Cooperstown (where in 1839 Abner Doubleday invented the game of baseball, it's claimed) likes to call itself "America's Most Perfect Village," and many who have gone there find that title difficult to dispute. Now, people in East Coast metropolitan areas (and elsewhere) can avail themselves of modestly-priced getaway packages from NY-State-based Empress Travel starting as low as $227, or even from $82 if you drive yourself there.
Not only is the village itself a romantically pretty place, but there are three unique museums well worth looking into. The first is the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum (www.baseballhalloffame.org, in business since 1939), where all you ever wanted to know about our National Pastime can be found. At the Fenimore Art Museum (www.fenimoreartmuseum.org), you'll find a good collection of folk, decorative and Native American art. And at The Farmers' Museum (www.farmersmuseum.org) you can look at the working farm itself or check into the living-history museum with its costumed interpreters to see how folks lived 150 years ago. If you go to the Cooperstown Web site, you can print out coupons that give you up to a dollar off the admission prices at these three places, and good for up to six persons on each coupon. Normal adult admission to the Baseball Museum is $9.50, to the others $9 each.
Your package choices center around the hotel you choose, whether it be the famous old (1909) grand resort, The Otesaga (overlooking the lake) or perhaps the 1813 Cooper Inn, a small (15 rooms) property in the center of town. All packages include lodging and breakfast, and those at The Otesaga include dinner as well.
For $227, you get round-trip train tickets from New York City and a rental car from Hertz, in addition to one night's lodging and the museum vouchers. Note that the prices are per person. The same will cost just $215 from Boston or $297 from Philadelphia. For those who prefer to drive their own cars up, packages start at $82 and include the hotel room and vouchers for the museums. All rates are per person, sharing a double room, and include all hotel taxes and service charges.
For more information or to purchase these packages, phone Empress Travel at 800/653-0231 or 518/374-3176, or visit them on-line at www.travelempress.com. The deal is available through the end of December 2002.
For general information on Cooperstown Village, including a free brochure, maps and travel directions, visit www.cooperstowngetaway.com or phone toll free 888/875-2969.