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BREWERY OMMEGANG
A 5-mile, 15-minute drive from the hotel is the Brewery Ommegang. The Ommegang microbrewery opened in 1997. It's modeled after a traditional Belgian farmhouse and is set on a former hop farm in upstate New York. Hops are what they used to brew beer with but when the crops were killed, they began shipping theirs from Belgium. The working brewery offers daily tours and free tastings that include all five of their Belgian-style ales. The staff is really laid back. They don't care if you hang out afterwards and relax with a picnic lunch on the sprawling, 136-acre grounds. But buying their oversized bottles from them will actually cost you more money ($6 a bottle) than if you were to purchase it from one of their sellers; they don't want to undercut them. Open year-round except on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Years Day. Brewery Ommegang, 656 County Highway 33, Cooperstown, NY; Tel: 800-544-1809 or 607-544-1800.

FARMERS' MUSEUM
When I heard that I was scheduled to visit The Farmers' Museum, I admit, I thought, "How boring!" But I'm so glad I didn't skip out and took the 15-minute walk down the street because this was my biggest surprise in Cooperstown. The museum is situated on 120 acres and has been a working farm since the 1790s. In the 1870s, the Clark family purchased it and in 1918, built a modern, fully equipped complex for their cattle. It was opened to the public in 1944 and since then, they've collected over 23,000 artifacts. The museum tour starts out ... well, it's just okay. Don't get me wrong; it was cool to see an old horse and buggy, the legendary Cardiff Giant (it's made from gypsum) and then to walk through their exhibit on the history of ice cream. However, to say I was shocked and a bit disappointed that at the end of it, they weren't selling some delicious homemade ice cream (only Ben & Jerry's), would be an understatement. BTW: Did you know that ice cream was invented by the Chinese in 336 BC but was really developed by the Italians in the 17th century? I knew my people were good for something.

FARMERS' MUSEUM VILLAGE
The real treasure of the Farmers' Museum is their recreation of an 1845 rural village and farm. It's sort of a like a mini-Disney Main Street; three of the buildings (the barn, creamery and herdsman's cottage) are still standing. The others are authentic reproductions from the 1840s. The best part is that they hire locals to actually live the 19th century New York rural life, just like it was, back in the day. They dress the part, cook, clean or do whatever their job would have entailed 150 years ago. Some work in the general store (they sell period goods), at printing presses, law offices; the blacksmith sells his creations and in the pharmacy, the " chemist" produces 25 medicines from the plants in his garden out back. I had no idea that they used licorice to mask the unpleasant taste of medicine because it's 50 times sweeter than sugar! All the workers go about their business so you can observe, but if you ask them a question, they're more than happy to answer or demonstrate aspects of their trade or daily life.

COUNTRY FAIR
If that doesn't float your oat (Get it? Oat instead of boat? Ah, forget it!), then cruise by the Farmers' Museum Country Fair. It features two colorful period tents with agricultural demonstrations and games. The highlight? The 24 handmade riding animals on the Empire State Carousel. Rides cost just 50 cents and adults are welcome! Check open hours before you go and note that the fair is closed from November until April. Admission for adults (13-64) is $11, seniors 65 and over are $9.50, children 7-12 and college students with ID, $5. Children under seven, NYSHA members, active and retired career military are all admitted free. Note: you can save money by purchasing a combination ticket to visit the Fenimore Art Museum, The Farmers' Museum and/or The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

FENIMORE ART MUSEUM
Across the street from The Farmers' Museum is the Fenimore Art Museum. It's housed in an elegant, 1930s neo-Georgian mansion and includes memorabilia from the Cooper family, containing a number of paintings illustrating Cooper's novels. Most of the artwork is primarily American folk art and American Indian art. Currently, there's an American West exhibit of Frederic Remington and a folk art exhibit called Folk Art on Fire. It was small but it was great to see how they celebrated the camaraderie and bravery of 19th century American firefighters. Again, check open hours before making the trip. It's closed for the winter, January through March. Admission rates are the same as the Farmers' Museum.

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