How does a fan of America’s favorite pastime narrow down their baseball destinations bucket list?
Here are a few places you might consider:
- 30 Major League stadiums
- 159 Minor League ballparks
- 30 Independent League fields
- 16 spring training facilities
- Countless Memorials and Museums
Our family loves taking in baseball games during our travels. It’s something we all enjoy. And we’ve found that you get to experience quite a bit of culture and local foods at baseball stadiums.
You’ll definitely want to purchase a way to commemorate your ball park visits!
Here are a few of my favorites:
There are also some great memorials and collections that honor great moments in the history of the game. Not to mention, various museums throughout the country with dedicated baseball collections.
It may seem like an impossible feat to narrow the options down to the Top 10 Baseball Destinations.
And, quite honestly this isn’t an exhaustive list. There are SO many great options. Keeping the list to 10 is difficult. However, this bucket list of destinations will give fans a great place to start!
Catch a Game at Fenway
There’s something magical about watching a game at the oldest stadium in Major League Baseball. Tradition runs deep in Boston! Even if you aren’t a Red Sox fan, you can’t help but get excited when the home team hits a ball over the green monster.
Visit Spring Training
Travel to either Arizona (Cactus League) or Florida (Grapefruit League) to catch a preseason game for your favorite team. In addition to enjoying an early look at baseball, you love the smaller venues. Players often sign autographs and greet fans before and after the games.
Spend a day at The Baseball Hall of Fame
Located in Cooperstown, New York there is truly no better place to visit if you’re the ultimate fan of the game. A total of 323 people have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Visitors to the museum will gain knowledge and appreciation for the history of baseball. They will also see extensive collections and artifacts from the sport.
View The World’s Largest Baseball Bat
The Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory boasts the world’s largest baseball bat! Standing at 120 feet tall, it’s an exact replica of Babe Ruth’s Louisville Slugger. Inside the museum you’ll be treated to lots of interactive exhibits and a tour of the factory where bats the bats are made.
Throw a pitch on the Field of Dreams
In the late ’80s a field was built in the middle of two Iowa cornfields to be the set of the movie, Field of Dreams. The iconic diamond is now a tourist attraction. True to the famous line from the movie, “if you build it, they will come” the dirt has become one of the top places to visit. No organized games take place, but you are encouraged to bring your glove and a ball.
Tour Wrigley Field
While I can’t add every MLB stadium to this list (though I want to!) I think Wrigley is another one that should be a priority. Of course taking in a game at the 2nd oldest stadium is always exciting. However, I also suggest you make time for the tour. Did you know that the Chicago Bears played there for 50 years? It’s amazing to see behind the scenes of the renovations and hear about the history of the field!
Check out The Nolan Ryan Museum
This used to be a stand alone museum, it’s now been transferred to the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in Waco, Texas. It’s still absolutely worth visiting (and you’ll get some bonus Texas sports history!) To this day, Ryan’s statistics make him one of the best pitchers of all time. He’s also left quite a mark on the Rangers ball club, serving as owner and CEO for several years. You’ll love all of the baseball artifacts in this collection.
Travel To Omaha in June
Perhaps one of the most exciting tournaments in baseball takes place in Omaha, Nebraska each June. The College World Series is a culmination of the NCAA regular season and gives fans a chance to cheer on their favorite teams and see some incredible talent. The baseball complex in Omaha is impressive and worth traveling to see at least once.
Visit The Negro League Baseball Museum
Located in Kansas City, Missouri museum is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich history of African-American baseball and its impact on the social advancement of America. The league officially formed in 1920 and lasted until the 1960’s. Those years and players put a significant stamp on the game of baseball and this museum documents all of it.
Walk Through Monument Park
I’m sort of cheating with this last one because it’s technically a two for one. Located inside Yankee Stadium, this open air park contains a collection of statues and plaques honoring some of the greatest players to ever play the game. While not everyone can cheer for the Yankees, most will agree that some of the greatest ball players to ever play have worn the navy pinstripe.
Does this list make you ready to start traveling?
As I mentioned at the beginning, there are truly countless baseball destinations. Our family has really enjoyed visiting minor league stadiums as we’ve traveled. These tickets are typically much more affordable than traditional MLB tickets. The stadiums are also much smaller which means there’s not a bad seat in the house.
Other baseball destinations you may want to visit can include museums dedicated to your favorite team or player. There are also many historical memorials such as Babe Ruth’s birth place in Baltimore, MD.
What’s been your favorite baseball experience?
You may also enjoy reading:
When The Best Travel Moments Aren’t The Ones You Plan (a great baseball story!)
7 Places To See In Every State
Tips For Taking Kids To Sporting Events
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