Cherry Valley offers nature and history in Otsego County
Cherry Valley is a scenic town located near Otsego Lake, 15 miles northeast of Cooperstown in Otsego County. Surrounded by waterways, state forests and parks, the community offers a tranquil rural setting with abundant nature and year-round outdoor recreation. The vibrant village center is lined with local shops, eateries, historical and cultural venues, creating a welcoming, small-town atmosphere. Seasonal events and lively community gatherings further foster a strong sense of connection among residents. “Cherry Valley has beautiful scenery and setting, and it’s a very natural place to live without any outside influences,” says Patricia Wingate, broker at Corner Stone Properties with close to 40 years of experience. “People come here because they want to be in the countryside. There’s not much commercial activity and people are connected to nature, and the village has a variety of homes with unique and vintage architecture.” The area has a CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, below the national average of 4.
Historic village homes and secluded country houses in Cherry Valley
The town is tucked among rolling hills and wooded terrain. All throughout town, houses were primarily built between the 1850s and the early 2000s, ranging from colonial and classical homes to traditional farmhouses and ranch-style builds. Houses concentrated in the village center are often older and closer together, creating a more traditional neighborhood feel with a historical touch. “Many homebuyers comment on the unique historical quality of the village,” Wingate says. “Cherry Valley was a very strategic location for the American Revolutionary War, and you’ll see lots of historical buildings and information plaques in the village’s historic district.” Village streets are lined with sidewalks and mature trees, connecting the roads and creating a more walkable environment. Countryside properties in the rural outskirts are sparsely tucked along narrow country roads, surrounded by dense woods and expansive green fields. These properties typically sit on multiacre lots and often include outbuildings, detached garages and forested buffers that allow for privacy and tranquility. Prices for single-family homes typically fall between $100,000 and $350,000.
Year-round recreation at state parks and Otsego Lake
Cherry Valley is surrounded by parks and state forests. Located within the village, Cherry Valley Village Park has sports fields, a playground, a basketball court and open green space. The expansive Cherry Valley State Forest provides hiking, camping and hunting opportunities. About 10 miles west, Glimmerglass State Park borders the northern shore of Otsego Lake, offering boating, swimming, and hiking trails with water views. In the winter, locals enjoy ice fishing and ice skating on the lake, as well as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing along the park’s nature trails. Also located in Cooperstown, the Clark Sports Center has an indoor pool, fitness lessons and youth sports programs.
Shopping and dining options in village center and Cooperstown
The village center has a handful of local businesses and eateries, many of which only open few days of the week. Tryon Inn and Backdoor Bar serves classics like steaks and tacos in a cozy setting. Triangle Tavern and Red Shed Brewery both have pub food and locally crafted beer. Cherry Valley Bookstore opens on weekends, and 25 Main Collective has artisan goods and art exhibits. Cherry Valley Market covers grocery needs, with bigger markets and big-box stores located in Cooperstown.
Festive events in town draws people together
Many community events take place in town. Held over Memorial Day weekend, the annual Cherry Valley Spring Into Summer Festival features live music, food vendors, a parade and a town-wide garage sale. For Father’s Day, the Cherry Valley Outdoor Games has a French Toast breakfast, lumberjack competitions and outdoor games, and even top athletes in the country come here to compete for national titles. Other holiday events include the Cherry Valley Falltoberfest and the Cherry Valley Holiday Weekend, which rounds out the year with a tree lighting ceremony and fun activities.
Cherry Valley Springfield Central School District serves town
The community is served by Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School, covering students from prekindergarten through 12th grade. The school earns a C grade from Niche, offering an afterschool program for those in prekindergarten to grade six. High school students interested in pursuing a college degree or trade program may join the CFES Brilliant Pathways program, which provides opportunities for mentorship, college and career fairs and college visits.
Distance to Cooperstown and Albany
New York state Route 166 and U.S. Route 20 pass through town, connecting to nearby communities and larger cities like Cooperstown and Albany. Albany International Airport is approximately 55 miles east, and Bassett Medical Center is about 15 miles away in Cooperstown.
