Our next baseball loop will take you to three great baseball teams with a lot of history. Our loop starts in Cincinnati at Great American Ballpark. This new home for the Cincinnati Reds, the oldest major league baseball team in the U.S., is both beautiful and nostalgic with tributes to the team’s history including reminders of Crosley Field, where it all began. Make sure you leave time to visit one of the great baseball Hall of Fames, The Reds Hall of Fame and Museum, located at the ballpark. While in Cincinnati be sure to leave time to visit the Findlay Market for a wonderful brunch. Cincinnati also has some wonderful attractions. One of these attractions is the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. The Center stands as a monument to freedom. It brings to life the importance and relevance of struggles for freedom around the world and throughout history.
Another great way to spend time is at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, This second oldest zoo in the U.S., considered one of the best in the country, is most renowned for its endangered species and birthing programs, particularly for gorillas and white tigers, and has a wonderful collection of felines and a manatee’s exhibit. Lastly, one of the most prestigious art museums in the country is the Cincinnati Art Museum. With over 67,000 works of art, this grandiose building atop an Eden Park hill, is well-known for its 19th-century European and American paintings, but also contains numerous other works including an outstanding pottery gallery.
Our loop continues as we travel north to Cleveland, home of the Cleveland Guardians. Take a lunch break in Columbus Ohio and visit North Market. This is a 147-year-old public market made up of Ohio’s best independent merchants and farmers. Take a break and eat, drink, shop, and enjoy the best of what’s local, fresh, and authentic in Ohio.
Our next stop is Progressive Field, home of the Cleveland Guardians. Professional baseball in Cleveland is one of the city’s oldest traditions, dating back to 1869. There is a passionate connection between the city of Cleveland and the Guardians. Both are working, living examples of the power of teamwork and dedication. Be sure to spend some time at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Headquartered in a boldly designed building on Lake Erie’s shore, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a 150,000-square-foot museum featuring ever-changing exhibits documenting the history of rock and roll, from Elvis to our days. You’ll see hundreds of original artifacts, from Jimi Hendrix outfits to The Beatles’ handwritten lyrics. Experience the excitement of a Rock Hall induction night at the Power of Rock Experience or have your very own jam session at the Garage. You can also watch a concert, so check out the Rock Hall’s schedule and plan ahead. Other interesting sites include West Side Market. Built in 1912, this public market offers fresh produce, meat, dairy products and a delicious variety of prepared foods. Lastly, for a quiet interlude, visit the Cleveland Botanical Garden. Since 1930, the Cleveland Botanical Garden has existed as a lush, beautiful and peaceful urban sanctuary in University Circle. It’s filled to the brim with plants and flowers from around the globe. It’s the perfect spot for a little zen.
Our last stop for this loop is PNC Park. Overlooking the Pittsburgh skyline from across the Allegheny River, this state-of-the-art ballpark is the home of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Grab a seat behind home plate to take in the commanding views of the city. You can also visit other Pittsburgh landmarks like the Andy Warhol Museum afterward. Located in Pittsburgh, the place of Andy Warhol’s birth, The Andy Warhol Museum holds the largest collection of Warhol’s artworks and archival materials. They are one of the most comprehensive single-artist museums in the world and the largest in North America. Other great attractions include the National Aviary with an amazing collection of more than 600 exotic and endangered birds from nearly every continent. And not to be overlooked is The Senator John Heinz History Center, Pennsylvania’s largest history museum and an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. Devoted to the history and heritage of Western Pennsylvania, the family of museums includes the Heinz History Center, Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, Fort Pitt Museum, and Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village.
Enjoy the open road while visiting some of baseball’s living legends!