Central New York Cheese Trail: Visitor Guide and Where to Stay

The Central New York Cheese Trail stitches together about a dozen cheesemakers, dairy farms, and specialty cheese shops across Herkimer, Oneida, Otsego, and Madison counties into a self-guided drive. One stop sits right in Herkimer, a 10-minute drive from Grand Colonial Bed and Breakfast. The rest cluster across the surrounding counties, with the farthest stops about an hour away.

This page covers what the trail is, the digital passport program, the actual producers on the route, how to plan a visit, and where to base for the weekend.

About the Central New York Cheese Trail

The trail is a curated list of dairy destinations: rustic goat farms, small-batch creameries, world-class cheesemakers, a historic cider mill, and one of the only butter museums in the country. Several stops are charming, honor-based, self-serve farm stores; others have full retail rooms with staff. A few offer tours by appointment.

The trail is free to drive. Many individual stops are also free; tasting and product purchases are pay-as-you-go.

The Digital Passport Program

The Central New York Cheese Trail uses a mobile-exclusive digital passport, not a paper map. Sign up free at the official trail page and your passport arrives via text and email instantly. No app to download. Save it to your phone home screen for one-tap access.

How it works:

• Sign up free using the link on the trail page. Takes seconds.
• Check in at every stop to earn points. Show your phone to the staff member at each location.
• Redeem points for prizes: limited-release Central New York Cheese Trail merchandise and trail gear.

Who Is on the Trail

The current trail roster (subject to change; always check the official trail page for the latest):

In Herkimer County

• Jones Family Farm: 753 Caldwell Rd, Herkimer. About 10 minutes from Grand Colonial. Family-run, viewing window, farm gelato, chicken, eggs. Tours by appointment. Memorial Day through Thanksgiving, closed Mondays.

In Otsego County (Cooperstown area)

• Cooperstown Cheese Company: 3941 NYS Route 28, Milford. Artisanal cheeses including Toma Celena and Jersey Girl. Local goods, cheesecake, milk.
• Fly Creek Cider Mill: 288 Goose Street, Fly Creek. Historic water-powered cider mill pressing for 165 years, just minutes from Cooperstown.

In Oneida County

• Adirondack Cheese Company: 8190 State Route 12, Barneveld. NY State Cheddar aged on-site.
• Artisanal Cheese: 900 Oswego St, Utica. Cave-aged artisan cheeses from around the world.
• Callee1945 Cheese Shop: 134 Main Street, Oneida. The city first cheese shop and gourmet food retailer.
• Collins Farm and Creamery: 8744 Thomas Road, Rome. Family-owned dairy farm with a self-serve farm store.
• North Star Orchards: 4741 Route 233, Westmoreland. Multi-stop agri-tourism with seasonal produce.
• Oneida Madison Milk Producers Co-op: 566 West Seneca Street, Sherrill.
• Stoltzfus Dairy: 6300 Skinner Rd, Vernon Center. Yogurt and milk. Mon-Fri 10-5, Sat 10-1. Viewing window, tours by appointment.

In Madison County

• Jewett Cheese House: 934 Earlville Rd, Earlville. Over 400 items, specialty aged cheddar. Mon-Fri 9:30-5, closed Saturday, most Sundays 10:30-3.
• Kriemhild Dairy Farms: 1093 State Rt 12B, Hamilton. Butter and creme fraiche. Open daily dawn to dusk; their Butter Museum is open for events and by appointment.

How to Plan a Cheese Trail Weekend

Start in Herkimer

The closest stop to Grand Colonial, Jones Family Farm in Herkimer, is a natural first or last stop of the weekend. 10 minutes from the inn. Their viewing window and farm gelato make it a good orientation stop.

Then Choose Your Direction

South toward Cooperstown (about 30 minutes from Grand Colonial): Cooperstown Cheese Company in Milford and Fly Creek Cider Mill make a natural pair, especially in apple season.

West toward Utica and Rome (30-45 minutes): The cluster of Adirondack Cheese, Artisanal Cheese, Callee1945, Collins Farm and Creamery, and North Star Orchards covers most of Oneida County. Plan 4-5 hours for the loop including drive time.

South to Madison County (about 45-60 minutes): Jewett Cheese House in Earlville plus Kriemhild Dairy Farms in Hamilton, with the option to peek into the Butter Museum if your visit lines up.

What to Bring

• A cooler with ice packs. Most stops sell cheese to take home and the wheels do not travel well at room temperature.
• Your phone (for the digital passport).
• Cash. Several stops are honor-based, self-serve farm stores.
• Patience. Farm-stop visits run on farm time, not city time.

Combine with the Little Falls Cheese Festival

The first Saturday in October is the Little Falls Cheese Festival: 120-plus cheeses on Main Street. Festival on Saturday, trail stops on Friday or Sunday to visit producers in their own setting.

What to Pair with Each Region of the Trail

The trail covers a wide geography, so pair smartly by which area you are visiting:

If you are visiting the Herkimer stop (Jones Family Farm)

• Erie Canal Lock 17 and Moss Island in Little Falls (10 minutes east).
• Canal Place antiquing in Little Falls and Little Falls dining.
• Herkimer Diamond Mines, 15 minutes north on Route 28.

If you are visiting the Cooperstown-area stops (Cooperstown Cheese Co, Fly Creek Cider Mill)

• Cooperstown Beverage Trail, several stops overlap geographically.
• Weekend in Cooperstown itinerary for the Hall of Fame and other Cooperstown attractions.
• Lunch or dinner in downtown Cooperstown rather than driving back north.

If you are visiting the Oneida County stops (Utica, Rome, Sherrill, Vernon Center)

• Plan dining around Utica or Rome rather than driving back to Herkimer or to Little Falls.
• The cluster of 6 Oneida County stops makes a good full day on its own.

If you are visiting the Madison County stops (Earlville, Hamilton)

• Pair with lunch in Hamilton (a college town with a small but solid dining scene).
• Allow extra drive time: this is the farthest cluster from Herkimer.

Where to Stay

Grand Colonial Bed and Breakfast in Herkimer is a central base. Jones Family Farm is 10 minutes away; Cooperstown stops about 30 minutes south; Utica/Rome cluster 30-45 minutes west. Four guest rooms with private baths, full hot homemade breakfast, quiet residential setting, all rooms pet-friendly. $10/night discount for return guests on direct bookings.

See our lodging near Little Falls guide, or check availability and book direct.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many stops are on the Central New York Cheese Trail?

About a dozen at any given time, spread across Herkimer, Oneida, Otsego, and Madison counties. The full current list is on the official trail page.

Do I need to sign up for the passport?

The passport is free and worth it if you plan to visit multiple stops. Sign up on the official page and the passport arrives via text and email. No app download. You earn points at each check-in, redeemable for trail merchandise.

Is the closest stop really in Herkimer?

Yes. Jones Family Farm at 753 Caldwell Rd in Herkimer is about 10 minutes from Grand Colonial Bed and Breakfast.

Can I do the trail in one day?

You can hit 4 to 6 stops in a focused day. Doing all dozen in a day is rushed and skips the slow conversations that are the point. A two-day weekend with an overnight is the right scale.

Are stops open year-round?

Most are. Hours vary by season and several stops are closed certain days. Jones Family Farm is Memorial Day through Thanksgiving. Stoltzfus Dairy is closed Sundays. Always check individual stop hours before driving out.