The National Baseball Hall of Fame: The Perfect NY Daytrip

When you think about American culture, two things come to mind – Apple pie and baseball. New York holds a special place in baseball fan’s hearts. The New York Yankees. The Brooklyn Dodgers. Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. But, even closer to our hearts. A place where we can relive the past from Jackie Robinson breaking the barriers to learning about Nolan Ryan or Sandy Kofax’s’ stellar pitching careers. A little place with one stop light. The National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown NY.  

A Place for Kids to Dream and Adults to Relive

From Cuba to Canada, and even overseas in Japan, baseball is a force driving people together to watch their favorite players battle for that famous seven-game World Series championship. Kids dream about smashing a home run over the Big Green Monster or reliving the days of the greats like Hank Aaron and Ty Cobb.

The old saying doesn’t apply here. Those who learn history will repeat it and make it better. The hopes and dreams of every player are to have their likeness portrayed in bronze in those hallowed halls. While the dream starts in the backyard, the Baseball Hall of Fame fuels those internal fires. I saw it myself as my son watched the greats talk about their heroes and achievements.

Are you ready to plan your trip? From the little leaguer to the daydreamer, here is some info to help you plan the perfect trip.  

Planning the Perfect Day Trip to the National Baseball Hall of Fame

Don’t let the size of the town fool you. It gets busy and you need to plan your trip to get the most out of your visit. Making a few preparations like when to go, where to eat and parking will help you avoid stressing over busy times and help you enjoy your time.

How to Get to the Baseball Hall of Fame

The Baseball Hall of Fame is located at 25 Main St. Cooperstown, NY. The easiest way to get to Cooperstown is county Route 80. From the north, you’ll take Rt. 20 from Richfield Springs. Or you’ll head north from Rt 88 from the south. There is plenty of paid parking, but finding a spot could be difficult on busier days.

What are the Hours and Ticket Prices for the Baseball Hall of Fame

The Baseball Hall of Fame is open yearlong. It’s open from 9 am to 5 pm from Labor Day weekend to Memorial Day weekend. The hours shift from 9 am to 7 pm Memorial Weekend to Labor Day Weekend. We recommend visiting earlier or around lunchtime during peak hours. We’ve seen lower crowds then.

Tickets are available online ahead of your trip. Ticket prices vary by age. Purchasing a Supporter membership is the best value for families who love to travel. We purchased the membership and enjoyed the gift shop discount after our tour.

Ticket prices are:

●      Members: Free

●      Adults 13 to 64: $30.00

●      Seniors 65+: $24.00

●      Juniors 7 to 12: $21.00

●      Veterans: $20.00

●      Active or Career Retired Military: Free

●      Children 6 and Under: Free

When is the Best Time to Go to the Baseball Hall of Fame

But when should you plan your visit? Many factors from crowd preference to experiencing live baseball. While some Cooperstown attractions are closed during winter, there are many great things to do in the area year-round.

While anytime is a great time to visit, you’ll trade more to do with activity levels depending on when you go. Summer offers visitors the best time to experience Cooperstown. Winter brings much lower crowds, but less to do around town. We recommend spring or fall trips for lower crowds, but more attractions open like the Farmers Museum or outdoor summer activities.

Navigating Your Visit

The National Baseball Hall of Fame has three floors with plenty to experience. It could take a couple of trips to take everything in or find your favorite player’s memorabilia. Visitors can take a tour of Abner Doubleday Field while there as well. To get the best experience, start your self-tour on the second floor, head to the third floor and visit the first floor last.

The Second Floor

Exploring the second floor immerses you in the history of the game. From the classic images through the Picturing America’s Pastime gallery to artifacts from the early days of the game. Compare how equipment and the leagues have evolved from the 19^th century to today’s game. Visit the Babe Ruth showcase with historical pieces from Babe’s life. Each piece in the section gives a little insight into Babe Ruth’s life.

After, visit the sections dedicated to those who helped break down barriers and make the game what it is today. Souls of the Game brings visitors through the history of African American ball players from Reggie Jackson to Jackie Robinson. Next, visit Diamond Dreams to see the inspiration behind A League of Their Own and the influence women had on the game. Finally, visit Viva Baseball and experience Latin America and how Latinos built their leagues and their place in the MLB.

Our favorite part of the floor was the Generations of the Game short film. The film inspired us for the rest of the visit. The look in my son’s eyes as he watched the greats talk about their heroes made the trip worth it. When he saw the scene about the Little League World Series, the motivation was palpable. 

The Third Floor

The third floor snaps you back to the present with exhibits showcasing the stadiums, baseball cards, current records, World Series and more. First, explore the stadiums from around the country and Canada. From Wrigley Field to Olympic Stadium in Montreal. Each with a thousand stories and so many dreams made. Next, you’ll relive the incredible journey led by Hank Aaron in the Exploring the Dream exhibit complete with his locker from the clubhouse. 

The “One for the Books” exhibit will have you saying “I remember that day” as you tell your dad story to your kids. From Nolan Ryan’s 5,714 career strikeouts to Hank Aaron’s 2,297 RBIs, you’ll be amazed by the careers of the big leaguers. Just past the records, the dream of every kid and MBL player alike – the World Series. See the trophy, the rings and the current world champions.

If you need that big shot of nostalgia, Shoebox Treasures is it. See the baseball cards we wish we kept in better condition. From my father’s Mickey Mantle rookie card, which he placed in his bike spokes to my Ken Griffey rookie card I lost many years ago. 

It’s hard to point out our favorite part of this floor. Shoebox Treasures brought back a lot of memories. Also, the kids created their baseball cards. Thankfully, my son wore his Yankees jersey to match his custom cards.

The First Floor

On the first floor, head to the learning center and the Art of Baseball to see art created around the game. Next, enter the magnificent oak hall lined with bronze plaques representing the Hall of Fame inductees from the beginning. Each plaque highlights the player’s career—players who served in the military display an additional plaque with the branch and any wars served. You’ll stand in awe of the glory of the best players, umpires and executives in the game.  

Finally, head to the library building and explore the media around baseball. From the scribes and announcers covering every play of every game to the movies diving into the culture and history of the game. Don’t forget “Who’s on First.” If you have children from 4 to 10, Sandlot Kids Club has a few activities for them to check out. Before you go, grab a few souvenirs to remember your trip from the gift shop. There’s something for everyone.

Other Things to Do and Where to Eat in Cooperstown

While Visiting Cooperstown

While we want to show you the Hall of Fame is the perfect day trip, Cooperstown has much more to do and see. Explore the Farmers’ Museum and see live farming exhibits, the Empire State Carousel and the legendary Cardiff Giant. Art lovers will enjoy the Fenimore Museum. Glimmerglass State Park is beautiful complete with a beach and campground (if you want a cost-effective stay). While there, tour Hyde Hall Mansion and see New York’s oldest covered bridge.

Great Places to Eat in Cooperstown

Cooperstown is truly unique. You won’t find chain restaurants and fast food, but you’ll find a mix of local and specialized cuisine for everyone. If you plan a day trip, there are plenty of options close to the Baseball Hall of Fame. From ice cream to something more elevated, you’ll find something everyone will love.

For a quick bite, stop at Sal’s Pizzaria of Cooperstown for excellent service and quality slices. The Doubleday Cafe serves classic American fare a stone’s throw from the Hall of Fame. Want to eat somewhere small with a big reputation? The Cooperstown Diner is one of the nation’s smallest diners boasting the hometown burger many famous diners have experienced. 

If you want something different and don’t mind a short drive, check out Brewery Ommegang. Take a brief tour and sample the day’s tastings before dining at the in-house restaurant. Head north and check out Fly Creek Cider Mill. Grab jerk chicken or a sandwich and top it off with NY wine, hard cider or a delicious selection from the bakery. Don’t forget to grab some goodies to take home.

Discover a New York State Gem in Cooperstown 

Cooperstown has amazing places to see and eat. The National Baseball Hall of Fame is one of the top destinations for baseball fans young and old alike. Even if you aren’t a baseball fan, discovering the legendary history of America’s pastime is a must and should be on your bucket list. 

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