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Stay Tonight · Cincinnati, OH
Hotel
Cincinnati Overnight
Book near downtown or the ballpark so your first-game arrival stays simple.
DAY 1
Friday, April 10
First pitch at 6:45 PM ET — Cincinnati Reds vs. Los Angeles Angels at Great American Ball Park tonight. Don't leave without Cincinnati Chili Dog (Skyline).
Stop 01 of 13
Cincinnati, OH · Fri Apr 10
Cincinnati Reds · MLB
6:45 PM ET
vs. Los Angeles Angels
Must Eat at the Park
Cincinnati Chili Dog (Skyline)
Cincinnati chili served over a hot dog (the Cheese Coney). Skyline Chili has operated in Cincinnati since 1949.
Local Beer
MadTree Axis IPA
Cincinnati's most celebrated craft brewery. Axis IPA is their flagship.
MadTree Brewing
The Big Red Machine
Pilgrim Notes · Cincinnati Baseball History
Stay Tonight · Cincinnati, OH
First pitch tomorrow at 8:40 PM ET. Leave by Previous evening — overnight drive recommended.
Fri Morning
Long drive — consider stopping overnight in Cincinnati overnight.
Breakfast Stop · Cincinnati, OH
Price Hill Chili
Price Hill neighborhood. Cincinnati chili for breakfast is the move — a 3-way at 8 AM has no business working and yet it does. Open early for the pre-work crowd.
3-Way chili + coffee
Open 7 AM Mon–Sat
Worth the Detour · +10 min
50 hand-built miniature American monuments in a Springfield machinist's backyard.
Springfield, OH · 10 min detourCincinnati → Denver
1365 mi · 23.5h · long haul
DAY 8
Friday, April 17
First pitch at 8:40 PM ET — Colorado Rockies vs. Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field tonight. Hartman Rock Garden Springfield is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 02 of 13
Denver, CO · Fri Apr 17
Colorado Rockies · MLB
8:40 PM ET
vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Must Eat at the Park
Rocky Mountain Oysters
Deep-fried bull testicles. Yes, really. A Colorado tradition served with cocktail sauce. Try them.
Local Beer
Blue Moon Belgian White
Invented in the Sandlot Brewing Company in Coors Field's basement in 1995.
Blue Moon (Coors)
The Thin Air Problem and the Humidor Solution
Pilgrim Notes · Denver Baseball History
Stay Tonight · Denver, CO
First pitch tomorrow at 7:40 PM ET. Leave by Previous evening — overnight drive recommended.
Fri Morning
Long drive — consider stopping overnight in Denver overnight.
Breakfast Stop · Denver, CO
Snooze AM Eatery
Born in Denver in 2006, now a regional icon. The pineapple upside-down pancake is genuinely one of the best things you will eat at breakfast anywhere. Bloody Marys and patio seating.
Pineapple upside-down pancakes + Bloody Mary
Open 6:30 AM–2:30 PM daily
Worth the Detour · +10 min
A 28-foot spaceman on Route 66 since 1965. The drive-in still serves burgers.
Wilmington, IL · 10 min detourDenver → Chicago
1148 mi · 19.8h · long haul
DAY 15
Friday, April 24
First pitch at 7:40 PM ET — Chicago White Sox vs. Washington Nationals at Guaranteed Rate Field tonight — Miguel Vargas Bobblehead tonight. Gemini Giant Wilmington is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 03 of 13
Chicago, IL · Fri Apr 24
Chicago White Sox · MLB
7:40 PM ET
vs. Washington Nationals
Must Eat at the Park
Maxwell Street Polish Sausage
Jim's Original Maxwell Street Polish — a grilled Polish sausage with mustard and grilled onions on a bun.
Local Beer
Revolution Anti-Hero IPA
Chicago's largest independent craft brewery also serves the South Side.
Revolution Brewing
The Friendly Confines and the Longest Drought in Sports
Pilgrim Notes · Chicago Baseball History
Stay Tonight · Chicago, IL
First pitch tomorrow at 6:10 PM ET. Leave by 11:32 AM.
Mon Morning
Leave on time to allow for fuel, food, and parking.
Breakfast Stop · Chicago, IL
Lou Mitchell's
Jackson Blvd since 1923. A Chicago institution older than most Wrigley Field renovations. Double-yolk eggs, homemade marmalade, complimentary Milk Duds while you wait. Cubs and Sox fans both claim it.
Double-yolk omelette + fresh OJ
Open 5:30 AM–3 PM Mon–Sat
Worth the Detour · +10 min
Five colorfully painted 1960s Volkswagen Beetles stacked on top of each other in a pawn shop parking lot in Defiance. A mannequin climbs out of the fourth one. This is art.
Defiance, OH · 10 min detourChicago → Cleveland
298 mi · 5.1h · regional run
DAY 18
Monday, April 27
First pitch at 6:10 PM ET — Cleveland Guardians vs. Tampa Bay Rays at Progressive Field tonight — Bark in the Park tonight. Tower of VW Bugs is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 04 of 13
Cleveland, OH · Mon Apr 27
Cleveland Guardians · MLB
6:10 PM ET
vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Must Eat at the Park
Polish Boy Sausage
A kielbasa in a bun topped with french fries, coleslaw, and hot sauce. A Cleveland original found nowhere else.
Local Beer
Great Lakes Dortmunder Gold
The Cleveland craft institution. Dortmunder Gold has won more awards than any Ohio beer.
Great Lakes Brewing
The Longest Championship Drought and One Perfect Game
Pilgrim Notes · Cleveland Baseball History
Stay Tonight · Cleveland, OH
First pitch tomorrow at 7:15 PM ET. Leave by Previous evening — overnight drive recommended.
Wed Morning
Long drive — consider stopping overnight in Cleveland overnight.
Breakfast Stop · Cleveland, OH
West Side Market
Ohio City since 1912. The greatest market hall in the Midwest. Over 100 vendors — pierogi, kielbasa, fresh bread. Grab breakfast from multiple stalls and eat in the main hall. A Cleveland essential.
Fresh pierogi + kielbasa + bread from multiple stalls
Open 7 AM Wed/Fri/Sat/Sun
Worth the Detour · +10 min
109 concrete ears of corn arranged in rows like Arlington National Cemetery outside Columbus. Each one weighs 1,500 lbs and stands 6 feet tall. There is no satisfying explanation.
Dublin, OH · 10 min detourCleveland → Cumberland
743 mi · 12.8h · long haul
DAY 20
Wednesday, April 29
It's a 12.8h haul from Cleveland — plan to break this into two days or drive the night before. First pitch at 7:15 PM ET — Atlanta Braves vs. Detroit Tigers at Truist Park tonight — Dale Murphy 1980s Replica Jersey (Legendary Alumni Collection) tonight. Field of Corn (Cornhenge) is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 05 of 13
Cumberland, GA · Wed Apr 29
Atlanta Braves · MLB
7:15 PM ET
vs. Detroit Tigers
Must Eat at the Park
Georgia Chop Burger
Ground beef from Georgia farms, local cheese, house-made pickles on a brioche bun. Genuine farm-to-table ballpark burger.
Local Beer
SweetWater 420 EPA
Atlanta's flagship craft brewery. The 420 EPA is the most recognized Georgia craft beer.
SweetWater Brewing Co.
Stay Tonight · Cumberland, GA
First pitch tomorrow at 8:10 PM ET. Leave by Previous evening — overnight drive recommended.
Mon Morning
Long drive — consider stopping overnight in Cumberland overnight.
Breakfast Stop · Cumberland, GA
The Silver Skillet
Atlanta institution open since 1956 on 14th Street NW. The most authentic Southern breakfast left in Atlanta. Real grits, biscuits made from scratch, country ham. Not changing for anyone.
Country ham + red-eye gravy + biscuit + grits
Open 6 AM–2 PM Mon–Fri, 7 AM–2 PM Sat
Worth the Detour · +30 min
The Civil War's deadliest prison camp, and the only Confederate officer hanged for war crimes.
Andersonville, GA · 30 min detourCumberland → Houston
878 mi · 15.1h · long haul
DAY 25
Monday, May 4
First pitch at 8:10 PM ET — Houston Astros vs. Los Angeles Dodgers at Minute Maid Park tonight. Andersonville National Historic Site is worth 30 minutes off the highway.
Stop 06 of 13
Houston, TX · Mon May 4
Houston Astros · MLB
8:10 PM ET
vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Must Eat at the Park
Texas Smoke Brisket Sandwich
Central Texas-style brisket sliced thick and served on white bread with pickles, onions, and sauce on the side.
Local Beer
Karbach Love Street
Houston's most popular craft blonde ale. Easy drinking for a retractable roof afternoon.
Karbach Brewing
The Astros and the Comeback City
Pilgrim Notes · Houston Baseball History
Stay Tonight · Houston, TX
First pitch tomorrow at 7:10 PM ET. Leave by Previous evening — overnight drive recommended.
Thu Morning
Long drive — consider stopping overnight in Houston overnight.
Breakfast Stop · Houston, TX
Breakfast Klub
Midtown Houston since 2001. The wings-and-waffle combination redefined Houston breakfast culture. Line goes around the block on weekends. Worth every minute. One of the great American breakfast institutions.
Wings and waffles + fresh-squeezed OJ
Open 7 AM–2 PM Mon–Fri, 8 AM weekends
Worth the Detour · +5 min
A million-gallon water tower shaped like a giant peach on the South Carolina border along I-85. Featured in House of Cards. Debated endlessly for resembling something other than a peach.
Gaffney, SC · 5 min detourHouston → Boston
2001 mi · 34.5h · long haul
DAY 28
Thursday, May 7
First pitch at 7:10 PM ET — Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park tonight — Garrett Crochet Jersey Variant Bobblehead tonight. The Giant Peachoid Water Tower is worth 5 minutes off the highway.
Stop 07 of 13
Boston, MA · Thu May 7
Boston Red Sox · MLB
7:10 PM ET
vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Must Eat at the Park
Fenway Frank
The Fenway Frank has been a staple since the 1900s. A boiled-then-grilled Kayem hot dog in a New England-style bun, served with mustard and relish.
Local Beer
Sam Adams Boston Lager
The hometown craft brewery. Sam Adams Pavilion on the right field roof deck is the premium destination.
Boston Beer Company
The Green Monster and the Curse That Was Never Real
Pilgrim Notes · Boston Baseball History
Stay Tonight · Boston, MA
First pitch tomorrow at 6:45 PM ET. Leave by Previous evening — overnight drive recommended.
Fri Morning
Long drive — consider stopping overnight in Boston overnight.
Breakfast Stop · Boston, MA
Flour Bakery and Cafe
Joanne Chang changed Boston breakfast. The South End original is the pilgrimage. Sticky buns that GQ called the best pastry in America. Egg sandwich on house bread is the move.
Sticky bun + egg sandwich on house bread
Open 7 AM Mon–Fri, 8 AM weekends
Worth the Detour · +10 min
A fire-breathing steel sculpture rises from a field beside Route 20 near East Bethany. Private property, but clearly visible from the road and absolutely baffling.
East Bethany, NY · 10 min detourBoston → Detroit
763 mi · 13.2h · long haul
DAY 36
Friday, May 15
First pitch at 6:45 PM ET — Detroit Tigers vs. Toronto Blue Jays at Comerica Park tonight — Strike Out Cancer Weekend tonight. Big Metal Dragon is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 08 of 13
Detroit, MI · Fri May 15
Detroit Tigers · MLB
6:45 PM ET
vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Must Eat at the Park
Detroit Coney Dog
Natural-casing beef frank with beanless meat chili, mustard, and white onion. The Detroit Coney Dog.
Local Beer
Bell's Two Hearted Ale
Voted America's best beer multiple times. Available throughout Comerica Park.
Bell's Brewery
Ty Cobb, Tiger Stadium, and the Long Goodbye
Pilgrim Notes · Detroit Baseball History
Stay Tonight · Detroit, MI
First pitch tomorrow at 7:40 PM ET. Leave by Previous evening — overnight drive recommended.
Mon Morning
Long drive — consider stopping overnight in Detroit overnight.
Breakfast Stop · Detroit, MI
Dulys Place
Springwells neighborhood since 1921. A coney island diner barely changed in 100 years. The best Coney dog in Detroit — and that is not a small claim in a city that defines itself by this dish. Opens at 4 AM.
Coney dog + coffee
Open 4 AM–3 PM daily
Worth the Detour · +10 min
A 62-foot statue of Jesus with outstretched arms looms over I-75 near Monroe. The original 'Touchdown Jesus' was struck by lightning in 2010. This is the replacement. It was not struck by lightning.
Monroe, OH · 10 min detourDetroit → Kansas City
800 mi · 13.8h · long haul
DAY 39
Monday, May 18
First pitch at 7:40 PM ET — Kansas City Royals vs. Boston Red Sox at Kauffman Stadium tonight — Lights Out Lucas Bobblehead tonight. Hug Me Jesus (Lux Mundi) is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 09 of 13
Kansas City, MO · Mon May 18
Kansas City Royals · MLB
7:40 PM ET
vs. Boston Red Sox
Must Eat at the Park
KC Burnt Ends
Kansas City-style burnt ends — the crispy, caramelized points of a smoked brisket. The defining food of KC BBQ.
Local Beer
Boulevard Unfiltered Wheat
Kansas City's defining craft brewery. The Unfiltered Wheat is a KC staple at the K.
Boulevard Brewing
George Brett and the Pine Tar Game
Pilgrim Notes · Kansas City Baseball History
Stay Tonight · Kansas City, MO
First pitch tomorrow at 3:40 PM ET. Leave by Previous evening — overnight drive recommended.
Wed Morning
Long drive — consider stopping overnight in Kansas City overnight.
Breakfast Stop · Kansas City, MO
Town Topic Hamburgers
Midnight diner on Broadway since 1937. Open 24 hours. The burger is the point but the breakfast menu has fueled Kansas City's night owls and early risers for 85 years. Order at the counter.
Eggs + hash + coffee
Open 24 hours
Worth the Detour · +15 min
Sleep in a concrete teepee. One of only two surviving Wigwam Motels on Route 66, built in 1950 in Holbrook, Arizona. Vintage cars parked out front. The rooms are small. The experience is genuinely strange.
Holbrook, AZ · 15 min detourKansas City → Phoenix
1314 mi · 22.6h · long haul
DAY 41
Wednesday, May 20
It's a 22.6h haul from Kansas City — plan to break this into two days or drive the night before. First pitch at 3:40 PM ET — Arizona Diamondbacks vs. San Francisco Giants at Chase Field today. Wigwam Motel — Holbrook is worth 15 minutes off the highway.
Stop 10 of 13
Phoenix, AZ · Wed May 20
Arizona Diamondbacks · MLB
3:40 PM ET
vs. San Francisco Giants
Must Eat at the Park
Sonoran Hot Dog
A bacon-wrapped hot dog topped with pinto beans, onions, tomatoes, jalapeño sauce, mustard, and mayo on a bolillo roll.
Local Beer
Four Peaks Kilt Lifter
Tempe-based craft brewery. The Kilt Lifter Scottish-style ale is the Arizona craft standard.
Four Peaks Brewing
The 2001 World Series and the Greatest Game Ever Played
Pilgrim Notes · Phoenix Baseball History
Stay Tonight · Phoenix, AZ
First pitch tomorrow at 9:38 PM ET. Leave by 12:55 PM.
Fri Morning
Long drive — consider stopping overnight in Anaheim.
Breakfast Stop · Phoenix, AZ
Matt's Big Breakfast
The definitive Phoenix breakfast. Tiny corner diner open since 2004. Cage-free eggs, house-ground sausage, thick-cut bacon. The Griddle Cake plate is legendary. Line forms before it opens.
Griddle cakes + house sausage
Open 6:30 AM–2:30 PM daily
Worth the Detour · +25 min
The best-preserved cliff dwelling in North America, 90 feet above a creek.
Camp Verde, AZ · 25 min detourPhoenix → Anaheim
419 mi · 7.2h · regional run
DAY 43
Friday, May 22
It's a 7.2h haul from Phoenix — plan to break this into two days or drive the night before. First pitch at 9:38 PM ET — Los Angeles Angels vs. Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium tonight — Camo Trucker Hat tonight. Montezuma Castle National Monument is worth 25 minutes off the highway.
Stop 11 of 13
Anaheim, CA · Fri May 22
Los Angeles Angels · MLB
9:38 PM ET
vs. Texas Rangers
Must Eat at the Park
Helmet Nachos
Nachos served in a full-size batting helmet with cheese, jalapeños, and pico. The helmet is yours to keep.
Local Beer
Golden Road Mango Cart
The mango wheat beer. Light, tropical, perfect for Orange County weather.
Golden Road Brewing
Stay Tonight · Anaheim, CA
First pitch tomorrow at 2:20 PM ET. Leave by Previous evening — overnight drive recommended.
Sun Morning
Long drive — consider stopping overnight in Anaheim overnight.
Worth the Detour · +10 min
A 134-foot thermometer built to honor the 134°F record set in nearby Death Valley. Visible from I-15. The Alien Fresh Jerky shop next door is its own category of American roadside experience.
Baker, CA · 10 min detourAnaheim → Chicago
2163 mi · 37.3h · long haul
DAY 45
Sunday, May 24
It's a 37.3h haul from Anaheim — plan to break this into two days or drive the night before. First pitch at 2:20 PM ET — Chicago Cubs vs. Houston Astros at Wrigley Field today — Ryne Sandberg Bobblehead (150th Anniversary) today. World's Largest Thermometer — Baker is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 12 of 13
Chicago, IL · Sun May 24
Chicago Cubs · MLB
2:20 PM ET
vs. Houston Astros
Must Eat at the Park
Chicago-Style Hot Dog
A Vienna beef hot dog on a poppy seed bun, dragged through the garden: yellow mustard, bright green relish, onions, tomato wedges, a pickle spear, sport peppers, and celery salt. No ketchup. Ever.
Local Beer
Old Style Lager
Served at Wrigley since 1950. The single most identified brand with Cubs baseball. The bleachers run on Old Style.
Pabst Brewing
The Friendly Confines and the Longest Drought in Sports
Pilgrim Notes · Chicago Baseball History
Stay Tonight · Chicago, IL
First pitch tomorrow at 6:35 PM ET. Leave by Previous evening — overnight drive recommended.
Tue Morning
Long drive — consider stopping overnight in Chicago overnight.
Breakfast Stop · Chicago, IL
Ann Sather
Boystown since 1945. The cinnamon rolls are mythological — the size of your head, fresh every morning. Swedish-American diner that has defined Wrigleyville breakfast culture for 80 years.
Giant cinnamon roll + eggs
Open 7 AM daily
Worth the Detour · +10 min
109 concrete ears of corn arranged in rows like Arlington National Cemetery outside Columbus. Each one weighs 1,500 lbs and stands 6 feet tall. There is no satisfying explanation.
Dublin, OH · 10 min detourChicago → Baltimore
756 mi · 13h · long haul
DAY 47
Tuesday, May 26
It's a 13h haul from Chicago — plan to break this into two days or drive the night before. First pitch at 6:35 PM ET — Baltimore Orioles vs. Tampa Bay Rays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards tonight — Jewish Heritage Night tonight. Field of Corn (Cornhenge) is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 13 of 13
Baltimore, MD · Tue May 26
Baltimore Orioles · MLB
6:35 PM ET
vs. Tampa Bay Rays
Must Eat at the Park
Boog's BBQ Pit Beef Sandwich
Boog Powell — former Orioles MVP — has operated his BBQ stand at Camden Yards since 1992. The pit beef sandwich is Baltimore.
Local Beer
Dempsey's Brew Pub
Full-service brew pub on the right field lower concourse that brews its own beers on site.
Dempsey's Brewing
Camden Yards Changed Everything
Pilgrim Notes · Baltimore Baseball History
Shift 2 days to catch A's Youth Catching Glove at Sutter Health Park, West Sacramento CA.
• A's Youth Catching Glove at Sutter Health Park, West Sacramento CA
• Golden State Valkyries Day: Baseball Jersey at Oracle Park
• PEANUTS Day at Fenway Park
• Kids Opening Day Beanie + Free Ice Cream at Target Field
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* Estimates only. Prices vary.
How This Trip Was Planned
Our Algorithm
We evaluate many stop orders (up to seven parks: every permutation; larger trips: smart samples plus nearest-neighbor paths from home) and keep the version that preserves the most ballparks on your list with the least driving between games, inside an expanded or standard date ...
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