While summer vacation may open a door to feelings of pure relaxation, the idea of coordinating a family trip can be stressful. Many families opt for the beach or mountains as their vacation destination. For my family, summer vacations revolve around Major League Baseball stadiums. As the Kansas City Royals travel on the road, we are eager to seeour hometown players face other teams.
What may be a simple weeknight activity for some became the outline for all of our family summer vacations. Over the years of my childhood, we visited 21 of the 30 Major League Baseball stadiums. Each summer we pack our bags and set off on a road trip, heading to iconic stadiums with new hometown traditions and game day experiences. From exploring different states and what the game means to each community, to sampling local and unique ballpark foods, this summer tradition goes beyond a simple nine-inning ball game. These trips have given me memories far beyond baseball. They have taught me the value of spending quality time with family, embracing new places and appreciating the traditions that bring people together.
Since I was 5, my family has greeted every summer with a new MLB stadium. Beginning in St. Louis, we learned that exploring a new ballpark could be a simple weekend trip for family members of all ages to enjoy. Whether it’s the excitement of the game or the atmosphere of friendly competition, even casual fans can find something to appreciate. The interactive mascots and activities like hot dog races offer additional entertainment for younger fans. Busch Stadium, home of the Cardinals, sits less than four hours from Kansas City, making it the perfect introduction to road trips with young children. Along with catching a Royals game against St. Louis, my family visited landmarks that define the city, including The Gateway Arch and the city’s iconic Union Station.
The following year, we made the almost-eight-hour drive to Wrigley Stadium in Chicago to experience the unique culture that the Cubs bring to the game. Building off the previous year, the additional 3 1/2 hours in the car was the perfect test to see if we could handle longer journeys.
As the summers continued, so did our trips to other MLB stadiums. Each year we discussed which stadiums we were most eager to visit and began planning our weeklong adventure. Some stadiums stand out due to their breathtaking views, such as Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies; and PNC Park, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates. We remember others for their baseball culture, including Yankee Stadium and Camden Yards in Baltimore.
On some trips, we visited more than one stadium. While in Ohio, we visited the homes of the Cincinnati Reds and the Cleveland Indians. In Florida, we traveled to stadiums in Miami and Tampa Bay (St. Petersburg). This approach allows flexibility for travelers who are passing through multiple major cities or states.
Each stadium showcases its own personality. Whether it’s waterfront views or passionate fans who are eager to share local traditions, each ballpark offers a getaway into a new world. Baseball became our guide to creating lasting family memories beyond the stadium. While in Minneapolis, I was treated to an afternoon at the American Girl store in the Mall of America. In Philadelphia, we took a family photo next to the famous Rocky statue before shopping at Reading Terminal Market.
My family enjoys the beach as well, so we had a beach day in Tybee Island, Georgia, after watching the Atlanta Braves play ball. After attending a Washington Nationals game, we traveled to Virginia Beach for a day in the sun. Before an evening Houston Astros game, we spent the day on the beaches of Galveston. This way, we were able to experience traditional beach vacation fun alongside our baseball tradition.
As Labor Day approaches, families have the chance to reflect on memories and plan a final summer getaway. For my family, using stadiums as a blueprint created a tradition that my brothers and I will remember for the rest of our lives.
Whether you are a big baseball fan or simply want to plan a last-minute Labor Day trip, exploring a MLB stadium allows you to create a new family tradition of your own. With destinations across the country, families can choose to visit a ballpark just hours away or plan longer getaways to explore destinations a little farther from home. The combination of travel and entertainment creates a vacation with something for all ages.
Fall schedules often pull family members in different directions. As Labor Day weekend approaches, a baseball road trip allows families to create one last summer memory. The conversations during the drive, the excitement of entering a new stadium, and the shared experiences throughout the game can leave a lasting impact on the entire family. Sometimes the best family traditions are the ones built around the simplest moments. For my family, those moments created a summer tradition that fosters a love for baseball while continuing to bring us together — one stadium at a time.