A Visit to Cooperstown NY

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and MuseumNatural Beauty and our National Pastime!

Baseball fans you have heard the name because Cooperstown NY is home to the The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, but there is so much more to this area for visitors to enjoy. Museums, breweries, farmers markets, and historical locations are all attractions just a few hours drive from NYC. These fun destinations are surrounded by nature that will inspire you to get out and get moving!

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

Learn more about the game, the history, and the players all in one place with exciting exhibits, and displays that will capture baseball fans and newbies alike. Then let the action really come to life with the Heroes of Baseball Wax Museum. Stand next you favorite players and see what they look like outside of their baseball cards. Maybe even take in a game at the birthplace of America’s pastime, Abner Doubleday Field.

The Fenimore Art Museum & The Farmers’ Museum

Fenimore Art Museum Court yard

If you are looking for more museum options Cooperstown is loaded with interesting stops to keep your visit filled with learning and culture. The Fenimore Art Museum is a collection of American fine and folk art, Native American art, and photography as well as visiting exhibitions. Considered one of the nation’s premier art institutions this is a must see for everyone from the views on the walls to the lovely grounds of the museum.

The Farmers' Museum

The Farmers’ Museum, New York State circa 1845. What does that look like for families in their day to day life? You can find out and even try your hand at some of these activities while visiting this living history museum. See demonstrations, learn about trade, enjoy the farmstead, the historic village, and the carousel!

Cooperstown Beverage Trail

Brewery Ommegang

Beer enthusiasts, wine sippers, and cider lovers will not want to miss these stops on your trip. Cooperstown Beverage Trail is New York State’s first official cuisine trail made up of eight stops, Bear Pond Winery, Cooperstown Brewing Company, Brewery Ommegang, the Fly Creek Cider Mill, Butternuts Beer & Ale, Rustic Ridge Winery, Cooperstown Distillery and Pail Shop Vineyards. Take tours, enjoy tastings, and take some goodies home from their shops. You can find out all the details and a map of locations here to get going on your tour.

Get Out in Nature!

Otsego Lake and Cooperstown NY

Hike, bike, or get out on the lake! There is camping, fishing, winter recreation, and so much more to show off the gorgeous countryside. Enjoy the delicious food that grows locally by visiting the farmer’s market or visiting the wide variety of eateries in Cooperstown.

For the indoor or outdoor portion of your vacation planning, Cooperstown has everything to appeal to all interests. Be sure to visit their website Thisiscooperstown.com to get tips for your time in the area. See more on social media and get inspiration for a trip to Cooperstown. FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTube

A Visit to Catalina Island

It begins with a boat ride…

Located off the coast of Southern California, Catalina Island is a vacation destination and adventure start to finish. From the beautiful vistas to the quaint town of Avalon, Catalina is worthy of its hundred plus years as a travelers’ oasis. To get to the island you have two options, boat or helicopter. Most of the islands visitors go by way of ocean travel which takes a little over an hour.

There are two major towns on the island but Avalon is by far the most popular and iconic. Much of the island is undeveloped and now home to herds of bison, wild foxes, and deer. You can even catch sight of a bald eagle if you head out on one of the nature tours of the island.

JazzTrax Festival. Hearing live music where Hollywood stars of the Golden Age partied is a thrill. Or you can catch a movie downstairs in the art deco theatre. Taking a Casino Tour to learn the building’s history is a great way to get a look at everything as well.

Another adventure on Catalina Island is the underwater activities. Swimming, scuba diving, and snorkeling are a big draw.  One option to see the abundant sea life is to get in and get wet, but certain months of the year that is less enticing than others. If you want to get up close and personal while staying dry give the Glass Bottom Boat Tour a try. You can go out and give catching your dinner a try too. The island is known for its great fishing.

Even if you don’t reel anything in you won’t be short on seafood to enjoy. There are restaurants all over Avalon serving fresh fish and other delicacies. With so many options to chose from a Taste of Catalina Food Tour is a way to get started. Visit some Island hot spots on this guided tour which blends Island history, and I spy into a drinking game of Bingo.

The Catalina Island Museum is not to be missed. Learn the history of the island from the first people to live there, through the Spanish explorers, to the purchase of the land by the Wrigley Family. Sports fans will appreciate the ties to the Chicago Cubs who came out for spring training from 1921-1951. Not to mention the art at the museum. Their Chihuly Glass exhibit is stunning.

There are plenty of hotels and Bed and Breakfasts to chose from for your stay. A couple days is perfect to see the island. Our ride back was at sunset and it could not have been a lovelier end to the trip. Overall we loved the island so much that we are planning another trip back to visit again and take part in even more of the activities offered there. My snorkel gear will be packed next time for sure!

Find out more about Catalina Island – Catalinachamber.com

The 10 Most Inspirational Art Galleries in the World

Great art is an inspiration to creative thinkers of all types. Masterful paintings and sculptures fill viewers with a sense of wonder and inspire them to dream of things that many people consider to be impossible. The following ten art museums and galleries, curated with the help of Marked By Teachers contain some of the greatest and most inspirational works of art that the world has ever seen.

The Louvre

Located in Paris, the Louvre is the world’s most popular art museum. The museum’s many awe-inspiring galleries display over 35,000 works of art by the greatest masters of all time. Collections include Western European art from the medieval period to the mid 19th century, Islamic art and art and antiquities from ancient civilizations. The Louvre is open every day except Tuesday, and admission to the permanent collection costs €11 ($14.30) for adults. Admission to special exhibits costs €12, and a combined ticket costs €15.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The scale of New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art is massive, and any art lover will find multiple sources of inspiration in the museum’s many galleries. The extensive collection includes over 2 million works of American, European, African, Asian, Oceanic, Byzantine [Read more…]