Spring training has started, so it’s time to schedule your ballpark road trips! If you love baseball, but don’t relish the idea of spending your free time buying tickets, researching hotels and driving between stadiums, you can outsource all that to the experts at Ballpark Road Trips. The company offers three different trips that start in the Midwest (Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Louis) and take you all over the country. You can literally just sit back and enjoy the ride.
Ballpark Road Trips owner Colby Curry has years of experience leading tours and working in the professional baseball world, so everything is curated with an expert’s eye. Trips include two and three-star lodging, game tickets, transportation, and admission to museums and attractions that are favorites with baseball fans. There’s also time to do a little sight-seeing, so you actually have a chance to experience the cities on your itinerary as well as the ballparks.
I asked Colby a few questions about how Ballpark Road Trips work and what people can expect from if they book a tour. He also gives us some great tips for arranging a baseball trip of your own, if you’re the DIY type. Here’s Colby!
A young Ballpark Road Trips fan, photo by Unsplash.
What kind of traveler would enjoy Ballpark Road Trips?
Retirees, parent and adult child, families, friends, guys trip, baseball purists. Also, people who enjoy traveling, but don’t want to drive or plan. Some aren’t huge baseball fans, and that’s why we do some other sightseeing.
What can a tour like this offer that customers can’t get on their own?
There’s a relaxation of not having to drive or plan. You get on the bus and go. If there’s traffic, you’re not the one driving in it. You can visit with your friends or family, make new friends, or just watch the scenery.
Fans can make new friends who also love baseball. They may find friends that want to go on a future trip with them.
You get a tour guide with over a decade of Major League Baseball work experience. I’ve traveled all over the world and want to do my best to make your vacation one that you’ll cherish for years.
What are some insider tips you can offer to baseball fans — whether they tour with you or not?
Before you go, check out the “A to Z” guide on the team’s website. This will list what is and isn’t allowed at the ballpark. Can you bring your own food? Can you bring a sign in to cheer on your favorite player? Can you buy/sell tickets outside the park? (Example – Boston has a designated and monitored area where fans can buy and sell tickets.)
Arrive at the park early. Take a lap to see the unique features of the ballpark and for photos. Stadium tours are also a great way to learn about the ballpark, the team and to take photos in places where you won’t be able to go when you’re there for the game.
Research the city/cities you’re visiting, in order to use your time wisely. In addition to personal experience, TripAdvisor is a great resource for me. Even if I’ve been to a ballpark multiple times, there’s always a new attraction nearby that might interest fans.
If fans are on Facebook, they can join the group Ballpark Chasers. Type in any question, and you’ll probably get a few dozen responses. I saw something along these lines recently: “I’m going to Wrigley Field for a family reunion. There are 15 people in our group. Where should we stay? Should we drive and park or can we take public transportation?” Fellow fans in Ballpark Chasers love answering those questions.
Fenway Park with Ballpark Road Trips, photo by Taylor Rooney
How do you determine your lodging location?
Research where the stadium is located and what you’d like to see besides baseball while you’re in town, then decide on your hotel and whether you need a rental car.
Atlanta opened a new park in 2017. The ballpark is some distance from downtown, and a longer distance to the airport. I see many fans asking questions on Ballpark Chasers about how to get to the game using Uber or bus from downtown Atlanta. There are many hotels near the ballpark. It’s just a matter of researching and personal preference.
Boston – a city where it’s best not to get a rental car, in my opinion. (At least for the city part of your stay – just get a rental if you want to drive around New England.) The airport is close to central Boston, it’s easier (and much less expensive) to take public transportation to the game.
If you could correct one misconception about Ballpark Road Trips, what would it be?
I think some people see the price and think it’s expensive. It’s a good value with the hotels, game tickets, and transportation. Stadium parking is figured into the price, as is a tip for the bus driver. I have other expenses, such as advertising, that have to be accounted for, and may not be visible to fans. There’s not much margin in it for the operator. I do this because I love baseball, travel and meeting fans.
Photo by Wade Austin Ellis
What are some of the coolest features of each trip, the things you’re most excited about?
Kansas City trip: June 14-19 We’re going to two brand new ballparks: Wichita’s Triple-A park and Globe Life Field, new home to the Texas Rangers. You can always say you saw the park in its first year.
Chicago trip: July 7-13 We’ll see two of the best Interleague rivalries: Cubs at White Sox, followed by Cleveland at Cincinnati. This is a cool trip for Cubs fans. You’ll see your team “on the road” in Chicago, and then two more times in Atlanta. Plus, you’ll see the Cubs of tomorrow in Tennessee (which is a highly regarded minor league park.)
We’ll visit the Louisville Slugger Museum, which is included in the trip cost. This is a fun place for fans of all ages.
St. Louis trip: July 27-August 3 We’re going to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland (included in the trip). We’ll see two games at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, one of the top ballparks in baseball. We’ll be there for fireworks on Saturday night, and our seats are in one of the better locations to see the fireworks with the beautiful PNC backdrop.
This trip will have the most time for additional sightseeing. We’ll have a full day in Milwaukee and a full day in Pittsburgh. I recommend a picture with The Bronze Fonz in Milwaukee and a trip up the incline for a beautiful view of Pittsburgh.
What’s the most common question you get about these tours?
Frequent questions include where the trips are going and the hotels. The itineraries are listed at ballparkroadtrips.com. I recommend fans e-mail me at info@ballparkroadtrips.com.
Kids are welcome on Ballpark Road Trips if accompanied by an adult. Photo by Colby Curry.
What about you? What are your dream ballpark road trips? What’s your favorite ballpark? What’s your hometown team? What are your favorite things to eat at the ballpark? Which of these Ballpark Road Trips looks like the most fun to you? Who would you bring with you on a baseball road trip?
This post contains affiliate links. That means I may receive a small commission if you book through my site, which will help fund my own travels.
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