Your Visit

See for yourself why there’s no place quite like Glimmerglass.

The Festival attracts an international audience to the scenic Cooperstown area for an experience that’s unique in the realm of opera. The talent of singers, directors, designers and staff from around the world converges in the intimacy of the Alice Busch Opera Theater to produce world-class opera and music theater. *PLEASE SEE OUR CURRENT COVID-19 FAQ*

View the Festival in 360º

 

Getting Here

Glimmerglass Festival’s Alice Busch Opera Theater is located at 7300 State Highway 80, Cooperstown, NY 13326, eight miles north of the historic village of Cooperstown.

We highly recommend traveling by car. Due to our rural setting, public transportation is hard to find. A car will most likely be needed even if you travel through Albany, Binghamton, Syracuse or Utica. A listing of transportation options appears below.

Airport
Albany International Airport
(518) 242-2200
www.albanyairport.com

Serviced by 11 major airlines. Direct flights to Newark, New York City, Boston, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, Orlando, Toronto and many other metropolitan areas.

Bus
Adirondack Trailways/Pine Hill Trailways
(518) 427-7060
Toll Free: (800) 776-7548
www.trailwaysny.com

Service to Albany, Binghamton, Cooperstown, Elmira, Ithaca, Kingston, New York City, White Plains, Long Island, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, Oneonta and many other New York cities.

Central New York Transportation Service
(315) 404-4550
Email: reservations@centralnytransport.com
www.CentralNYTransport.com

Train
Amtrak
Albany/Rensselaer: (518) 462-5763
Saratoga Springs:    (518) 587-8354
Schenectady:    (518) 346-8651
Toll Free:    (800) USA-RAIL/(800) 872-7245
www.amtrak.com

Chauffeured Transportation
Superior Sedan Service
Mention Glimmerglass for a special rate.
www.superior-sedan.com
(518) 378-8573

Advantage Limousine
(518) 433-0100
http://albanycarservice.com

Premiere Transportation Group
(518) 459-6123
https://www.premierelimo.com/

Car Rental
Albany International Airport offers access to:

Alamo Rent-A-Car, Avis Rent-A-Car, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Hertz, and National Car Rental

Binghamton is about an hour and 45-minute drive from The Glimmerglass Festival.

Airport
Greater Binghamton Airport
(607) 763-4471
www.binghamtonairport.com/

Bus
Adirondack Trailways/Pine Hill Trailways
(607) 723-2325
Toll Free: (800) 776-7548
www.trailwaysny.com

Service to Albany, Binghamton, Cooperstown, Elmira, Ithaca, Kingston, New York City, White Plains, Long Island, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, Oneonta and many other New York cities.

Chauffeured Transportation
Uptown Limousine
(607) 722-2227
www.uptownlimoserviceny.com

Car Rental
Greater Binghamton Airport offers access to:
Avis, Hertz, and Budget

Syracuse is about an hour-and-a-half drive from The Glimmerglass Festival.

Airport
Syracuse Hancock International Airport
www.syrairport.org

Bus
Adirondack Trailways/Pine Hill Trailways
(607) 723-2325
Toll Free: (800) 776-7548
www.trailwaysny.com

Service to Albany, Binghamton, Cooperstown, Elmira, Ithaca, Kingston, New York City, White Plains, Long Island, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, Oneonta and many other New York cities.

Chauffeured Transportation
Syracuse Limo Bus
www.syracuselimobus.com

America Limousine
www.americanlimousine.net

Northeast Limousine
www.northeastlimousine.com

Car Rental
Greater Binghamton Airport offers access to:

Alamo Rent-A-Car, Avis Rent-A-Car, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, and  Hertz.

New York City is about a four-hour drive from The Glimmerglass Festival.

Bus
Adirondack Trailways/Pine Hill Trailways
(212) 967-2900
Toll Free: (800) 776-7548
www.trailwaysny.com

Service to Albany, Binghamton, Cooperstown, Elmira, Ithaca, Kingston, New York City, White Plains, Long Island, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, Oneonta and many other New York cities.

A bus leaves New York City for Cooperstown at 12:30 p.m. 7 days a week with an additional 7:00 a.m. bus on Fridays and Sundays. A bus leaves Cooperstown for New York City at 8:50 a.m. 7 days a week with an additional 4:05 p.m. bus on Fridays, Sundays and holidays.

Megabus
1 (877) 462-6342
www.us.megabus.com
Service to Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo, Rochester, Saratoga Springs and Syracuse.

Train
Amtrak
Toll Free: (800) USA-RAIL/(800) 872-7245
www.amtrak.com

Service from Penn Station, Grand Central Station, La Guardia Airport, JFK Airport, Yonkers, New Rochelle, Newark, Metropark and many other locations.

The city of Oneonta is a little more than a 45-minute drive from The Glimmerglass Festival.

Bus
Adirondack Trailways/Pine Hill Trailways
(607) 432-2661
Toll Free: (800) 776-7548
www.trailwaysny.com

Service to Albany, Binghamton, Cooperstown, Elmira, Ithaca, Kingston, New York City, White Plains, Long Island, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, Oneonta and many other New York cities.

Birnie Bus Service
Toll Free: (800) 388-9853
www.birniebus.com

Otsego Express
(800) 388-9853
www.otsegoexpress.com

Serves Otsego County, including service to and from the City of Oneonta with connections to Oneonta Public Transit (OPT). Adult fares start at $1.

Oneonta Public Transit
(607) 432-7100
www.optrides.com

Service between Oneonta and Cooperstown. Hourly stops 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday along Route 28 and Route 7. Bi-hourly stops on Saturdays 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., even hours from Oneonta and odd hours from Cooperstown.

 

The Glimmerglass Festival is located in rural Central New York, where public transportation is hard to find. We recommend you bring your own vehicle or rent one for your stay.

Taxi
We recommend arranging taxi service in advance.

Absolute Taxi
Cooperstown/Oneonta
(607) 287- 4256

A & D Transport
Oneonta
(607) 433-1726

C&C Taxi
Cooperstown/Oneonta
(607) 287-4256

Century Taxi
Syracuse
(315) 455-5151

Yellow Cab
Utica
(315) 732-3121

Yellow Taxi
Albany
Albany International Airport: (518) 869-2258
Albany Amtrak: (518) 433-0300
Albany Dispatch: (518) 434-2222

Parking

General parking is located across the street from the theater. Handicapped parking is available on the same side of the street as the theater, and golf cart shuttles travel from the handicapped parking area to the front of the theater.

 

ENJOYING CENTRAL NEW YORK’S WEATHER

Summers in Central New York are beautiful, with daytime temperatures ranging from 70 to 85 degrees. Night time temperatures can drop into the 50s and 60s, and rain showers have been known to make several appearances during the summer months.

The Alice Busch Opera Theater’s unique design features retractable panels to provide fresh air before performances and during intermission, when weather permits. We encourage you to dress for the ambient outdoor temperature, bring a light jacket or sweater for evening performances and consider arming yourself with a small umbrella.


DRESS FOR YOUR COMFORT, AND ENJOY THE SHOW

One of the great things about The Glimmerglass Festival is there is no dress code. The theater is not climate-controlled. Days can be hot and evenings may be cool, so we suggest you dress for the weather. A pair of jeans is perfectly acceptable in the Alice Busch Opera Theater, and the same goes for that dress or suit you’ve been dying to wear.

Above all, we want you to be comfortable.

RESTAURANTS AND CAFÉS TO SATISFY EVERY TASTE

The area is home to many outstanding restaurants. From excellent soups and sandwiches to high-end dining, the area features something for everyone. Whether you need a quick meal between shows or a fine dining destination, try some of these local establishments. 

Restaurants organized by proximity to The Glimmerglass Festival.

MARKETPLACE BISTRO
We invite you to picnic on the Glimmerglass Festival grounds prior to or after the performance. Refreshments are available two hours before mainstage performances and during intermission. Our Marketplace Bistro, located next to the theater, offers fine wines, specialty wraps, sandwiches, salads and desserts. Picnics are prepared fresh at the theater daily and are created using the freshest local produce and finest ingredients.

Sunflower Cafe
7629A NY-80
Cooperstown, NY 13326
 (315) 985-8096
https://www.sunflowerspringfield.com/ 

The Blue Mingo Grill

6098 St Hwy 80, Cooperstown, NY 13326
(607) 547-7496
www.bluemingogrill.com

 

Bocca Osteria
5438 St Hwy 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326
(607) 282-4031
www.boccaosteria.com 


Cooley’s Stone House Tavern

49 Pioneer Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326
(607)544-1311


Cooperstown Diner

136 1/2 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326
(607)547-9201
www.cooperstowndiner.com


The Doubleday Café

93 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326
(607)547-5468


Fenimore Art Museum Cafe
5798 State Highway 80, Cooperstown, NY 13326
(607) 547-1400
fenimoreartmuseum.org


Lake Front Restaurant

10 Fair Street
Cooperstown, NY 13326
(607) 547-8188
www.lakefrontcooperstown.com


Mel’s at 22

22 Chestnut Street
Cooperstown, NY 13326
(607) 435-7062
www.melsat22.com


The Otesaga Resort Hotel / Hawkeye Bar & Grill

60 Lake Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326
(607)547-9931
www.otesaga.com


New York Pizzeria – Cooperstown

75 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326
(607) 547-2930
www.nypizza.biz


New York Pizzeria – Richfield Springs

126 Main Street, Richfield Springs, NY 13439
(315) 858-0405
www.nypizza.biz


Nicoletta’s Italian Cafe

96 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326
(607)547-7499
www.nicolettasitaliancafe.com

 

Sal’s Pizzeria and Restaurant

110 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326
(607) 261-1759


Spurbeck’s Grocery

9 Railroad Avenue
Cooperstown, NY 13326
(607) 547-8681
Website


Stagecoach Coffee

31 Pioneer Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326
(607) 547-6229
www.stagecoachcoffeeroasters.com


Toscana Northern Italian Grill

64 Main Street
Cooperstown, NY 13326
(607) 547-2100
www.toscananorthernitaliangrill.com


The Tunnicliff Inn, Cooperstown
34 Pioneer Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326
(607)547-9611
www.tunnicliffinn.net

Café Ommegang

656 County Highway 33
Cooperstown, NY 13326
(607) 544-1800
www.ommegang.com


Council Rock Brewery

4861 State Highway 28
Cooperstown, NY 13326
(607) 643-3016
www.councilrockbrewery.com


Fly Creek Cider Mill and Orchard

288 Goose Street, Fly Creek, NY 13337
(800) 505-6455
www.flycreekcidermill.com


Origins at Carefree Gardens

558 Beaver Meadow Road
Cooperstown, NY 13326
(607) 437-2862
www.celebrateorigins.com


Rose and Kettle Restaurant

4 Lancaster Street, Cherry Valley, NY 13320
(607) 264-3078
www.roseandkettle.com

 

204 Main Bar & Bistro

204 MAIN STREET, SHARON SPRINGS, NY 13459
(518) 284-2540
www.204mainbarandbistro.com


The American Hotel

192 Main Street, Sharon Springs, NY 13459
(518) 284 2105
americanhotelny.com


Black Cat Café and Bakery

195 Main Street, Sharon Springs, NY 13459
518 284 2575
blackcat-ny.com


 

The Horned Dorset

2000 RT 8 LEONARDSVILLE, NY 13364
(315) 855-7898
www.horneddorsetinn.com


La Petite Maison

148 E Main Street, Waterville, NY 13480
(315) 841-8030

https://lapetitemaison.com


Michael’s Fine Food & Spirits

7672 State Route 20, Waterville, NY 13480
(315) 841-3077
www.michaelsfoodandspirits.com 


Poolville Country Store

1245 Earlville Rd, Earlville, NY 13332
(315) 691-2677
www.poolvillecountrystore.com


The Table at Fort Plain

70 Canal St (New York State Route 5S), Fort Plain, NY 13339
(518) 993-8065
www.thetableatfortplain.com


Waterfront Grille

800 Mohawk Street, Herkimer, NY 13350
(315) 717-0700
www.waterfrontgrille.net 

A UNIQUE DESTINATION

Cooperstown is a wonderful and unique travel destination. The village is set on the nine mile, pristine Otsego Lake, referred to as “Glimmerglass” in James Fenimore Cooper’s The Leatherstocking Tales. A one-stoplight village, the area is a step back in time, with historic buildings, a charming Main Street and quaint bed & breakfasts.

Try antiquing in the many shops or barns nestled in the countryside or have a taste of local fare – think maple syrup and organic produce – at the Cooperstown Farmers’ Market or one of the plentiful roadside stands. Unwind with an afternoon at one of the local spas, like Spring House Spa, after visiting the local art galleries: The Cooperstown Art Association and Smithy Center for the Arts.

MUSEUMS

Stroll through some of Fenimore Art Museum’s exhibitions, some of which relate to our season. Hyde Hall, the historic landmark, is a short drive from the Festival and offers tours of the neoclassic country mansion and stunning views of Otsego Lake. Or, take the family to The Farmers’ Museum and experience 19th-century rural and village life firsthand through demonstrations and interpretive exhibits. The area is also home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, where Glimmerglass Young Artists perform baseball-related concerts in August, The Arkell Museum, the Russian History Museum and Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute.

BEVERAGE TRAIL

Once the hops-growing capital of North America, Cooperstown now boasts several breweries, a winery and a historic cider mill. Take the Cooperstown Beverage Trail and visit and tour Bear Pond Winery; Brewery Ommegang, the official brewery of The Glimmerglass Festival; Cooperstown Brewing Company; and Fly Creek Cider Mill.

HIKING

There are many hiking opportunities in the Central New York area. Close to The Glimmerglass Festival, discover the many scenic trails in Glimmerglass State Park, which range from one-half to two miles long. A little more than five miles north of The Glimmerglass Festival, discover the Robert Woodruff Nature Center, with trails leading to small waterfalls.

Arnold Lake State Forest in Hartwick and Milford lie on New York State and Otesgo County lands surrounding Arnold Lake. The main trail is a five-and-a-half mile loop. The 1,293 acres of R. Milton Hick Memorial State Forest in nearby Roseboom include all stages of the cycle of forest management for viewing. The Lordsland Preserve, also in Roseboom, is a private, 80-acre parcel owned by The Nature Conservancy and features two trails offering a wide range of plants.

Contact the Otsego County Conservation Association for more information at www.occainfo.org.


MORE ACTIVITIES IN THE REGION:

For visitor information and to plan your trip to Cooperstown, visit www.ThisIsCooperstown.com, the official website of Cooperstown, New York. www.ThisIsCooperstown.com provides visitor resources including lodging packages, recreation, events, online coupons, trip planning maps and more. Additional information on Cooperstown may be found at the Cooperstown Chamber website.

Accessibility

The Glimmerglass Festival works to assure sure all our patrons are satisfied. Please feel free to let the Box Office know your needs in advance.

  • General parking is located across the street from the theater. Handicapped parking is available on the same side of the street as the theater, and golf cart shuttles travel from the handicapped parking area to the front of the theater.
  • The first level of the theater is ADA compliant. Please be aware there is no elevator to the second level of the theater.
  • Assisted listening devices are complimentary and may be picked up at the Audience Services Desk at the front of the theater one hour prior to the performance. Headphones, earbuds and neck loops are offered to connect to our receivers.
  • Supertitles with English translations are provided for all subscription-based operas. The lyrics for musicals are also projected above the stage.
  • Large-print program books are available upon request.
  • Booster seats are available at the theater and obtained by asking an usher upon entering the theater.
  • Family and handicapped-accessible bathrooms are available.
  • Service animals are welcome in the theater.
  • Interpreters and braille programs are available if requested in advance. Please contact the Box Office at (607) 547-2255 at least three weeks in advance of your visit.