The Tepee — Local services in Town of Cherry Valley

What a cute little place to stop. Decided to take a more scenic route on our way to Long Island and added this quick stop on the way. I have driven by before when it was closed so happy that we were traveling at the right time to catch it open. The first thing other then the giant tepee of course that caught my eye was the view, wow they are sitting in the most perfect spot to see miles of picturesque valleys and mountain ranges. Next you enter the giant tepee and are immediately welcomed by a friend lady that was tending the shop. She was so sweet and very helpful, she walked around and made sure all the customers were helped and even stopped to have nice conversations with some of them. The shop is full of different souvenirs, clothes, jewelry, shoes, sauces and jams, and so much more. There was a lot to look at and something for everyone's price range from very inexpensive to more luxury items stored in locked cases. I bought some bourbon bbq sauce, a tree of life shirt, and souvenirs The Tepee pin. This is only a souvenir-gift shop there is nothing else to do here other then take in the amazing view and get fun selfies with the giant tepee so keep that in mind. It is a small shop as well, I do not think they offer public restrooms other then the port-a-potty I saw on the property. I have also read they offer food, I did see a trailer next to the tepee that I assume is the food but it did not look open at the time we stopped, we did not stop for food so did not ask if the food was available so I can't make any comments about that. The shop does offer a ton of pamphlets for attractions, restaurants, and other things to do in NY, and they seem very informative so it would be the perfect place to stop for advice on what other cool things there are to do in NY other then visiting the...

A blast from the past for those nastalgic for the 1950's and 60's, and a lot of fun today! This is the place your father or grandfather stopped at when they were kids and traveling cross country with their parents in that old Ford or Chevy. There are not many of these old roadside attractions left across the country, but this one seems to have survived the test of time.

The day we were there, an antique car group was on an adventure trip down old Route 20, one of the few roads in the 40's and 50's to go across the country from Boston to Oregon. It was quite a sight to see cars in the lot from the hay days of the store. The group was seeking the answers to questions in a roadside guide. Here, they were looking for the age of the structure (Incorporated in 1950, it was constructed in 1954 in this spot when the main road was moved out of town).

One of the big draws to this spot is the spectacular view of the Mohawk Valley from the parking area. Worth some photos of you and the family. You must also have a photo with the buffalo in the front. It is just the thing for the memory books.

Just inside the door when you enter the shop, you can see photos of how it looked when The Tepee opened. There are a lot of toys and tourist objects for sale that were similar to what has always been sold here. Also, some nice jewelry and art. Do talk with the shop keeper. She is a pleasure to be with.

It looks like there will also be a food booth here soon. It is definitely...

*Save the date! The Tepee celebrates its 75th Anniversary on Saturday October 4, 2026, 10 AM - 5 PM. Stop by and celebrate the festivities at this roadside icon.

Like some of you, my personal connection to The Tepee dates back long ago to my first visit during a childhood family roadtrip to some long since forgotten destination. Decades passed before I reconnected with The Tepee unexpectedly during a summer roadtrip nearly 30 years ago when I met Dee Latella, then the new owner, who had made it his mission to preserve and continue the legacy of The Tepee. My reconnection that day, and my conversation with Dee, left a very deep impression on me which remains today. Dee eventually passed Tepee ownership to his daughters Dale and Donna who graciously continue on with that legacy today. Warm and welcoming, Dale and Donna are absolutely the perfect hosts for a legendary roadside landmark like The Tepee which has created fond memories for so many visitors during its long history. Seventy-five years is a long time, especially for roadside landmarks like The Tepee. What roadside landmarks remain today are few and far between. If you're like me, and cherish the roadtrip memories of your past, plan a visit to The Tepee. Dale and Donna will appreciate your support. Hope to see you at the 75th anniversary celebration on 10/04/25. Enjoy, and thanks for reading...