Camping and Motels

In addition to the campground at Glimmerglass State Park (East Lake Rd., 607/547-8662), camping options include the Cooperstown Beaver Valley Campground (Rte. 28 S, 607/293-7324), boasting three beaver ponds and a petting zoo; and the Cooperstown Shadow Brook Campground (East Lake Rd., 607/264-8431). Both feature about 100 sites.

Cooperstown has a number of good, clean motels to choose from. In the heart of the village, overlooking Otsego Lake, is the 45-room Lake Front Motel (10 Fair St., 607/547-9511, www.lakefrontmotelandrestaurant.com, $115–190 d in summer, $65–150 d off-season). An on-site restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner; a deck overlooks the lake.

On the lake seven miles north of Cooperstown is the Lake ‘N Pines Motel (7102 Rte. 80, 607/547-2790, $130–160 d in summer, $55–85 off-season). Here guests can choose between motel rooms and cottages. On site are indoor and outdoor pools, and a small beach equipped with paddle boats.

Hotels and Inns

The 1902 Otesaga Hotel and Restaurant (60 Lake St., 607/547-9931, www.otesaga.com, $320–550 d with full breakfast and dinner) is a delicious grande dame of a hotel that’s affiliated with Historic Hotels of America. Out front tower stately white columns; out back stretches a long, long, circular porch with rocking chairs overlooking the lake. Facilities include a romantic ballroom with a 20-foot-high coffered ceiling, a main dining room, the appealing Hawkeye Bar & Grill, tennis courts, and the first-rate Leatherstocking Golf Course. All 135 rooms are outfitted with period furnishings.

The Otesaga also operates the luxurious Coopers Inn (Main and Chestnut Sts., 607/547-9931, $205 d in summer, $110–160 off-season, breakfast included), built circa 1820. Reigning over its own little park in the heart of the downtown, the inn offers 20 handsomely decorated rooms and the use of all Otesaga facilities.

Meanwhile, the Inn at Cooperstown (16 Chestnut St., 607/547-5756, www.innatcooperstown.com, $187 d in summer, $99–167 off-season, breakfast included) is all that an inn should be—big, creaky, lined with a wide porch, and shaded with magnificent trees. All 17 guest rooms feature private baths and queen or double beds.

Cooperstown’s oldest inn, now somewhat worn but still atmospheric, is the 1802 Tunnicliff Inn (34–36 Pioneer St., 607/547-9611, $160–190 d in summer, $60–140 d off-season). Here, you’ll find 17 guest rooms, a restaurant, and a historic bar.

Bed-and-Breakfasts

Among the many inviting B&Bs in Cooperstown is the stately Landmark Inn (64 Chestnut St., 607/547-7225, www.landmarkinncooperstown.com, $200–295 d July–Aug., $115–210 d off-season), in a 1856 Italianate mansion. Beautifully restored, the inn offers a plush parlor complete with fireplace, hardwood floors polished to a high gleam, a game room, various cozy sitting areas, and nine spacious guest rooms equipped with feather duvet beds, refrigerators, air-conditioning, Cable TV, and antiques. Internet access is also available. One of the inn’s especially nice touches is its sumptuous homemade breakfasts, served in your room or in the dining room.

Just down the street is the Chestnut Street Guest House (79 Chestnut St., 607/547-5624, $95–125 d). This comfortable spot offers four attractive rooms, one completely outfitted in baseball memorabilia.

© Avalon Travel and Sascha Zuger from Moon New York State, 5th Edition