Best Things to Do at Cooperstown All Star Village Besides Baseball

If you’re looking for things to do at Cooperstown All Star Village besides baseball, you’ll find there’s more to the week than just your team’s games. Before our trip, I expected we’d spend most of our downtime exploring Cooperstown. I had a running list of places I wanted to visit, but I quickly realized there were plenty of reasons to spend time at All Star Village too.

Throughout the week, we looked forward to the skills competition, fireworks, and even the Mom’s Home Run Derby. We enjoyed grabbing dinner overlooking the fields and taking in the atmosphere between games. Those moments ended up being some of the best parts of our trip. 

We still made time to visit the Hall of Fame and explore Cooperstown, and I’m glad we did. But if you head back to your hotel after every game, you’ll miss some of the fun that happens right at All Star Village.

Here are the activities we enjoyed most during our week and why I think they’re worth adding to your Cooperstown plans.

Before you go, be sure to explore my Cooperstown Baseball guides for more firsthand tips, and browse my Travel Tournament Tips for advice that can help with tournaments all season long.

Skills Competition

The Skills Competition takes place during check-in on the first day, making it one of the first exciting events of the week. Each team selects players to compete in different events, including the fastest runner competition, the Turn Two infield challenge, and the home run derby. Our son was one of the three players chosen for the speed competition, so it was a fun way to kick off the tournament.

Even if your player isn’t competing, I’d still recommend stopping by to cheer on your team. While one player competes in the home run derby, the rest of the team heads to the outfield to shag baseballs, so everyone gets to be part of the event. The finalists return later that evening to compete for the championship, adding another fun event to opening day.

The Skills Competition is just one part of opening day. For a complete timeline of check-in and everything that happens on day one, check out my first day guide.

While the events have been consistent in recent years, it’s always a good idea to check the latest schedule on the All Star Village website before your trip since event times can change from year to year. 

Opening Ceremonies & Spirit Competition

Don’t skip Opening Ceremonies. It’s one of those moments that makes the week feel like more than just another baseball tournament.

Watching each team get announced and run onto the field behind their banner is pretty special. With more than 1,000 players participating throughout the week, it’s exciting to see every team gathered together in one place. I couldn’t help but think about all the planning, fundraising, practices, and anticipation that led up to that moment for the players and their families. It felt like the moment the whole experience became real.

The Spirit Competition is part of Opening Ceremonies, and every team puts its own spin on it. Some families go all out with banners, costumes, inflatables, pom-poms, and beads, while others keep it simple. There really isn’t a right or wrong way to participate.

Our team went all in with our team color, and we were excited to get a shout-out during the competition. We didn’t win, but it was still a fun way to kick off the week.

If your team is looking for ideas, I shared photos of our spirit gear, some of my favorite ideas from other teams, and what I’d do again in my Cooperstown spirit gear guide.

Enjoying All Star Village Between Games

Before our trip, I assumed we’d head back to our Airbnb or into Cooperstown whenever we had a break between games. Instead, we found ourselves spending a lot of that downtime right at All Star Village.

One of our favorite places to relax was The Upper Deck, the outdoor restaurant overlooking Championship Field. It was a great spot to grab lunch, dinner, or a drink while still enjoying the baseball atmosphere.

We also spent time at The Clubhouse, which had more of a sports bar feel. One feature I really liked was that the TVs showed live feeds from each of the fields, so you could still keep up with the tournament while taking a break in the air conditioning.

As the week went on, All Star Village naturally became the place where everyone gathered. Instead of trying to figure out whose Airbnb to meet at or finding a restaurant that could fit a large group, families could simply stay at the complex. Parents would grab a drink, the kids could hang out together, and everyone was already where they needed to be for the next game.

If you’re deciding where to grab lunch, dinner, or a treat between games, my Cooperstown All Star Village food guide shares where we tried and where we would go again.

We also enjoyed browsing the gift shops between games. If you’re trying to decide what to buy (and what you can skip), check out my Cooperstown souvenirs guide before you shop.

We still made time to visit Cooperstown and the surrounding area during the week, but some of our favorite downtime was spent right at All Star Village.

Mom’s Home Run Derby

One of my favorite memories from the week was participating in the Mom’s Home Run Derby.

About five days before the tournament, Cooperstown All Star Village sent out an email inviting moms to sign up. The event filled in less than 30 minutes, so none of the moms on our team were able to get a spot.

On the day of the derby, we found out there would be a waitlist, so we signed up and hoped for the best. Thankfully, our names were called, and we got the chance to participate after all!

Each mom had 30 seconds to hit as many home runs over the fence as possible. You could choose anyone you wanted to pitch to you, and many of the moms had their sons pitching. Families gathered around the field to watch, cheer, and celebrate every home run.

I’ll never forget hearing the crowd cheer when I hit one over the fence. It was such an exciting moment and one I’ll never forget. 

Even if you don’t hit a home run, I’d absolutely encourage you to sign up if you get the chance. I was incredibly nervous, but I’m glad I pushed myself outside my comfort zone. It’s something I always try to teach my own kids and my students, that it’s okay to try new things, even when they’re a little scary. Looking back, it ended up being one of my favorite memories from the entire trip.

Craft Camp for Younger Siblings

If you’re traveling with younger children, Craft Camp is a nice option to give them something that’s just for them during the tournament.

Craft Camp requires registration and there was a charge to participate. Several of the younger siblings on our team signed up and came back with baseball-themed jewelry and other crafts they had made. It gave them a chance to do something fun while the players were busy with baseball.

My daughter was already 15, so she wasn’t interested, but I thought it was a fun activity for families with younger siblings.

Goat Yoga

Goat yoga was probably the most unexpected activity I saw on the schedule.

Several of the younger siblings on our team signed up, and they had a great time. It gave them a fun break from baseball and something to look forward to during the week. It’s definitely not something you expect to find at a youth baseball tournament, but that’s part of what makes Cooperstown All Star Village unique.

If you’re traveling with younger siblings, or even just want to try something different, it’s a fun optional activity to consider. Be sure to check the schedule when you arrive.

Cornhole Tournament

Another activity offered during the week is the cornhole tournament.

We didn’t participate ourselves, but it looked like a fun option for families with some downtime between games. The tournament lasted for quite a while, giving parents and siblings another chance to compete and have fun away from the baseball fields.

Even if you’re not interested in playing, it’s another example of how Cooperstown All Star Village tries to offer activities beyond baseball throughout the week.

Fireworks

The fireworks show on the second-to-last night was one of my son’s favorite memories from the entire week.

The players watched with their teammates while many of the parents gathered outside the Clubhouse to enjoy the show together. By that point in the week, everyone knew each other much better, and it felt like one last chance to slow down and enjoy being together before championship day.

There was something special about watching fireworks explode over the same baseball fields where the boys had been playing all week. It reminded me of the feeling you get watching The Sandlot—just kids, baseball, summer, and fireworks. It was one of those moments that made the entire week feel bigger than just a tournament.

Tips for Enjoying Everything Cooperstown All Star Village Has to Offer

With so much happening throughout the week, it’s easy to focus only on the baseball games, but some of our best moments came from everything in between. 

Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your week:

• Check the daily schedule. Activities like the Mom’s Home Run Derby, goat yoga, and the cornhole tournament happen at specific times, and some require advance registration.
• Don’t rush back to your hotel after every game. We originally thought we’d spend more time away from the complex, but we found ourselves staying at All Star Village much more than expected.
• Try something outside your comfort zone. Whether it’s signing up for the Home Run Derby or simply joining in on an activity, some of the best memories happen when you say yes.
• Take time to enjoy the atmosphere. Some of our favorite moments weren’t baseball games at all—they were watching fireworks, hanging out with other families, and seeing the kids make memories together.

If you’re planning your first trip, don’t miss my Cooperstown bucket list to make sure you don’t miss any of the must-do experiences during tournament week.

More Than Just Baseball

Before our trip, I thought Cooperstown would be all about baseball. Looking back, some of our favorite memories happened when nobody was keeping score.

Watching more than 1,000 players run onto the field during Opening Ceremonies, cheering during the Mom’s Home Run Derby, relaxing at the Upper Deck and the Clubhouse with other families, and watching the fireworks with teammates are the moments we’ll remember long after the final score.

So when you’re planning your trip, make time for more than just the games. Slow down, enjoy everything happening around the complex, and take it all in. Those unexpected moments may end up being your family’s favorite part of the week.

If you’re still planning your trip, be sure to explore more Cooperstown tournament tips for advice on packing, budgeting, souvenirs, and everything else you’ll want to know before tournament week.

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