While the key word to describe Oneonta is “unhurried,” there’s plenty to do here. In this friendly college town on the banks of the Susquehanna River, you’ll find historic architecture, a relaxed pace and easy parking. Main Street is lined with art galleries, shops and eclectic restaurants. Several cafés headline nationally-recognized musicians. The graceful small town ambiance is complemented by red brick sidewalks and turn-of-the-century style street lamps.
Browse the fascinating exhibits at the Greater Oneonta Historical Society, tour the 1807 Swart-Wilcox House Museum, and then take in a show at the Orpheus Theatre or the Foothills Performing Arts Center. Nature lovers can take a walk in the tropics at the Joseph L. Popp Jr. Butterfly Conservatory.
Located about 25 miles south of Cooperstown, Oneonta makes baseball history too. Watch professional baseball players on the Oneonta Tigers minor league baseball team, an affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, "come up" at Damaschke Field, a friendly small-town baseball park.
Oneonta sits in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains and is surrounded by beautiful countryside. For the thrill of a lifetime and a bird’s eye view, take a hot air balloon ride with the experienced pilots of Catskill Mountain Balloon. Scenic flights depart at sunrise and two hours before sunset, year round.
Brooks House of Bar-B-Q is another icon, renowned for some of the best barbecue in the Northeast. Unique places to stay include the Flying Changes B&B, set on a 130-acre horse farm. You might want to bring a fishing pole; the grounds include a stocked bass pond and border a registered trout/bass river.