Burlington offers a countryside setting minutes from Cooperstown
Burlington is a rural town in Otsego County, located about 10 miles outside of Cooperstown. Surrounded by open countryside and minutes from several state forests and parks, the community offers abundant natural beauty and year-round opportunities for outdoor recreation. While Burlington itself is largely residential, neighboring villages provide convenient access to dining, shopping and cultural attractions. Major highways connect the area to larger cities across central New York, making Burlington accessible while preserving its secluded character. “It’s a quiet, small town and everyone sticks to themselves,” says Deborah Wengert, town clerk. “People here seek privacy and beautiful, raw scenery that’s undeveloped.”
Rural properties are spread across large wooded lots and rolling hills
Burlington is defined by green rolling hills and wooded terrain. Houses are sparse and scattered across the countryside, often set on 10-acre parcels. These properties frequently include detached garages, barns and outbuildings for storage or agricultural use. Some homeowners have hobby farms, equestrian properties or self-sustaining homesteads, reflecting the town’s rural lifestyle. Homes range from colonial style to traditional farmhouses and ranch-style builds, and many are from the 1900s to the early 2000s. Homes rarely go on the market here. Three properties sold in 2025; prices ranged from less than $200,000 for homes on smaller lots to nearly $400,000 for a property with over a 10 acres. According to Wengert, properties in the area generally rely on private septic systems and well water. The area has a CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, below the national average of 4.
Year-round recreation opportunities around Burlington and Otsego Lake
Within town, locals can fish or paddle on Butternut Creek. Basswood Pond State Forest features 7.5 miles of multiuse trails, a fishing pond and picnic areas. In addition to hiking, the nature trails are used for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter months. Hartwick State Forest provides additional opportunities for hiking and hunting. About 10 miles away, Glimmerglass State Park sits on the shore of Otsego Lake and offers a broader range of recreational activities, including swimming and boating in the summer and ice fishing in the winter.
The town is part of Edmeston Central School District
Students in town attend Edmeston Central School, which covers prekindergarten to 12th grade and has a C grade from Niche. The school supports teams for soccer, cross country, basketball, softball and baseball. Advanced Placement and college-level courses are also provided for those in high school grades.
Shopping and dining in Cooperstown, Hartwick and Oneonta
Residents often go to nearby hamlets for shopping and dining. Serving classic diner food in Hartwick, Jerry's Place has an old-school setting and vintage memorabilia décor. Rustic Ridge Winery offers wine tastings, a brewery and food trucks. Essential shopping needs are covered by Price Chopper, Dollar General and Brookfield General Store, which are all nearby. For larger big-box stores like Walmart, residents typically travel about 30 miles to Oneonta.
Distance to Cooperstown, Albany and Syracuse
State Highway 51 and New York state Route 80 pass through town, connecting to nearby communities and regional hubs. Cooperstown is about 10 miles east, while Albany is about 80 miles east and Syracuse is about 80 miles west. Major airports include Albany International Airport and Syracuse Hancock International Airport, and Bassett Medical Center is in Cooperstown.
Holiday parades and county fairs add liveliness to the area
Although events in Burlington are limited, Otsego County offers more festivity. “The only big thing we have every year is the Memorial Day parade,” Wengert says. “It’s mostly the big parade that draws people, and there’s a memorial ceremony, and we give out hot dogs.” The annual Otsego County Fair takes place in Morris, a village 15 miles south of town, featuring carnival rides, livestock shows and agricultural exhibits.
