This Upstate New York Gem Offers the Perfect Small-town Getaway Less Than 4 Hours From NYC

"Upstate New York is home to a destination known as "America's most perfect village." Nestled in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains, Cooperstown offers a spectacular lakefront, leafy parks, walkable downtown streets, and a vibrant culinary scene. In addition to baseball havens like the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and the historic Doubleday Field, it's home to other stunning museums and one of the largest opera festivals in the world. But beyond its attractions and events, which draw hundreds of thousands of visitors each summer, is an idyllic small town (population: just over 1,800) with unparalleled natural beauty and charm."

"Surrounded by rolling hills and unobstructed views of beautiful Otsego Lake, Cooperstown is a hub for outdoor enthusiasts looking to hike, swim, and play golf at The Otesaga Resort Hotel's renowned Leatherstocking Golf Course. Fans of craft beverages and cuisine seek out the region's many breweries, wineries, and historic cider mills. It's impossible not to fall in love with Cooperstown's picture-perfect Main Street. The well-preserved downtown is filled with specialty shops and cafes, and visitors should build in additional travel days to enjoy the adjacent sparkling lakefront, Bill Michaels, a sixth-generation Cooperstown resident and owner of Fly Creek Cider Mill, told Travel + Leisure."

""Cooperstown is one of those places that people immediately fall in love with," he said. "It's a small village with a strong sense of community and place, and yet there's also a wonderful energy that comes with having so many world-class institutions and events.""

Cooperstown sits in the Catskill Mountains foothills on the shores of Otsego Lake and has a population of just over 1,800. The village features a scenic lakefront, leafy parks, a well-preserved Main Street with specialty shops and cafes, and major cultural institutions including the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and historic Doubleday Field. The town hosts museums, a large opera festival, and draws hundreds of thousands of summer visitors. Outdoor activities include hiking, swimming, and golf at the Leatherstocking Golf Course. The region also offers breweries, wineries, and historic cider mills, creating a strong culinary and craft-beverage scene.

Read at Travel + Leisure