From rt. 20 take rt 5 east all the way to Fort Plain and then continue south on rt 80 to Cooperstown. Driving through Ilion Gorge and following a creek that the route passes over several times is a thrilling experience. The road is full of twists and turns and takes you through some of the most beautiful scenery in upstate NY. Along the way you'll pass through a small town of Van Hornesville where you'll see some impressive stone buildings. Be extra careful as you leave Van Hornesville because there is a very sharp turn down the road that just keeps turning. As you keep going south, you'll cross over rt. 20 and then see Otsego lake to the left. Be mindful of your speed here because there are usually staties on the road. When in Cooperstown, make sure you visit Farmers' Museum. Otesaga resort is a great place to stop at to have lunch and then head into town to see the baseball hall of fame. There are several variations of the return route, you can either go west to Ilion and take rt. 51 south or go east to Canajoharie and take rt. 10 back south to Cooperstown.
Towns/Cities You'll Pass By/Through
Really not too much "urban scenery" along the way until you get to Cooperstown.
Attractions & Points-of-Interests Along the Way
There isn't much along the way as you leave Fort Plain until you get to Cooperstown. There's a little gift store in Springfield, but you'll need to get to Cooperstown for food, gas, etc. There are many motels along the Otsego lake and you'll find several B&B's in town. Camp grounds are available south of the village. On the east side of the lake and north of the village is the Glimmerglass state park.
