Otsego County & Scenic Tours I-L

 
Once you enter Otsego County on Route 20, you have found a place where culture meets with applause & world class opera, national art exhibitions, theater, and concerts. Here, past meets present, from hands-on history museums to baseball games, historic sites and New York State's first cuisine trail, the Cooperstown Beverage Trail. The Route 20 Scenic Byway takes you through Richfield Springs, East Springfield and Cherry Valley. And from Route 20, make time to take an excursion into the Villages of Cherry Valley and Cooperstown. Richfield Springs, celebrating 150 years in 2011, is home to three national historic districts. In the 19th century, this was a resort community known for its mineral springs. Stop to taste the famous sulphur water from the fountain in Spring Park and enjoy the unusual, rustic-style bandstand. Canadarago Lake is just south of the village and is the second largest lake in the Susquehanna watershed with great fishing and a public beach. 



Route 20 Scenic Tour I - Cooperstown Beverage Trail - Otsego County

 
This pleasure trip takes visitors into Cooperstown along the road less traveled. Leaving Route 20 just west of Richfield Springs, follow Route 28 south for about 9 miles to the junction of Route 80 west, and following Route 80 west, plan to pay a visit to two of the Cooperstown Beverage Trail “Recommended Destinations” - Rustic Ridge Winery and Butternuts Beer and Ale. Once you turn on Route 80 west, in about 8 miles you will find Rustic Ridge Winery on the north side of Route 80. Continue west on 80 to Route 51 in West Burlington. Turn south on Route 51 and travel about 6 miles through Garrattsville to Butternuts Beer and Ale brewery on the left. Return to Route 28 via Route 51 north and 80 east. Now travel south on Route 28 about 3 miles to the hamlet of Fly Creek. Turn left at the blinker light to Goose Street for the Fly Creek Cider Mill, a working cider mill and mill store and your first of the four stops on the Cooperstown Beverage Trail. 

After loading up with tasty treats and beverages from Fly Creek Cider Mill, drive another three miles on Route 28 to the junction of Chestnut Street (Route 80) and turn left to the stoplight at Main Street. Drive east through Cooperstown on Main Street and turn south onto Estli Avenue to County Route 33. Follow CR 33 south to Brewery Ommegang, your second stop on the Cooperstown Beverage Trail. Tour to learn how their famous Belgian style ales are made and enjoy a bite in their all-new Café. Continue the journey south along CR 33 to Route 166, turn west to Village of Milford and the Cooperstown Brewing Company, your third stop on the Trail and home of several baseball-themed favorite local brews. 

Continue west on Route 166 to Route 28. Just a few miles south on Route 28 is the final stop on the Cooperstown Beverage Trail:Bear Pond Winery and cafe. The Winery features locally-produced wines as well as a large variety of private label wines. Return to Cooperstown on Route 28 north to Chestnut Street to the stoplight. Now enjoy the features of the Cooperstown Connection (Excursion K). 

 

Route 20 Scenic Tour J - Canadarago Lake East - Otsego County

An alternate way to wind your way to Cooperstown from Richfield Springs is to follow County Route 22 south along the east side of Canadarago Lake. From the center of Richfield Springs, a the stoplight by the park and famous Richfield Springs clock, turn south on County Route 22 (East Lake Road) and travel 6 miles to the hamlet of Schuyler Lake. Along the way you will pass the Lake House, a restaurant with accommodations built in 1843 and continuously welcoming guests for more than 170 years. The Lake House enjoys a beautiful location overlooking Canadarago Lake. Once you reach Schuyler Lake and the junction with Route 28, follow the directions in Scenic Tour “I”, south on Route 28 and the Cooperstown Beverage Trail.

 

Route 20 Scenic Tour K - The Cooperstown Connection - Otsego County

 
From Route 20, turn west on Route 80 at Springfield Center and enjoy the antique and gift shops of Springfield Center and continue your journey west on Route 80 past the Otsego Golf Club established in 1894 and one of America's 10 oldest golf clubs. Travel on to the Glimmerglass Opera and the beautiful 9 mile journey along the west side of Otsego Lake, past the historic Otesaga Resort Hotel into the heart of Cooperstown to visit the legendary National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum as well as the many fine shops and eateries. The Cooperstown Chamber of Commerce on Chestnut Street can be of assistance. 


Now enjoy the Cooperstown Beverage Trail (Excursion I) or journey back to Route 20 via Route 80 up the west side of Otsego Lake. As you leave Cooperstown, take time to visit The Farmers' Museum and the Fenimore Art Museum. Continuing east on Route 80, travel about 9 miles past historic estates, lakeside homes and the Glimmerglass Opera, finally reaching Route 20 at Springfield Center. Turn east on Route 20 to Historic Cherry Valley. 



Route 20 Scenic Tour L - The Cherry Valley Turnpike Excursion - Otsego County

 
Until a few decades ago, Route 20 ran through the historic community of Cherry Valley. Starting in 1799, the Cherry Valley Turnpike construction that linked the west to Albany brought prosperity to the village. Just east of East Springfield, bear right on County Route 54 to the Historic Village of Cherry Valley. Cherry Valley was the gateway to the American Frontier and an important link between the Mohawk and the other nations of the Iroquois Confederacy. It was the site of one of the most notorious events of the Revolutionary War, the Cherry Valley Massacre.

 
It was here, also, that in 1837, Samuel F.B. Morse developed the first working telegraphic machine while visiting his cousin. Visit the Cherry Valley Museum to view a collection of women's clothing dating from the 1800s. At the Museum, pick up directions for the walking tour of Cherry Valley which resonates with history, early architecture and historic monuments. Return to Route 20 via Main Street east to CR 54 east.