Among other exhibits: the silver trophy awarded to Phillies right fielder Chuck Klein when he was named the National League’s Most Valuable Player in 1932; the bat used by Mike Schmidt in 1980, the year he hit a career-high 48 homeruns; and one of the mascot costumes worn by the Phillie Phanatic.

These artifacts are part of the vast collection at the museum, which is a virtual mecca for fans of the sport known as “America’s Pastime.” It’s the main reason why many people visit that little village (population about 1,800) nestled in the foothills of New York’s Catskill Mountains.

The museum portrays the popular game through memorabilia and exhibits that provide both entertainment and education. When I asked how much time visitors usually spend there, I was told, “From two hours to two weeks.”  

In addition to the Baseball Hall of Fame, other attractions related to that game include the Heroes of Baseball Wax Museum; Cooperstown Bat Company, where I learned how professional models are made; and shops offering a wide selection of baseball-related apparel, players cards, and other collectibles.

But it didn’t take long for me to learn that Cooperstown’s appeal extends well beyond that game and to understand why it has been referred to as “America’s most perfect village.”

Start with the setting itself, an area of rolling farm fields tucked among pockets of forest amid tranquil lakes overlooked by low-lying mountains. Against this backdrop, the town could be the movie set of a quintessential village.

Walkable streets lead to the spectacular lakefront, and leafy parks lend welcome touches of Mother Nature. Adding to the storybook décor is an architectural mixture of Colonial buildings and gingerbread Victorian homes, many of them painted in a palette of vibrant eye-catching colors.

No wonder Cooperstown was included on Travel + Leisure magazine’s lists of best places to visit and best road trips from New York City.

The town was founded in 1786 by William Cooper, who was the father of the renowned author James Fenimore Cooper. The younger Cooper’s books include The Leatherstocking Tales, a series of historical novels set in the frontier period that combine pioneer and Native American lore set against a backdrop of the region’s magnificent scenery.

A centerpiece of that lovely landscape is Otsego Lake, a glacier-created body of water whose name is derived from the Iroquois word meaning “place of the rock.” That refers to a boulder known as Council Rock, which once served as a meeting place for Native Americans. The lake is called Glimmerglass in Cooper’s books because, at times, the surface is so still it resembles a mirror.

For such a small village, Cooperstown offers a wide choice of welcome surprises. The Fenimore Art Museum houses world-class displays of American folk and Native American art and offers a constant lineup of changing exhibits.

The Farmers’ Museum is a living history village that recreates mid-19^th-century rural life. The site has been a working farm since 1813, when it was owned by James Fenimore Cooper. Collections run the gamut, from an early 18^th-century plow to homemade hay rakes and a 19^th-century milk fat tester.

These museums are among a number of enticements that extend the appeal of Cooperstown well beyond its fame as a favored destination for lovers of baseball. From nature at its best to manmade attractions to the town itself, there’s variety enough to find a place on many people’s travel wish list.

My stay at The Otesaga, a historic resort hotel (built in 1909) perched at the edge of Otsego Lake, became part of my immersion in the destination. The property, whose name comes from the Iroquois word for “place of meetings,” transports visitors back to a time of elegance and gracious hospitality. 

An expansive porch provides panoramic views over Otsego Lake. Guest rooms sport opulent touches like ceiling chandeliers and oversized windows, which provide stunning views of the water.

Adding to the mix are a golf course rated among the best on the East Coast, a heated swimming pool, tennis and pickleball courts, and restaurants that serve four-star meals.

To learn more about Cooperstown, log onto thisiscooperstown.com.  

After gallivanting around the world, Victor Block still retains the travel bug. He believes that travel is the best possible education. A member of the Society of American Travel Writers, Victor loves to explore new destinations and cultures, and his stories about them have won a number of writing awards.