The Tepee: Cherry Valley, NY

The TePee, Cherry Valley, NY’s famous roadside attraction has been around since 1950. It’s made up of a pinch of giftshop, a dash of Americana, and a whole heap of awesomeness.

I’d stopped there once before years prior, but I was hot and miserable. The experience wasn’t especially pleasant. Thankfully, my latest visit was the opposite of that.

This time I bought a Tepee shot glass to commemorate my excellent trip.

the Tepee Cherry Valley, New York

The TePee looks out across the Mohawk Valley. The valley spills out to the edge of the Earth. And in between the Tepee and eternity, there are lovely roads to ride.

Telescope at the Tepee Cherry Valley, NY

During my visit, I had a little tête-à-tête with the sleepy-eyed buffalo. He didn’t have a lot to say, he just kinda grazes in the parking lot; keeps an eye on things.

It’s hard to tell from this photo, but Buff is smiling, too.

Fuzzygalore selfie withe the buffalo at the Tepee in Cherry Valley

I’ll be honest. The first thing I thought when I saw the buffalo was that I wanted to sit on it. They must get that a lot.

Please do not ride the buffalo sign at the Tepee

During a quick search, I was able to find vintage postcards that feature The Tepee.

This particular image was taken before the attached building was built.

It’s fun to imagine what the woman would be saying to the brave on the bucking bronco if they were real. Maybe she was part of something like a carhop service, but for horse riders. “What can I getcha, hon?”

Vintage postcard

How much do you love that bucking bronco out front? Unfortunately, it is no longer there. And can we talk about the totem pole? So good. Sadly it too is no longer around.

vintage postcard

When the Tepee was built, it was clad in silver like a disco space tepee. Everybody knows that disco space tepee parties are the best parties.

vintage postcard

The Tepee
7632 Hwy 20
Cherry Valley, NY 13320

Fuzzygalore

Rachael is the whimsical writer behind the 20+ year old Girlie Motorcycle Blog. As a freelance blogger, she is on a mission to inspire laughter, self-examination, curiosity, and human connection. Girlie Motorcycle Blog can be found on several Best Motorcycle Blog lists.

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4 Responses

  1. Lowell says:

    As always, interesting info and nice photos

  2. Lowell says:

    PS The “roadside attraction” link didn’t seem to work

  3. Ted Kettler says:

    Holy CRAP!!!! I drive past that every two weeks on my way to and from my farm in Burlington Flats, about 30 miles west of there. I think I ever sent you pictures once. Historic Route 20 is my favorite highway. I don’t know how far you’ve gone on that road, but the further west you go, the more interesting it gets. Glad to see you made it out that way.

  4. Shybiker says:

    Cool! Didn’t know where it was so I checked and see it’s near Cooperstown (which I visited last year). Also learned the Tepee was put on the National Register of Historic Places in 2011.

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