Any restaurant/pub/must visit suggestions for there? Thanks guys and gals...

[ixcuincle]

All I know is that there is no reason why Marvin Miller shouldn't be inducted. Marvin Miller changed the damn game. A historical figure.

Anyway back on topic I never been

[Dan T.]

All I know is that there is no reason why Marvin Miller shouldn't be inducted. Marvin Miller changed the damn game. A historical figure.

Anyway back on topic I never been

I'll put his name in for consideration when I sign the guest book!

[mikered30]

Every time I go to Cooperstown I eat at the Cooperstown Diner. It is slightly larger than my living room, but the milkshakes and hamburgers are fantastic. The have a burger as big as a catchers mitt. HOF is really cool. Enjoy

[TheGoodBits]

Only been there once and it was about 10 years ago, but I remember it being a really nice town. It was a shame I could only stay one day.

[Dan T.]

Cooperstown Diner sounds like a good place for a quick lunch. Thanks for the suggestion...

skinsfan, from what I can tell, the town does look postcard pretty. Tiny, but pretty.

Edit: Crikes, you weren't kidding about how small Cooperstown Diner is:

[Lombardi's_kid_brother]

Cooperstown is awesome. I've been there about five times (it helps to have a friend with a summer house there).

The diner is neat. Depending on how long you stay, you should visit and possibly dine at the Otesega.

The best thing to do (outside of the museum) is go to some NY-Penn League games while you are there (if they are in season).

Obviously, you have to go to Doubleday Field. I don't think I've been there when there wasn't a game of some kind taking place. Even if it's high school or Legion ball, you should watch a few innings.

The town itself has become a little too touristy for my tastes in the last 20 years. If you walk the main drag, you will find plenty of places to eat and drink. And they all seem roughly the same. When I was there in the early 80s, it was still pretty podunk. I liked that more.

[renaissance]

I went several years ago. I was really disappointed that the women in baseball section was nowhere near as big and impressive as it was in A League of Their Own

[Dan T.]

The Otesega, is that the resort on the Lake? Gorgeous looking place, but it looks a little formal. I'm not packing a jacket or tie. Unless they have a less formal pub we can pop into for a beer and appetizer as an excuse to scope the place out...

We're going April 1, and long range forecast calls for a wintery mix of weather so not sure how much baseball will be played. We may have to hole up in a pub somewhere for some of the weekend. I can handle that though...

[Forehead]

I've been a few times, but not since I was 12 or 13. My father and I used to go during the summer. Cooperstown, from what I remember, is a very pretty place. I don't remember much about eating, but if you decide to come back home in I-88 South, you can stop in Oneonta, NY and see the soccer hall of fame as well, which isn't really that impressive. But hey, two hall of fames in one trip!

[Dan T.]

but if you decide to come back home in I-88 South, you can stop in Oneonta, NY and see the soccer hall of fame as well

Call me old fashioned, but I'd rather exfoliate my crotch with a belt sander. I appreciate the suggestion though.

[matty dread]

Cooperstown is a lot of fun, even if you don't like baseball you'll still appreciate it.

I work near the airport in Albany. You'll be close to Wolf Rd. and Central Ave., a ton of restaurants and bars just minutes away

One of my favs, I recommend The Barnsider if you want a good steak and a ****tail

[Dan T.]

Cooperstown is a lot of fun, even if you don't like baseball you'll still appreciate it.

I work near the airport in Albany. You'll be close to Wolf Rd. and Central Ave., a ton of restaurants and bars just minutes away

One of my favs, I recommend The Barnsider if you want a good steak and a ****tail

Thanks man. We're staying at the Hotel Indigo. Is that nearby? How is Delmonico Italian Steakhouse?

[matty dread]

Thanks man. We're staying at the Hotel Indigo. Is that nearby? How is Delmonico Italian Steakhouse?

Yep from your hotel Wolf Rd is right around the corner, Wolf intersects with Central, Delmonico's is on Central Ave.

Delmonico's is good, I like it. It can get awfully crowded though so plan for a long wait if you're hitting it at a prime hour. Not sure if they take reservations.

[Dan T.]

Yep from your hotel Wolf Rd is right around the corner, Wolf intersects with Central, Delmonico's is on Central Ave.

Delmonico's is good, I like it. It can get awfully crowded though so plan for a long wait if you're hitting it at a prime hour. Not sure if they take reservations.

OK, thanks. I got both Barnside and Delmonico's written down as possibilities...

[Dan T.]

Did the Cooperstown trip, and was very impressed by the Hall of Fame and Museum. It is beautifully kept, the staff was all friendly and welcoming, and the exhibits were lively and interesting. Baseball does know how to preserve, honor (and romanticize) its history.

The town is tiny but postcard pretty. It looks to be a summer resort, and things were pretty quiet as it was still the offseason.

We learned that apparently town law allows bars only on Pioneer Street - so as far as we could tell there are only two bars in town - Cooley's and the place right across the street whose name escapes me. (It's next door to the Fu Kin chinese restaurant. Real name.) Convenient to wander back and forth from one to the other. Got a surprisingly good meal at Cooley's

They both served local brews - from Ommengang and Cooperstown Breweries. Visited Cooperstown Brewery, which is actually in Milford, and ALL of their beers were first rate.

Their flagship beer Old Slugger Pale Ale -- was my go to beer on the weekend.

Good Porter too:

Every time I go to Cooperstown I eat at the Cooperstown Diner. It is slightly larger than my living room, but the milkshakes and hamburgers are fantastic. The have a burger as big as a catchers mitt. HOF is really cool. Enjoy

The burger at Cooperstown Diner was as advertised. Perfectly cooked and huge. Everything on people's plates looked good.

Took a drive along the Lake. Lots of old money in the area. The Busch's of Budweiser fame have a presence there - apparently because of the abundant hops grown in the region. Augie Busch has (or had) a place there. The Alice Busch Opera Theatre is a place the dandy's can go to in the summer and hints at the old money in the area.

Cooperstown is awesome. I've been there about five times (it helps to have a friend with a summer house there).

The diner is neat. Depending on how long you stay' date=' you should visit and possibly dine at the Otesega.

The best thing to do (outside of the museum) is go to some NY-Penn League games while you are there (if they are in season).

Obviously, you have to go to Doubleday Field. I don't think I've been there when there wasn't a game of some kind taking place. Even if it's high school or Legion ball, you should watch a few innings.

The town itself has become a little too touristy for my tastes in the last 20 years. If you walk the main drag, you will find plenty of places to eat and drink. And they all seem roughly the same. When I was there in the early 80s, it was still pretty podunk. I liked that more.[/quote']

Walked to the Otesega during the day. What a grand old majestic place. Went to the dining room/pub, sat down, no bartender. Staff was too busy waiting on all the retirees enjoying the early bird special. We walked out. Pretty place though.

Big veranda looks across the lawn to the Lake.

Saw Doubleday Field. No game though - still out of season. Could imagine old-time baseball game being played there.

Yep from your hotel Wolf Rd is right around the corner, Wolf intersects with Central, Delmonico's is on Central Ave.

Delmonico's is good, I like it. It can get awfully crowded though so plan for a long wait if you're hitting it at a prime hour. Not sure if they take reservations.

Had an excellent steak at Delmonico's in Albany.

Thanks for all the trip input guys. Next road trip - Uranus.