VISIT
HOURS
April 1 – May 26
Open Tuesday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Closed Mondays)
May 27 – October 9
Open daily, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Fenimore Café is open daily from 11am–4pm.
October 10 – December 31
Open Tuesday – Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Closed Mondays, Thanksgiving and Christmas
January 1 – March 31
Closed for winter except for special programs and events.
ADMISSIONS
Adults (20-64) $15.00
Seniors (65+) $12.50
Young People (19 and under) FREE
Admission is always FREE for members, active military, and retired career military personnel. Free museum admission is also available for those receiving SNAP benefits—up to 4 people.
Find more info on FREE ADMISSION >>>
TWO-WAY TICKETS with THE FARMERS’ MUSEUM
Adults (20-64) $25.00
Seniors (65+) $22.50
Tickets only available at the door. No online tickets sold.
Fenimore Café
The Fenimore Café is open daily from 11:30am–3pm (Spring and Fall) and 11:30am–4pm (Summer).
Museum Shop
The shop is open during regular museum hours.
Research Library
The Research Library is open to the public by appointment only. Patrons must call or email us to discuss their research needs with staff and to set up an appointment. Phone: 607.547.1470 or email: library@fenimoreart.org.
SHOPPING
The Fenimore Art Museum Shop is open during regular museum hours. Located on the main level of the Museum includes special merchandise and elegant jewelry from regional artists, Native American works of art, books and gifts related to fine art, folk art and the history of New York State. Visit our online store.
And if that’s not enough, we invite you to walk across the street to The Farmers’ Museum Store, offering unique handmade crafts created at the Museum as well as additional products based on the history and culture of New York and America.
DINING
The Fenimore Café is open daily from 11:30am–3pm (Spring and Fall) and 11:30am–4pm (Summer). Limited seating indoors. In warmer months, you’ll find tables situated on the museum’s terrace–surrounded by beautiful plantings and a panoramic view of Otsego Lake. It is an experience not to be missed.
Fenimore Art Museum’s garden terrace offers one of the areas most spectacular views of Otsego Lake–James Fenimore Cooper’s “Glimmerglass.” Visitors may access the terrace without paying an entry fee.
Restrooms are located on the Lower Level. These restrooms are handicapped accessible and include changing tables.
Drinking fountains have been turned off due to COVID-19. Bottled beverages can be purchased in the Fenimore Cafe.
All of the Museum’s public galleries are wheelchair accessible. An elevator is available on all levels–large enough to accommodate motorized wheelchairs.
Small coin-operated lockers are located in the Visitors’ Room. (This room has been closed due to COVID-19. Please leave any bags or backpacks in your vehicle.)
SERVICE ANIMALS and PETS
Pets are not allowed inside the Museum. This includes emotional support animals, comfort animals, or therapy dogs. Do not leave a pet unattended in your car. Security will be notified about animals left unattended. Service dogs are welcome in all areas of the museum. For your convenience, please notify an admission staff member of your service companion upon arrival. All service dogs must be in a harness, leash, or other tether while in the buildings and are not permitted to roam freely.
All dogs and other animals walked on the grounds must be leashed and all droppings must be picked up and properly disposed of.
Please read our POLICY FOR PETS AND SERVICE ANIMALS on museum property.
ACCESSIBILITY
All of the Museum’s public galleries are accessible to wheelchair users and other visitors who need to avoid stairs via an elevator that is large enough to accommodate motorized wheelchairs.
GROUP TOUR INFORMATION
Discounts are offered for groups with a minimum of 15 participants. (This rate is not applicable for visiting school or youth groups.) Confirmation is required two weeks prior to your visit. Special guided tours are available. The Fenimore Art Museum offers boxed or buffet lunches with several menu options.
Request information on Adult Group Tours via email or contact Anna Sweet, Assistant to Visitor Services and Adult Groups, at (607) 547-1484.
School Groups (K-12): please click here or call (607) 547-1461.
All admission rates are subject to change without notice.
ABOUT COOPERSTOWN
Fall for Museums Package (Otesaga Hotel and Resort)
Stay at one of these fine local hotels and inns while visiting the area. Visit the websites below to discover special packages and promotions:
- The American Hotel
- August Lodge
- Baseball Bed and Breakfast
- Bayside Inn and Marina
- Best Western Inn and Suites
- The Cooper Inn
- Cooperstown Bed and Breakfast
- Cooperstown Lakeview Lodge
- Hampton Inn Oneonta
- Holiday Inn – Cooperstown
- Howe Caverns Motel
- The Inn at Cooperstown
- Landmark Inn
- The Otesaga Hotel
- Rose and Thistle Bed and Breakfast
- The White House Inn
Cooperstown is beautifully situated on the shores of Lake Otsego. Everyday, people draw sustenance, recreation and respite from this beauty. The rolling hills and rural farmland further enhance the natural environment, making Cooperstown a most desirable place to live.
Residents of the Cooperstown area love their community, its scenic surroundings, its rural traditions and, most especially, its “Main Street” way of life. The Village is peppered with historic buildings, each with a fascinating story. As a popular tourism destination, Cooperstown offers a small town aesthetic to many thousands of passers-through each summer. Cooperstown comes alive with family activities, entertainment and attractions; from a swim at a cool lakeside beach, to sailing, to hiking and fishing, to shopping, dining, or a stop at one of many area museums.
For more information on Cooperstown, New York.
WEDDINGS AND EVENT RENTALS
The natural beauty and rich history of Fenimore Art Museum and The Farmers’ Museum create a unique setting for any special event. The museums’ expert event planning staff can help you with the details of any function from meetings and conferences to formal weddings and receptions. A number of locations throughout the properties are available to accommodate a variety of needs.
FENIMORE ART MUSEUM
The terrace gardens overlook historic Otsego Lake and offer an elegant setting for cocktail receptions The gardens and neo-Georgian museum building provide a timeless background for any event. The gazebos in the gardens offer a special location for a small luncheon meeting, tea or dinner. The lush lawn behind the museum sweeps to the lakeshore and is a magnificent site for a luncheon, dinner or elegant wedding reception. Tents accommodating up to 1000 guests can be situated on the lawn.
Inside the Fenimore Art Museum, our fully equipped 121-seat auditorium provides an excellent venue for small conferences,meetings and lectures. On occasion, by special arrangement only, selected exhibition galleries can be open for your guests to enjoy a private viewing of our exhibitions. Curatorial tours are available by reservation on a limited basis.
Terraces—Beautiful flagstoned Terraces, surrounding two classical English garden areas with gazebos. Perfect for wedding ceremonies, small receptions or dinner parties for up to 150 guests
Lakeside Lawn—Will accommodate a tent seating up to 350 guests and offering a glorious view of Otsego Lake.
Lucy B. Hamilton Amphitheater— Built into the natural slope near the shores of Otsego Lake, the 125-seat Lucy B. Hamilton Amphitheater seamlessly joins nature with culture and features the lake as the natural backdrop.
CATERING
Our carefully selected and approved caterers offer a wide variety of unique menus. Service is impeccable and any special food and beverage selections can be accommodated including ethnic cuisines of all kinds.
For further information and booking, please call Katie Cole, at (607) 547-1423 or complete the online form.
Find us on Wedding Wire! (FYI: Fenimore is listed under our sister museum, The Farmers’ Museum, on Wedding Wire.)
Looking for more options? Be sure to check out the wedding page for our sister museum, The Farmers’ Museum––located directly across the street!
PHOTO ALBUMS
DIRECTIONS
The Fenimore Art Museum is located at 5798 State Highway 80, Cooperstown, NY 13326, which is one mile north of the Village of Cooperstown on the west side of Otsego Lake. From the traffic light in the Village, follow Route 80 east approximately one mile. Parking is available:
Along either side of the main entrance driveway
In the small lot located just south of the museum entrance
In the small lot located just north of the museum entrance
In the yellow trolley lot located 1/10-mile north of the Fenimore Art Museum
From Syracuse and Buffalo and Points West
1. Take I-90 east to Exit 30 at Herkimer.
2. Take Route 28 south to Cooperstown.
3. At the stop sign turn left onto State Highway 80 east/Chestnut Street.
4. Continue one block beyond the traffic light and turn left at stop sign following State Highway 80 east/Lake Road.
5. Continue 1 mile. The Farmers’ Museum is on the left.
From Albany and Boston and Points East
1. Take I-90 west to Exit 25A.
2. Take I-88 west to Exit 24 (Duanesburg) and get on Route 7.
3. Follow Route 7 to Route 20 west.
4. Take Route 20 west approximately 43 miles, turning left on State Highway 80 west which travels south along Otsego Lake.
5. Continue on State Highway 80 west for 10 miles. The Farmers’ Museum is on the right.
From Binghamton and Points South
1. Take I-88 east to Exit 17.
2. Take Route 28 north into Cooperstown,
3. Follow State Highway 80 east/Chestnut Street to traffic light.
4. Continue one block beyond traffic light and turn left at stop sign, following State Highway 80 east/Lake Road.
5. Continue 1 mile. The Farmers’ Museum is on the left.
From Burlington, Vermont, and Points North
1. Take I-87 south to Albany.
2. Take I-90 west to Exit 25A.
3. Take I-88 west to Exit 24 (Duanesburg) and get on Route 7.
4. Follow Route 7 to Route 20 west.
5. Take Route 20 west approximately 43 miles, turning left on State Highway 80 west which travels south along Otsego Lake.
6. Continue on State Highway 80 west for 10 miles. The Farmers’ Museum is on the right.
From New York City
1. Take I-87 north to I-90.
2. Take I-90 west to Exit 25A.
3. Take I-88 west to Exit 24 (Duanesburg) and get on Route 7.
4. Follow Route 7 to Route 20 west.
5. Take Route 20 west approximately 43 miles, turning left on State Highway 80 west which travels south along Otsego Lake.
6. Continue on State Highway 80 west for 10 miles. The Farmers’ Museum is on the right.
The closest Amtrak stations to Cooperstown are in Utica (approximately 40 miles north of Cooperstown) and Albany-Rensselaer (approximately 80 driving miles east of Cooperstown). For schedule information and ticket prices, call Amtrak’s toll-free number (800.USA.RAIL) or visit their website.
Trailways provides bus service to Cooperstown from many cities. Call Trailways (800.858.8555) for schedule information and ticket prices or visit their website.
Oneonta Public Transit (OPT) provides bus service between Oneonta and Cooperstown. Call OPT (607.432.7100) for schedule information and ticket prices or visit their website.
Otsego Express provides bus service between Cooperstown and various locations in Otsego County. Call Otsego Express (315.822.6444 or 800.388.9853) for schedule information and ticket prices.
BY COOPERSTOWN VILLAGE TROLLEY
The Farmers’ Museum and Fenimore Art Museum are regular stops on the Cooperstown Village Trolley route, which in 2021 operates May 29 and 30 and June 19 to September 5 from 8:30 am to 7:30 pm. A Daily Individual Pass is $2.00 and a Daily Family Pass is $5.00. For more information, including stops and schedule, go to: https://www.cooperstownny.org/trolley-system/
Door to door, the Fenimore Art Museum is 1.3 miles from the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, 1.1 miles from the traffic light and one mile from the Otesaga Hotel and Resort. Please note that there are no sidewalks along State Highway 80 for the last .3 miles of the walk.
