Rental Car
Pick Up Your Rental
Pick upNorfolk · Aug 23
Drop offCharlotte · Aug 26
Total miles351 mi
Getting There · Step 1
Stay Tonight · Norfolk, VA
Hotel
Norfolk Overnight
Check-inSun, Aug 23
Check-outMon, Aug 24
First pitch1:05 PM ET
Book near downtown or the ballpark so your first-game arrival stays simple.
DAY 1
Sunday, August 23
First pitch at 1:05 PM ET — Norfolk Tides vs. Nashville Sounds at Harbor Park today — Bark in the Park #6 today.
Stop 01 of 03
Norfolk, VA · Sun Aug 23
Harbor Park
Norfolk Tides · AAA
1:05 PM ET
vs. Nashville Sounds
Must Eat at the Park
Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Cake
Picked blue crab lump meat, Old Bay seasoning, minimal binder, pan-fried.
Local Beer
Smartmouth Brewing Notch Sessionable IPA
Smartmouth is the most available local craft at Harbor Park.
Smartmouth Brewing · Norfolk, VA
Stay Tonight · Norfolk, VA
Norfolk Overnight
Check-inSun, Aug 23
Check-outMon, Aug 24
First pitch tomorrow at 6:45 PM ET. Leave by 1:50 PM.
Tue Morning
When to Depart
Leave by1:50 PM
Drive to Durham198 mi · 3.4h
Game time6:45 PM ET
Leave on time to allow for fuel, food, and parking.
Worth the Detour · +10 min
World's Largest Chest of Drawers
A 38-foot Victorian dresser with giant socks hanging out the bottom drawer stands on a corner in High Point, NC — the Furniture Capital of the World. The socks honor the textile industry.
High Point, NC · 10 min detourNorfolk → Durham
198 mi · 3.4h · easy leg
DAY 3
Tuesday, August 25
The 3.4h drive from Norfolk to Durham is straightforward — leave after breakfast and you're there. First pitch at 6:45 PM ET — Durham Bulls vs. Norfolk Tides at Durham Bulls Athletic Park tonight — Toros Bravos de Durham — Copa de la Diversión Night 1 tonight. World's Largest Chest of Drawers is worth 10 minutes off the highway.
Stop 02 of 03
Durham, NC · Tue Aug 25
Durham Bulls Athletic Park
Durham Bulls · AAA
6:45 PM ET
vs. Norfolk Tides
Must Eat at the Park
BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich
Eastern North Carolina vinegar-based pulled pork on a sturdy bun with coleslaw.
Local Beer
Fullsteam Brewery Paycheck Pilsner
Fullsteam is the most Durham-specific craft brewery. Paycheck Pilsner and Worker's Comp Saison are both available.
Fullsteam Brewery · Durham, NC
Bull Durham, the Crash Davis Effect, and the Real Baseball Town
Pilgrim Notes · Durham Baseball History
Stay Tonight · Durham, NC
Durham Overnight
Check-inTue, Aug 25
Check-outWed, Aug 26
First pitch tomorrow at 6:35 PM ET. Leave by 2:27 PM.
Wed Morning
When to Depart
Leave by2:27 PM
Drive to Charlotte153 mi · 2.6h
Game time6:35 PM ET
Leave on time to allow for fuel, food, and parking.
Breakfast Stop · Durham, NC
Before You Hit the Road
Dame's Chicken and Waffles
Downtown Durham, NC. The Bulls park is walking distance. Global-inspired waffle combinations — the Kaya (coconut jam and butter) and the Seoul (kimchi and sriracha) are the standouts. A genuine Durham institution.
Chicken and waffles + house sauce
Open 8 AM–3 PM daily
Worth the Detour · +5 min
The Giant Peachoid Water Tower
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 detourDurham → Charlotte
153 mi · 2.6h · easy leg
DAY 4
Wednesday, August 26
The 2.6h drive from Durham to Charlotte is straightforward — leave after breakfast and you're there. First pitch at 6:35 PM ET — Charlotte Knights vs. Memphis Redbirds at Truist Field tonight. The Giant Peachoid Water Tower is worth 5 minutes off the highway.
Stop 03 of 03
Charlotte, NC · Wed Aug 26
Truist Field
Charlotte Knights · AAA
6:35 PM ET
vs. Memphis Redbirds
Must Eat at the Park
Carolina Chicken Sandwich
Fried chicken breast with Duke's mayo, bread and butter pickles, and mustard-vinegar coleslaw.
Local Beer
NoDa Brewing Hop Drop 'n Roll IPA
NoDa's Hop Drop 'n Roll has won GABF medals. Available throughout Truist Field.
NoDa Brewing Co. · Charlotte, NC
Charlotte Knights and the Stadium That Brought Baseball Back Downtown
Pilgrim Notes · Charlotte Baseball History
What to Budget
Estimates only — prices vary by availability
Tickets · 3 games (avg $46)$54
Hotels · 3 nights (avg $155)$330
Fuel · 351 mi at $0.18/mi$63
Ballpark food & drinks$90
Total Estimate$537
* 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 ...