Best Driving Route from Pittsburgh PA to Cooperstown NY

[Ohiogirl81]

Edinboro-PA - the lake is nice, but for me that's the only reason to go there
McKean-don't bother
Finday Lake-NY (South of route) - I love Findley Lake. It's just a few minutes off the highway.
Bemus Point (north of route) - the bridge over Chautauqua Lake takes you directly over Bemus Point as well. I don't remember which restaurants are there now (any old timers remember the Surf Club? ), but it's a neat-looking lake town with some old hotels, restaurants, nice photo opportunities along the water.
Cuba - Cuba Cheese Shoppe

If you want to get off the freeway for a scenic drive without losing much time, exit I-86 at Bemus Point and drive east on NY 430 along the lake to Ellicott. From there you can take NY 60 to get back on I-86 east and continue on your merry way.

[Statz2k10]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl81

Edinboro-PA - the lake is nice, but for me that's the only reason to go there
McKean-don't bother
Finday Lake-NY (South of route) - I love Findley Lake. It's just a few minutes off the highway.
Bemus Point (north of route) - the bridge over Chautauqua Lake takes you directly over Bemus Point as well. I don't remember which restaurants are there now (any old timers remember the Surf Club? ), but it's a neat-looking lake town with some old hotels, restaurants, nice photo opportunities along the water.
Cuba - Cuba Cheese Shoppe

If you want to get off the freeway for a scenic drive without losing much time, exit I-86 at Bemus Point and drive east on NY 430 along the lake to Ellicott. From there you can take NY 60 to get back on I-86 east and continue on your merry way.

Thanks! Note on the last tip.

[PAhippo]

I'd definitely just keep driving through Big Flats, Horseheads and Elmira Heights. And I definitely advise seeing the glass works in Corning.



I live about 25 miles or so from these places and, while going there to shop sometimes, I don't think there's anything a tourist would appreciate except in Corning. There's also what's called the Gaffer's District in Corning where the street is blocked off, pedestrians only. Lots of neat little shops, mostly antique but not sure if you want to spend that much time there.


Not sure about Port Crane. Had some friends who lived there and it nothing but a spot on the map. That was 20+ yrs ago so maybe things have changed.

[Danny K]

OP, did you end up doing the drive? How was the route?