the Main Barn,which houses exhibitions; the 1845 Village, where costumed interpreters practice the arts and trades of the period; and Lippitt Farmstead, a working farm with rare heritage animal breeds and other livestock, offer visitors an opportunity to experience firsthand the extraordinary aspects of farmer's lives 150 years ago. The occupations and rhythms of everyday living, from broom making and weaving to milking cows and blacksmithing, serve as windows to the past in a superb historical reconstruction that will fascinate adults and children alike. In the spring, newborn calves, lambs and ducklings enhance the museum’s appeal to young children. For more information, call (888) 547-1450 or visit the Web site, www.farmersmuseum.org.

Fenimore Art Museum showcases the extensive collections of the New York State Historical Association (NYSHA). NYSHA’s collections of fine, folk, decorative and Native American art are considered among the best in the country, and include the desk, home furnishings and personal memorabilia of James Fenimore Cooper, America’s first internationally famous novelist. The environs of Cooperstown formed the settings of his frontier classic Last of the Mohicans and other stories.

Families will appreciate the new Education Room at Fenimore Art Museum, which was designed to give children a place to explore and appreciate art at their own pace, and for parents to interact with them in a comfortable environment.

On the lake’s shore, behind the Museum, visitors will find a recreated 1750 Mohawk bark house. Throughout the year, a staff of interpreters makes objects that would have been found in an 18th-century Indian hunting and fishing camp such as this one. Visitors learn firsthand about the lifestyle of the native peoples of North America, how canoes were constructed from logs, how animal skins were tanned for clothing, and other Native American crafts of the time.Throughout the year, both The Farmers’ Museum and Fenimore Art Museum host dozens of fun-filled special events, educational lectures, children’s workshops and musical programs. Highlights include sheep shearing demonstrations and an annual harvest festival in September. General admission to each museum is $11 for adults, $5 for children ages 7 -12 and free for children six or less. For information call (888) 547-1450, or visit www.fenimoreartmuseum.org.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is one of the country's most popular destinations and is surely the best-known sports shrine in the world. Standing as a three-story red brick building on Main Street in the center of Cooperstown, the Museum opened its doors for the first time on June 12, 1939.  The Hall of Fame has stood as the definitive repository of the game's treasures and as a symbol of the most profound individual honor bestowed on an athlete.  It is every fan's "Field of Dreams" with its stories, legends and magic to be passed on from generation to generation.  The Baseball Hall of Fame’s mission is to preserve history, honor excellence and connect generations.

An independent, non-profit educational institution dedicated to fostering an appreciation of the historical development of Baseball and its impact on our culture by collecting, preserving, exhibiting and interpreting its collections for a global audience as well as honoring those who have made outstanding contributions to our National Pastime, the Hall of Fame and Museum is open daily, year round (except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

Each summer, Cooperstown and the Hall of Fame hosts Hall of Fame Weekend, which includes the Induction Ceremony and many family-oriented special events. The 2009 Hall of Fame Weekend will take place July 24-27. The Induction Ceremony will take place on Sunday, July 26 at the Clark Sports Center at 1:30 PM. A full weekend of family-friendly events highlights Hall of Fame Weekend. Throughout the year, the Hall of Fame features programming for visitors of all ages, including the monthly Voices of the Game Series, featuring Hall of Famers and notable baseball members. For information on the Museum and special events at the Hall of Fame, please call 888-HALL-OF-FAME or visit www.baseballhalloffame.org.

For a nominal fee, guests may use The Clark Sports Center, which offers a complete range of fitness classes, squash and racquetball courts, an Olympic pool, climbing wall, basketball, weight training and other sports activities. For information, call (607) 547-2800 or visit The Center's Web page at clarksportscenter.com

Just a short drive outside Cooperstown, this internationally acclaimed opera company, known for its innovative productions of both newly commissioned works and little-staged classics, is entering its 34th season beginning in 2009 on July 18th. The company’s Gala Weekend, held each July and open to the public, includes dinners, receptions and symposiums.

For opera tickets and information, call the Glimmerglass Opera Ticket Office at (607) 547-2255. For other information and special packages contact (607) 547-5704 or visit www.glimmerglass.org.

Families wishing to visit more than one museum should purchase a two-or three-museum discount package, which can be purchased at any of the museums and includes trolley tickets. Adult 3-museum packages are $30.50, a savings of $8.50, and children’s 3-museum packages are available for $12.75, a savings of $3.25. The 2-museum Fenimore Art Museum and Farmers' Museum package is only $17.50 ($8.00 for children).  The Fenimore Art Museum or Farmers' Museum and National Baseball Hall of Fame two-museum package is only $22.00 ($8.75 for children). All two-museum packages are $8.00 for children. A convenient getaway distance from New York, Boston, Philadelphia and other Northeastern and mid-Atlantic cities, Cooperstown is easily accessible by car, rail and air.

For general information on the Village of Cooperstown, including a free color brochure, travel directions and lodging options, call (888) 875-2969 or visit www.cooperstowngetaway.org.